Skip to comments.
Behind the Screwy Obama Birth Certificate Controversy
American Chronicle ^
| November 30, 2008
| Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Posted on 11/30/2008 9:56:49 PM PST by ckilmer
Behind the Screwy Obama Birth Certificate Controversy
by Earl Ofari Hutchinson
November 30, 2008
At first glance it defied credulity that the staid, respected Chicago Tribune would do something as screwball as giving any credence to the issue of whether President-elect Barack Obama is really a U.S. citizen or not. But the Tribune will run not one but two big splashy ads paid for by a quasi libertarian outfit named www.wethepeoplefoundation.org based in Queensbury, New York. The group demands that Obama produce his original birth certificate with all the official markings and proper affixed signatures on it. The one that the Hawaii Department of Health officials made public last June was an electronic copy of the certificate.
Unfortunately, Hawaii officials left just enough room for the Obama birth certificate hounders to wiggle through when they correctly noted that privacy laws forbade them from releasing original documents without the authorization of the individual for which the documents are requested; in this case that individual being Obama.
Obama at the time and since then has also correctly declined to give any more ammunition to the birth certificate hounders. His campaign simply issued a statement that the document released by Hawaii officials is authentic. But that just emboldened the Obama hounders even more. Nearly a million have taken a gander at a You Tube clip on the controversy, dozens of websites fuel the rumor mill about his certificate, and a pile of articles have rehashed the issue of whether the birth certificate that Hawaii produced is legit. Nearly two dozen lawsuits or petitions have been filed in various state courts contesting Obama´s U.S. citizenship (one of them was filed by political gadfly Alan Keyes).
The Tribune ads won´t help matters. But it probably wouldn´t have made much difference if the paper had refused the ad. The online mill would still crank away about the certificate. Wagging tongues fan a controversy and that´s always good for website looks and business. As for We the People, it has used the controversy as a fund raising chip (gimmick).
But that´s less important for some than finding any issue no matter how farfetched to further stoke the paranoid suspicions of more than a few about Obama. Those suspicions were deeply implanted the moment that he declared his presidential candidacy in 2007. They rumbled above and underneath the surface throughout the campaign, and never stopped when he won.
He was not black enough. He was too black. He was not patriotic enough. He was too liberal, too effete, too untested. He was a Muslim, terrorist fellow traveler, and a closet black radical. The shock of an Obama in the White House is simply too much for many to bear. Obama defies the stereotypical textbook look and definition of what an American president is supposed to look like, and be like; namely a wooden image middle-aged, or older, white male.
Obama said as much during a campaign stop in late July when he quipped that he did not look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills. Obama got torched for saying the obvious and that is that his candidacy was different. Obama later admitted that it was a racial reference. The off the cuff remark simply reinforced the point that he and his candidacy marked a turning point in U.S. presidential politics and by extension race relations.
The Obama birth certificate hounders have kept the issue alive with some mainstream papers by crudely cloaking their motives. They depict themselves as public spirited citizens and legal experts with no personal, political, let alone racial, ax to grind. Their sole goal is to insure electoral truth and accuracy, to make sure that all the legal requirements for holding a presidential office are met, and to head off a constitutional crisis. They claim they want to put the matter to rest for good before his January 20 inauguration.
Their fantasy is that the U.S. Supreme Court will help them out and demand that Obama produce his supposed "real" birth certificate and if not declare the election null and void. The Supreme Court hasn´t made any demand on Obama to pony up his birth certificate, and likely won´t. Even if a justice or two had a stray thought about taking a peek at the issue, the memory of the fury over the court´s meddle in the 2000 election that ultimately tipped the White House to Bush is still too fresh in their and the public´s mind to butt in on such a wacky issue.
The bad thing about the controversy over Obama´s birth certificate is not that some print publications have dignified the issue by running paid hit ads on it, but that the ads were even conjured up in the first place. And even worse that so many millions are still willing to believe that it´s an issue at all.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His forthcoming book is How Obama Won (Middle Passage Press, January 2009).
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Government; US: Hawaii
KEYWORDS: birthcertificate; certifigate; obama; obamabirth; stbc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-84 next last
To: hattend
This all goes away if Obambi produces a Birth Cert proving his American Birth.NO, no, no....That will NOT solves his problems!!!
41
posted on
12/01/2008 12:30:30 AM PST
by
danamco
To: danamco
It solves that one problem
42
posted on
12/01/2008 12:32:34 AM PST
by
hattend
(Sarah Palin has run a fishing business, a city, and a state. All Obama has done is run his mouth.)
To: ckilmer
The one that the Hawaii Department of Health officials made public last June was an electronic copy of the certificate. Which one was this? Certainly not the one on Kos. Is this the one that BO posted on his site, but wouldn't let anyone actually see, touch, and feel? Or was that the same one Kos posted?
I just don't remember seeing anything purportedly released by Hawaiian officials. I only remember a statement that said, (paraphrasing) "it's in the vault; we've seen it; we can't by law tell you what it says, let alone give you a peek. Now go away, and leave us alone."
43
posted on
12/01/2008 12:57:39 AM PST
by
ApplegateRanch
(The mob got President Barabbas; America got shafted)
To: ApplegateRanch
I just don't remember seeing anything purportedly released by Hawaiian officials. I only remember a statement that said, (paraphrasing) "it's in the vault; we've seen it; we can't by law tell you what it says, let alone give you a peek. Now go away, and leave us alone."Correct.
Excerpt from:
... snip ...
Recent Statements Regarding Obama's "Birth Certificate"
Knowing the intricacies of the Hawaiian birth certificate adds mystery instead of resolution with Obama birth record critics, especially when applied to statements provided by Hawaiian officials before the Presidential election.
On Oct. 31, after being inundated by requests for more details about Obamas birth records, Department of Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said she and registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, had personally verified that the Health Department possesses Obama's original birth certificate.
"Therefore, I as Director of Health for the State of Hawaii, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Sen. Obamas original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures," Fukino said.
The cryptic and carefully-worded statement offered no true details of the birth certificate, and leads to more questions than answers among critics. In July, when Barack Obamas Certification of Live Birth was first distributed to the public, Hawaiian Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo simply asserted to the St. Petersburg Times, its a valid Hawaii state birth certificate.
Although officials are on record that there is an original birth certificate held by the state, and that it is correctly filed according to Hawaii state directives. However, the specifics of the type of birth certificate records on file, with modifications, as well as the details and accounts of witnesses, is still unknown at this time.
Credibility of the " Certification of Live Birth"
The computer-generated Certification of Live Birth was first used in November 2001 to allow the State of Hawaii to pull up birth records quicker for people requesting a birth certificate in person. At the very bottom of the form are the words, This copy serves as prima facia evidence of the fact of birth in any court proceeding. [HRS 338-13(b), 338-19]."
However, despite this written notice on the form, some Hawaii state agencies do not accept the Certification of Live Birth as irrefutable verification of Hawaiian birth. There have been numerous cases when the Hawaii Family Court System required more detailed data for paternity suits. Additionally, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands provides the following guidelines to Hawaiian natives applying for Hawaiian Home Lands homestead:
The primary documents used to show you are of age and a qualified native Hawaiian are:
- A certified copy of Certificate of Birth;
- A certified copy of Certificate of Hawaiian Birth, including testimonies; or
- A certified copy of Certificate of Delayed Birth.
In order to process your application, DHHL utilizes information that is found only on the original Certificate, which is either black or green. This is a more complete record of your birth than the Certification of Live Birth (a computer-generated printout). Submitting the original Certificate will save you time and money since the computer-generated Certification requires additional verification by DHHL. (emphasis added)
Additionally, the “Certification of Live Birth” is not recognized by many Federal agencies. DoD 5220.22-M, the "National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual," provides baseline standards for the protection of classified information released or disclosed to industry. Section 2-208 states that acceptable certificates must show that the birth record was filed shortly after birth. If a “Delayed Birth Certificate” is on file, it must be supported by secondary evidence of birth, such as baptismal or circumcision certificates, hospital birth records, or affidavits of persons having personal knowledge about the facts of birth.
Even to work at the Navy Ship Yard in Pearl Harbor, the August 2008 version of the, Unified Facilities Guide Specifications, section 1.5.22.2 allows for a total of 18 different means to verify US citizenship, ranging from a military ID card to even a Hawaii certificate of foreign birth. The Certification of Live Birth is not on the list of approved documents acceptable for proof of Citizenship.
44
posted on
12/01/2008 1:10:05 AM PST
by
BP2
(I think, therefore I'm a conservative)
To: El Gato
Fake Africian middle name,You sure? I would have sworn Ofari was his first name, and Earl was his title in the New Peerage, under the fearless leadership of HRH Lord President Elect Barabbas' reign.
45
posted on
12/01/2008 1:13:07 AM PST
by
ApplegateRanch
(The mob got President Barabbas; America got shafted)
To: ckilmer
Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng was born in Indonesia and has a Hawaii issued COLB just like Obambi’s.
46
posted on
12/01/2008 1:14:14 AM PST
by
Bon mots
To: ckilmer
I had heard that Obama has payed tons of money and hired law firms to fight having to prove his eligibility for the presidency. Anyone have proof of this?
It seems that paying ten bucks to provide a legal copy is too much for him to do. Personally I think the office of the Presidency of the United States of America is worth ten bucks, but to each his own.
However, if it get proved in the end that he is ineligible, there is not a prison deep enough to throw this guy for the trillion dollars he wasted, and the fool he made of us.
47
posted on
12/01/2008 1:29:21 AM PST
by
American in Israel
(A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
To: Windflier
48
posted on
12/01/2008 1:41:18 AM PST
by
LibLieSlayer
(GOD, Country, Family... except when it comes to dims! I am an UMA-unity my a$$)
To: ckilmer
How hard could it be to put the issue to rest and cough up the real thing. On the other hand, why doesn’t the author mention the almost million dollars that 0 is spending not to cough up the real thing?
49
posted on
12/01/2008 1:48:49 AM PST
by
freeangel
( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
To: ckilmer
Why won’t he just release it and make us all look foolish?
To: ckilmer
Maybe he was born in Kenya, maybe not. But I suspect that any statutory impediment to Obama's being a 'natural born citizen', where his mother was undoubtedly an American citizen, would be found unconstitutional before he was found to be inelligible. The child of an American citizen is an American citizen: it's that simple.
51
posted on
12/01/2008 3:40:42 AM PST
by
Grut
To: ckilmer
Just put out the Frickin Document and make all the conservatives look like fools. Why do these morons just blindly follow this idiot ,they question NOTHING about this guy , This just happens to be a legitimate question which can be solved very simply, put out the original document ,period ,end of story
To: Grut
Maybe he was born in Kenya, maybe not. But I suspect that any statutory impediment to Obama's being a 'natural born citizen', where his mother was undoubtedly an American citizen, would be found unconstitutional before he was found to be inelligible. The child of an American citizen is an American citizen: it's that simple. I agree, but why do we not get to the bottom of this issue, and move on? If the bottom line, even with congressional action, is that Mr. Obama is qualified to serve, then we should clear the air now, not later. Release of the original Certificate of Live Birth, with all of its "warts" would serve that purpose, and would be $10 well spent.
53
posted on
12/01/2008 4:18:47 AM PST
by
olezip
To: ckilmer
Condescending, factually flawed, logically incoherent, legally ignorant. A stereotypical MSM article with no value, no data, and no sign of talent.
To: olezip; Grut
The child of an American citizen is an American citizen: it's that simple.
No, it's not that simple. At the time Barry O was born, one's U.S. citizenship, if born abroad with only one parent having American citizenship, depended on the U.S. citizen having met a residence requirement and a length of time being a U.S. citizen after the age of 16. Barry O's mother failed this requirement. Therefore, if he had been born outside the U.S., he is not a U.S. citizen regardless of his mother's citizenship.
55
posted on
12/01/2008 4:25:57 AM PST
by
aruanan
To: Grut
The child of an American citizen is an American citizen: it's that simple.
Not according to the law at the time of O's birth (If he was born in Kenya).
1952 The Immigration and Nationality Act of June 27, 1952, 66 Stat. 163, 235, 8 U.S. Code Section 1401 (b). (Section 301 of the Act).
Section 301. (a) The following shall be nationals and citizens of the United States at birth:
(1) a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof; (7) a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States, who prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than ten years, at least five of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years.
(b) Any person who is a national and citizen of the United States at birth under paragraph (7) of subsection (a), shall lose his nationality and citizenship unless he shall come to the United States prior to attaining the age of twenty-three years and shall immediately following any such coming be continuously physically present in the United State(s) for at least five years: Provided, That such physical presence follows the attainment of the age of fourteen years and precedes the age of twenty-eight years.
(c) Subsection (b) shall apply to a person born abroad subsequent to May 24, 1934: Provided, however, That nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to alter or affect the citizenship of any person born abroad subsequent to May 24, 1934, who, prior to the effective date of this Act, has taken up a residence in the United States before attaining the age of sixteen years, and thereafter, whether before or after the effective date of this Act, complies or shall comply with the residence requirements for retention of citizenship specified in subsections (g) and (h) of section 201 of the Nationality Act of 1940, as amended.
56
posted on
12/01/2008 4:31:41 AM PST
by
rollo tomasi
(Working hard to pay for deadbeats and corrupt politicians.)
To: ckilmer
57
posted on
12/01/2008 4:39:26 AM PST
by
gunnyg
To: aruanan
No, it's not that simple. At the time Barry O was born, one's U.S. citizenship, if born abroad with only one parent having American citizenship, depended on the U.S. citizen having met a residence requirement and a length of time being a U.S. citizen after the age of 16. Barry O's mother failed this requirement. Therefore, if he had been born outside the U.S., he is not a U.S. citizen regardless of his mother's citizenship.Yes, but the laws only apply to Republicans and naughty Democrats. The Democratic controlled House and Senate will "fix" anything awry in connection with Obama's eligibility according to the Constitution, a document written by disgraced dead, white men, according to Liberals. Our formerly great country has been dumbed down across the board for two generations by Affirmative action and lack of common sense by "leaders" with disordered minds, IMO.
58
posted on
12/01/2008 4:58:55 AM PST
by
olezip
To: Swordmaker
59
posted on
12/01/2008 5:21:45 AM PST
by
JohnnyP
To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
Another old commie extremist emerges from the garbage pile. Obie seems to bring them out of retirement. He doesn't look all that black. Is he just another black-chauvanist-wannabe, like Barkie the Mutt?
From the article's sidebar:
__________________________________________________________
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author, syndicated columnist, political analyst and commentator.
He has been a frequent guest on Hannity and Colmes, The O´Reilly Factor, The Big Story, EXTRA, and numerous CNN News and Talk Shows. He was a regular commentator on CNBC´s The Dennis Miller Show. He has been a guest on the Today Show, Dateline, The Lehrer Hour, and BET News, America´s Black Forum.
He is a frequent commentator for the American Urban Broadcast Network and Ed Gordon´s News and Notes on NPR He is a featured columnist for BlackNews.com, BlackAmericaWeb.com, and Alternet.org. He is associate editor of New America Media
His op-ed columns appear in the Baltimore Sun,L.A. Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Christian Science Monitor, and other major newspapers.
60
posted on
12/01/2008 5:27:16 AM PST
by
ROCKLOBSTER
(RATs...nothing more than Bald Haired Hippies!)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-84 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson