Why The Birthers Matter

[chefmike]

Why The Birthers Matter
Ben Cohen

The following video came from a Town Hall meeting with Mike Castle (R-DE). A woman stands up, barely able to control her emotions, and furiously demands Barack Obama prove he is a United States citizen:

Video and other related links:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-cohen/why-the-birthers-matter_b_243647.html

It's easy to dismiss the woman as a half baked lunatic and lump her in with other conspiracy theorists on the fringes of society. She is of course, and belongs with the fake moon landing idiots and 9/11 Truthers. But the fervor with which she states her case, and the extraordinary reaction of the audience is indicative of a far, far greater problem.

The Obama Birther Movement claims that Barack Obama was born in Kenya, and is not a United States citizen. At a National Press Club session, New York preacher James Manning declared Obama "the most notorious criminal in the history not just of America, but of this entire planet."

Lou Dobbs, Liz Cheney, and a whole host of conservatives have done little to quell the rumors, and have even helped promote it.
There is of course, no evidence for the assertion. Obama was born in Honolulu in 1961 to an American mother, and a Kenyan father. And that's the end of the story.

The 'Birthers' have literally pulled it out of their backsides and are banking on extreme ignorance, racism and anger to promote their cause. Unfortunately, it seems to be working as hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition demanding he provide proof of his birth (thanks to sites like World Net). Conspiracy theories are not unique in America - it's a national pastime, and generally speaking fairly harmless. As Ben Smith writes in Politico:

...belief in obscure, discredited theories is a constant in a country with a history of partisan division -- a country in which, a recent survey showed, 34 percent of the public believes in UFOs and 24 percent believes in witches...

Yearly trips to Sedona, weird internet chat rooms, and the occasional feature on the History Channel are about as much as the average conspiracy theorists needs - it's enough to keep them quiet for most of the time, and provides good entertainment for everyone else.

However, the belief in vast conspiracy theories can also be hugely damaging as it distracts people from real issues and keeps them focused on exciting fantasies that make them feel important. The 9/11 truth movement was enormously helpful to the Bush Administration as it provided a giant distraction from the colossal crimes they committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. If their energies had been directed in a positive way, there's a good chance Bush would have been impeached and Dick Cheney thrown in jail. Alas, the 9/11 truth movement dedicated its time to proving the U.S government tried to kill thousands of its own people in exchange for gold/political power.

The Birther movement can be compared to the 9/11 truth movement, perhaps not in scale, but certainly in its potency. It is another example of a scared, confused population unable to rationalize why their jobs are being shipped abroad, their health care costs are spiraling out of control, and the prospect of putting their kids through college is moving rapidly from slim to none.

The true reasons for this have been well documented. The United States government has been systematically bought out by giant corporate interest that have undermined the interests of the public. While the banks are entitled to welfare in times of crises, the people are not, and must fend for themselves, riddled with debt financial uncertainty.

But to understand this requires education and time, something far too many Americans have gone without. Instead, they lash out with fear and hatred at the nearest object.

That object happens to be a highly educate, serenely confident black man who epitomizes everything they are not. The Birth certificate nonsense has nothing to do with Obama's credibility as a U.S citizen. When the Nazi party blamed the Jews for Germany's economic woes in the 1930's, no one seriously believed they had a case. The fact is, as a highly educated, skillful sector of the population, Jews were often better off than average Germans during times of economic uncertainty. They were resented for it, and a theory was developed to legitimize the hatred.

The Birther movement is a racist movement that could quickly target others if left unchecked. Barack Obama has round the clock protection from the best trained professionals in the world. Minorities around the country do not, and could well be on the receiving end of the Birther's ire should they get bored of the birth certificate gibberish.

And the chances are, they probably will.

Ben Cohen is the Editor of The Daily Banter.com

[chefmike]

Priceless....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/23/jon-stewart-eviscerates-t_n_243383.html

[hippifried]

Yearly trips to Sedona, weird internet chat rooms, and the occasional feature on the History Channel are about as much as the average conspiracy theorists needs - it's enough to keep them quiet for most of the time, and provides good entertainment for everyone else. Ah yes, Sedona. Toon central in the redrock country. Beautiful scenery, cool temperatures (compared to deserts around Phoenix), quaint architecture, & hawkers selling every kind new age crystals & pyramids you can think of, & tinfoil by the truckload. I think everyone should make the pilgrimage during the next "harmonic convergence". I went up there in the '80, & there was a huge crowd of nuts clinging to Bell Rock, waiting for it to take off & carry them back to the mother ship.

[techi]

Can't Obama just sue the people spreading this crap for slander? Score himself a big old warchest for the 2012 run!

Imo, all this hype and fear about these silly people is complete nonsense. Much ado about nothing

A rabble of weak minded people are not a threat to our leader. We have the CIA and Secret Service for that. :shock:

[q1a2z3]

obama is a public figure. He would not get a dime from me. By the way he is a Kenyan national.

His stooges have spent over one million dollars keeping that piece of paper out of the hands of his bosses (aka the American people.)

Hey chefmike! Only the fudge packers are pulling it out of their asses - LOL. Creating the birthers is just like creating homophobia. Just more nonsense to obfuscate the truth.

Birthers are not going to attack obama and they are not going to attack black people. Liberals are more likely to burn black churches due to their brand of "head-up-their-ass" atheism!!!

However, if the government does have a section 31 inside it somewhere and if I woke up tomorrow and obama had been deported to Kenya I'd be happy!

[trish]

He was born in Hawaii, where his parents were living. He still has family there. The local papers reported his birth. He has a birth certificate, which as in many other states of the union, is a document that goes by the title "certificate of live birth". The republican governor has seen the original and attested to the fact that it is indeed legitimate and embossed with the seal. Let's see yours q.

[El Nino]

Trish, what the hell is that digital image supposed to prove? I've seen contrary information that indicates that he was actually born in the Continent of Africa.

[trish]

Trish, what the hell is that digital image supposed to prove?

It proves you're an idiot.

[El Nino]

Did I strike a nerve? Thanks for the ad hominem attack and all but I must declare, o contraire mon fraire...
You call that "proof"? hahahaha In case you haven't noticed, we are now in the age of software and computers, Trish. Or should I say "idiot"? /Karma'd

[El Nino]

I am not judging his character in this regard or anything and this whole thing is kind of a trivial issue overall, but I mean, his own grandmother has allegedly, publically stated that he was born in Africa. Not to mention that, that supposed scanned image you posted, is certainly not proof without a reasonable doubt, is it?

[hippifried]

It proves you're an idiot. Oh. There was proof needed?

Personally, I hope the birthers keep on yammering. There's only a handfull of irrational whackos who are ever going to buy into the idea that the President of the United States of America is an illegal alien. If the republicans jump on this as the last straw they can grasp, they'll just lose more seats in 2010. Maybe as a bonus, Chris Matthews will stroke out & Lou Dobbs will suicide. Hope it gets caught on video.

[q1a2z3]

He was born in Hawaii, where his parents were living. He still has family there. The local papers reported his birth. He has a birth certificate, which as in many other states of the union, is a document that goes by the title "certificate of live birth". The republican governor has seen the original and attested to the fact that it is indeed legitimate and embossed with the seal. Let's see yours q.


Looks like another CBS typewriter job!

[El Nino]

It proves you're an idiot. Oh. There was proof needed?

Personally, I hope the birthers keep on yammering. There's only a handfull of irrational whackos who are ever going to buy into the idea that the President of the United States of America is an illegal alien. If the republicans jump on this as the last straw they can grasp, they'll just lose more seats in 2010. Maybe as a bonus, Chris Matthews will stroke out & Lou Dobbs will suicide. Hope it gets caught on video.

Apparently I am not the only idiot!!!


BAAAMM!!—Lou Dobbs to Obama: a 'Certificate of Live Birth' is NOT a Birth Certificate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF_J4XUKWAE

[hippifried]

OH!!! Well damn, if Lou Dobbs says so, it must be true. Because he's... he's a... Oh that's right. He's the expert on unearned slick hubris. How does that work now? A certification isn't a certificate, but a certificate is a certification. Is that right? I'm not going to click the link. I've seen enough Lou Dobbs & that's time out of my life that I'll never get back. Now if he were to self-immolate, I could watch that over & over. I still wouldn't buy his bullshit though.

[trish]

I’m sorry El Nino. I didn’t mean anything personal by it. I’m merely stating a fact: you’re an idiot. Reading your post one would’ve thought that I only posted a copy of Obama’s Certification of Live Birth, which BTW is what many states call their Birth Certificates. But the image goes hand in hand with reasons to credit the authenticity of the original document it symbolizes…some of which I mentioned (the republican Gov. of HA examined it, along with other officials). But no, you chose to ignore the supporting text and to see only an image. So you’re an idiot. Don’t take it personally. Just do some homework.

Like all peddlers of lies, the birthers employ the technique of repetition. So I shall be applying the same technique as antidote.

[chefmike]

It proves you're an idiot. Oh. There was proof needed?

Personally, I hope the birthers keep on yammering. There's only a handfull of irrational whackos who are ever going to buy into the idea that the President of the United States of America is an illegal alien. If the republicans jump on this as the last straw they can grasp, they'll just lose more seats in 2010. Maybe as a bonus, Chris Matthews will stroke out & Lou Dobbs will suicide. Hope it gets caught on video.

Apparently I am not the only idiot!!!



Apparently not, El Ninny, there are indeed a plethora of idiots such as yourself amongst the truther and birther rabble....

"The 9/11 truth movement was enormously helpful to the Bush Administration as it provided a giant distraction from the colossal crimes they committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. If their energies had been directed in a positive way, there's a good chance Bush would have been impeached and Dick Cheney thrown in jail. Alas, the 9/11 truth movement dedicated its time to proving the U.S government tried to kill thousands of its own people in exchange for gold/political power."

You are however, one of the biggest idiots around these parts...congrats, you've earned it...

[chefmike]

I’m sorry El Nino. I didn’t mean anything personal by it. I’m merely stating a fact: you’re an idiot. Reading your post one would’ve thought that I only posted a copy of Obama’s Certification of Live Birth, which BTW is what many states call their Birth Certificates. But the image goes hand in hand with reasons to credit the authenticity of the original document it symbolizes…some of which I mentioned (the republican Gov. of HA examined it, along with other officials). But no, you chose to ignore the supporting text and to see only an image. So you’re an idiot. Don’t take it personally. Just do some homework.

Like all peddlers of lies, the birthers employ the technique of repetition. So I shall be applying the same technique as antidote. Hey, Trish, I had to get a copy of my birth certificate a few years ago because I couldn't find my SS card after moving...so guess what the Commonwealth of Virginia sends me....a document that is marked certificate of vital record.... certificate of live birth...go figure...

[chefmike]

McCain Campaign Investigated, Dismissed Obama Citizenship Rumors
Frivolous 'Birther' Lawsuits Fuel Conspiracy Theories, Media Coverage

http://washingtonindependent.com/52474/mccain-campaign-investigated-dismissed-obama-citizenship-rumors

[chefmike]

G. Gordon Liddy Struggles...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/23/gordon-liddy-struggles-em_n_243982.html

[hippifried]

I saw the Liddy thing. How pathetic. But you have to remember that Liddy was a top notch lawyer & a spy. Even he doesn't believe the crap that spews from his mouth. He changed vocations after his post graduate studies at Club Fed university of criminality. He's an entertainer now, & finely tuned to his niche audience. God bless America.

[trish]

Poor Liddy's heart just didn't seem to be in it. His eyes were cast down through half the interview, he slogged through his talking points with malaise. He seemed like a reluctant gun for hire who's not really behind the mission. Either that or he was on drugs.

[hippifried]

Could be. He's 78. Maybe all that "I'm so tough & superior" crap is catching up.

[beandip]

If that was a digital pic of his BC.....the raised area / imprint from the stamp would appear.......same goes for a digital pic.

I can download that same image, pop it into the cheesiest photo editing program, blast his name out, recreate the background and put my name in.....in about 20 minutes.

[hippifried]

Do it. Let's see.

[trish]

If that was a digital pic of his BC.....the raised area / imprint from the stamp would appear....... No. It wouldn't. The Republican Governor of Hawaii, hospital officials and others have examined the original and testified that they saw and felt the raised seal. If you doubt it, perhaps you can book a plane to Hawaii and go see for yourself. Not worth it? Then you aren't a patriot. The fate of the U.S. hangs in the balance, right? Still not worth it? That's because you don't really believe in any of the birther shit. It's just a form of foot dragging.

[chefmike]

If that was a digital pic of his BC.....the raised area / imprint from the stamp would appear....... No. It wouldn't. The Republican Governor of Hawaii, hospital officials and others have examined the original and testified that they saw and felt the raised seal. If you doubt it, perhaps you can book a plane to Hawaii and go see for yourself. Not worth it? Then you aren't a patriot. The fate of the U.S. hangs in the balance, right? Still not worth it? That's because you don't really believe in any of the birther shit. It's just a form of foot dragging.

In other words, it's total beandip.

[natina]

Birthers back Hawaii-Obama resolution

It's symbolic, but Democrats have scored a victory [of sorts] over nine House Republicans who signed on to the so-called "Birther" bill -- getting them on the record in support of a resolution that explicitly states that President Obama was born in Hawaii.

None of the nine -- Reps. Marsha Blackburn [R-Tenn.], Dan Burton [R-Ind.], John Campbell [R-Calif.] John Carter [R-Tex.], John Culberson [R-Tex.], Robert Goodlatte [R-Va.], Kenny Marchant [R-Tex.], Randy Neugebauer [R-Tex.] and Rep. Ted Poe [R-Tex.] -- objected to the unanimous approval of a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's Statehood last night.

The key clause, cleverly inserted by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii): "Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii;"

Few of the nine have actually questioned the president's Hawaiian birth certificate, just demanded more rigorous documentation of future candidates birth certs. So they probably don't mind the vote.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) briefly stalled the vote for a quorum call -- which prompted a string of erroneous blog posts accusing her of standing with the Birthers.



By Glenn Thrush 08:39 AM


http://www.newsweek.com//frameset.aspx/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com%2Fblogs%2Fglenn thrush%2F0709%2FBirthers_back_HawaiiObama_resoluti on.html

[natina]

Playing With Fire
The Obama White House may see political advantage in exposing the 'Birthers.' But they shouldn't discount the dangerous sentiment of the radical rejectionists.

In politics, dogs that don't bark make the loudest noise.

I was reminded of that on Monday at the White House as I listened to Robert Gibbs, the presidential press secretary. Even discounting for his ever-present mordant calm, Gibbs was noticeably laid back when asked about the blogospherical hysteria over the question of whether President Obama is a U.S. citizen.



More in sorrow than in anger, he lamented the need to discuss the topic—and then went on to discuss the topic. Rather than seem offended on behalf of the president—the first thing a press secretary learns to do—he seemed more philosophical, almost blasé about it all. It's a free country, whaddya gonna do?

"I almost hate to indulge in such an august setting as the White House briefing room," he said, "discussing the made-up fictional nonsense of whether the president was born in this country."


Born in the U.S.A.
Jess Henig
The truth about Obama's birth certificate.

Rebranding Hate in the Age of Obama
Photos: Hate's New Look
Key word: almost.

Fact, is, White House wise guys seem to think there is political profit to be reaped in encouraging—or at least putting the spotlight on—the anti-everything fundamentalists and public paranoids who are emerging at a time when the legitimate conservative movement and the Republican Party with it are weak.



When the water in the river is low, the rocks in the riverbed lie exposed. So it is with the party and the movement of that gave us Bill Buckley and Ronald Reagan and other worthies of the right. White House officials know that, and don't mind if the wild and utterly unsubstantiated speculation about Obama's provenance overwhelms the grassroots GOP senators and House members when they return home for the August recess.

Obama's aides were only too happy to point to the words of Sen. James Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma, who seemed to validate the curiosity about the theories of the "Birthers." "They have a point," he said. "I don't discourage it." One of the White House types was only too happy to point out that Inhofe is also a guy who refers to global warming as a global "hoax."

The theory: if Obama can convince independent voters that Inhofe is the sum and substance of the modern GOP, then the president might even be able to sell his health-care bill as real "reform."

There are just enough loose bureaucratic threads in the Obama nativity scene to give the Birthers something to talk about. Even though he possesses (and independent witnesses have seen) a valid birth certificate from the state of Hawaii (issued in 2007), the original document is either lost or unavailable, perhaps due to the conversion of such records to electronic form in 2001. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter legally, since the existing document is valid and several local officials in Hawaii have vouched for its sufficiency.

Sensing an opening, Democrats in the House (who should be worrying about more important things) offered a resolution congratulating Hawaii on the 50th anniversary of statehood—and also praising the Aloha State as the place where "the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was born." The idea was to force the Birthers in Congress—there are at least nine of them—to vote against the resolution and identify themselves. It's sort of clever in a sort of high-schoolish way. In the end, none of the Birthers objected to the unanimous approval of the resolution.

But Democrats in and out of the White House run the risk of being too cute by half. The people at the heart of the Birther movement are part of a deep disruptive tradition in American politics. At least some of them are beyond—way beyond—the quaint, even laudable libertarians with roots in frontier times. I met them in the mid-1970s when I was covering the arrival of court-ordered busing to integrate the suburban schools of Louisville, Ky. They believe the federal government is an illegitimate conspiracy to "take up the guns," to tax income that should be beyond reach, to open the borders to illegal immigrants, to—and this is an old notion that still has resonance—"mix the races."

Barack Obama, in ways he and his supporters cannot know or even dare to guess at, embodies all of these "evils" in the eyes of the radical rejectionists. It is not a sentiment to be laughed at, or used for short-term gain.


http://www.newsweek.com/id/209088?GT1=43002