I don't need to explain why people do the things they do. I'm not a state archivist. It's enough to show that this is how it works.
mlo:”I don’t need to explain why people do the things they do.”
I didn’t request you to “explain” why Hawaii keeps a vault copy of birth records, I asked for your OPINION as to why they might. Do you have any conceivable idea why they might think this necessary?
My personal opinion/theory is based on evidence and statements that the Hawaiian officials have made in this case. When someone had made requests to view the vault copy of Obama’s birth certificate, they responded that Hawaiian state law does not allow anyone but direct family members or the person themself to release the vault copy document.
Why would this be true unless there was additional information or verifiable information on the vault copy. The short form document does not have real signatures of doctors, parents, or other officials contemporary with the document’s origin. These are items that would be essential when evaluating the authenticity of the certificate. I am convinced that Hawaii understands this necessity and wishes to preserve the original document for future evidence.
The next claim you seem to raise is that the short form is an adequate document to prove elgibility for the POTUS. That is the primary question before us IMHO.
It really comes down to burden of proof. Is the burden upon the electorate to prove that Obama is NOT qualified, or is it Obama’s burden to prove his natural-born status. I believe this is easily answered since Obama is an applicant for a position in which there are clear requirements. In almost every case when a person pursues a position, they must prove their elgibility for the position. From what I have read, it is not clear to me that Obama has properly proven his elgibility. If Hawaii is concerned enough about the legitimacy of the short form document such that they preserve a vault copy, then it seems reasonable that the US congress or SCOTUS would also have reason to desire greater validation for the office of US President