‘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
Thulsa Doom
March 2nd, 2011
12:33 pm
Complete waste of time. This bozo is running the country into bankruptcy with nearly 5 trillion in new debt including 1.6 trillion for fiscal year 2011 and people are worried about a birth certificate? I think Obama wants people to be sidelined by this ridiculous issue so that they will forget about what real damage this clown is really doing to the country.
ncgreybr
March 2nd, 2011
12:34 pm
It’s not gonna make any diferrence if Obama comes up with a complete long form. It won’t be the correct “long” form. They will want the “other” long form….you know…the one he’s hiding from them.
OpionsMatter
March 2nd, 2011
12:37 pm
Well-said! Thank you for stepping out of lockstep with the majority Republican thought on this issue here in Georgia.
Snafu
March 2nd, 2011
12:38 pm
“However, if you make a statement that Mccain gets a free pass over Obama because of skin color, then you have stopped debating and you begin to sound like your detractors”
When people are making the statement of “he’s a muslim”, “he was not born here”, he’s a Kenyan, etc..what else it is. Its not about policy. The FACT is its about SKIN COLOR and no other President has endured this. The asylum hustlers continue to play the race card to conjure up fear and those who harbor those racist views have bitten hard into the concrete. And to say I am sounding like detractors when the truth is being put out is typical of those who want to deny that this is the reason for this nonsense. Why should any sane person sit by and allow this nonsense to continue without calling what it truly is..RACIST!
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
12:39 pm
Snafu – “And to say I am sounding like detractors when the truth is being put out is typical of those who want to deny that this is the reason for this nonsense. Why should any sane person sit by and allow this nonsense to continue without calling what it truly is..RACIST!”
Alright man, just trying to help you out.
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
12:41 pm
When a prospective employer is looking for a place to relocate, I’m sure they are taking the actions of the state GOP into account. The Alabama and South Carolina departments of industry and trade must be loving this.
Hey birthers, start researching George Romney (Mitt’s father), Bobby Jindal, and Nikki Haley and report back on what you find. LOL!
ATLER
March 2nd, 2011
12:41 pm
@ The Original Get Real
It’s the Ga Governor’s job and the State Senate’s job to bring us jobs not the Federal Government. You want the federal govt out of your lives, but blame it when things or your conservative party screws up. Wake up dumb-asses!!!!!!!
Edward
March 2nd, 2011
12:42 pm
I’m loving this. I hope this passes and every corporation that is even considering doing business here goes elsewhere to avoid the ignorance and stupidity that is so prevalent here. As Georgia sinks further and further into the doldrums of unemployment, massive debt, crumbling infrastructure, abysmal education results, we can always depend upon the right-wing lunatics who make up the majority of this boil-on-the-ass-of-the-USA state to make it even more of a laughing stock to the world. Congratulations, birthers!
reebok
March 2nd, 2011
12:50 pm
…i need to note this date…inscribe it somewhere…The Official First Time I Ever Agreed With Kyle Wingfield Day!
mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack the LIAR Obama
March 2nd, 2011
12:51 pm
Talk about an embarrassment, how about the man in the White House….jeeze!
NDIrish65
March 2nd, 2011
12:56 pm
As a confirmed progressive who has disagreed vehemently in the past, I agree with you wholeheartedly on this one. Not because I take the President’s side, but because of the HUGE EMBARASSMENT the it makes for our State.
Thanks for having the time and will to put your stamp on this issue.
I Know You Are But What Am I
March 2nd, 2011
1:02 pm
This from the same group that was urging a constitutional amendment to allow Ahnold to run for President one day.
The character assassination of Barack Obama began the the day he was recognized as a viable contender. This has been, and will always be, the MO of the right wing.
In spite of all their ‘principles’, their actions speak much louder than their words.
jconservative
March 2nd, 2011
1:03 pm
Since the question of the Constitution has come up, I will address the Constitutional provisions of this particular bill – HB 401.
Here is what the US Constitution says: Article 4, Section 1 – “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.”
Lets read that again: “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.”
This means Georgia must recognize any birth certificate certified by any other state.
The State of Hawaii has certified the birth certificate of Barack Obama. Under the US Constitution, the State of Georgia must recognize Obama’s birth certificate from Hawaii. There is absolutely nothing the State of Georgia can do about it but go to court.
Likewise, the State of Hawaii must recognize my birth certificate because it is certified by P—– County, Georgia, the legal entity in charge of birth records in Georgia.
This also means all you folks who are marrried have a legal marriage license in all 50 states of the union. If you move to another state you do not need to get remarried (praise the lord, once is enough!).
Likewise, if you are divorced in one state you do not need to get divorced again if you move to another state.
Kinda nice isn’t it? The way the Founders worked this out.
Now if you want to believe Obama was born in Russia, raised by Sarah Palin’s parents as an orphan and educated in Beijing – hey, go for it!
ATLER
March 2nd, 2011
1:04 pm
President Obama has already shown his birth certificate and released it to the media when he first ran for the office and you fox news supporters are still asking for proof???!!!!!!!!! Thanks for keeping this state looking dumber and dumber the last 8 and a half years. To people of the republican party.
Gm
March 2nd, 2011
1:15 pm
Thulsa Doom :This bozo is running the country into bankruptcy with nearly 5 trillion: Another Anti American who in the past 2 years found love for his country, where were you when the idiot George W. destroyed our country?
Obama would not had to spend the money if fake Americans like you had of spoken up when George W was spending our money to no ends.
yuzeyurbrain
March 2nd, 2011
1:29 pm
Kyle, I agree with you and applaud you for stepping up when it would have been so easy to take the gutless way of many pandering politicians and just say “I don’t know where he was born but if he says Hawaii, I will take him at his word.” These panderers I suspect usually know better but have no moral compass other than their own self-interest and they encourage and enable the “Know-Nothings” of our society.
Gm
March 2nd, 2011
1:37 pm
Obama you must be a great person, when the only thing the bigots of the Rep party can only come up with is your birth place.
Clinton, Mccain, Rep party all have tried to find something on this family man, this guy has had no scandals, loves his wife and kids, the only thing you bigots can accuse him of is being in a church.
God said you will no the difference between satan and him, thanks Rep for making it clear”"”
williebkind
March 2nd, 2011
1:38 pm
jconservative:
Define birth certificate; define difference in short form and long form; define the requirements to run for office of the president;
And if the difference in long form and short form does not make a difference then why is it law? Hey take your HVAC epa certification to the State Patrol office and see if you get a drive’s license even if the state verified you have an epa cert.
The way the progressive liberals have lied and deceived the American people, I could easily see people thinking those documents could be forged–even at the governor’s level.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
1:41 pm
Everybody, especially Birthers, should read jconservative’s post at 1:03. Very informative—
“Here is what the US Constitution says: Article 4, Section 1 – ‘Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State…’
This means Georgia must recognize any birth certificate certified by any other state.
The State of Hawaii has certified the birth certificate of Barack Obama. Under the US Constitution, the State of Georgia must recognize Obama’s birth certificate from Hawaii.”
Thulsa Doom
March 2nd, 2011
1:57 pm
Gm,
Do you have any idea what an idiot you sound like sometimes? Do you? You call repubs bigots for the simple fact that they oppose Obama. You can’t prove any racism- you just assume it jus because Obama is black.
Going by your logic I should just assume that you’re a black bigot since you dislike George Bush. But at least we can verify your bigotry when we see you telling whites to go back to their trailers and all that crap.
People like you amuse me. You call other people bigots but can’t see past your own bigotry when you start referencing white people and trailers, etc.
You’re either too stupid and to see your own bigotry or you just don’t mind your own particular brand of racism. Which is it?
Halftrack
March 2nd, 2011
2:05 pm
Kyle; Our Constitution calls for the President to be a natural born citizen. If the two areas of our government, the Legislative or Judicial branch will not exercise their responsibility to see that the Constitution is upheld, then the States have a right and obligation to see that Candidates are qualified to run. Also, the birth certificate so far presented by Obummer would not hold up for many government benefits such as Social Security, States drivers license, Medicade or Medicare, Armed Forces and even a Passport. Citizens know his birth certificate that has been presented is bogus to the bone. I’m from Missouri on this issue, “show me” the real thing.
Edward
March 2nd, 2011
2:12 pm
The lengths you birthers go to in order to TRY to make this whole issue NOT about Obama being black is extremely amusing. You practically drip racism with every post you make, you twist yourselves into knots to appear “non-racist”, but your white sheet gives you away every time. Nice tries, though. You keep me laughing.
Edward
March 2nd, 2011
2:13 pm
Oh, Halftrack, does your Mama know you publish outright lies on public websites for the whole world to see? Your entire post is nothing but a big ol’ lie. I bet you got a Jesus-fish on the back of your SUV, too.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
2:14 pm
Halftrack,
Obama has had a passport since he was a child. The state of Hawaii issued his certificate, but birthers choose not to accept it because they imagined some “long form” that doesn’t exist. He’s paying into social security now and always has, just like the rest of us. In short, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
This bill is a pathetic display accomplishes absolutely nothing (since the Constitution requires Georgia to accept the certificate that Hawaii issued and since the legislation actually specifies that it will accept the certificate that Hawaii issued) except to cater to right-wing pathologies about the president being The Other.
Freedom Lover
March 2nd, 2011
2:15 pm
I have to prove I am a legal citizen just to get a job at McDonalds, and soon even farm workers will need to prove the same just to pick lettuce. The same is true for anyone wishing to join the military.
Seems to me a small request for the person who wishes to be the commander in chief of the military and the defacto dictator of this nation of ours.
I realize that the constitution is only so much toilet paper for our elected officials today, but paying some token lip service to it every now and them would be nice.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
2:18 pm
And Freedom Lover proves my point at 2:15.
Freedom Lover
March 2nd, 2011
2:18 pm
More important than a birth certificate is an answer to the question of how he was able to visit Pakistan (as his own autobiograpy says he did) at a time when US citizens were forbidden by law. What was the status of his citizenship at the time? Was he an Indonesian? And what about the educational assistance he received in Indonesia? This is supposedly something only Indonesian citizens can receive.
The birth certificate would be nice, but much like the unanswered questions about 9-11, these issues demand an answer if we are to have a country of laws, not of men.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
2:24 pm
Freedom Lover,
Your question is premised on a falsehood. When Obama visited Pakistan, U.S. citizens were NOT forbidden by law to go there.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
2:28 pm
Freedom Lover,
If in doubt, check out this NYTimes piece, dated 1981, the same year that Obama visited Pakistan. It gives tourism advice: http://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/14/travel/lahore-a-survivor-with-a-bittersweet-history.html?pagewanted=all
“…Good rail service also connects Lahore with other major Pakistani centers. It is possible to cross from India to Pakistan by train from Amritsar and Delhi, but border procedures can be long and complicated. A road crossing at Wagah is also open for a few daylight hours. Check schedules, and allow several extra hours for border formalities.
Tourists can obtain a free, 30-day visa (necessary for Americans) at border crossings and airports…”
John Galt
March 2nd, 2011
2:41 pm
The 2008 election showed the weaknesses in the verification of candidates for President of the United States. This effort to cover all the bases for future elections should not be a threat to anyone nor should it be considered in such a negative light.
Sometimes one needs to look forward and not just in the past to understand the whys of what occurs.
Rafe Hollister
March 2nd, 2011
2:45 pm
To get into school, drive a car, play in Little League, get a Soc Security card, or get a security clearance you are required to produce a Birth Certificate, not a newspaper article or Cert of Live Birth. They are not that hard to obtain folks, drop by the court house in the County you were born or call your state BVS.
But then again, if it is too much trouble and it is only to qualify for a position like POTUS, I can see your point, Kyle. We don’t need no stinking documents.
Gershom
March 2nd, 2011
2:45 pm
Hmmm. We can require proof of citizenship for elected officials such as the prez, but to do the same thing for employment, schools, etc. is racism and unconstitutional. Then again, maybe the legislature is using this bill as a stepping stone to the other. Interesting.
JustMe
March 2nd, 2011
2:50 pm
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
7:51 am
NRBD – “Kyle, you’re an embarassment to real conservatives. Typical RINO shill selling out for the mainstream media. Sad.”
Oh no, a conservative disagreed with the GOP party line, what next, independent thought and careful analysis?
Climb back into your cave, we’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out.
Oh Fletch … you took the words right out of my mouth!! It drives me nuts when anytime anyone that claims to be one party or the other (and this is especially true with Republicans) that doesn’t completely stand by the party is accused of being a member of that party “in name only”. I’m an Independent who leans to the right, but I defintely do not side with the GOP all the time – as a matter of fact of late, because they have gotten so extreme I am actually siding with them less and less.
poison pen
March 2nd, 2011
2:53 pm
I know you are, but what am I? Well I’ll be happy to tell you, a big effin hypocrite, that’s what. Are you dumb enough to think that the Libotards don’t do name calling? Just go to Tuckers or Bookmans blog.
Please get a life or get the Hell out of here.
AmVet
March 2nd, 2011
2:54 pm
What a hoot; the host writes an intelligent piece on how laughable and ludicrous these 94 Georgia reps are and the party first faithful go to howling. Awooooooooooo! RINO! Traitor!
And using the terms principled and the Republican News network in the same sentence is also hysterical. And arguably the very definition of an oxymoron.
Drool away, faithful!
get out much?
March 2nd, 2011
2:57 pm
I am amazed that Kyle believes that Georgians or Republicans are even capable of being embarrassed.
Rockerbabe
March 2nd, 2011
2:58 pm
Joel Edge: I feel the same way about any one who claims to be republican or conservative. They lie like dogs outside in the hot summer sun. Can’t trust any of them; even if you have gillions of dollars!
Sean Smith: YOU should be asking business where are the jobs? After all, it is they, as the republicans claim, who make our world go round. It is they who need to step up an start hiring new employees. If the government hires new employees, well, they couldn’t really be “real jobs” could they?
NRBD2: I bet you’d believe anything, now wouldn’t you? Stupidity is as stupidity does!
JustMe
March 2nd, 2011
3:01 pm
Freedom Lover, he was able to travel to Pakistan, because contrary to the belief of birthers like yourself, Pakistan was not on any State Department list barring Americans from traveling there at the time he did in 1981.
This whole thing is so stupid. I mean honestly, don’t you think if he was not a citizen the Clinton’s (who you know perfectly well have the means to do it) would have said something back in ‘08 about it??
Joe the Plutocrat
March 2nd, 2011
3:06 pm
hey NRBD2, I suggest you do a little research before you proclaim yourself a ‘conservative’ (and KW ‘an embarassment to real conservatives’). so Kyle is a RINO? which type of “Republican” (the R in RINO)? is a a dimwitted, ‘tribal’ (JB) lemming, or a paleo-conservative, small government, Constitutionalist? if he is the latter, I say, ‘welcome to the fight’. since we are talking about the POTUS, and the qualifications and requirements are outlined in Article II, Section I of the Constitution, GA HB 401 is a moot, wasteful (to GA taxpayers) excercise in neo-conservative group masterbation. it’s a handful (pun intended) of sophomoric “lawmakers” comparing their political genitalia and gratifying each other because they obviously have no chance at actually “making laws” (governing).
JustMe
March 2nd, 2011
3:11 pm
Liar, liar pants on fire …
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/jul/30/chain-email/e-mail-says-obama-had-have-been-traveling-another-/
R.W.W.
March 2nd, 2011
3:18 pm
Reply to Concerned Citizen @ 8:08 am.They haven’t gotten over losing the Civil War yet.Why would you expect them to get over the last election so fast.
Jefferson
March 2nd, 2011
3:24 pm
Some refuse to show any intelligence.
td
March 2nd, 2011
3:36 pm
You libs are still not seeing the point of the legislation. OBAMA IS A CITIZEN OF THE US and that is not in doubt (his mother was a citizen and his grand parents were citizens). The point is does he qualify to be President under the constitution. The constitution puts a specific requirement to hold the office of President and Vice President that they do not put on any other citizens in the US. It requires that not only you have to be a citizen but you also have to have been born on US soil (natural born). The question is (years later produced short form BC) fit the criteria of meeting this qualifications.
If this bill passes then all he has to do is produce the original and the matter is settled. If he does not then the residents of Georgia will not have the chance to vote for his set of electors.
scott
March 2nd, 2011
3:37 pm
The real embarrassment is the guy in the White House who is the reason this bill was introduced.
Jefferson
March 2nd, 2011
3:44 pm
Courts would strike it down, and the time will have been wasted.
jconservative
March 2nd, 2011
3:45 pm
williebkind at 1:38 “Define birth certificate; define difference in short form and long form; define the requirements to run for office of the president;”
I do not need to define anything. Per the US Constitution the State that certifies any record gets to decide. And it does not matter if they are forged or if they are certified by liberals. In the case of Obama’s birth certificate, the State of Hawaii is the “decider”, if I may quote President Bush. Not you, not me and not the State of Georgia.
And do not get mad at me, I did not write the US Constitution. I am old, but not that old.
And the US Supreme Court has already refused to hear two cases on this issue. One claiming both McCain and Obama were ineligible and the other just on Obama. And by 9-0 votes they refused to hear both cases.
So do not look for relief from the Supreme Court.
If Georgia wants to take Hawaii to court over the certification, they can do so. Anybody and sue just about anybody.
td
March 2nd, 2011
3:48 pm
jconservative
March 2nd, 2011
3:45 pm
“And the US Supreme Court has already refused to hear two cases on this issue. One claiming both McCain and Obama were ineligible and the other just on Obama. And by 9-0 votes they refused to hear both cases.
So do not look for relief from the Supreme Court”
I believe the reasoning behind this was that there was no law in place to dictate what was eligible and what is not. The Georgia law would give them the grounds to hear the case and make this matter settled law. Thank you for giving me another valid reason to support the law.
Wildebeast
March 2nd, 2011
3:53 pm
Didn’t the Republican-appointed Chief Justice of the United States of America swear in the president. Do you think he would have done that if Obama wasn’t a citizen. Sheeesh!!
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
3:56 pm
Rafe Hollister: “you are required to produce a Birth Certificate, not a newspaper article or Cert of Live Birth…”
These guys are pathetic. If Hawaii calls their birth certificate a “Certificate of Live Birth”, then Rafe Hollister says it’s not valid, even though the U.S. Constitution says that it is (see jconservative post at 1:03).
I was born in Indiana. Indiana does not issue a “Birth Certificate”. They issue a “Certificate of Birth”. (I have it in my front of me right now.)
Am I eligible under Rafe Hollister rules? Does the fact that Indiana doesn’t use the word “Live” make me eligible? Or am I still ineligible because Indiana doesn’t specifically label it “Birth Certificate”—two words, in that order?
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
3:59 pm
The point is does he qualify to be President under the constitution
Karl Rove, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck and Fox News as a whole wants to hire you. You must know something that they don’t. lol