3 Votes
Congressional Leadership as Citizens of Foreign Lands?
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Congressional representative Michele Bachman was recently granted a Switzerland citizenship. She calls the matter a non-story … but is it? Is it not disturbing that political leaders of the United States could theoretically have legal duties or binding interests to foreign lands? It is especially disturbing considering that upon becoming a congressional representative that a full clearance is granted (to anything and all compartments). When a large matter of national security falls into the “NOFORN” category, what kind of precedent is she setting for maintaining classified information? (Not that congress isn’t the source of nearly all leaks …)
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So waht? by Occams
I don’t think Michelle is much of a threat. Her family all went for dual citizenship because they could, and it makes sense. I would feel safer travelling on a Swiss passport than a USA one.
As to the question of whether she should have done that as a member of Congress, and the general question about that: again, not much of a threat because it is out in the open and if we ever get into a strained relationship with a country for which some congressmen are dual citizens, then appropriate action can be taken to protect secrets. They remain citizens of the USA and have all the obligations and responsibilities that go with that.
In my opinion the NOFORN classification is ridiculous and lazy. We should be more discriminating than that.
RE: So waht? by VnutZ
In my opinion the NOFORN classification is ridiculous and lazy. We should be more discriminating than that.
You can’t seriously be thinking there’s material that CANNOT be shared outside the US? Even thinking generically I can come up with generic topics that would be damaging like loss of techniques, current access and most importantly – human assets.
RE: So waht? by Occams
No, I just think that if a secter is worth keeping you take it more seriously than NOFORN. Citizenship is no guarantee of integrity.
It can be an insult to close allies because it implies that any American is more trustworthy than them.
I first encountered it in the satellite business where some NOFORN classified stuff was already well known in the industry and it was all rather a joke as they pretended not to know.
Regarding Her Dual Citizenship by VnutZ
I don’t think Michelle is much of a threat.
She herself is probably not a threat – she’s just too damn dumb.
I would feel safer travelling on a Swiss passport than a USA one.
Absolutely, I lie all the time when I travel with the point of entry being the only time my passport betrays me. However, with the rise of biometrics, one is certainly not immune from being identified regardless of the passport you’ve chosen to travel on (unless 3rd world is your destination of choice).
… again, not much of a threat because it is out in the open and if we ever get into a strained relationship with a country for which some congressmen are dual citizens, then appropriate action can be taken to protect secrets.
So all of a sudden it’s okay to be dual citizens with Switzerland without asking. What if some congressional representative wanted dual citizenship with Russia, China or Iran? Same thing right? Just let them have it and deal with it later?
They remain citizens of the USA and have all the obligations and responsibilities that go with that.
Because congressional representatives have shown such diligence in adhering to the obligations and responsibilities of being an American, right? But technically, now they’re also citizens of X and have all the obligations and responsibilities that go along with that as well.
RE: Regarding Her Dual Citizenship by Occams
now they’re also citizens of X and have all the obligations and responsibilities that go along with that as well.
One group od countries (Canada Australia etc), have a head of state who is also the head of state and of the others in the group. That is a gionormous conflict of interest, but it works because it is all out in the open and the people involved handle it responsibly.
It is not the citizenship that couts but allegiance.
RE: Regarding Her Dual Citizenship by VnutZ
… it seems to have been withdrawn already. “I am, and always have been, 100% committed to our United States Constitution and the United States of America,” the statement continued. “As the daughter of an Air Force veteran, stepdaughter of an Army veteran and sister of a Navy veteran, I am proud of my allegiance to the greatest nation the world has ever known.”
It is not the citizenship that couts but allegiance.
The allegiance definitely matters, especially when one is on the Intelligence Committee. How would you feel about a dual citizen Mexican American representative (stereotyped for discussion) voting on trade bills with Mexico? An economic conflict of interest is far more likely than a defense/intelligence one.
RE: Regarding Her Dual Citizenship by Occams
True that would be a problem. The mexican’s citizenship would be well known and he would have to recuse himself.
RE: Regarding Her Dual Citizenship by VnutZ
Seems a bit unequal wouldn’t you say? I mean, that’s even more insulting to the other nation than NOFORN intelligence! Better just to make politicians stay American.
RE: Regarding Her Dual Citizenship by Occams
just to make politicians stay American.
They still are American. Actually, I don’t think it would be so bad if a Mexican was able to get into congress and give some representation to the many Mexicans in the USA.