Austrians' zeal for native son Schwarzenegger fades

Austrians' zeal for native son Schwarzenegger fades
Outrage at support for death penalty, remark on Holocaust

Salzburg, Austria -- The man once proudly referred to as "our Arnie" has virtually become persona non grata in his own country after a wave of nationwide euphoria over native son Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as governor of California.

The mood change was largely prompted by Schwarzenegger's refusal in February to pardon a convicted murderer on death row and, to some extent, by his unwillingness to invite an official Austrian delegation to his inauguration last November. For most Austrians, the delegation's presence would have symbolized Schwarzenegger's dual citizenship and his ties to his native land.

But for many Austrians, the last straw was the governor's criticism in Israel Sunday of Austria's Nazi past, including a statement that attempted to atone for World War II-era atrocities committed against Jews by Austrians, during the dedication of a planned museum of tolerance in Jerusalem.

"I was born in Austria, which is a beautiful country ... but a place where intolerance and ignorance led to terrible atrocities," Schwarzenegger told a gathering of Israel's top politicians and American Jewish leaders who financed and planned the museum. "Because of that, I want to do whatever I can to promote tolerance around the world."


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Tsk, tsk...poor little Bobble-Headed Gropanator

where when asked why he came to the US he said, in effect, that Austria is "old," and he was tired of "old" – he wanted "new." I get the feeling he couldn't wait to get away and probably hates the place.

I happened to pass through Graz, his home town, back in 71, before I'd ever heard of Arnold. It's a beautiful little town. We couldn't get a room there, though, because a convention had filled them all.

I think Schwarzenegger's remarks are all part of his plan to run for President of the United States. He is doing everything he can to make himself look like a kind and compassionate leader. I think he knows the things that will hurt him if he ever got a chance to run for president. He is now trying to cover those things. He is giving money to jewish centers and talking about tolerance. Get ready for Schwarzenegger for President 2010.

I know that currently only a natural born citizen can be president; however, there is a bill in congress that could extend the right to naturalized citizens who have been in the country for 20 years.

I started a thread on that in California forum.
I don't think Prez is in the cards though, that would
take a Constitutional amendment, 3/4 of the states, etc.
Congress cannot do it by itself.

it should take effect maybe 20 years from now so as to not favor any particular politicians.

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