‘Birther’ bill is an embarrassment to Georgians, Republicans
I don’t normally make a big deal out of loopy legislation that has just one sponsor, or maybe a couple of them. I figure that such bills are bound for a quick dead end, and that paying attention to their sponsors only encourages them.
But when there are 94 signers on a loopy bill — as is the case with the “birther” bill in the General Assembly — it’s time to speak up. And HB 401, the so-called Presidential Eligibility Assurance Act, is a farce.
The “birther” movement is a fringe movement everywhere — except, evidently, in the Georgia House Republican caucus. Although there are opinion polls that suggest “birtherism” has become more widespread, I agree with my colleague Jay Bookman that such poll results are more reflective of tribal loyalty than of a genuine belief that Barack Obama was not born in Hawaii (or that Hawaii is not in fact one of the United States).
The popular appeal of wild conspiracies — birtherism, 9/11 trutherism, Trig Palin trutherism, etc. — is a hallmark of our age. But is it too much to ask of our legislators that they not try to enshrine such conspiracies in state law?
– By Kyle Wingfield
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345 comments Add your comment
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
8:16 am
I think I’ll start a birther movement for elected Georgia officials. I’ll check to see if you weren’t secretly raised under a secular cult. One red flag would be if you had no previous religious affiliation and mysteriously became a Baptist while in college. Secondly, if you have a propensity of taking multiple wives, often engaging in affairs with your next one while still married to your previous one (even if she is sick with cancer). Thirdly, if you keep changing religions as often as you do wives, that tells me that you are not committed to the vows associated with either. That is not inherent in the character in a person born in America and committed to religious institutions.
jt
March 2nd, 2011
8:16 am
Also…………………………….
along with providing proper documentation and mandatory drug testing………….
every Federale candidate seeking the State of Georgia’s Elector’s vote,….
should have to forgoe a mandatory trip to Andersonville.(overnight).
This would remind these knaves that they work for us. Not the other way around.
If the candidates did not want to comply………………so be it.
Leave us in peace.
Same goes for any one else that is “embarrassed”.
May your chains sit lightly upon your shackled bones.
A Frank Zappa
March 2nd, 2011
8:16 am
Thank you, Kyle, for not tagging along with the GOP on this one. These folks are an embarrassment to any reasoning person and they do nothing but make a mockery of our system of governance with such acts.
retired early
March 2nd, 2011
8:17 am
NRBD2
Your are so out there… it is hopeless to converse with you. You are so brainwashed by this same “talk radio” to which I refer, it is impossible for you to have an original thought…much less objectively re-examine your anger toward the “enemy from the left”…who are simply trying to save this country’s middle class, while simultaneously having to deal with idiots like you who have been brainwashed into repeatedly voting against their “OWN BEST INTEREST”.
JoeMan
March 2nd, 2011
8:17 am
Between this and the Sunday sales fiasco, I can guarantee you that neither my state representative nor my state senator will be getting my vote again next year. The Georgia Legislature has gone off the rails.
Morrus
March 2nd, 2011
8:18 am
For those who did not read Jay Bookman, for whatever reason,
Baloney. Here’s what the 14th Amendment says:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States….”
States do not have the power to decide who is and is not a citizen, born or naturalized. A true “constitutionalist” would know that.
embarrassed?
March 2nd, 2011
8:19 am
I am not embarrassed.
Those who voted for the president should be.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:20 am
Morrus
thank you! you beat me to it, but thank you!
bhorsoft
March 2nd, 2011
8:20 am
Is it too much to ask our elected representatives to focus on the hard issues, like the economy, health care and taxes instead of wasting time on “wedge” issues that really have little to no effect on me or anyone else?
I am also surprised that I agree with both Bookman and Wingfield on this!?! Has someone checked the temperature of H3ll recently?
El Freeman
March 2nd, 2011
8:20 am
I think the issue is “Obama claims to be a natural born citizen…therefore he is” however, there is no proof..
Obama has always maintained the “Wizard of Oz” defense….”don’t mind that man behind the curtain”
Some of us being concerned citizens have the right to know his origins…Not blindly accept a piece of paper that states Obama was “born alive”
I want a law that protects the State of Georgia from illegal Presidential candidates.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:21 am
the legislature is a prime example why georgia education ranks at the bottom.
Chris
March 2nd, 2011
8:21 am
Retired Early,
“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”
Not surprised
March 2nd, 2011
8:23 am
Geez….does anyone need more proof that the Legislature of Georgia needs to be flushed? How do the people of Georgia, who seem to be largely sensible, keep electing these idiots?
Do you think they will be rushing to approve necessary legislation in the last days of the session up against the deadline? Sure they will. I wonder why. Damn, what fools !
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:23 am
You are so brainwashed by this same “talk radio” to which I refer
—————————————
I don’t listen to talk radio.
But I did read the bill, and it has nothing to do with birtherism. It also doesn’t mention Obama. It merely states that a president must provide proof of citizenship to be on the Georgia ballot.
If you have to show a state ID to buy booze or cigs, I think asking for one to be voted in as President isn’t a heck of a lot to ask.
But you can’t debate the actual bill, you can only whine about talk radio and the rich.
Why don’t you slip on your pink bunny slippers and shuffle out to the mailbox, your welfare check is waiting.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:25 am
el free and others
if you firmly believe he is an illegal president, then why start with the birth certificate. why not go for the impeachment? why hasnt congress with its long reach of resources and money not started the process to rid America of this impostor? why let this guy get in for two years–kill more terrorists in pakistan, iraq, and afghanistan than bush in 8 year–address congress and the American people, nominate supreme court justices, travel on airforce one, sleep in the white house–just to decide two years later “we really, really, really for real need to see his birth certificate now!”
DogTheMan
March 2nd, 2011
8:26 am
I don’t believe that representatives in the state house are really wasting time on this. Its time to work at what really ails the state. Jobs, education and healthcare. They need to get over it. I don’t want to say what the problem is, but it is pretty obvious. I guess Republicans want to feel they are the protecting the virtue of the state. Let’s hope they do not raise the thought of succession again. ONE NATION INDIVISIBLE!!!!!!
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:27 am
WAR:
That is off topic. This bill doesn’t single out Obama or mention his name. It states that ANY presidential candidate must show proof of citizenship before being put on the ballot.
Your straw man argument is weak.
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
8:30 am
Over fifty bank failures in Georgia since 2008, oh wait – let me do something that appeals to “tribal loyalty” and show up that uppity Obama.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
8:30 am
WAR – “if you firmly believe he is an illegal president, then why start with the birth certificate. why not go for the impeachment? why hasnt congress with its long reach of resources and money not started the process to rid America of this impostor?”
Thank you! I didn’t vote for Obama, and I have no allegiance to either party. However, I am familiar with the political game. I have never understood how the GOP could have stood by and allowed Obama to be elected knowing that they had this MASSIVE trump card at their disposal. Seriously, with Cheney, Bush and Rumsfeld still at the helm during the election, and they still couldn’t disqualify Obama based on his country of birth? We can kill people via satellite and drone aircraft from across the world, but yet the vast resources of the American intelligence agency just happened to miss this one?
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:31 am
Over fifty bank failures in Georgia since 2008
—————————————————————-
And what, pray tell, do you expect the government to do about that? They don’t control the banks, and it isn’t their role to save them when they make bad decisions and go out of business.
HDB
March 2nd, 2011
8:32 am
Question: Has ANY Presidential CANDIDATE…nevertheless President….been requested to show proof of his citizenship prior to now? Why should our current President be subjected to a different set of rules…or is this just the game that conservatives play???
jt
March 2nd, 2011
8:32 am
Blue Man on a Red Island
March 2nd, 2011
8:11 am
“@JT – Since when is drug testing a federal requirement in private business? Many companies do not test at all.”
Federal contracts require assanine federal regulations for drug testing.Furthermore, federal involvement in the insurance/litigation business is requiring more and more drug testing.You can get a DUI for smoking a doob two weeks prior now.The War on Drugs has given birth to a compliant Nation of Urine Sniffers.It serves the state well.(THAT is embarressing).
“Maybe I misunderstood you, my point is this, what I do in my free time is no the business of government or the company I work for.”
True………………..but…………………..
They will MAKE it their business.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:32 am
its not off topic. its on target. like before, the bill will not mention anyone specifically like say alcohol bills or car seat bills. proof of citizenry is established long before his or any other name is placed on the ballot. besides, what would a birth certificate prove? you will just say it was fabricated by some left-wing conspiracy black ops organization designed to destroy America from within.
Cutty
March 2nd, 2011
8:33 am
This will only cost more money the state doesn’t have, by every republican being able to challenge Obama’s citizenship. The Secretary of State will then have to investigate it. And whoever thinks this isn’t about Obama is nuts. No President has ever had to go out of there way to prove they’re an American. I’m glad he’s making you wingnuts simmer about it, as I wouldn’t show my ‘long form’ if I knew I was legit either.
carlosgvv
March 2nd, 2011
8:35 am
“The birther movement is a fringe movement”
It’s no surprise that this looney bill is coming from Georgia lawmakers. In a great many areas of achievement, Georgia is either near or at the bottom, making it a fringe State. This is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
8:36 am
Ga voters you getting what you deserve. I didn’t vote for any of them.
retired early
March 2nd, 2011
8:36 am
NRBD2
OK, I’ll bite…so if not “talk radio”…where did you get your info challenging Obama’s citizenship. Also, if you “truly” think, because this bill doesn’t mention “Obama” by name…that it not about him…your credibility is skating on mighty thin ice.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:37 am
i dont understand constitutionalist. they want to protect the constitution and American rights/liberties, but want to pass bills that change certain parts of the constitution or limits rights/liberties. is that called irony or hypocrisy?
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
8:37 am
How about legislation based on country of origin AND genetic background while we’re at it? We could introduce a bill that would require all citizens of Georgia to show that they descended from what the legislators consider to be a pure genetic lineage. Failure to do so would warrant the arrest and incarceration of any individual shown not to meet the “accepted” standard. Then maybe, we could construct large camps to hold the “inferior” races. All in the name of “protecting” the true citizens of Georgia. Anyone want to see that on the ballot?
NRBD@, what say you?
MC
March 2nd, 2011
8:38 am
WAR these birthers proove time and time again that ignorance is bliss.
Fisherman
March 2nd, 2011
8:38 am
Please Ga secede from the Union. You don’t have anything but an airport anyway. Please secede and take Texas with you.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:39 am
nrbd2
i expect the state government, the georgia government to do something about it. instead, they want three proofs of i.d. to order sandwiches from sonnys barbeque.
A
March 2nd, 2011
8:40 am
As someone else said, I think this is the first time I’m agreeing with you too, Mr. Wingfield. I’m a liberal Democrat, but I do appreciate the efforts of more conservative folks to speak out against the ridiculous birthers.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:41 am
Fletch, nice hyperbolic fantasy. If anyone ever adopts such legislation we can debate it, in the meantime I’ll let you have your wet dreams.
The proposed bill merely asks for proof of citizenship before being allowed on the Georgia presidential ballot. It does not in and of itself determine citizenship, it does not single anyone out, and it does not recommend any sort of punishment.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
8:43 am
I don’t listen to talk radio
Yeah you do and Faux News. The bill has nothing to do with Obama? Baaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaa…you should send this to Jay Leno…..it will get the biggest laughs of his career.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:43 am
OK, I’ll bite…so if not “talk radio”…where did you get your info challenging Obama’s citizenship.
—————————–
I’ve NEVER challenged his citizenship. What I did was read the bill, and I don’t see his name in it anywhere.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:44 am
some people need prayer and lots of it.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
8:44 am
NRBD2 – “The proposed bill merely asks for proof of citizenship before being allowed on the Georgia presidential ballot.”
Fair enough, so in the event that a candidate didn’t meet the standard in Georgia, but was acceptable to the other 49 states, you are perfectly fine with Georgia opting out of the electoral process?
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:45 am
instead, they want three proofs of i.d. to order sandwiches from sonnys barbeque.
————————————————-
No, you do need an ID to drive a car or vote. And prove you’re 18 to buy cigs or 21 to buy booze. Want to carry a gun? Well yes, you do need an ID for that as well.
I really don’t think that’s so bad. Maybe you shouldn’t go to Sonny’s anymore, it’s bad for you anyways.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
8:46 am
We know what this bill is about. Politicians bank on people being ignorant…I see it’s working well for them.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:46 am
Fair enough, so in the event that a candidate didn’t meet the standard in Georgia, but was acceptable to the other 49 states, you are perfectly fine with Georgia opting out of the electoral process?
——————————————-
The way I read the bill is that a candidate would not appear on the ballot. There would still be an electoral vote in Georgia, but that candidate wouldn’t be on it. Fine by me.
retired early
March 2nd, 2011
8:47 am
NRBD2
You just “fell through the ice”.
Roekest
March 2nd, 2011
8:47 am
No one should be surprised. It is Georgia. Dumb as a brick, this State is.
I heared he was an Ayrab
March 2nd, 2011
8:48 am
Kyle, you get the government you deserve, nicht war? You guys expecting anything different after the midterm elections is what you should be embarrassed about. It shows you are a bit wet behind the ears.
Those who have been around long enough and have long memories of how politicians work, know that their primary focus is on keeping their job and being re-elected. It is never about the welfare of the people they represent. It is a tough economy and most of these wankers will not find such a job with these perks anywhere else.
I am still waiting on the first bill to address unemployment. I can’t wait forever.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:48 am
nrbd2
so lets say the bill passes and candidates dont want to show their i.d. then what? names are not on the ballot in georgia. lawsuits are filed and the court of law takes these cases. meanwhile, election time is around the corner. so a person doesnt get votes because his/her name are not on the ballot. polls close and the winner is gingrich (for example). the courts decide the law in ga is unconstitutional… then what?
mike
March 2nd, 2011
8:48 am
I guess the goobers in the state legislature are just reliving the period prior and during the civil war. Just like then, there seems to be a rampant display of ignorance running through the Georgia house. However most folks see through this great display of southern intelligence and see it for what it is. So far they have tried to lessen the number of people eligible for HOPE, curtailed education for the youngest children in this state, have done nothing about jobs except for the family members of those who were recently elected. And now they will spend time and money on this birther nonsense. How about pulling out those confederate uniforms and wearing them down to the state legislature.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
8:49 am
Fair enough, so in the event that a candidate didn’t meet the standard in Georgia, but was acceptable to the other 49 states, you are perfectly fine with Georgia opting out of the electoral process?
Yeah the Fed should come down hard on Ga politicians and not count any votes for any candidate….notice I said politicians and not Repubs….I didn’t want to single out a party…lol
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:49 am
By calling this a “birther bill”, media shills like ignorant RINO Wingfield have stoked the imagination of the liberals to levels I haven’t seen in a while.
Off topic, but gas is $3.40 a gallon now. I don’t see the media bashing Obama about it…hmm…..
Bleeding Independent
March 2nd, 2011
8:51 am
@ NBRD2
You mention welfare, how ironic.
A man of color that was once on welfare has ascended into the highest office in this land but he can’t be recognized as being the epitome of the American Dream. Instead, he is villified as a Kenyan Muslim that has hijacked this country.
Is the American Dream dead if this is what it breeds?
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
8:51 am
NRBD2 – “The way I read the bill is that a candidate would not appear on the ballot. There would still be an electoral vote in Georgia, but that candidate wouldn’t be on it. Fine by me.”
Just checking, since the Constitution of The United States of America guarantees the right of every citizen to engage in the electoral process and vote for the candidate of their choosing. You seem perfectly fine with denying citizens their right to engage in said process and support limiting their ability to do so.
NRBD2, why do you hate America?