US citizenship targeted as unclean in Irish presidential race as candidate Dana slammed

Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2011 at 04:39 AM

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It is interesting to note that Ireland's effort to reclaim its Diaspora with a major conference in Dublin is occurring at the same time as a presidential candidate there is being excoriated for being an American as well as an Irish citizen.

One wonders what the many American businessmen and women will make of the attacks in the media on Dana Rosemary Scanlon since she revealed she was also an American citizen.

Admittedly, she should have stated it earlier, but the hostility in the media is amazing to witness.

The Irish Times even helpfully printed the oath declaring allegiance to America that she took when she became a citizen, even though dual American and Irish citizenship is clearly allowed.

The unspoken message is that somehow Dana, who has lived the vast majority of her life in Ireland and only lived in America when pursuing an American singing career, is somehow an alien and not to be trusted,

Coming at a time when the Diaspora has been gathered to assure them that they are all deeply treasured and honored it comes as somewhat of a surprise.

The leading presidential candidate Michael D Higgins has chimed in saying that American citizenship in some way made Dana suspect on the entire issue of running for president.

The Irish Times devoted almost a full page to the matter, making it out as some kind of major scandal.

This is despite the fact that Dana has as much chance of winning as the man in the moon.

American citizenship is somehow associated with being unclean in certain quarters in Ireland .

Despite the investment, the tourists, the goodwill, there is still it seems a nativist suspicion of Americans that Dana has run smack into.

Don't get me wrong, the vast majority of Irish people are pro American and very supportive.

But there is a chattering class that delights in feeding an anti-American frenzy and they are in full flight right now.

It is a strange message to send to Irish Americans and Irish abroad everywhere.

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cillowen | Oct 08, 2011, 01:05 PM EDT

Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland, Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free ---------------------------------------------- The Soldiers' Song - Irish National Anthem - ................ Sinne Fianna Fáil,[fn 1] atá faoi[fn 2] gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,[fn 3] Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig amhrán na bhfiann ................................... Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland, Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland, Shall shelter the despot or the slave. Tonight we man the "bearna baoil",[fn 4] In Erin’s cause, come woe or weal, ’Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal, We’ll chant a soldier's song

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cillowen | Oct 08, 2011, 01:03 PM EDT

The Soldiers' Song - Irish National Anthem - ................ Sinne Fianna Fáil,[fn 1] atá faoi[fn 2] gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,[fn 3] Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig amhrán na bhfiann ................................... Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland, Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland, Shall shelter the despot or the slave. Tonight we man the "bearna baoil",[fn 4] In Erin’s cause, come woe or weal, ’Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal, We’ll chant a soldier's song

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cillowen | Oct 08, 2011, 01:02 PM EDT

The Soldiers' Song - Irish National Anthem - Sinne Fianna Fáil,[fn 1] atá faoi[fn 2] gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chughainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,[fn 3] Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaig amhrán na bhfiann Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland, Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland, Shall shelter the despot or the slave. Tonight we man the "bearna baoil",[fn 4] In Erin’s cause, come woe or weal, ’Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal, We’ll chant a soldier's song

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Rebelforce | Oct 08, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT

Are you now, or have you ever been an American citizen? LOL

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AoifeNicSeáin | Oct 08, 2011, 11:32 AM EDT

Methinks the argument is flawed. Dana did not pledge allegiance to Irish Americans - the oath is about the USA. And that disqualifies her IMHO for an office representing any non-US state. Trying to make that simple fact seem to be anti-Irish-Americans is a bit strange to say the least ... and any Irish Americans who buy into this story thereby show their allegiance is more with the US than with Ireland if it comes to dissent.

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donal1951 | Oct 08, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT

I sm a dual Irish-USA citizen since my father was born and raised in Ireland before emigrating to the USA. I am a US citizen by birth since the United States is the country in which I was born. My lawyer, an old friend, and I were discussing eligibility for the US presidency one day. He, after laughing because of my lack of qualifications, said legally I could run for president of the United States despite my dual citizenship. However, the distinction between me and Scanlon is that I did not seek Irish citizenship. It was bestowed upon me because my father was a native-born Irishmen with Irish parents. I did obtain an Irish passport, but in doing so, I was NOT required to take any oath denouncing my US citizenship.

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seagreen | Oct 08, 2011, 10:50 AM EDT

Just tell her she is not allowed to run for the office. Unclean ? the term 4-L is sounding appropriate.

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Springfield9 | Oct 08, 2011, 10:28 AM EDT

However, a native born Ivan Bulganovich Nastayinkya is truly a son of the "auld sod" and stands head and shoulders over any mere "Scanlon". My Gran once explained to me that God, in his wisdom, made more horse's back ends than fronts .... it looks like they are stored at the Times.

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Doriath | Oct 08, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT

In order to become a naturalized US citizen you need to take an oath to:“absolutely and entirely renounce” allegiance to any foreign state. Would you want a president that has renounced all allegiance to your country?

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GeorgeDillon | Oct 08, 2011, 06:42 AM EDT

Roberts is right. The fact is that the Irish elite--the ones who hate the USA yet come here to vacation in Florida or NYC, who scream about Dana's passport yet pass the Begging Bowl to the so-called "diaspora"--is fanatically opposed to Dana's worldview. (They're also the ones who brought Irish society to ruin, by the way, but they would shout you down if you suggested it). Like Dana, I have dual nationality, but unlike Dana I'd never want to be President of Loony Liberal Leprechaun Land.

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