E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThe blogosphere erupted with reactions to the White House’s release of President Obama’s so-called “long-form” birth certificate today.
Liberal blogger Steve Benen at The Washington Monthly doubted the disclosure would discourage conspiracy theorists who believe President Obama wasn’t born in the United States.
If there's one thing right-wing voices have made clear, it's that reason and evidence are irrelevant. They didn't come up with a birther garbage out of sincere concerns; they came up with this to cast doubts on the president's legitimacy and make him out to be The Other in the eyes of the mainstream.
I don't necessarily blame White House officials for wanting to end this nonsense once and for all, but if they're expecting the hysterical right to move on, they're likely to be disappointed.
John Aravosis at the liberal AMERICAblog suggested the move is too little, too late.
There doesn't appear to be anything more on this form than on the other one they released three years ago. Why didn't they just release this then and be done with it?
Blogger Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Beast also asked why Obama waited so long, and assailed the media for not putting more pressure on the Obama administration for providing the long-form certificate in order to give the birthers the material evidence they were calling for.
I think this should have been done long ago. Because a president has to put his public responsibilities before his pride and his privacy. That's the price of the job - to defuse or debunk conspiracy theorists or just skeptics with all the relevant information you have.
It's also the job of the media always to press for more information, not less. But so many spent their energy arguing that Obama need do no more and piling on the Birthers. They still seem to think they are gatekeepers, possessors of the power to decide what is or is not legitimate for citizens to ask of their public officials.
Get over yourselves, MSM. And do your job - not defending the right of people in power to protect themselves, but scrutinizing them relentlessly, with every fact and document you can get. You don't defuse conspiracy theories or end legitimate doubts by telling public officials they need not provide clear and available evidence to rebut them. Yes, some will still suspect. But many will walk away. That's worth doing.
Meanwhile, Tanya Somander at the progressive blog Think Progress noted that Donald Trump said last week that he would release his tax returns when the president released his birth certificate.
Of course, now that Obama has officially put this issue to rest, the secretive billionaire may find another excuse to avoid releasing the potentially damning documents — like demanding Obama’s college records, his SAT scores, college thesis, and on and on…
In fact, conservative blogger Erick Erickson at Red State wondered if the president would now also release his college transcripts, adding that the release of the birth certificate confirms “what most of us have always known.”
Of course, once the birth certificate issue is dispatched, will he release his college transcripts? That’s the issue for me.
When the birth certificate is reviewed and we can see what most of us have always known — that he was born in Hawaii — we can move on. For some, moving on will be to wonder what religion the man is.
He can’t win on this. Not that I care.
Jonah Goldberg at the conservative NRO noted what he views as the irony of President Obama decrying this episode of “silliness” just before engaging in, as Goldberg sees it, frivolous pursuits.
[Obama] railed against “distractions” and “silliness” that prevent us from grappling with our very serious problems. Then, he left to go tape the Oprah Winfrey show and hold a fundraiser. No word on when his next tee time will be.
Goldberg’s NRO colleague Daniel Foster predicted that this disclosure would not assuage the hardcore “birthers.”
Here’s the long-form birth certificate, so birthers can get to work on explaining why we now need a photograph of President Obama’s parents standing in front of Kapiolani hospital with a copy of the August 4, 1961 edition of the Honolulu Star Advertiser in one hand and a complete genome in the other.
Conservative blogger Ed Morrissey at Hot Air said the news is actually a lost political opportunity for President Obama, as he tried to paint the issue, and those pushing it, as a distraction, relatively early in the election cycle.
Some of those who pushed this issue over the last two-plus years are now crying foul, saying “Why did he wait this long to release it?” Why would Obama have wanted to release it? After all, it made for a perfect way to paint his opposition as lunatics. Frankly, I’m surprised he didn’t wait until after the GOP primaries. He could have used the bump more then than now.
Morrissey also said the issue dissipated “whatever credibility [Donald] Trump had.”
Who gets hurt worse by the White House release of Barack Obama’s long-form birth certificate? If you think that it might be the man who practically made it his campaign platform, think again. Donald Trump says he totally had Adonis DNA on the issue, or something… He won in the same sense that Charlie Sheen is #winning! by getting canned and then embarrassing himself on a national tour.
Leave a Comment:
I've been saying that for years.
I used to be amused. Now I'm just disgusted.
Don't you mean to say he finally answered the question that was asked BEFORE he was elected? It is important you probably still elected a non US Citizen president. Notice how ONLY the Obama supporters rants are beng posted on this crappy blog!
Bed check at the crazy ward. One missing. Time for your pills.
Ira Lapin, 92% of us still have jobs. Not raising taxes will allow us to keep more of what we earn. Unfortunatly the politicians of the past have basiclly turned the USA into a giant ever expanding insurance/annuity company with an army. Why is healthcare so expensive? It's because the government will pay for it. Why does it cost sooo much to educate a kid? It's because the government will give a kid a grant or loan a kid money amatorized over his life time to pay back. It's the same concept in auto-body repair. Go to a shop looking for an insurance bid and it's twice as much. Go there and say you olny have cash and it's 1/2 as much. Unfortunatley our country running on blindly aquired debt causes alot of the same problems......
The Dems use the "Birther" issue because they can't stand on their "tax and spend" issues. If they tell the truth about "tax and Spend", they LOSE. They would rather call everyone who disagrees with them a RACIST. Unfortunately for them, that won't work either.
What's worst than a politician? A news reporter. Why do they keep wasting time with this issue when the country is going down the drain. If I can recall, when Arnold was the governor of California, the republicans wanted to ammend the constitution so he could run for President. So what's the big deal. Don't you know that Mcain another potential candidate for President was born in the Republic of Panama. Now my question to all these people that want to make this an issue, Do you think that when you die God is going to ask you for your birth certificate? Get serious people, this is the reason why China is going to be the next super power.
Can you imagine what the Liberals would have said if Bush had decided to NOT release his original birth certificate???? They would demand it and say "WHAT is he hiding?" Since it's Obama doing it, the Liberals say "he already released a legal document that should suffice." It's laughable.
Again, Bush was required to release his birth certificate under Federal law, same as Obama had to do. You CANNOT run for any federal office without filing alll required documents with the Federal Election Committee. Not a liberal thing, it's the law. Your post is wrong and laughable.
UAW Pleeeeeeeease..
Not raising taxes will allow us to keep more of what we earn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First, if you're not making more that $250,000 a year your taxes will not go up a one cent. Fact...the repeal of the Bush Tax cuts only affect the wealthiest 1% of American. The proposed increase from 35 to 39% is, again. for people making over $250,000 a year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why is healthcare so expensive?
------------------------------------------------------
Healthcare is so expensive because there is a lack od choice of insurers in most parts of the country and they decide on premiums. HCR establishes large blocks of uninsured people who, the insurance companies need to compete for their business. The government is not paying for Medicare. It's a payroll deduction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why does it cost sooo much to educate a kid? It's because the government will give a kid a grant or loan a kid money amatorized over his life time to pay back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School loans are NOT free. They are loan obligations that need to be paid back by the borrowe. Sometimes it takes 20 years or more. Lot's of kids are graduation college with school debt so high it will take yhears and years to pay off.
Don't know where you got your facts from but hope what I posted helps with the misconception.
....and I apologize for all the spelling errors.
Ira, Your post doesnt help at all. I think you are confusing "health care" with an "insurance company". Take the "Insurance Company" out of the picture. Now you are a patient talking one on one with a Doctor about how much the bill really should be. Are you with me to this point? Now put the "Insurance Company" ie the Federal government back in the picture. Now you have a patient and a Doctor talking one on one and the patient doesnt give a crap how much the bill is as long as someone else pays it.
Take grants and 30 year loans away from students and I bet you will find that our colleges can get a kid educated for far less that what is happening now.....
....and for those who can't afford a doctor OR insurance. Who helps them? We're a better people than that and you know it.
UAW, so you believe that if kids could not get loans or grants that Educational Institutions would drop tuition to allow more underprivileged kids to get an Education, Really? What would more likely happen is some entrepreneur would start a loan company for theses kids at a rate twice what the government is charging.
UAW, so you are saying that if people had to pay more, they might not except the doctors advice on what procedures to get done. I have free medical care at the VA Hospital, when my doctor recommended a colonascopy I assumed he did so for a reason, it had nothing to do with who was paying the bill, however you are correct in that if the doctor told me to get one done and I needed to pay 500 out of pocket I would have said never mind and took my chances. Is that what you are suggesting? Is that what we want our medical decisions to be based on?
Ira I think the Ryan voucher plan will help. Here's why. When a patient goes to a Dr they will know exactly what they have to spend based on that voucher. Thier motivation will be to not go over that amount. Eventually the healthcare market will figure out there is nolonger an unlimited amount supply of "free money" New businesses will pop up that offer better pricing. To compete healthcare providers will have to adjust to the new reality.
Retired Military, Your right I think a new private lender will emerge for student loans. But if we remove the implicit "Government Gaurentee" for those loans the private lender will make sure his loan is structured in such a way to keep defaults at a minimum. Let's face it no private lender would be foolish enough to give an 18-26 year old $100,000 for an unsecured loan to go to college. AND if that kid can't get a $100k say he can olny get $20k. Suddenly an education olny costs $20k.... See what I mean?
Let's simplify this keep the people responsible for paying in charge of what they are paying. Keep the Government out of it.....
UAW, you seem like an intelligent reasonable person, however I truly believe you might be a bit idealistic, the free market is in business for one reason, to make as much money as they can. The voucher is to purchase insurance not for medical services, so there will be competition to attract the little money that seniors have to buy a plan, however you can believe that these plans will come with caps as they do now and when that cap is reached the senior will be totally on his or her own. It's the onl way an insurance company can make a profit.
UAW Pleeeeeeeease
Ira I think the Ryan voucher plan will help. Here's why. When a patient goes to a Dr they will know exactly what they have to spend based on that voucher. Thier motivation will be to not go over that amount.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I could be wrong, but isn't the voucher to be used to buy insurance for everyone under age 54? You need to go to private insurers and buy insurance. If it's more than the voucher, then too bad. The idea the GOP is putting forth is to replace Medicare with a voucher system. No Medicare for anyone 54 or younger. Windfall profits for the insurance companies and the elderly get screwed. Does not seem fair to me.
RM I think you and I could sit in a room and have a workable healthcare and education plan put together in about 2 hours. Unfortunatley some tough choices will have to be made. That is why we need politicians not worried about getting re-elected on both sides of the isle. Have a good night.
Now, where are the College Transcripts and medical records!
And Obama looks like his mentor Frank Marshall Davis, his real daddy.
Why so secretive? Get REAL already!
Kid, why would you want to see his college transcripts and medical records? Would it change your opinion of him in any way?
You guys are unbelievable. You wouldn't accept any amount of proof. What did the poll show...37% will always have a doubt. Funny, 37% of Republicans wanted to find any kind of loop hole so Ahnold could run. Idiots.
Ok so I have to ask, if Medicare and Medicaid is going to drive us into bankruptcy because the system pays out way more than it takes in, how is the private sector who's only motive is profit going to be able to afford approving medical services for people who will be paying in less than they are paying in premiums?
They won't. The insurance companies will choose not cover them and when they need to, people will just go to the emergency rooms as they are doing now. Final answer is nothing changes except the government is not paying out for healthcare and people are literally dieing in their beds due to the lack of care. But lets ask UAW if he really cares.
This whole process was a waste of time. If Trump is interested in running for President, he needs to create some credibility where people want to listen to him. He needs to focus on issues versus trying to slam someone on his birth certificate.
AMERICA!!!!!! you are showing your true colors and it is not in this season. Stop! trying to dig up anything just stop it! already.
The Birth Certificate is issued by the Department of State of Hawaii. This kind of Birth Certicate is issued to anyone who has privated information that is not to be shared with others. Anyone can take a live birth certificate and get a Department of Health Sevices Birth Certificate.
Obama has no cajones and Trump is not afraid to tell it like it is. He may be a little brash but he has not surrounded himself with radical idiots like Van Jones, Rev Wright, and terrorists like Bill Ayers. He is the one who is distracted and has accomplished nothing but havoc for this country. No jobs, massive spending, massive debt and likes to kiss the ring of middle eastern Kings. He has made this country weak in the eyes of the world. Trump may not be ready for the job of being President but he has many ideas on how to get jobs and make America strong again. Obama knows nothing except how to turn on his teleprompter and campaign instead of solving our serious problems. He needs to be sent back to harvard and teach the fresman class about his style of socialism. Vote him out in 2012 if you want your country back again.
I think Trump just wants to tell Obama, "you're fired."
Take away the TALKING POINTS about Birth Certificate, Tea Party Criticism, Conspiricy Theory, etc. At long last, Obama has decided to provide the credentials which he should have provided before he qualified to run for POTUS. His delays have created an enormous waste of time and money for all of us. He is no better than the millions of Americans who must show Documentation to qualify for employment with many US companies. As a member of the US Army Europe in 1951, My security Clearance required extensive background check including "BIRTH CERTIFICATE" before I was allowed to perform my assigned job. As the highest ranking member of the US Government, Obama should be subjected to even more intense background checks than anyone in Government. By the way, I want to enlighten those opponents of the "TEA PARTY". The men and women who support the "TEA PARTY" philosophy are the modern day Patriotic Citizens who will not be dominated by a government who seeks excessive power to control our lives and limit our FREEDOM. Without those earlier Patriots who participated in the BOSTON TEA PARTY, our America would not be likely to enjoy the Freedoms which our Colonial Fathers fought so hard to achieve for us all. Let's protect our REPUBLIC from those who would prefer a Socialist form of Government.
--
I will never believe anything the messiah with a little "m" has to say. The way I see it is if his mouth is moving, then he is lying. This man couldn't pour piss out of a boot even if the instructions were written on the heel. I know Trump probably doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell but, the man makes sense about how to generate revenue for this country and it's not off of the backs of the middle class/working people. I like the fact that he's not part of the "ESTABLISHMENT" and he is flawed. I believe that we need someone that is real and not a politician. As long as we keep putting politicians in office this crap will continue, it's a game to them. We need someone with business sense and experience. I don't care if they are black, white, brown, red, green or yellow. We need someone that is a leader, has experience, a proven track record & wants to restore this country to its greatness. I like what Herman Cain has to say.
AS noted by so many others, this entire issue was mainly caused by Obama's unwillingness to provide the necessary proof years ago. Just like its prevented release of Obama's college thesis' and the like. After all, all political nominess turn over their past writings, speeches, etc. Somehow, the President doesn't want transparaency on his past thinking or positions. If there was any "sillyness" it belongs at the feet of either the President or his political advisors for waiting so long to put the matter to rest
Color is not the point people! It is whether or not he is truly American, and therefore whether he belongs in office in the first place! If he thought this was all silliness, then maybe he should have given this to us when asked. And, also where is the State Seal that is supposed to be upon the Birth Certificate? I don't care what color the President is, but I do care what country he is from, as to what that would do to the country I support and live in, and what him not being from this country could also do to us in the long run. As to the contriversy of his religion, I don't care about that either, we in this country have "Freedom of Religion" as it stands today, what I do care about is how many times he has stepped on our constitution, and bill of rights! How many times he has chastised us as Americans for the way we built this country, and what "we" have done to make it the mess it is today.
Now the "FRUMP" scares me like a psychopath ...i believe it would be in the best interest of all serious contenders to the presidency to get restraining orders..... 300 yrds at all times ! I fear for their safety .
The goal of the birthers is not clarity. The goal of the birthers is not surety. The goal of the birthers is not to ensure our President's citizenship. The goal of the birthers is not Patriotism. The goal of the birthers is to confuse, delay, inhibit, corrupt and interrupt the momentum of any Democratic Party initiative or basic operating principle of same.
They know Barack Obama was born here. They do not care. They do not seek truth. They seek chaos. They want to sew discord and be nettlesome. They need to draw attention away from legitimate issues that impact our lives while their agenda is advanced behind their birther smoke screen. Evil can't operate in the light. It needs confusion and concealment.
Republicanism is destroying this country, and they don't care. They will attain supremacy if they have to destroy this country to do it,....and they are well on their way to that goal.
Why would so many people think Obama is not an American citizen? It's so hard to believe that someone born in this great country would try to destroy it.
The beginning of the end of America was Reaganomics, which every Republican after has championed. He was the one who began the demise of the middle class, jobs going over seas, the gap widening between the rich and poor, and the popularity of war for profit. We went from 90 million to 2.5 Trillion under him and have been climbing ever since (Bill Clintons surplus withstanding). This is why the right revere him as a God because he made the rich much richer and left the remainder of the middle class holding the bag. Face it, Belittle... you know very little!
First it was Rev Wright, then Ayers, then Soros, then he was Muslim, then he was not an American citizen, now his enrollment in Harvard is questionable (President of the Law Review and his graduating Magna Cum laude withstanding). We have a Republican Party official depicting him as a monkey in Florida, while Arizona, Louisiana and Oklahoma draft racially motivated legislation, legitimizing the birther movement in the midst of a national economic crisis. Now, it's the Presidents fault for not showing his docs earlier, when no President in 235 plus years has had too! These right winged and some Independent nut jobs try and say it's not a race issue, but that's like Haley Barbour saying "I cant be a racist, my slave is black"? The 3/5 ths mentality is alive and well and further proves that a black man still has to be twice as good and continue to prove himself in a country that he built, fought and died for. Still no relief from being a black man in Amerikka, even if you're the elected President. My prayers go out to the President and I pray we continue to have his sound leadership in the face of these unprecedented issues and disrespect.
Bull's eye, Damon!!!!!!
WELL DONE AND WELL SAID!!!!!
Name me one President, PRIOR to the one in office now, did we do this to!!!
What ELSE are you "Birthers" going to ask?!?!?!?!?!?
How much of a "Hawa'iian" was he at birth?
Ask him what are the practical cooking applications of "poi"?
Ask him "What does "Da Kine" mean"?
Ask him when is the BEST TIME, and what type of bait you need to catch a Menehune?
Have him write his family legacy in "Pidgin"?
OR, how about having President Obama GO BACK IN TIME, and have his parents stand trial for violating the interracial marriage laws in some of the states that was on the books back then?
How can I, Being of a Sound Mind and Body, Law Abiding Citizen of the United States of America, help you come to grips with reality?
"Fanaticism and ignorance is forever busy, and needs feeding."- Spencer Tracy, "Inherit The Wind"
Pat,
You're absolutely right! I'm sure that as Sen. Barack Obama, during the presidential campaign, running against republican John McCain, and Bush in the White House with access to the CIA and FBI, he was veted, scrutinized, analized and researched more than Osama Ben Laden. The republicans KNEW where he was born, but relied on the hate and ignorance of of many(not all) of their constiutents to use it as a dstraction, while the republicans laid down their real agenda.