Typical "Birther"

From Atlanta Journal - 8/1/09

Lou Dobbs on the Way to FOX?

Lou Dobbs has long railed against illegal immigration and has often had a valid argument. Recently, however, he made a move toward left field and the lunatic fringe. The latest ratings of his show, taken since he took up with the "birthers," have plunged. That is unfortunate, because the cable network news organizations need a balance, yet they are becoming more polarized. FOX, of course, has never had a balance.

If CNN eventually drops Mr. Dobbs, where will he land? FOX of course. That network usually picks up all of the fringe elements from CNN and others who will not have them. Glen Beck, Van Sustern , Hannity, North, Rivera; I could go on and on. Nevertheless, given his recent bit of lightheadedness Dobbs will make a good fit for this bunch of ne're do wells in the FOX lineup.

The Sad "Birthers" Cont.

Please note this great article by Mathew Norman from the UK. A great analysis of the sad group of Neanderthals, known now as the "birthers." Unfortunately, they probably number in the millions and are a sober reminder of how far this country has to go in accepting an African American as our president. More unfortunate is the fact that there are elected "leaders" among them, either a part of the racist element, or political opportunists, hoping to buy votes with this sad farce that kindles the racist hopes of so many.

Why Doesn't Obama Show His Birth Certificate? Update

Pretty simple, really. Would you? If a group of mostly racist nutcases, together with some of their politician friends, fabricated a story about you in order to cast doubt upon your qualifications for political office, would you be willing to legitimize them by placating their demands? He has already done more than is required by posting a copy of his birth certificate on-line.

All of this "birther" nonsense is nothing more than racists and Republicans (some would argue that they are one and the same) trying to cast doubt among the electorate. The Republicans have done everything short of assassination to try to discredit the President. They, recently, have even gone so far as to say that defeating the President is more important than fixing the health care nightmare in this country. All that this nasty maneuvering has done is to dig them deeper into the permanent abyss that they are creating for their final fall.

Yesterday the House unanimously voted on a resolution, commemorating Hawaii's statehood, that included wording noting that Hawaii is the birthplace of the president. After an objection by a darling of the fringe, Michelle Bachman, the Repugs finally voted for something. I am amazed that they were able to press the yes button on their voting machine. It did nothing positive for the country, so they felt safe, I suppose.

The poor people in state government in Hawaii have had to put up with this birth nonsense for months. Even the Republican governor of the state confirmed the President's birth months ago. Yet the lunatic fringe, now lead by Lou Dobbs, continues to perpetuate the myth. It will live on the Internet long after President Obama has left office. Some will make it their life's crusade, ensuring that they have accomplished absolutely nothing constructive, when they cross over to the other side.

Update: For those unfamiliar with US law, let me refer you to Title 8, 1401, Section G of the US Code:

(g) a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years: Provided, That any periods of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or periods of employment with the United States Government or with an international organization as that term is defined in section 288 of title 22 by such citizen parent, or any periods during which such citizen parent is physically present abroad as the dependent unmarried son or daughter and a member of the household of a person

(A) honorably serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, or

(B) employed by the United States Government or an international organization as defined in section 288 of title 22, may be included in order to satisfy the physical-presence requirement of this paragraph. This proviso shall be applicable to persons born on or after December 24, 1952, to the same extent as if it had become effective in its present form on that date;

It does not matter where the President was born. His mother was an American citizen. In addition, I guess the commenter below has not seen the announcement of Obama's birth that appeared in the newspaper. I guess he/she will say that this was a conspiracy fabricated by Obama's father, knowing that he would one day be president of the US. He was born in Kenya, but the birth notice was placed in the paper to throw these "experts" off track.

When "Carrying" Doesn't Work

Over the past several years of Republican rule, we have seen the gun laws pretty much gutted here in Georgia. Gun owners are allowed to "carry" on public transportation, in state parks, and in restaurants. I do not have a complete aversion to the carrying of concealed weapons. On occasion, I have considered applying for a permit, though I have never faced a situation where I thought that I needed a weapon.

Saturday night in Atlanta, former professional boxer and WBC welterweight champion, Vernon Forrest, made two fatal mistakes. He was "carrying," and he chased a thief, who had robbed him at gunpoint. Had he not been armed, it is doubtful that Forrest would have given chase. When it was over, Forrest had been shot seven or eight times in the back. More than likely, Forrest's anger overrode his common sense, while his loaded weapon gave him false courage. He probably ran in a blind rage after the man who had robbed him, only to be taken by surprise and killed.

How many "carriers" will react like Forrest? They feel strong and invincible while "packing heat." They talk big about "carrying" and what "Smith and Wesson" will do to anyone who messes with them. When the chips are down, how will they react? Will they fire in a rage at anything that moves and kill an innocent person? Will they give chase and run blindly into an ambush or will the thief take their gun away and kill them with it?

The real world is not TV and movies. Most of us are not fast draw kings, crack shots, or self defense experts. We can load and fire and be safe with a weapon, but when the chips are down, will we be able to protect ourselves and our companions? In Forrest's case, he was a professional boxer, good with his fists. The only thing his "carrying" did was to bring about an untimely and tragic death.