Relpy to Grace or Can Meggie be Future Prez?
Sean and I talked about whether Meggie, being born in Japan, would be prevented from becoming President. Sean and I think that Meggie wouldn’t be excluded. First, isn’t a US military hospital considered American territory. The land any Embassy is on is sovereign territory of that country. I think that should the case with military bases, etc. on foreign soil. (Like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.)
Secondly, Meggie was the dependent of American citizens. Heather and Alan, “Does Meggie have dual citizenship?”, American and Japanese, I doubt it. Meggie would just have to reaffirm her American citizenship when she becomes 18 years old. And the US doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, anyway.
Finally, every law needs to be interpreted by the original intend of the law. The framers of the Constitution could never have predicted that the US would have military bases on foreign soil. The original intent of the law is to prevent foreign influences in US politics. People like Meggie could not really considered a foreigner just because she was born in a foreign country.
Waiting for the JAG’s comments. Love GC
2 comments:
Well, the JAG (James Alan Goodwin, that is) confirmed it, and 'tis true. 'Tis pity, but 'tis true. Meggie cannot (currently) run for president. I am sure it was not what our founding fathers intended, but it will probably be changed to allow naturalized citizens, or at least the American-born children of service members stationed overseas. Alas!
Oh, and she's not a dual citizen. She's a straight-up American citizen, but she was born overseas, and thus, excluded. Perhaps the law was intended for permanent expatriots, who do not have the intention of living in the United States but still pass citizenship along to their children. I actually had a friend who fell under this category in Germany, and the law is right to exclude him from a presidential run. His American citizenship was just kind of hanging out there... He didn't even speak English and had no intention of ever living in the United States. His father was an American expat.
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