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In a case that should have the Founders of the USA spinning in their graves, The Intercept has got hold of documents relating to Peter Thiel's NZ citizenship. These documents reveal that Thiel would not normally qualify for citizenship, which requires the holder to actually reside in New Zealand. NZ law provides for citizenship under "exceptional circumstances and public interest" for people who don't plan to live in NZ.
Thiel's extreme wealth was the exceptional circumstance that allowed for citizenship and which in turn allowed Thiel to avoid certain administrative protocols that a non-citizen would have had to follow relating to the purchase of his large estate in NZ.
As part of taking up citizenship, Thiel had to pledge an oath of loyalty to HM Queen Elizabeth II (in her role as Queen of New Zealand), which certainly raises questions about either his sincerity or his fitness to be an advisor to the President.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 06 2017, @11:00AM
LOL, then what about religious beliefs? And I speak as a believer.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday February 06 2017, @09:08PM
It seems that people with religious beliefs have advised presidents for a long time. And in particular, Christian beliefs. I don't think it is in question that it has happened.
Whether it would be allowed today is a very different question.
A Christian advisor might be allowed if they don't have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, or the helmet of salvation. I don't think either political party would allow anyone who has the gospel of salvation. That would not be tolerable.
As a nation:
We are deeply divided. (Although we all claim to want the same things. Jobs, economy, etc)
We cannot tolerate intolerant people. We are absolutely intolerant of intolerant people.
As for absolutes like right and wrong, we say there are no absolutes! Absolutely no absolutes!
Just some thoughts.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 07 2017, @05:54AM
If your religion required an oath of loyalty to the head of the religion, yes, that would be an issue. If a cardinal who has sworn fealty to the pope who is the political head of the country of Vatican City were to be taken into a US Govn't position, for example, the conflict of interest would be clearer, even.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday February 07 2017, @02:23PM
You make an excellent point. I see a problem if an advisor has sworn loyalty to another person in the cloak of a religion. Even worse if that person is the president rather than an advisor.
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