The Alienation of Arnie

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the embattled Governor of California, has become alienated from his hometown of Graz in Austria, after approving the execution of Stanley Tookie Williams, the controversial founder of an inner city youth gang known as the Crips.

In politics, honor and dishonor are often in play, where a single controversial act can dramatically reverse the fortunes of a rising political star.

Schwarzenegger, evidently stung by hometown critics, impetuously withdrew permission for the town of Graz to use his name on their sports stadium. The town complied, and also expunged their civic websites from any laudatory references to their native son.