Pa. drops loyalty oath for candidates

PHILADELPHIA - Candidates for public office in Pennsylvania no longer have to sign a McCarthy-era loyalty oath pledging that they are not "subversive."

The requirement was unconstitutional, Attorney General Tom Corbett has told election officials.

The change was ordered after John Staggs refused to sign the oath when he turned in nominating petitions earlier this year and then threatened to sue the state.

"I believe their definition of 'subversive' can really apply to anyone," said Staggs, 59, who is running for a state legislative seat. "They want to be able to pick and choose, so they can use it versus people who are challenging the status quo."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060827/ap_on_el_st_lo/loyalty_oath

The 1951 law describes as subversive anyone who advocates or takes part in "any act intended to overthrow, destroy (or) alter" the government.

Gee, that's kinda broad. The 'unitary executive' theory sure seems to fit in that catagory.

is subversive.

Murrow had some good lines about this in "Good Night, and Good Luck"