Austria Bursts With Pride Over Its Native Son Arnie

The SF Chronicle ^ | August 18, 2003 | Herr Eric Geiger

[Writer1]

Graz, Austria -- Should Arnold Schwarzenegger be elected governor of California, he may well be facing a conflict of interest of sorts. He owes allegiance not only to the United States but also to his native Austria.

Shortly before gaining U.S. citizenship in 1983, the bodybuilder-turned- actor made sure to retain his Austrian citizenship as well -- a status rarely granted in Austria, which in principle does not allow dual nationality.

[Writer1]

This reporter's last name is German. Many people with Nazi Party affiliations during WWII had the same last name. Does that mean he, too, is a Nazi? Using the same logic, he slanders Arnold with Nazi ooze.

[playball0]

At a small inn in Thal, a hilly rural community, several old-timers interrupted their card game and joined in collective praise. "He put us on the map," exclaimed one. One of his pals blurted out, "Even those arrogant city people down in Graz now have to look up at us -- Arnie belongs to us and not to them."

The fight between city folk and rural folk is the same everywhere.

[goldstategop]

American law does NOT allow dual citizenship. I don't know if Arnold's Austrian citizenship would still be valid after being sworn in as Governor Of California. Probably not.

[August West]

You don't know what you are talking about. U.S. law does allow dual-citizenship.

[Guillermo]

"The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy"

http://travel.state.gov/dualnationality.html

[mondonico]

Seems to me the question is whether Austrian law would permit a citizen to remain a citizen after he swears to uphold the Constitution and laws of another country (IIRC, I think most state oaths refer to the Constitution and laws of the US as well as the state's constitution and laws.).

At least in theory, swearing allegiance to another country would put one's US citizenship in peril--IIRC based on reading the fine printin my passport about how to lose it.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You are correct. A buddy of mine was born in the UK. His dad was US Army in WW II. His mom was English. His dad was killed in Korea and he was raised in the UK and has both a US and UK passport.

[mondonico]

Here is the oath (caveat: from an unofficial source):

Article 20, Section 3 of the California Constitution states: "Members of the Legislature, and all public officers and employees, executive, legislative, and judicial, except such inferior officers and employees as may be by law exempted, shall, before they enter upon the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:

"I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter."

"And I do further swear (or affirm) that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that now advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means; that within the five years immediately preceding the taking of this oath (or affirmation) I have not been a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that advocated the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means except as follows: (If no affiliations, write in the words "No Exceptions") and that during such time as I hold the office of (name of office) I will not advocate nor become a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means."

[moyden2000]

Arnold ist wunderbar.

[tictoc]

Typical liburl smear job