Politician seeks to revoke Schwarzenegger's Austrian citizenship

[Newsjock]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/10709370.htm

WILLIAM J. KOLE
Associated Press

VIENNA, Austria - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should be stripped of citizenship in his native Austria for approving the execution of a convicted killer, a leading Austrian politician said Saturday.

Peter Pilz, a top official with the environmentalist Green Party, said the Austria-born Schwarzenegger no longer is worthy of citizenship in his homeland because he broke the law by clearing Donald Beardslee's execution on Wednesday.

Capital punishment is illegal here, and Schwarzenegger - who holds dual U.S.-Austrian nationality - should be stripped of his Austrian passport for "heavily damaging the reputation of the republic," Pilz said.

... The backlash against Schwarzenegger underscores how he has lost popularity in his homeland over his support for the death penalty. Most Austrians - and many other Europeans - abhor capital punishment as cruel and inhumane.

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[JI7]

1. i didn't know he had Austrian Citizenship, why didn't we use that

against him ?

maybe we should.

[forgethell]

8. You know

that some people have been trying to amend the Constitution to allow foreign born citizens to be President nainly thinking about AS. But I wonder if a person holding dual-citizenship should be alllowed to hold office at all. I think I would like our office-holders to owe loyalty only to the United States.

Just a thought.

[MHalblaub]

15. Once Germany had an Austrian leader... -nt-

[Vidar]

2. Dual citizenship is and should be allowed, to my knowledge.

[unblock]

3. should be allowed, yes, but for high public officials?

i don't think it's inappropriate to want our elected officials to limit their citizenship to this country.

[UL_Approved]

4. Our founding fathers knew what they were doing

They knew that the interests of a nation are best served from within when it comes to politics. This is true for the higher branches of government more so than state and local. This ensures that no foreign puppet leader is installed for rule.

[lawladyprof]

5. I heartily agree and I am a dual national.

This what the problem is with the naturalized citizens can be president amendment. Naturalized citizens, yes. Dual citizens, no.

[GTS]

6. Are you implying that immigrants should not be eligible for high office?

In many countries there is simply no way to give up your citizenship. Becoming a US citizen doesn't make the slightest difference from their perspective. You will always be a citizen of such country.

[unblock]

9. i never said anything about eligibility

i was only talking about it being a politically relevant issue.

i also didn't talk broadly about immigrants. those who maintain dual citizenship is a much more specific group of people.

if an immigrant runs for governor, they should expept their immigrant and citizenship status to be an issue. if they wish to try to deflect it by saying that the other country doesn't make it possible to renounce that citizenship, they're welcome to make that statement.

[lawladyprof]

10. Whether the other country accepts it is irrelevant

To be eligible to be President, the individual must have (formally?) renounced his or her allegiance to another country, i.e., citizenship and not two weeks before announcing his or her candidacy either.

[leesa]

7. Excellent! He executed a profoundly retarded man just like his Fuhrer

Bush likes to do. And just like his Dad's Fuhrer, Hitler, liked to do.

[dbeach]

11. Schwarzenazi is not only 'dulaie'..Wolfie,Perlie,Rover and

many others in govt have dual citizens..
Who do they really serve?
Cannot have 2 masters!

[brook]

12. You referring to Karl Rove?

He was born in Denver.

[dbeach]

13. Karl Rove is dual citizen with germany

Over 700 hits on google

http://www.wiolawapress.com/karl.htm

[brook]

17. Thanks for the link.

However, there's no evidence that the story is true. Rove's great-grandfather, Olaf, is said to have been from Norway.

[alfredo]

14. Tom Clancy wondered aloud about Wolfowitz

When asked about Wolfie, he replied, "Is he really on our side."

I wonder about the loyalty of Wolfowitz and Bolton. They seem to be more concerned about Israel than the US. The same could be said about DeLay. Remember his official web site had the Israeli flag flying over the Capitol building.

[uppityperson]

16. If not Austrian, can he run for USA president?

my first thought is will this mean that there is no need for (repub) legistlators to try to ammend the contstitution to allow foreign born us citizens to be president? Though he still is foreign born so what would this matter but still, you know? I distrust Them (the repubs, not the giant ants).

[mcscajun]

18. Only native-born can run for President as it stands now…

…so whatever they have in mind, whether Arnold loses his Austrian citizenship makes no difference; they'll still need an amendment before Arnold or any other foreign born person can run for President.