I know you're feeling hurt, betrayed, and in general shat upon, but please resist the temptation to lash out for revenge. The cooler heads offering up advice like Ray, Bob S, Tim, and others here make a lot of sense. I've seen lots of people with revenge agendas go down in flames, particularly when trying to extract that revenge through our "legal" system. I'm sure Stephen could go on hour after hour about those people wasting years and hundreds of thousands of dollars and not end up any better off than when they started.
Please DO 1) whatever you can legally with the INS, including discussing it with as many people there as possible, withdrawing your support, etc. 2) seek legal assistance and follow the advice of the attornys.
Please DO NOT 1) continue to telegraph your moves to Thai's family, 2) make any threats, no matter how justified you may be, 3) begin or continue any conversations with Thai's family. If Thai contacts you and sounds like he wants to talk, agree only meet at a public place, and then maybe carry a tape recorder and have a couple of anonomous witnesses in the crowd.
I'm one of those people who seldom make wise choices at the spur of the moment so one of my basic rules I've established for myself, is to neither accept, reject or negotiate any offers at the time they're made. It's served me well and given some time to "sleep on it" has saved my own azz more than once or twice. Perhaps, you're a person who seems to always make the right moves in the heat of battle, but for most of us, careful consideration will come up with a far more effective plan.
Finally, please say to yourself twenty times per hour, "I did nothing wrong," and give up thoughts of extracting revenge. It will only detract from your needed attention of where to go from here. Focus on your girls, your work, your friends, and getting yourself back on your feet.
These are just some thoughts after reading the many, sometimes diverging, viewpoints. One thing is for sure, though, everyone who has responded to your posts is behind you, supports you and is wishing only the best for you.
- Jeff S.
