Sure, it's a little absurd. There are a lot of absurdities in the law, as specific cases test the definitions and limits and create contradictions. It's like QA on a software program: until it gets in the hands of the users, you don't really know where it might break. I note that this particular contradiction seems to have been resolved by later legislation that means someone in Bellei's situation would not be subject to losing their citizenship. I also note that part of the Bellei decision rested on him not being covered by the 14th, since he was born outside the US, so it's not really relevant to the eligibility of people born here.
I take it you think Bellei was not eligible?
You must believe in quanta superposition on a macroscopic scale. I think I have a cat I'd like to sell you.
Oh sure, how do I know there's a cat in that box?
It's only absurd under your interpretation. It is perfectly reasonable under my interpretation. A "natural citizen" doesn't need an act of congress to make him a citizen, and nothing that he does accidentally, or nothing he fails to do, will change his citizenship status.
I note that this particular contradiction seems to have been resolved by later legislation that means someone in Bellei's situation would not be subject to losing their citizenship.
So an act of Congress created his citizenship problem and another act of Congress fixes his citizenship problem? I would suggest his citizenship is highly dependent upon the whim of congress as opposed to natural law.
I also note that part of the Bellei decision rested on him not being covered by the 14th, since he was born outside the US, so it's not really relevant to the eligibility of people born here.
It is insofar as it demonstrates that there are different levels of solidity to citizenship. Bellei's was not very solid.
I take it you think Bellei was not eligible?
If an act of congress can redefine the meaning of words written in 1787, then none of them mean anything. There is no solid ground in the document.
Oh sure, how do I know there's a cat in that box?
That's part of the fun! It's a feature, not a bug!