Alright, for this story, I just can’t beat the hilarious headlines that were awarded by loyal Fark submitters:

Schwarzenegger to Austrian death-penalty critics: Suck it

Mayor of Schwarzenegger’s home town: “Suck it? OK”

Now that we’re done with that, let’s see if I can sum this up for all of you who don’t feel like reading those rather lengthy articles.

Basically, Arnold Schwarzenegger (you know, that actor dude turned political dude?) was apparently criticized by the anti-death-penalty residents of his home town in Austria (a city called Graz) after refusing to grant clemency to Stanley “Tookie” Williams, who was put to death by the State of California for 4 counts of murder on December 13th.

In response, he demanded that the town stop using his name to promote itself, and rename a soccer stadium which had been dedicated to Schwarzenegger in 1997:

“The reason for this action is apparently a decision I reached as governor of California,” Schwarzenegger said. “I rejected the clemency of a rightfully convicted four-time murderer after thorough review, and as a result, he was executed according to the laws of this state.”

Not only that, but he’s also decided to return a “ring of honor” that was given to him by the city officials in 1999:

Since “the official Graz appears to no longer accept me as one of their own, this ring has lost its meaning and value to me,” he said. “It is already in the mail.”

Well, of course this couldn’t go un-answered:

Siegfried Nagl, mayor of the southern city of Graz, said he dashed off a letter to Schwarzenegger pleading with him not to return a ring of honor bestowed on him by officials in his birthplace in 1999 and reassuring him that most residents still admire him.

Now, regardless of this name-use and ring stuff, I think you have to respect the man. He’s standing up for what’s right. Whether you believe in the death penalty or think it’s barbaric (such as most Europeans), Arnold did his job as he was elected to:

“The reason for this action is apparently a decision I reached as governor of California,” Schwarzenegger said. “I rejected the clemency of a rightfully convicted four-time murderer after thorough review, and as a result, he was executed according to the laws of this state.”

“The death penalty is law here, and I have to uphold the law of the land and the will of the people,” Schwarzenegger was quoted as saying, adding that he still considered himself “Austrian with all my heart.”

Can you find me another politician that would stand up for his actions like that? One that would logically and rationally justify his position in a reasonable manner as backed by the law of the province over which he presides? You sure as hell won’t find one in Washington, DC…