Posted on 07/30/2009 7:05:35 PM PDT by Steelfish
Here's the truth: 'Birther' claims are just plain nuts
By Steven Thomma | McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — The false allegation that President Barack Obama was born in another country is more than a fact-free hit job.
Marked by accusations and backstabbing, it's the story of how a small but intense movement called "birthers" rose from a handful of people prone to seeing conspiracies, aided by the Internet, magnified without evidence by eager radio and cable TV hosts, and eventually ratified by a small group of Republican politicians working to keep the story alive on the floors of Congress and the campaign trails of the Midwest.
It's a powerful story about what experts call political paranoia over a new face in a time of anxiety and rapid change — the sort of viral message that can take hold among a sliver of the populace that's ready to believe that the new president is a fraud, and just as ready to angrily dismiss anyone who disagrees as part of the conspiracy.
"He is NOT an American citizen," yelled a woman at a town hall meeting in Delaware, angrily confronting a congressman. "I don't want this flag to change. I want my country back."
When Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., responded that Obama is a citizen, she and others in the room jeered him.
"It's a fascinating phenomenon," said Jerrold Post, director of the political psychology program at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and author of a recent book entitled, "Political Paranoia."
"They are not searching for the truth. They are searching for anything that confirms their fixed idea, their malevolent idea . . . It doesn't soothe people to tell them it's not legitimate. That makes them angry."
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
hahahahahah, they can crawl back under their rocks now...
Yep I’m nuts.
Now where is the transparency we were promised?
Really? The story is alive on the floor of Congress?
‘They are not searching for the truth’
Actually, the truth is contained in Zero’s long-form birth certificate, which we want released. So, it actuality, we are searching for the truth.
we are nuts.....we are told so everyday right here by more than a few fellow FReepers.
OK I’ll bite. Obama could have been was born in Hawaii or somewhere else - it doesn’t matter. Now prove he is a “natural born citizen” and meets all requirements set forth in the Constitution.
LOL That’s because the Alinksy tactics only work on weak minds.
I Guess I am a big nut then, because Barack Obama was born at Mumbasa Hospital in Nairobi Kenya, how do I know this, his aunt is on videotape SAYING IT. I saw the youtube video way before the election. Also, if he is a natural born citizen, just release the damn birth certificate, takes two seconds
Funny how none of the anti-birther articles (or radio/TV segments) can lay out the birthers’ arguments accurately.
your correct but it just has me confused a bit on why so many of our own, even some very long timers here, parrot the left wing limp dick talking points on this.
Fear of being wrong, fear of being ridiculed, fear of what will happen if we’re right.
It doesn’t matter to me if we’re right or wrong. If he produces it and proves us wrong we still have won.
We’re nuts about BO abiding by the Constitution.
The truth is McClatchey is bankrupt. Hoping for a bailout I’d guess!
The truth is McClatchey is bankrupt. Hoping for a bailout I’d guess!
Here’s another bit of truth for ya, Mr. Thomma: If the arguments of birthers are “just plain nuts” then why did the House feel the need to pass a Resolution concerning Barry’s citizenship? Logic dictates that if there was nothing to hide, there certainly was no need for a resolution, correct?
Birther" is a handful of people prone to seeing conspiracies!!!
400,000+ is a "handful," that is what the "After-birthers" want others to believe, hmmmm???
I have no use for Obama but you people have made FR almost worthless by posting hundreds of threads about this. And now, to keep the conspiracy alive, you don’t care where he was born but want to prove he’s a natural born citizen?
You show the same paper trail for every previous President and maybe people will take you seriously.
No need to. Previous Presidents had established families here in the States. Obama does not. McCain had his status examined. Obama has not. As I said on many other threads this is not about Obama specifically. This is about ensuring we have processes established to follow the Constitution. You do believe the Constitution should be followed don't you?
Obama's birth place is not the only issue in question here. The SC needs to settle what a "natural born" citizen is. But again there needs to be a factual accounting of this so the public is assured the Constitution is being followed. If Obama is qualified then so be it. Our enemies are watching this sloppiness with great interest.
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