[Michael Michael]

Thanks for using the very Conan Doyle “the dog that didn’t bark” story analogy I (and probably others) used months ago.

Actually the dog that didn't bark story isn't at all analogous to the argument that the author is intending to make here.

In the Holmes story (The Adventure of Silver Blaze), the reason the dog didn't bark is because one of the culprits of the case was known to the dog. The dog barks to alert that it senses something is wrong, such as the presence of a stranger.

The author is attempting to equate those who were or would have been present at Obama's birth to the dog, and arguing that because they're not barking, that something must be wrong, i.e. that Obama wasn't born in Hawaii.

However if the Holmes adventure is to be analogous, if something were wrong, i.e. he was not born in Hawaii, then the "dogs" would be expected to bark. "Hey, I as there, and no one was born there by that name!" The fact that they're not barking indicates just the opposite of what the author is intending to imply.

[bvw]

Hmmm ... I am going to have to re-read that comment in the morning after taking vitamins and the first cup of coffee.

[null and void]

However if the Holmes adventure is to be analogous, if something were wrong, i.e. he was not born in Hawaii, then the "dogs" would be expected to bark. "Hey, I as there, and no one was born there by that name!" The fact that they're not barking indicates just the opposite of what the author is intending to imply.

Not quite. If the dog already knew he wasn't born there then that would not be something unfamiliar to bark at. (To use a preposition to end a sentence with)

Welcome to FR, BTW.