Posted on 07/28/2009 5:29:21 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Pres. Barack Obama has a birthday coming up, a week from Tuesday. We hope he takes the day off—or even the whole week, the briefest of respites from his busy schedule of truncating our liberties while exhausting both the public coffers and our patience. The president’s birthday comes to mind because we recently spent some time looking at a photograph of his birth certificate, being held by Joe Miller of Factcheck.org, who took the time to examine it. President Obama was born on August 4, 1961, at 7:24 p.m, in Honolulu County, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. The serial number on his birth certificate is 010641. Baby Barack’s birth was not heralded, as some of his partisans have suggested, by a star in the east, but it was heralded by the Honolulu Star, as well as the Honolulu Advertiser, each of which published birth announcements for young Mr. Obama.
Much foolishness has become attached to the question of President Obama’s place of birth, and a few misguided souls among the Right have indulged it. The myth that Barack Obama is ineligible to be president represents the hunt for a magic bullet that will make all the unpleasant complications of his election and presidency disappear. We are used to seeing conspiracy theories from the Left, for instance among the one in three Democrats who believe that 9/11 was an inside job conducted with the foreknowledge of the Bush administration. We’ve seen everything under the sun blamed on Dick Cheney and Halliburton, and Rosie O’Donnell has given us much mirth with her metallurgical expertise, while Andrew Sullivan has beclowned himself and tarnished the good name of The Atlantic with his investigation into the “real” parentage of Trig Palin. Most notable, the Iraq War summoned the craziness in a big way, and there are those who still shudder over their espressos at the mention of the Carlyle Group. And there is a fair amount of crossover between those fixated on Obama’s birth certificate and the 9/11 “truthers” — lawyer Phil Berg, for instance, is a player in both worlds. There is nothing that President Obama’s coterie would enjoy more than to see the responsible Right become a mirror image of the loopy Left circa 2003.
The birth-certificate business is not a uniquely conservative phenomenon; the allegation that Obama was born in Kenya seems to have originated with a Hillary Clinton supporter at a blog called The Blue State. Either way, this fantasy is not particularly widespread within the conservative movement, but it has attracted enough interest that it needs to be addressed.
The fundamental fiction is that Obama has refused to release his “real” birth certificate. This is untrue. The document that Obama has made available is the document that Hawaiian authorities issue when they are asked for a birth certificate. There is no secondary document cloaked in darkness, only the state records that are used to generate birth certificates when they are requested.
If one applies for a United States passport, the passport office will demand a birth certificate. It defines this as an official document bearing “your full name, the full name of your parent(s), date and place of birth, sex, date the birth record was filed, and the seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records.” The Hawaiian birth certificate President Obama has produced—the document is formally known as a “certificate of live birth”—bears that information. It has been inspected by reporters, and several state officials have confirmed that the information in permanent state records is identical to that on the president’s birth certificate—which is precisely what one expects, of course, since the state records are used to generate those documents when they are requested. In other words, what President Obama has produced is the “real” birth certificate of myth and lore. The director of Hawaii’s health department and the registrar of records each has personally verified that the information on Obama’s birth certificate is identical to that in the state’s records, the so-called vault copy. Given that fact, we are loath even to engage the fanciful notion that President Obama was born elsewhere, contrary to the information on his birth certificate, but we note for the record that his mother was a native of Kansas, whose residents have been citizens of the United States for a very long time, and whose children are citizens of the United States as well.
The attention paid to President Obama’s place of birth is not unprecedented. In fact, it may be the only thing President Obama has in common with Pres. Chester Arthur, whose opponents whispered that he had been born in Canada. A number of unsuccessful presidential candidates—George Romney, Barry Goldwater, and Lowell Weicker among them—actually were born outside of the United States (in Mexico, the Arizona Territory, and Paris, respectively) to American parents and thereby into American citizenship. If the conspiracy theorists have evidence that President Obama went through the naturalization process, let them show it. But there is no such evidence, because this theory is based on unreality, as two minutes’ examining the claims of its proponents reveals. The hallmark of a conspiracy theory is that a lack of evidence for the theory is taken as yet more evidence for the theory. Indeed, the maddening thing about dealing with conspiracy hobbyists of this or any sort is the ever-shifting nature of their argument and their alleged evidence: Never mind the birth certificate, his step-grandmother said he was born in Kenya! (No, she didn’t.)
One of the unfortunate consequences of this red-herring discussion is that there are plenty of questions about Obama’s background and history that we would like to have answered. In spite of two books of memoirs, there remain murky areas in his biography. And when it comes to those college transcripts, count us among those who’d love to know whether Dr. Bailout ever took an advanced economics class and how he performed in it.
Barack Obama may prefer European-style socialized health care. He may consider himself a citizen of the Earth and sometimes address his audiences as “people of the world,” as though he were born not in another country but on another planet. Like Bruce Springsteen, he has a lot of bad political ideas; but he was born in the U.S.A.
No problem.
EO's used to be found through the White House website. And this was all EO's going back almost 'forever' (I found Reagan EOs). But I don't know if Barry changed the WH website design or content.
And I'm sure Google or Answers.com can find them too. (Answers.com may be the best bet)
Now that this is settled...is the Globe right about him being a bone smuggler, a fudge packer, a fruit, peter puffer, gerbil smotherer.....?
“If Barack’s mom is a U.S. citizen, and if he was born in Hawaii, then he is “natural born.””
True enough, but if he were not born in Hawaii then he may not be a “natural born” citizen.
“”Obsession with Obama’s birth certificate is a distraction from opposing his agenda””
I’ve already said that we are able to concentrate on both. I have called the Blue Dog Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee numerous times. I have sent emails to the 52 members of the committee. I have written a 7 page letter (copying my Senators and Representative)to Obama on his health care plan. You can laugh if you want to because I know it should have been brief but impossible to do. What have you done?
What in the world was that supposed to mean?
I repeat: I am telling you what IS known and VERIFIED:
the published address on Obama’s birth announcement is a location where no one in the Obama clan EVER lived. The Lefforges lived there.
Beyond that, I don’t know. I am not a certified private detective.
I have no idea what your point is.
His Dad was not even a resident alien nor a naturalized citizen. He was here on a student visa. That makes things very murky as far as Natural Born is concerned."Natural Born Citizen" means citizen by birth in the US, not citizen granted afterwards. It has NOTHING to do with his parents. It even currently includes children born here to TWO people here ILLEGALLY. This is not tricky. Isn't it enough that his political ally was America's domestic Osama bin Laden, Bill Ayers (also a natural born citizen).
Since you’ve done so much research on this, maybe you can help me. I just want to know two things:
1) Is it true, or not true... that in 1961, people NOT born in Hawaii could get a COLB (Certification of Live Birth). This is the only document we have seen. If it was possible that people NOT born in Hawaii could get one of these things... then, it’s NOT PROOF! So... could they? Or not?
2) Who? Which “official” government body has the responsibility for vetting such things... like, whether a candidate for Prez a NBC?? So far, all I see is... “an oath” from the candidate, and a bunch of certification from party officials. I mean, really?? Is that all that’s required?
I agree with your conclusion: This is ‘most likely’ nothing more than a ruse to keep opponents riled up and looking ‘kooky’. But, why should it be allowed? Why doesn’t the President need to offer “proof” of elgibility?? It’s not “kooky” to want to know.
Of course... if the answer to #1 above is “Not True”... then, this issue is over for me. But, that remains THE KEY question.
one question....Why is the certificate number on the COLB BLACKED OUT?
Yep!
If one applies for a United States passport, the passport office will demand a birth certificate. It defines this as an official document bearing “your full name, the full name of your parent(s), date and place of birth, sex, date the birth record was filed, and the seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records.” The Hawaiian birth certificate President Obama has produced—the document is formally known as a “certificate of live birth”—bears that information.
+++++++++++++++
The National Review article mentions ‘certificate of live birth’ - not even getting that fact correct. It's a ‘Certification of Live Birth’ (COLB). They didn't even bother to fact check their own article?
If publications, journalists, Ann Coulter and others want to make those of us who are skeptical out to be kooks and nuts - I have a suggestion for you. First, get your facts straight - then we might have a listen.
Here's the problems folks. What Hawaii released to the Bambi campaign is only a confirmation of ‘state records’. Since in Hawaii it was and is possible to have a certification of live birth (COLB) issued for babies born outside the state, what have we got?
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol06_ch0321-0344/HRS0338/HRS_0338-0017_0008.HTM
“He has only proffered a “Certification of Live Birth” to assert he was born in Hawaii, but many people remain unaware a child does not even have to be born in Hawaii to receive a COLB. Hawaiian law specifically allows “an adult or the legal parents of a minor child” to apply to the health department and, upon unspecified proof, be given the birth document.”
Also, you can see REAL examples of the long form birth certificate all the time - as at the above link. Supposedly, Barack would have his?
Lastly, it matters that we've seen LITTLE TO NONE of this usurpers personal history. It truly matters what citizenship he claimed in college - yet we've seen nothing.
Genuine skepticism is not equivalent to being a kook and a nut, nor does it mean we can't simultaneously focus on the massive dangers of socialized medicine, crap and tax and whatever else the alinskyites have coming down the pike to ‘overwhelm the system.’
Good day.
That part is odd on its face.
My wife and I recently renewed drivers licenses, and a new requirement is to show proof of citizenship. I used my passport, but couldn't find the wife's (it's expired anyway), so ordered a birth certificate from the county she was born it. We obtained a photocopy of the original vital state record, on nice paper stock, embossed by the county clerk. It resembles, closely, what is referred to here as "the long form."
Shwo us the Long Form Birth Certificate please, and we will slink away and shut up.
+++++++++++++
Show us the Long Form Birth Certificate [and what nationality Obama claimed in college] please, and we will slink away and shut up.
http://federalistblog.us/2008/11/natural-born_citizen_defined.html
I am sure everything in here is verifiable. Read on!
Sorry - here’s the link for the long form example:
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=105218
In another thread a freeper posted the following:
http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/zczc3185/Birth_cert_coats_7c.jpg
The issue should be ruled upon by the Court and addressed by Congress. The fact is that there is no precedent for someone with dual citizenship and dual loyalties to be President.
Editors
1. Want us to believe that NR fact finding is better than a jury, our courts and our judicial system
2. No first hand accounts of any alleged facts they have confirmed
3. Nothing new to add to debate, just rehash of other self-serving claims by others
4. Affirm pre-determined conclusions without addressing interesting arguments and unusual coincidences of birthers
5. Fail to point out that we are not missing John McCain’s long form birth certificate
NR, the 80’s is calling.
Let the Plaintiffs prove their case in a court of law. Let them have the right to discovery.
Tell that to all the military families of today and to everyone for the past 200 years who has fought for the consitutuion and to keep America free. Sure, let's just ignore this little part of the consitution. Heck, let's just ignore the entire constitution since it seems to be causing such an uncomfortable situtation for you.
For me, it’s not that he does or doesn’t have a birth certificate, rather it is why he has hired teams of lawyers and spent big bucks to seal his birth, education, and passport/travel records.
Go figure.....One would not expend this sort of energy and treasure if there was nothing to hide.
Just seems curious.
My wife and I recently renewed drivers licenses, and a new requirement is to show proof of citizenship. I used my passport, but couldn’t find the wife’s (it’s expired anyway), so ordered a birth certificate from the county she was born it. We obtained a photocopy of the original vital state record, on nice paper stock, embossed by the county clerk. It resembles, closely, what is referred to here as “the long form.”
++++++++++++++++++
The problem we have is the propensity of Hawaii, in particular, to have issued these Certifications of Live Birth, to babies with unspecified proof. (at least by statute - perhaps that state official that spoke out again can clarify?)
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol06_ch0321-0344/HRS0338/HRS_0338-0017_0008.HTM
[§338-17.8] Certificates for children born out of State. (a) Upon application of an adult or the legal parents of a minor child, the director of health shall issue a birth certificate for such adult or minor, provided that proof has been submitted to the director of health that the legal parents of such individual while living without the Territory or State of Hawaii had declared the Territory or State of Hawaii as their legal residence for at least one year immediately preceding the birth or adoption of such child.
(b) Proof of legal residency shall be submitted to the director of health in any manner that the director shall deem appropriate. The director of health may also adopt any rules pursuant to chapter 91 that he or she may deem necessary or proper to prevent fraudulent applications for birth certificates and to require any further information or proof of events necessary for completion of a birth certificate.
(c) The fee for each application for registration shall be established by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 91. [L 1982, c 182, §1]
+++++++++++
Seems pretty nebulous there - just establish that you declared Hawaii as your ‘state of residence’ for one year prior to the birth...no real query for proof for where the birth happened!
Also, what nationality did he claim in college?
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.
