25 Comments

• ceceann | Jun 05, 2012, 03:16 PM EDT

  Well stated abhainn. The hypocrisy of IC using this sensationalism while lobbying for Congress to allow more Irish immigration is astounding.

• abhainn | Oct 16, 2011, 04:48 PM EDT

  The headline is wrong. Irish media have not targetted "US citizenship as unclean". They have quite properly pointed out that Rosemary Scallion swore the oath of allegiance to the United States which states in part, "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen." It is proper and necessary to question what it means to renounce one's Irish citizenship, as Scallion did. Americans should not be surprised by Irish interest in this question given the fascination Americans have about Barack Obama's birth certificate. Ms. Scallion has sworn to give up her Irish citizenship, so she is no longer qualified to be president of Ireland. No-one in Ireland has said American citizenship is "unclean" so please do not mislead your readers about that.

• JohnODriscoll | Oct 10, 2011, 12:58 PM EDT

  Yep.Right wing tossers lacking the courage to print anything that goes against their cretinous world view. Thought so.

• JohnODriscoll | Oct 10, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT

  Couldn't agree more. If the Irish Elites really gave a toss about the Diaspora they'd have long since given them the vote. This is another money racket. Ireland is sinking just as the Asgard II sank on ''9/11'2008 (and if ever there was a sign or augury that was one). And it is Ireland's well-deserved karma to sink. Back into the mud She crawled out of having gone down into it as Tom Barry said to defeat the British. After all, She trampled everything She ever stood for; sold Her history of being the Most Oppresed People Ever for a mess of FDI pottage; betrayed the legacy of the Dead Generations to cowardice inhumanity and rapine for 30 pieces of silver when She allowed Her neutrality (that killed so many men and ships in WW2) to be abused and Her laws against torture to be trampled on by the United States from March 2003 unto the present day.

• JohnODriscoll | Oct 10, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT

  But anyway. Just whistling down the wind here. No way on such a right-wing HooRah bulletin board as this will anyone have the courage to print what I just said. Good luck to ye. Going on the likely karma you've got coming America, good luck is one thing you won't be enjoying anytime soon.

• GeorgeDillon | Oct 10, 2011, 12:07 PM EDT

  joycean: You are correct. All this Diaspora guff that's emanating from Ireland is just guff and blarney. When the Irish thought they were rich they had no time for us. Now they are saying that having US citizenship is a sin. Maybe they'll make us wear the Scarlet Letters when we go over there, a big US on our foreheads. Seriously though, the Irish are contemptible, aren't they? Sometimes (often) they make me sick.

• leinsterlady | Oct 09, 2011, 01:43 PM EDT

  As a reminder Eamonn De Valera was born in Brooklyn!

• joycean | Oct 09, 2011, 10:12 AM EDT

  Same problem Niall O'Dowd faced when he considered running.Maybe Americans being courted by the Irish government will wake up. Since she doesn't vote, maybe she should renounce her US citizenship, do some penance.

• usaireland | Oct 08, 2011, 09:03 PM EDT

  I’m less concerned with Dana and her situation but rather am bemused by the shortsighted , narrow minded attitudes of some of our people. Being fortunate enough myself to hold dual US-Irish citizenship, I’m amazed, disgusted, and embarrassed to find that the sections of the Irish media are leading a witch-hunt on this topic. In past decades, thousands of us Irish from all over the island were very happy and grateful that the US allowed us in to live and work when there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for us at home. Successive Irish governments lobbied US politicians to support provision of emigration visas i.e. Morrision, Donnelly visas. Even now, Ireland is requesting that the US legitimize undocumented Irish in the US. Once again, Irish people are looking to emigrate because there are FEW JOBs available here. Most of the employment that is here is provided by US owned companies. We were desperate to claim President Obama as one of our own and spend millions marketing Ireland to attract American tourists. I also find it extremely annoying that there is the suggestion that those of us who mostly HAD to immigrate are disloyal by choosing to take US citizenship. This is one subject that should have been left alone – this discussion is an insult to the US and also to Irish emigrants both past and present who have no choice but to leave this country in search of a better life. Incidentally, I returned here in 2004 to live and in the Celtic Tiger times was on the receiving end of comments like ..” typical… returning now that we are doing well” ….and other such nonsense. Obviously, these people conveniently forgot the real truth. To these of you who support this narrow mindset- how dare you?

• seanomelbourne | Oct 08, 2011, 06:12 PM EDT

  Dana's dual citizenship should not be a problem,why did she hide the fact.Then you have the argument that an Irish born citizen could not be potus.Poor auld George schizo Dillon he just doe's not know what side he's on

• pndirishandprou | Oct 08, 2011, 05:24 PM EDT

  GeorgeDillon: "I'd never want to be President of Loony Liberal Leprechaun Land." Do you really think anyone would every vote for you, here in this country or over there?? You make pick up a few votes in Michelle Bachmann land, but you wouldn't get a single vote from any self-respecting voter.

• pndirishandprou | Oct 08, 2011, 05:09 PM EDT

  US and Irish dual citizenship is also allowed in the US. However, can anyone imagine a candidate for US presidency holding dual citizenship?? Of course not, s/he would be ripped apart by their opponents. If you run for the highest office in the country you cannot leave any doubt about your loyalty to the country, which you inevitably do if you hold more than one citizenship. So what was Scanlon thinking?

• GeorgeDillon | Oct 08, 2011, 02:54 PM EDT

  Several of the other candidates, especially the Blueshirt, are more loyal to the European Union or to the British Commonwealth than they are to Ireland.

• flattop55 | Oct 08, 2011, 02:13 PM EDT

  I, too, hold dual US-Irish citizenship, but I agree that one who represents the People of Ireland as the nation's President should not have divided loyalties. Being a citizen of any country entails significant obligations and duties. I can envision situations where dual citizenship may present a conflict of interests, either real or perceived, that could compromise a President's position and decision making. It seems entirely reasonable to me, that one who aspires to be President of the Irish People should be completely free from any foreign responsibility or obligation. At this level, the office also has immense symbolic importance that requires one to embody Ireland and the body politic itself.

• tocon1941 | Oct 08, 2011, 01:25 PM EDT

  Any fool can run for President of the United States. Just take a look at the current candidates. However, any U.S. citizen that holds dual citizenship with another country cannot obtain a "Security Clearance." Neither the Department of Defense nor the Justice Department will allow a candidate for any level of clearance to proceed until that candidate formally renounces the "foreign" citizenship. Holding dual citizenship is a nice gesture and shows respect for a persons heritage. But it does not work in the game of politics. President Obama has had to deal with false rumors that he was not born in the United States. Imagine the problems he would have faced if he had obtained dual citizenship in a moment of sentiment.

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

• 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.