Re: Passports
This is the oath of allegiance taken by new citizens.
“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; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
It required me to surrender my allegiance to the throne of England and to obey the laws of the United States and defend the Constitution and if necessary and if able willingly defend the USA. I have no problem with that. If I came back to the UK, surrendered my US passport and obtained British citizenship, I would become a subject of the crown and obey it's laws and if needed expected to defend the UK. Supposing a Saudi (etc.) moved to the UK, took up UK citizenship, would it not be expected that he or she give up their loyalty to the Saudi monarch and obey the laws of the UK. Any country would expect that of a new citizen and the oath says and implies if you want to be an American citizen there will be no split loyalties. I'm sure that would be expected if you took up Russian citizenship.
We have a general Oath of Allegiance. That is often said in courts of law, council meetings, sports events etc. and is said every morning by the children in school, to install pride in the country and loyalty. Some may say it's brainwashing, not me. I get goose bumps, and the only thing I don't like about our national anthem is you have to be a bloody opera singer to be able to hit all the notes, but the words are great and give me more goose bumps.
The Oath of allegiance to the flag of the United States: Said at government functions, school events etc.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,"
It should be said with your left hand over your heart and should be rendered by standing at attention and facing the flag.
If you are a citizen or not and attended an event that said the oath and didn't know the words you would still be expected to stand at attention and show respect, as I would stand to attention if I was in France or the UK or anywhere when that countries' national anthem was played.
I love the hoopla and rah, rah, rah! Chanting USA...USA...USA. at the Olympics etc. just the same as y'll love the regalia of the crown, nothing wrong with either countries loyalty and respect, or demanding no split loyalties.
As a matter of fact in WWII, Americans of German or Italian descent or heritage were sent to the Japanese Theatre those of Japanese descent went to the European Theatre.
Cheers, Rodney
Last edited by Rodney Mills; 12th January 2024 at 05:55 PM.
Rodney David Richard Mills
R602188 Gravesend