Cult of the false prophet: Joe Farah, the Book of Revelation & Birthers who just won't go away

The National Post ^ | May 5, 2010 | Jonathan Kay

[2ndDivisionVet]

Almost two years after Barack Obama released a copy of his birth certificate -- proving that he was brought into this world on Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu -- "Birther" conspiracy theorists continue to claim that America's 44th president was born in Kenya (or Indonesia, or who knows where), and so is constitutionally ineligible to assume the role of U.S. president. A few weeks ago, the Arizona House actually passed a Birther-inspired provision requiring U.S. presidential candidates to prove they meet constitutional requirements. That proposal was withdrawn, but similar laws are being promoted by Republican lawmakers in other jurisdictions.

Since the Birther movement refuses to die, it's worth examining the roots of the phenomenon -- beginning with the website that has done more than any other to advance their conspiracy theory.

A concise way to describe WorldNetDaily is that it defines the exact inflection point on the spectrum of right-wing punditry where legitimate journalism ends and out-and-out conspiracism begins. On one hand, the popular website employs a staff of professional reporters who cover real stories. But it also pushes discredited conspiracy theories about Barack Obama and has become a clearing house for litigious wingnuts.

The brain behind WorldNetDaily is Joseph Farah, a middle-aged Arab-American Christian Evangelical who originally made a name for himself two decades ago as editor of The Sacramento Union. He began WorldNetDaily on a shoestring in 1997, and has since grown it into a profitable agglomeration of right-wing columns, original investigative articles, oddball product pitches, gold-buggery and an affiliated book-selling business. The ideology on display roughly coincides with the nativist, socially conservative right-wing fringe of the Republican Party, but with an even heavier dose of paranoia and freaked-out America-gone-to-Gomorrah sensationalism.(continued)

[2ndDivisionVet]

Dear Leader's even got the Canadians covering for him.

5 page article.

[null and void]

ping

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Has Obama shown his birth certificate to Michelle yet?

She still thinks he was born in Kenya.

[olezip]

Almost two years after Barack Obama released a copy of his birth certificate

You need to read no further beyond this unsupported assertion. The authenticity of the "birth certificate" released remains in question. A responsible journalist would explore or justify a questionable assertion.

[marron]

Well, sure, I’d like to see his original birth certificate.

I’d also like to know what citizenship he claimed in college, and what passport he traveled on when he went to Pakistan.

But technically speaking none of that matters, because his pa wasn’t a citizen. That means that while he may (or who knows, may not) be a native-born American he isn’t natural born. Which means the first thing we have to do after we get him out of office is repeal everything he did while in office, every appointment, regulation, every piece of legislation. All of it.

[DJ MacWoW]

And they lie in the first sentence. Sorry excuse for journalism.

[2ndDivisionVet]

What is this “responsible journalist” thing you speak of?

[a fool in paradise]

Almost two years after Barack Obama released a copy of his birth certificate

Start with a lie and just keep spinning...

[a fool in paradise]

"HULLY GEE! YELLOW JOURNALISM IS FUN!"

[RobinOfKingston]

Almost two years after Barack Obama released a copy of his birth certificate ...

The opening words of the article. There isn't even a fig leaf of objectivity. Of all the things that O-evil may have released, whether gaseous or solid in nature, a copy of his birth certificate ain't one of 'em.

[DJ MacWoW]

It keeps their jobs for them. Of course, to work they have to sacrifice truth and integrity.

[a fool in paradise]

I don’t recall all of these liberals taking Trufers to task for believing and spinning 9-11 conspiracy theories. Hillary herself proclaimed “BUSH KNEW!”.

Suck on soap, liberals.

[Sprite518]

The guy is a fraud through and through. For anyone that still thinks he is qualified. Then please open your mind and look at this below. Then tell me how I’m wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheDrRJP#p/u/1/f2-2E65uFHM

[a fool in paradise]

A few weeks ago, the Arizona House actually passed a Birther-inspired provision requiring U.S. presidential candidates to prove they meet constitutional requirements. That proposal was withdrawn, but similar laws are being promoted by Republican lawmakers in other jurisdictions. Since the Birther movement refuses to die,

The movement would END if he would show his long form certicate which such legislation would force.

There are others would argue that his mom does not meet age requirements for his bi-national birth to be "natural born" citizenship. That is something to be decided in the courts. But that is not the question of WHERE he was born.

[missnry]

Almost two years after Barack Obama released a copy of his birth certificate -- proving that he was brought into this world on Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu

I'm from Missouri - SHOW ME the birth certificate that has WHAT HOSPITAL baby Barack was born in!

These anti-birthers must have the IQ of a mushroom because they can't figure out why this issue lives on. Obama has NOT provided his birth certificate that has his hospital of birth!

[y6162]

I am a birther.

Show me a birth certificate.
Show me the Kenyan’s college transcripts.

[Canadian Outrage]

This p*sses this Canadian right off. They are a Toronto (pure red Liberal) publication. Just remember that. CO

[darkangel82]

Slanted, thoughtless garbage with not an original thought. DNC press releases read better.

[SvenMagnussen]

Obama identifies himself as "native born," not a natural-born citizen.

Obama claims he traveled alone from Indonesia to Hawaii and cleared customs at the age of 10.

If Barry Soetoro was identified as an abandoned or orphaned Indonesian child with American grandparents living in Hawaii, the US State Department would have expedited refugee status documentation, provided travel and an employee escort to ensure his safety and ability to clear customs.

Refugee status would also explain his Connecticut return address for his Social Security Number. An American Refugee Resource organization would keep all of Obama’s legal paperwork and file his SSN application on his behalf. The ARO was probably located in Connecticut.

[NBCforSure]

There is another fact that the liberals overlook.....every hospital, clinic and anywhere a baby would have been delivered on that day and there is no record in all of Hawaii!