‘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
arnold
March 2nd, 2011
5:17 am
I think this is the first time I agree with you.
Joel Edge
March 2nd, 2011
6:14 am
Normally, Kyle, I would agree with you. These days, if a Democrat tells me the sun is up and it’s 12 noon, I’ll go check.
‘Birther’ bill is an embarrassment to Georgians, Republicans at Atlanta Raw Editorials
March 2nd, 2011
6:24 am
[...] Read More… [...]
Sean Smith
March 2nd, 2011
6:41 am
Have you ever typed the words “I agree with Jay Bookman” before?
Where are the jobs???
Drifter
March 2nd, 2011
6:45 am
So stupidity is a hallmark of our age? I sure hope not. It does provide a great litmus test though. I’ll never vote for anyone who voted for this legislation.
jt
March 2nd, 2011
7:04 am
“. And HB 401, the so-called Presidential Eligibility Assurance Act, is a farce.”
I don’t see what the big deal is.
The Act should also include a mandatory urinanylsis.
All Federal officials should be subjected to these tests.
Khalid Al-Mansour
March 2nd, 2011
7:21 am
In keeping with the M.O. of liberals, I’ll assume you didn’t read the bill. Really Kyle, it’s not that scary. Just put on your pink sweater, stand at the m,irror, take a deep breath, and say to yourself, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit people like me!”
http://www1.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb401.htm
ByteMe
March 2nd, 2011
7:29 am
But is it too much to ask of our legislators that they not try to enshrine such conspiracies in state law?
Apparently, it is too much to ask.
David
March 2nd, 2011
7:33 am
My Rep. Elena Parent sure didn’t vote for this nonsense.
Oh My Goodness
March 2nd, 2011
7:36 am
As King Roy so aptly said, “How can we bring jobs to Georgia when the rest of the nation is laughing at us?”
Blue Man on a Red Island
March 2nd, 2011
7:38 am
@jt – Urinalysis for all government workers? Is that more “small government” staying out of our private lives you strict Constitutionalists supposedly believe in?
Del
March 2nd, 2011
7:38 am
I don’t see how this can be called a ‘loopy bill”. Take Obama out of the discourse and examine it from the perspective of our country today. Today, we have not only out of control illegal immigration but some in government who seemingly encourage it. We have terrorist threats from jihadists both from outside as well as inside. While up until now it would seem impossible for someone who was brought into this country illegally to somehow get through the system with forged birth documents, today that’s not so far fetched. What’s wrong with states insisting on proper documentation to put candidates for national election on their ballot.
Toby
March 2nd, 2011
7:39 am
Speachless. People start finding commen ground and no telling where it will take us.
Matt
March 2nd, 2011
7:40 am
This is so stupid. What a waste of our tax dollars!! The republicans are out of control and doing the most stupid things I have ever seen. I really can’t see voting for another republican ever again.
Race to the Bottom
March 2nd, 2011
7:45 am
10% unemployment, sagging home values, closing industries…..Good time to waste effort considering a backwards bill that does absolutely nothing to help the people of Georgia. It is clear that party agenda is a higher priority than the peoples’ business.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
7:46 am
Kyle, you’re an embarassment to real conservatives. Typical RINO shill selling out for the mainstream media. Sad.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
7:49 am
Del – “What’s wrong with states insisting on proper documentation to put candidates for national election on their ballot.”
Uhhh….you do realize that the CIA, FBI, DHS, ICE, INTERPOL, and a myriad of other security agencies and protocols can easily establish the legitimacy of ANY person at any time right? There is absolutely no reason that this bill should even exist or be given serious consideration.
Chris
March 2nd, 2011
7:50 am
At least a dozen other states have similar bills in similar stages.
If there is a Constitutional requirement regarding holding the office of President, but no state laws that support evidence that one meets the Constitutional requirement, why bother with the Constititional requirement?
Similarly, in Georgia (or any other state) should young drivers be required to provide a birth certificate to prove that they are sixteen?
By the way, I’m not a birther.
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.
jt
March 2nd, 2011
7:51 am
Blue Man on a Red Island
I merely believe that the federales should not be exempt from the policies that they cause or inflict upon us mundanes. And I am not a strict constitutionalist. You will not find my signature upon that document. I do not need it to know my rights.
Maybe government workers need it spelled out.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
7:52 am
Hey Fletch, those federal agencies NEVER do their job. We have the right to set up our own criteria as a state.
If anyone doesn’t like this bill, you’re free to move to California or Mass.
Whichever suits your liberal fancy.
I for one am glad to see this bill as it adds an extra layer of protection to citizens who could potentially be harmed by an illegal alien INVADER. Kind of like the worthless idiot who’s in office right now.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
7:54 am
NRBD2 -”Whichever suits your liberal fancy.”
Please, tell me how you arrive at the conclusion that I must be a liberal?
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
7:55 am
Shouldn’t you birthers be calling for the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for giving the oath of office to an alien President elect?
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
7:55 am
Kyle’s next column: defending the gasoline tax increase.
Blue#w
March 2nd, 2011
7:57 am
Blue man on a red island you are not alone even though sometimes it feel like it.
Solomon
March 2nd, 2011
7:57 am
It is pathetic that they are wasting time on such an issue, Why is this requred for presidential and vice-presidential candidates only. Do you really think someone will be allowed to run for office and not have valid proof of U.S residency? The Georgia Legislature is looking like a bunch of racist baffoons and I am ashamed to live here. It will be struck down by the courts and go nowhere. The birthers really need to concentrate on other more important issues.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
7:57 am
Please, tell me how you arrive at the conclusion that I must be a liberal?
—————————————–
Because you’re obviously against this bill, which has zero to do with “birtherism” and everything to do with protecting us as a state.
You also appear to side with the federal government over your own state government.
You may or may not vote Republican, who knows. But John McCain claims to be a Republican also, yet he’s as liberal as Barney Frank.
retired early
March 2nd, 2011
7:58 am
Thank you Kyle for “sticking your head out” in the name of common sense. It is appalling to see GOP “leaders” as in Huckabee, entertain his base before admitting he is wrong. I wish there were some way to persecute those dishonest “talk radio” folks from deliberately spreading lies just to “inflame” their listeners into ridiculous accusations against Obama.
Again, thanks.
Mr_B
March 2nd, 2011
7:58 am
Go Republicans!!!! Saving us all the the dreaded influx of illegimate Presidential candidates swarming to run for our highest office!!!!! Oh, the HORROR………
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
7:59 am
Do you really think someone will be allowed to run for office and not have valid proof of U.S residency?
———————————————-
Considering that people are allowed to VOTE all the time without vaild proof of US residency, I’ll give this question a hearty YES.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
7:59 am
I wish there were some way to persecute those dishonest “talk radio” folks from deliberately spreading lies just to “inflame” their listeners into ridiculous accusations against Obama.
——————————————————
Yes, liberals really do want to “persecute” anyone who speaks out. Censorship and persecution, the liberal way.
El Freeman
March 2nd, 2011
8:00 am
Why is there an uproar from the “left” when someone questions the validity or eligibility of Obama to hold the office of President? Why do Progressives flap about like dying chickens when Americans want to assure this farce does not happen in the future?
THEN WHY?!
March 2nd, 2011
8:02 am
If they are an embarrassment why do you vote them in!? You KNEW they would do stuff like this! I just don’t get it.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:03 am
Especially considering that this bill doesn’t even mention a specific person.
This isn’t a “birther” bill, and by calling it that, media shills like RINO Wingfield can feel free to blast it.
I’m calling you suckers out at the AJC. This bill doesn’t mention Obama, nor does it say anything about the current presidency.
Kyle your bosses must have bribed you with lunch at Houstons again. SELL OUT.
South Georgia Farmer
March 2nd, 2011
8:04 am
As gasoline prices climb rapidly past $3.30 a gallon, the Legislature is considering a change in the state’s gas taxes that could well push the price even higher
The sly foxes- those state legislators. They create a circus atmosphere – Mr. Obama’s birth certificate – while trying to sneak this one pass us.
Blue#2
March 2nd, 2011
8:05 am
Sorry meant #2 not #w
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:05 am
my wife and i really want to support more republican causes. we are independents at best. but i gotta tell you, when they come up with this kind of foolishness, dems and indies dont look so bad.
sharecropper
March 2nd, 2011
8:05 am
This is not an embarrassment to Georgia, or its citizens. This is a state and citizens, for heaven’ sake, that has elected a series of bimbos and bimboettes to the governor’s office, United States Senate (Saxby Chambliss? Get real) and the Congress. (say Newt Gingrich three times and try to keep the image of philandering, fraud and treasury theft out of your mind.) the place cannot be embarrassed, and proves it again and again. And this is from a guy who grew up there. Consider what everybody else must be thinking.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
8:06 am
NRBD2 – “Because you’re obviously against this bill, which has zero to do with “birtherism” and everything to do with protecting us as a state.
You also appear to side with the federal government over your own state government.”
Agreeing that this bill is a waste of time, does not make one a liberal. I don’t align myself with either party primarily because they are both equal in terms of rhetoric and blatant lies designed only to keep getting re-elected by the lemmings that continue to fall for their BS. In regard to the federal government vs. state government, neither seems to be capable of doing what’s needed in order to address the REAL problems in this state or in the country as a whole.
The fact that you are so ready to jump in and toe the party line and quickly dismiss or label anyone that disagrees does speak volumes though.
retired early
March 2nd, 2011
8:06 am
Chris
“is there a constitutional requirement….no”.
Your Supreme Court has that requirement…and will challenge the veracity of one’s qualifications for president. Now, do you need any further education on Obama…like he was not “born and raised in Kenya”…or that he is a Christian etc…or would you rather listen to your brilliant “talk radio” personalities to get The “facts.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:06 am
nrbd2
bills typically dont mention a person because if/once it is passed, it only affects said person.
atlnative
March 2nd, 2011
8:06 am
To help fellow Georgians with high employment,skyrocketing gas prices,and home foreclosures,some lawmakers decided to draft a “birther bill”.You guys are real nutjobs.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:07 am
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:05 am
my wife and i really want to support more republican causes. we are independents at best. but i gotta tell you, when they come up with this kind of foolishness, dems and indies dont look so bad.
—————————————
Did you READ the bill? What don’t you like about it?
Concerned Citizen
March 2nd, 2011
8:08 am
Way to go GA Republicans. Way to promote backwoods ignorance and fear mongering and associate it with GA. Seriously get over the fact that you lost the last Presendital election and let it go. And I’m an independent- I routintely call the Democrats to the carpet for their shortcomings.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:09 am
bills typically dont mention a person because if/once it is passed, it only affects said person.
—————————————
Fair enough, but if Barry O. is a legal citizen he doesn’t have to worry about it, does he?
Concerned Citizen
March 2nd, 2011
8:09 am
I will also add a grand waste of valuable resources, time and money.
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.
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.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:11 am
making the president a farce makes America a farce. making him irrelevant makes our country irrelevant. stop the stupidity about this birth certificate please.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:15 am
nrbd2
besides a waste of time, money, effort, resources, energy, focus, vision… nothing.
MM
March 2nd, 2011
8:15 am
NRBD2, please leave.
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?
JohnnyReb
March 2nd, 2011
8:51 am
Kyle, it’s disappointing to see you cave to the liberalisim at the AJC. But then again, they are your employer. Obama may indeed have all the qualifications, but there is too much smoke for there not to be some fire. Liberals take every opportunity to belittle Conservatives, where in this case we only ask that, Barry, if you are legitimate, show us. If you step back and look, the new law is not a bad thing. It would prevent the biggest con of all time. Plus, if you consider it from a Conservative perspective, that con is not out of reason when it comes to Obama.
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
Hooray!
Since they are working on this, it must mean that 1,000,000 jobs are coming, HOPE is fixed, the tax code is worked out, immigration problem fixed and we all can feed our familes and warm our homes!
Thank you Republicans for putting the priorities correct.
RSC
March 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
President Obama is the only president in US history to have ever made his birth certificate public.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
the courts decide the law in ga is unconstitutional… then what?
—————————————–
Then it goes through the legal process until it’s either determined that it is unconstitutional or isn’t.
We can play “what if” all day under a million different scenarios. In fact, you could do that with any bill/law/idea.
How about we pass it and see what happens. My guess, is nothing will happen because quite frankly, Obama IS a legal citizen, as are any serious presidential candidate.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
nrbd2
ive seen your kind before–dangerous, divisive. be careful because you are having fun, but someone may actually listen to you and take to heart what you write.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:54 am
we all can feed our familes and warm our homes
———————————————————————
You should be able to do that no matter who is in office. Try relying on yourself and not the government, for once in your life.
WAR
March 2nd, 2011
8:54 am
good day all. im out. ive tired of this for now. be safe.
Road Scholar
March 2nd, 2011
8:54 am
Del: Is there still monsters in your closet? Or are they under your bed?
NRBD2 @7:59: So lieing is ok? I mean as long as it supports your view?
Road Scholar
March 2nd, 2011
8:55 am
WAR: I hope you find Peace!
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:56 am
ive seen your kind before–dangerous, divisive. be careful because you are having fun, but someone may actually listen to you and take to heart what you write.
——————————————————————————–
Oh no, someone may “listen to me”….and…what? What do you even mean? I actually took time to read the bill and think about what it says, unlike 99.9% of the people posting on here….and the fake RINO who wrote the original article.
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
8:57 am
@NRBD2
Who said that requires the gov’t. It requires jobs which is what the GOP promised.
Where are the jobs or at least try showing us you are trying!
Steve
March 2nd, 2011
8:58 am
This is just what the Georgia legislature needs to be spending their time on. This State is such a laughing stock. These ladies and gentlemen need to get a clue and actually spend their time on issues that effect the lives of Georgians. The Georgia Assembly continues to amaze me. Wow!
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
God forbid a bunch of eeeeeevil Republicans want to pass a law requiring the Constitutional requirements for the most important office in the land be met for those seeking the office of the President of the United States.
What an absolute abomination they’d want to make sure that Art. 2, Section 1 of that silly little document that sets forth the qualifications for President be met! How dare they! NOT!
The only thing that shocks me is that there was no law on the books before. If I have to produce my birth certificate to get a passport, ANY potential President should be required to do the same for the most important job in the free world. Republican, Democrat, Socialist, Libertarian. It doesn’t matter.
As usual, the left-leaning DNC Kool-Aid drinking propagandists at the AJC miss the point.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
It requires jobs which is what the GOP promised.
———————————-
Yeah, well ALL politicians promise jobs.
The government cannot create jobs, only private business can create jobs. Read the previous sentence ten times until it sinks in.
The only positive thing that government can do to help with job creation is to STAY OUT OF THE WAY of private business, which means low taxes and low regulation.
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
Fletch @ 8:30 am
Good point!!
marc
March 2nd, 2011
9:01 am
Why can republicans “trust” govt. agencies..CIA, FBI..ect…..when it comes to pre- war intelligence or post 911 wire taping….but don’t trust them to do due diligence on a presidential candidate?
morons.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:01 am
Who Cares… – “The only thing that shocks me is that there was no law on the books before.”
Yes, because there was no need for such law to exist. So you’re perfectly fine with being denied your constitutional right to vote for a candidate of your choosing?
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
9:03 am
From HB 401 more accurately know as the birther bill.
If the foregoing described certified exact copy of the
candidate’s first original long-form birth certificate is not attached and the candidate’s
affidavit indicates that a first original long-form birth certificate for the candidate does
not exist, the candidate shall attach certified exact copies of other original
documentation, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s birth records, adoption
records, baptism records,
lol….there rock solid proof for you, baptism records…..Barnes was right…the country is laughing at us.
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
9:04 am
You all do know the President did show what the state of Hawaii shows right? It’s not the President’s fault. The state of Hawaii, no matter who you are, gives a letter saying they have it with the information on file. Go talk to the HI gov. if you don’t believe it. Heck, most of you still probably view HI as a naval base and not a state.
add
March 2nd, 2011
9:04 am
Can we all just get alone!…In my “Rodney King” voice..
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
9:04 am
So you’re perfectly fine with being denied your constitutional right to vote for a candidate of your choosing?
————————————-
If someone wants to vote for an illegal alien as president they can move to another state before the election. Problem solved. Can’t wait to read your next fantasy scenario.
Was not raised in Georgia
March 2nd, 2011
9:06 am
Wonders if this whole “birther” movement and this type of legislation would even exist had McCain (who was born in Panama) had won?
We already know the answer to that one, so for anyone to “feign ignorance” and think that part of this is not because of the unwillingness of some to accept this country has a Black President; I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. You can dress up a pig with lipstick, but it is still a pig.
If this state did not have Atlanta, we would be virtually South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama. The ironic thing is that President Obama as well as any other Democrate will not win this backward Southern state anyway; such a waste of time. As proven in the last election, as long as you have a “R” behind your name, you would win in GA. This is yet another story I have to hear about from my friends from other states about living in this “backwater state” and I did not even mention the law to let motorcycles ride through red lights.
Has anyone noticed that GA has been under “GOP leadership” the last 8 years, 6 of those with a republican President yet the current state of this nation is all the Democrats problem.
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:06 am
If this bill might help in getting this communist out of office then I support it 100%. It is going to take years to clean up the messes he, Reid and Pelosi have made in the last two years.
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
9:07 am
@Ramguy
Yes the are!
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:07 am
————–”God forbid a bunch of eeeeeevil Republicans want to pass a law requiring the Constitutional requirements for the most important office in the land be met for those seeking the office of the President of the United States.”
=============================================
Except that the Republicans in the Georgia legislature are making up a whole new set of requiremnts that do not exist in the u.S. Contsitution.
These are the same clowns that used to require “citizenship” tests before allowing people to register to vote. Tests which the black population always seemed to fail, yet Bily Bob Cementhead would pass even though he barely knew how to spell his own name.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
9:07 am
You all do know the President did show what the state of Hawaii shows right?
But they will except baptism records…lol
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
If this state didn’t have Atlanta we’d also have a 90% reduction in crime, rocket past other states in school scoring, and virtually eliminate state entitlement programs that are bankrupting us.
I totally welcome the idea of removing Atlanta from the rest of Georgia.
Bleeding Independent
March 2nd, 2011
9:09 am
My last post today….
As an African-American male, whose politics leans left but has voted for a Republican on more than one occassion, knows exactly what NBRD2 and JohnnyReb mean to ensure the biggest “con” or protection for citizens doesn’t happen until a Black Man ascends into the highest office of this land.
Why is the system broken now? We’ve had 43 prior Presidents elected as POTUS, was the system broken then? It reminds me of a vending machine at my office where one could hit the machine a certain way and get a drink. The day after Obama’s inaugural win, an African-American employee hit the machine and was given a free drink. A hard-right Republican walked by and said with righteous indignation that “we needed to fix the machine.” Why is broken when a minority gets a piece of the dream.
When we can get beyond politics and more importantly color, then we all can turn the lights on and get down to solving real issues while upholding our elected officials to a minimum level of political discourse. This isn’t it.
When the average median salary today is the same as it was in 1988 (adjusted for inflation), then we must declare that beyond right vs. left we’ve lost a generation and the middle class is now the working class. Or we can let NBRD2 blame Obama for the price of gas.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
9:09 am
You all do know the President did show what the state of Hawaii shows right?
———————————-
Yes, and this bill doesn’t mention Obama. It states that ALL candidates must have proof of citizenship.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
March 2nd, 2011
9:10 am
Good morning all. I suspect the sole purpose of the “birther bill” is to attempt to embarrass our President. He does not need their help – he’ll propose some other loopy legislation or regulation before the week is out. Perhaps the singular virtue of the proposed birther legislation is that it will occupy the legislature, and keep the legislature from doing anything meaningful. This one is on a par with naming a highway after Cynthia McKinney.
JF McNamara
March 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
I think embarrassment is the right word.
For those who can’t use Google, Obama has made his birth certificate public numerous times.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html
In addition, the assertion that he needs to be born in Hawaii only shows your ignorance of American law. His mother is undoubtably an American. That makes him an American so long as he fills out the proper paper work.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
It is going to take years to clean up the messes he, Reid and Pelosi have made in the last two years.
It is going to take years to clean up the messes Bush, Cheney and Rove made in the previous 8 years……..FIXED!
eve laments
March 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
Politicians on all levels are wasting our time with nonsense to shift our attention away from important matters. Any one who falls for it is foolish. In GA, we talk about how badly we need an open-air football stadium and spend money on law suits to take basic health insurance coverage away from people during a terrible economic depression. We reduce HOPE benefits to pay for this waste.
Lawmakers: shame on all of you. While you are snickering up your sleeves over your latest sleight of hand your constituents are suffering.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
Or we can let NBRD2 blame Obama for the price of gas.
———————————————
I was being sarcastic.
When Bush was in office and gas was $3 a gallon, the nation was imploding and the media and democrats were blaming Bush for it.
Now that Obummer is in office, gas is $3.50 a gallon but nobody is blaming him for it.
Just an interesting double standard I wanted to point out.
I’ll ignore your whining about racism, because that’s a boring topic and not worth talking about.
The bill does not mention anything about race, it states that ALL candidates must have proof.
RSC
March 2nd, 2011
9:13 am
The Georgia Secretary of State is responsible for vetting and verifying the eligiblity of candidates whose names appear on ballots in Georgia. If our state congress feels that our Secretary of State has been remiss in fulfilling those job responsibilities, then direct action should be taken against that person, rather than wasting time creating silly, ridiculous, redundant and irrelevant legislation (that may even be unconstitutional).
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
NRDB2 – “If someone wants to vote for an illegal alien as president they can move to another state before the election. Problem solved. Can’t wait to read your next fantasy scenario.”
It’s not fanatasy chief, it’s a protected right under the Articles of the United States Constitution. Your entire defense is based on implementing legislation that takes that very right away from American citizens.
The state cannot arbitrarly decide who they will or will not allow it’s citizens to vote for. The right of the citizen to vote for a candidate of ones choosing is protected by the constitution and has been since it’s inception. To my knowledge, the only political bodies that want to take away that right are dictatorships, communist regimes and now apparently the State of Georgia and you.
I ask again NRDB2, Why do you hate America?
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
@NRBD2 –”How about we pass it and see what happens. My guess, is nothing will happen because quite frankly, Obama IS a legal citizen, as are any serious presidential candidate.”
==================================
I agree, to a point.
I say pas the law. Why? Because it IS so blatently unconstituional.
As the law is written, some dunderhead will try to use it to prevent President Obama from being listed on the Georgia ballot.
It will go to court and the court will invalidate the law, declaring it void and unconstituional. (Hopefully, the case will wind up in Judge Clay Land’s court room)
At which point, the birthers will pull an Orly Taitz and accuse the judge of being a corrupt. At which point, the judge will slapp al sorts of fines on the plaintiff and the dumb smuck lawyer that takes up this case.
Birthers are stupid and they should be made to pay for their stupidity.
Don't Forget
March 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
Kyle, thanks for stepping up and pointing out the folly of this bill. It’s pandering plain and simple. Both sides do it but it doesn’t excuse either. The fact of the matter is that on any given real issue, there is usually some degree of merit to both sides of an argument. That doesn’t mean that both sides are right but it does mean that the best solutions will likely take both viewpoints into account and neither side is evil. It is part of the reason that we keep kicking the can down the road and failing to face the problems we have.
Bleeding Independent
March 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
@ NBRD2
Just a little Political Science 101. Prior to a bill being written a mandate is established about what outcome to expect for a particular piece of legislation.
Please tell me the original mandate for this piece of legislation before it was written. Are you to have us believe that some of the language in HB 401 was not influenced by some of the same birtherism boiler plate language we’ve heard over the last two years
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
@RSC: — “The Georgia Secretary of State is responsible for vetting and verifying the eligiblity of candidates whose names appear on ballots in Georgia.”
=============================
Actually no. State law only pertains to the selection of the members of the electoral college.
It is up to the electoral college, and Congress to verify the qualifications of the candidates, not the states.
Peter
March 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
Kyle what is going on all I read these days are New Taxes or fees for Georgians……..Food Tax, Gas tax, services tax.
Seems like we are getting set up to pay all types of new fees and taxes living in Georgia.
Susan Baum Biondo
March 2nd, 2011
9:17 am
Since moving to Georgia, it gets alot of laughs by my friends in Ohio and Virginia. No compliment believe you me. My entire Gwinnett extended family is getting so concerned between educating kids and this baloney that we actually discussed leaving the state. Disappointing no scary. Georgia will continue to deteriorate back to last so why stay.
backwards is the new forwards
March 2nd, 2011
9:17 am
Wow, good to see the Republicans whose platform was jobs and economic reform have done nothing to move that forward. The only thing they could muster was taking a big knife to HOPE, which would leave tens of thousands of kids without a way to pay for college, which means they’ll get even lower paying jobs and we’ll be in the same place 20 years from now. Good work guys.
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:19 am
Kyle, I see you have gotten all these libs in an uproar today. They have their panties in a wad over something that is not even a big deal. All Obama has to do is send a campaign staffer down here and show his birth certificate to the SOS and no problem. Right? We all know he is a Citizen because his mother and Grandparents are citizens. The only question is was he actually born on US soil. If he was then he is eligible to run for President, If he was not then he does not qualify for the job and his electors will not be on the ballot in Ga.
All you libs keep saying everything has already been proven so I ask why are your pink panties in a wad this morning?
BTW: The question has been brought up a few times in history. Calvin Coolidge for one and I am pretty sure the question was raised about Chaney and McCain, so you all can quit playing the race card BS.
Mike
March 2nd, 2011
9:19 am
So this is the important stuff we can work on now that they squashed Sunday alcohol sales?
Good to know we have our priorities straight.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:20 am
@BE —”Please tell me the original mandate for this piece of legislation before it was written.”
===================
That’s easy: “Keep Obama off the Ballot in 2112.”
Cousin Curtis
March 2nd, 2011
9:21 am
I hear banjos.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:22 am
It occured to me thatthere is one provision missing from HB 401. There needs to be a requirement for each candidate to submit an affadavit affirming their belief that evolution is evil. {/snark}
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
9:23 am
@Chilidog Please. Have you even read the bill? Those eeeeeeeeeevil Republicans here are just ensuring that every candidate for President of the United States follows the requirements set forth in the Constitution. The requirements for assessing qualification is silent — thus expressly left to the States under U.S. Const. Amend. X.
The requirements in this bill are no different than the same requirements that you have to follow to get either a driver’s license or a passport. There’s even an alternate mechanism in the bill to prove that you are a “natural born Citizen” if your original long-form birth certificate was destroyed. And note I said “natural born Citizen” — not mere citizen. There’s both a difference and a distinction.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a citizen, but not a “Natural Born Citizen” under the Constitution and is thus ineligible to be POTUS.
Call me all sorts of names, however, I am glad that our government is protecting us against non-natural born citizens trying to occupy the most powerful office in the land. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a piece of common sense legislation.
Gman
March 2nd, 2011
9:23 am
People say that California is the land of fruits, flakes, and nuts. Well, welcome to Georgia, the “Granola State”!
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:23 am
td -”Kyle, I see you have gotten all these libs in an uproar today. They have their panties in a wad over something that is not even a big deal”
Really? You don’t feel that having your constitutional right as an American citizen to vote for a candidate of your choosing stripped away from you is a big deal?
Tell me, what other constitutional rights would you like removed by the State of Georgia?
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
9:27 am
Ramguy @ 9:03 am:
What is interesting about the bill is that it asks the CANDIDATE to provide this verification. Don’t the birthers realize that the candidate could falsify these documents? Why can’ the Georgia SOS make the request to the appropriate agency and not risk the document being handled by the candidate. Can’t you birthers see a potential for fraud … lol!!!
Tee
March 2nd, 2011
9:28 am
I needed a good laugh this morning and GA. and the GOP NEVER let me down !!!!
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
9:29 am
@Fletch — Sorry, dude. You don’t have the right to select the candidate of your choosing. The Constitution is clear on that. Usama Bin Laden can’t run for POTUS because he doesn’t meet the requirements under Art. 2, Section 1 of the Constitution. He’s not a citizen.
Brooklyn Decker can’t run for President because she’s not 35-years-old.
You have to be a natural born citizen that’s 35 years of age to be eligible to run for President. All Georgia is doing is requiring verification of that requirement. I don’t care what the candidate’s party is. Verification is just plain common sense.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
9:32 am
“Who cares about the Constitution?” @9:23
You’re wrong. The requirements in the bill ARE different than the requirements to get driver’s license or a passport.
Can you produce a “long form” birth certificate with ALL the details indicated in the bill (see the excerpt of the bill in Jay Bookman’s post before your answer)? If you say yes, then you’re lying.
This is a sham to get Obama off the ballot, and what these idiots don’t realize (maybe Kyle does) is that the Republican presidential nominee probably won’t be able to comply with their asinine law either.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:33 am
For all the posters here that seem to miss the point and continue to say that this bill “isn’t a big deal” let me give you an example:
John Doe is running for president. You really like John Doe, and all that he stands for and wants to do to help the country. You can’t wait to go to the polls and excercise your constitutional right to vote for John Doe. However, you won’t be allowed to under this bill, because Georgia has deemed that John Doe didn’t meet their criteria. Therefore Mr. Citizen, even though people in the other 49 states will be excercising their right to vote for John Doe, you will simply have to take what is offered to you by the state.
Now, if you like the idea of having your rights summarily dismissed, let me know, and I’ll be happy to provide with a number of countries that would be happy to accomodate you.
Any questions?
Jelly Sandwich Meat
March 2nd, 2011
9:36 am
If it were Swarzenegger running for president, would they be just as adamant the he must be a citizen too?
Tea Party Meber
March 2nd, 2011
9:37 am
THIS CUOUNTRY SHOULD NEVER HAVE A KENYON AS THE PRESIDENT.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:40 am
@WCATC: -”The requirements for assessing qualification is silent — thus expressly left to the States under U.S. Const. Amend. X.-”
===========================
Under U.S. law:
==================
3 USC Ch. 1 § 15. . . . Upon such reading of any such certificate or paper, the President of the Senate shall call for objections, if any. Every objection shall be made in writing, and shall state clearly and concisely, and without argument, the ground thereof, and shall be signed by at least one Senator and one Member of the House of Representatives before the same shall be received.
=================
Too bad, So Sad.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:41 am
@ Tea Party Meber “THIS CUOUNTRY SHOULD NEVER HAVE A KENYON AS THE PRESIDENT.”
==============================
LOL Parody or real? You decide.
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
9:42 am
@Joe Seriously? Have you looked at your birth certificate lately? If you don’t think that your birth record doesn’t include the place of birth, the time of birth, the date of birth, the name of the hospital, the physician who delivered you and the statutorily required witnesses to the birth, you’re delusional. I’d suggest that you go and look at your birth certificate again.
@Fletch I have a feeling if John Doe can’t meet the Constitutional requirements in Georgia or Arizona or Michigan he’s not going to be the party’s nominee. It’d be a scandal that would sink John Doe’s candidacy.
Further, if your candidate is NOT constitutionally fit to run for the office of POTUS, you have no “right” to vote for him to begin with. Your point is moot.
Dirty Dawg
March 2nd, 2011
9:42 am
To all you Radical Conservatives that are bashing your boy Wingfield over this ‘take’…whatsamatter, don’t you realize that some things are so far right that they do, indeed, make you and your leaders a ‘laughing stock’? Plus, there’s the potential for opening the eyes of those that otherwise just stand around and watch, or simply follow like lemmings.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:43 am
@ Jelly Sandwich Meat “If it were Swarzenegger running for president, would they be just as adamant the he must be a citizen too?”
=================
Naw. The radical conservatives hate “the Governator” as well. He is too liberal for them. He wouldn’t defend the Gay Marriage Ban in California.
jconservative
March 2nd, 2011
9:44 am
As I pointed out on Bookman’s column yesterday, my “long form” birth certificate from a Georgia county does not meet the criteria in HB 401.
I called my sister, same county two years later, and hers does not either. Then two neighbors, both born in metro Atlanta counties about 10 years after me, and neither do their long form birth certificates qualify. And these are all Georgia birth certificates.
So suppose the bill passes, is signed into law and neither the Democratic or Republican candidates are able to meet the standards?
Georgia will be left with only minor party candidates on its ballot or none at all.
Do Georgians want to take a chance on not being able to vote for a Republican or Democratic candidate for president in 2012?
Not having Georgia’s 16 electoral votes in 2012 would really hurt the Republican candidate, and help Obama. Obama is not going to carry Georgia no matter what.
Obviously not a lot of thinking went into the preparation of this bill.
A smarter move would have been to wait until the Republican field has been narrowed down, then check with those candidates on their birth certificate to see if such a bill would keep them off the Georgia ballot.
What is the old saying – “those with an agenda rarely think it through”?
Gm
March 2nd, 2011
9:45 am
Just when you think Georgia Rep would change their image of being backwood idiots, here comes another example of why the world think we are a bunch of hicks.
Instead of focusing on creating jobs and taking us from last in education, our Rep bigots waste time on trying to undermine the office of the President.
President Obama has been in office going on 3 years and is pulling us out the worst depression since 1929 and this is the thanks the hicks in Georgia legislation give him.
What has happened these bigots birthers never thought a black male would be President so they continue to disrespect the office and wonder why Georgia is considered by the rest of the world as the most racist and segregated city unless sports are being played in the country.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:45 am
@WCATC “@Joe Seriously? Have you looked at your birth certificate lately? If you don’t think that your birth record doesn’t include the place of birth, the time of birth, the date of birth, the name of the hospital, the physician who delivered you and the statutorily required witnesses to the birth, you’re delusional. I’d suggest that you go and look at your birth certificate again.”
===================
You do realize that there are other states out there besides Georgia, don’t you?
Bob G
March 2nd, 2011
9:46 am
Political leanings and personal feelings aside, Kyle, would you agree that the Constitution requires that the President be a natural-born U.S. citizen? Would you acknowledge that there is no statutory mechanism for the enforcement of that provision? Would you also acknowledge that it is the states, individually via the Electoral College, that elect the President and thereby have a legitimate interest in ensuring that candidates meet the constitutional requirements?
Would you acknowledge that “birthers” are simply individuals who insist that our President meet the minimum constitutional requirements? Would you admit that the term “birther” was coined by supporters of the current President as a pejorative, designed to stifle debate and demonize those individuals expressing a legitimate concern?
You might criticize the methods of some who insist that Obama prove his citizenship but if you’re intellectually honest, you must recognize the legitimacy of their concern. If their methods are wacky, it is only because the lack of a statutory enforcement mechanism causes some to speak or act out of frustration.
Finally, I have to ask the obvious, oft-asked question: who would be the “birthers” if it was a Republican President with the questionable lineage?
IF you were to engage in legitimate, intellectually honest debate of the topic, what would be YOUR argument against this bill? And let’s try to avoid obfuscation and name-calling, okay?
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
9:46 am
The state cannot arbitrarly decide who they will or will not allow it’s citizens to vote for.
———————————————
I agree. This law is not abritrary. You HAVE to be a legal citizen to run for president and be on the ballot. This is also federal law. Therefore, nobody will have the right to vote taken away because there is no “right” to vote for a non citizen as president.
Jimmy62
March 2nd, 2011
9:47 am
I agree with Kyle on this one. It’s every bit as silly as the people who think the Koch’s are the secret power behind the Tea Party.
Jefferson
March 2nd, 2011
9:47 am
94 followers, what a group of fruit loops…
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
9:49 am
because Georgia has deemed that John Doe didn’t meet their criteria.
————————————
The criteria is being born in the United States.
There is no “right” to vote for a candidate who was NOT born here, and is thus not eligible to be president.
Tea Party Meber
March 2nd, 2011
9:49 am
NO PARADY HERE. IM AS SERIUS AS N E 1 ELSE THAT ARE PRESIDENT SHULD BE AMERICAN. IF HE IS RELECTED IM TAKIN MY KIDS OUT OF SHCOLL AND MOVIN 2 THE MOUNTANS. THIS IS AMERICA WE DONT TAKE THIS JUNK
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:51 am
@WCATC “You have to be a natural born citizen that’s 35 years of age to be eligible to run for President.”
=========================
Wrong.
You have to meet the Constitutional requirements to be eligible to SERVE as president. Anyone can run for president. But it they do not meet the requirements they can not SERVE as president. For instance, if your birthday is in December and you are 34 years old and meet all the other requirements, then you can run for president, even though you are too young to serve during the campaign. As long as you are over 35 on the day yuou are sworn in, you are eligible.
Tricky
March 2nd, 2011
9:51 am
I disagree, I don’t think the Republicans can be embarrassed.
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:52 am
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:23 am
“Really? You don’t feel that having your constitutional right as an American citizen to vote for a candidate of your choosing stripped away from you is a big deal?”
Let us clear up one thing to start. You and I do not have a constitutional right to vote for any President. We vote for a set of electors that go to the electoral college and actually vote for the President. The set of electors can vote for whomever they choose to vote for. They do not have to follow the will of the people (this has happened several times in history). You also realize that in this state and most other states it is a winner take all system designed? This means that even though you and 40 something % of this state voted at the polls for the electors for Obama in the last election your votes did not get recognized in the official vote of Georgia. McCain’s electors won the majority of the votes so they went to the electoral college and ALL of the votes for Georgia went to McCain.
Second point, If Obama is not qualified to be President (not born on US soil) then you should not have the right to vote for his electors. This is really all his fault because he wants to play some silly game and not do what all of his predecessors did and open up all his life to public view. The media was to scared to call him on this because they did not want to be called racist so they let him get away with things that no other candidate for President has ever gotten away with.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
9:53 am
@ Tea Party Meber – You are definitely a parody.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:55 am
Who Cares…. – “@Fletch — Sorry, dude. You don’t have the right to select the candidate of your choosing. The Constitution is clear on that. Usama Bin Laden can’t run for POTUS because he doesn’t meet the requirements under Art. 2, Section 1 of the Constitution. He’s not a citizen.”
Bad analogy man. I never indicated that you were allowed to vote for “non-citizens’ However, this bill doesn’t address that. It clearly indicates that even though a candidate might meet all criteria in the other 49 states, Georgia can still remove that candidate from the ballot, thereby taking away your “right” to vote for said candidate.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
9:55 am
Who cares @9:42? You didn’t answer my question? Pull your own birth certificate.
I have mine in front of me:
Indiana State Department of Health
Certificate of Birth
This Certifies, that according to the records of the State Department of Health
Name “my full name”
Was born in “city”, Indiana on “date”
Child of “parents full names”
Birthplace of father “state where father was born”, Birthplace of mother “state where mother was born”
Record was filed “month/year of my birth” certificate number “number”
In addition, there’s a certificate number in the upper right hand corner and the official seal of the state of Indiana in the lower left hand corner.
Name of hospital? Nope. Name of doctor who delivered me? Nope. Witness signatures? Nope.
Yet, somehow, I was able to obtain both a driver’s license AND a U.S. passport. But if you had your way, under Georgia law, nobody born in Indiana would be eligible to run for president in Georgia (I guess Republican Governor of Mitch Daniels is out). Neither would John McCain, who was born in Panama. Neither would you.
As I said, if you claim that you have a birth certificate that has ALL of these details, you’re lying. I’m certain that Kyle Wingfield is aware that this bill would exclude Republican candidates too, which explains his opposition.
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
9:56 am
@Chillidog That section you referenced talks to objections to the counting the votes of electors and does NOT speak to the qualifications of the candidates themselves.
It’s asinine to think that our Founding Fathers would not want a candidate’s eligibility vetted BEFORE the electors are chosen and cast their ballots. I have a feeling if this was President Arnold Schwarzenegger that we’re talking about, you’d (rightfully) be screaming bloody murder.
I just want the Constitution followed and applied equally to all candidates that seek the most powerful office in the free world.
I’m not out to get President Obama here under any circumstances. He’s a citizen. Whether he comports with the requirements of Art. 2, Section 1 that requires him to be a “natural born citizen” is an interesting question of the state of the law when he was born, what happened to his citizenship when he moved to Indonesia as a child, etc. Obviously, it’s not settled or he wouldn’t be getting sued to produce the documents in question.
If the President truly has nothing to hide, produce the documents and put this “controversy” to rest for the good of the nation. Stop hiding something OR playing politics to create the impression that there’s some vast right wing conspiracy.
Painting Hitler mustaches on Obama
March 2nd, 2011
9:57 am
I like this.
Bill Maher
March 2nd, 2011
9:58 am
Obama will show us his birth certificate when Sarah Palin shows us her high school diploma.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
10:01 am
@WCATC “@Chillidog That section you referenced talks to objections to the counting the votes of electors and does NOT speak to the qualifications of the candidates themselves.”
==============================
Congress can object to the counting of the vote for any candidate for any reason, eligibility being one of them.
The citizens of Alabama
March 2nd, 2011
10:01 am
Thank you Georgia for making us look less stupid.
Thank you!
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
10:02 am
Who cares @9:56 “the President truly has nothing to hide, produce the documents and put this “controversy” to rest for the good of the nation.”
You can’t produce the same document with ALL details that you’re demanding of Obama. Neither can McCain, George W. Bush, Bob Dole, or George H.W. Bush. Neither can Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, or whichever Tea Party candidate you’ll end up supporting.
In short, you’re ridiculous. For the good of the nation, stop being ridiculous.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:03 am
Just to clear things up, I’m not trying to make this a Left or Right issue. If the Democrats came up with somthing as asinine as this, my position would be EXACTLY the same.
What amazes me, is that the same people that espouse “freedom” and “limited government” could actually post anything in defense of this proposed bill.
HDB
March 2nd, 2011
10:04 am
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:19 am
“The only question is was he actually born on US soil. If he was then he is eligible to run for President, If he was not then he does not qualify for the job and his electors will not be on the ballot in Ga.”
FALSE!! Lest you forget that John McCain was born in PANAMA!! An American citizen born abroad is still an American citizen once birth has been registered to the State Department! As long as ONE parent is an American citizen, then the child is also considered AMERICAN!!
Review the law……………
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
10:05 am
@WCATC “It’s asinine to think that our Founding Fathers would not want a candidate’s eligibility vetted BEFORE the electors are chosen and cast their ballots. I have a feeling if this was President Arnold Schwarzenegger that we’re talking about, you’d (rightfully) be screaming bloody murder.”
=============================
§ 19. (a) (1) If, by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, inability, or failure to qualify, there is neither a President nor Vice President to discharge the powers and duties of the office of President, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall, upon his resignation as Speaker and as Representative in Congress, act as President.
(2) The same rule shall apply in the case of the death, resignation, removal from office, or inability of an individual acting as President under this subsection.
(b) If, at the time when under subsection (a) of this section a Speaker is to begin the discharge of the powers and duties of the office of President, there is no Speaker, or the Speaker fails to qualify as Acting President, then the President pro tempore of the Senate shall, upon his resignation as President pro tempore and as Senator, act as President.
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
10:06 am
@Joe. I don’t have mine in front of me. But I distinctly remember it having at minimum the hospital where I was born AND the name of the doctor. Of course, I wasn’t born in Indiana.
@Chilidog. There are 57 of those states, right?
As far as your argument that anyone can RUN for President, you are technically correct. However, you do not have a RIGHT to vote for them.
States/municipalities, etc. boot candidates off of the ballot all the time for not comporting with the requirements for office. Ask your boy Obama the story about how he was elected to the Illinois State Senate if you need a refresher course.
Bill
March 2nd, 2011
10:06 am
My South Carolina birth certificate is the size of a credit card with my name and birth date only. Does that mean I am less a natural born citizen than you? I don’t think so.
I’m appalled at the ignorance in Georgia.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:08 am
td – “This means that even though you and 40 something % of this state voted at the polls for the electors for Obama in the last election your votes did not get recognized in the official vote of Georgia.”
By all means, please show me where in ANY of my posts that I said I voted for Obama?
NYCDAWGFAN
March 2nd, 2011
10:08 am
I live in NYC and read the AJC daily, because I have to stay close to my Georgia roots… GA will always be home for me… I will say this and be done… This is a damn shame. We as Georgians are being mocked and laughed at not just by “Blue” states, but also “Red” states. Come on GOP. It is time to unify. This man has been in office for 3 years now and you are STILL in denial. He is all of our president. Not Red or Blue, but all. Let it go and lets move forward. I understand the thinking… The GOP wants to try and limit his chances at being re-elected because, let’s be honest people, Palin and Gingrich combined couldn’t beat him… The lack of an adequate GOP candidate like Senator McCain (who other than his 90’s issue with MLK day) I really respect and admire and would follow his lead, has the GOP frightened. “Oh no, this black guy is gonna run the country an additional 4 years”… Let’s move on. If our representatives, on both sides, spent as much time on the difficulties our country is facing as they do with minutia like this, we would all be a lot better off.
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:08 am
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
9:55 am
“Bad analogy man. I never indicated that you were allowed to vote for “non-citizens’ However, this bill doesn’t address that. It clearly indicates that even though a candidate might meet all criteria in the other 49 states, Georgia can still remove that candidate from the ballot, thereby taking away your “right” to vote for said candidate.”
That is not true either. We as a state has decided to only allow three parties electors on the ballot in Georgia for different qualification reasons. There are a great deal more parties than that in the US and they all meet those constitutional requirements but they are not on the ballot in Georgia. Is my “rights” being violated? I think not because Georgia has additional requirements to be put on the ballot and that is the states rights to do.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
10:09 am
@WCATC “States/municipalities, etc. boot candidates off of the ballot all the time for not comporting with the requirements for office. Ask your boy Obama the story about how he was elected to the Illinois State Senate if you need a refresher course.”
======================
You have the right to write in whoever you choose as well. Ask your buddy Joe Miller of Alaska about that one.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:12 am
td – “Is my “rights” being violated?”
No, your rights “is” not being violated. However, under the terms of this bill, your rights “are” being violated.
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
10:18 am
@Joe You’re a typical Obama apologist who relies on sound bytes and not the actual text of the legislation. You do realize there’s an alternate way of proving eligibility. But who cares about the facts if you can shrill, Democrats…
“(B) If the foregoing described certified exact copy of the candidate’s first original long-form birth certificate is not attached and the candidate’s affidavit indicates that a first original long-form birth certificate for the candidate does not exist, the candidate shall attach certified exact copies of other original documentation, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s birth records, adoption records, baptism records, Social Security records, medical records, school and college records, military records, and passport records showing, either individually or collectively, that the candidate meets the natural born citizenship, age, and residency requirements prescribed by Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution.”
@Chilidog Your point of using succession language? What does that have to do with the right a state has to reject any candidate from a ballot? There is NOTHING prohibiting it. By extension, you’d tell me that a state couldn’t boot a Presidential candidate from the ballot for not getting the required number of signatures to run (which varies from state-to-state).
You have a RIGHT to write in whomever you want. But those candidates must still file an intent to run in most states with the SoS (including GA and AK) to have those votes legally counted. Nice try.
The Road Leads Back to Birthers
March 2nd, 2011
10:19 am
[...] April Hunt, Jim Galloway, Jay Bookman and Kyle Wingfield. And here’s the part where I link to the Huffington Post [...]
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:20 am
HDB
March 2nd, 2011
10:04 am
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:19 am
“The only question is was he actually born on US soil. If he was then he is eligible to run for President, If he was not then he does not qualify for the job and his electors will not be on the ballot in Ga.”
FALSE!! Lest you forget that John McCain was born in PANAMA!! An American citizen born abroad is still an American citizen once birth has been registered to the State Department! As long as ONE parent is an American citizen, then the child is also considered AMERICAN!!
Review the law……………
McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone (which at the time was property of the US) and was American soil so he meet the requirements set out in the Constitution of being born on American soil. Same as if you were born in Guam, Puerto Rica or in an American embassy compound.
You my friend are not reading the Constitution. Obama is a citizen because his mother was a citizen. That point is not at question. The Constitution states that to be the President or Vice President that you not only have to be a citizen at birth but you must have also been born on American soil. If Obama was born in HI then he is eligible but if he was born in another country then he is not eligible.
Georgia’s proposed law is going to make him prove it, as it should for any candidate running for President or Vice President, and when he does then there is no problem. Case closed.
When Reason Fails: AJC’s Kyle Wingfield on the So-Called Georgia “Birther” Bill | BobGriggs.com
March 2nd, 2011
10:23 am
[...] disappointing to see the AJC’s token conservative, Kyle Wingfield, employ the same strategy in his commentary on HB 401, a bill to require candidates for President to prove citizenship before being placed on [...]
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:23 am
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
10:09 am
@WCATC “States/municipalities, etc. boot candidates off of the ballot all the time for not comporting with the requirements for office. Ask your boy Obama the story about how he was elected to the Illinois State Senate if you need a refresher course.”
======================
You have the right to write in whoever you choose as well. Ask your buddy Joe Miller of Alaska about that one.
That is Alaska state law. In Georgia if you write in a name of a non qualified candidate then your vote will not count. Also, remember we do not vote for a Presidential candidate in this county. We vote for a set of electors that vote for the president.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
10:25 am
under the terms of this bill, your rights “are” being violated.
—————————-
False. There is no “right” to vote for a president who isn’t eligible to hold office.
You can hallucinate all you want and invent all the crazy scenarios you want. Nobody, and I repeat, nobodies rights are violated in this bill.
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:25 am
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:12 am
td – “Is my “rights” being violated?”
No, your rights “is” not being violated. However, under the terms of this bill, your rights “are” being violated
How is it different?
khc
March 2nd, 2011
10:26 am
thank you kyle
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
10:28 am
Just throwing it out there? Where was this rush to make candidates prove this before Obama took office?
Anyone?
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:30 am
NRBD2 – “False. There is no “right” to vote for a president who isn’t eligible to hold office.”
Have you ever actually read the Constitution, or did they stop requiring civics when you were in school?
If a Presidential candidate has proven eligibility, then you have the right to vote for them. Just because said candidate doesn’t meet your particular state definition of eligibility, does not give said state authority to remove them from the ballot, thereby eliminating “your right” to vote for them.
What part of this is in any way unclear to you?
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
10:31 am
@flintrock70 I was shocked that there WASN’T a law on the books to make candidates to prove eligibility until after the latest election. It’s a joke this law wasn’t on the books already.
Quite frankly, we weren’t adequately protected in the past. If you don’t comport with the legal requirements to run for POTUS, you have no business doing so.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:32 am
td – “How is it different?”
If you need a lesson in grammer, then trust me, the POTUS is the least of your worries.
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:32 am
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
10:28 am
Just throwing it out there? Where was this rush to make candidates prove this before Obama took office?
Anyone?
There was only a few time in the history of the country that this has even been a question (Calvin Coolidge most prominent) because most candidates have always submitted their BC that shows the state of actual birth. Obama has made this an issue by refusing to release this information.
Bill
March 2nd, 2011
10:33 am
GA legislature is messed up. Last year, it was guns in churches vs jobs, jobs, jobs.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
10:33 am
What part of this is in any way unclear to you?
——————————————————————
The state will only remove them from the ballot if they’re ineligible, what part of that is unclear to YOU?
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:35 am
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:32 am
td – “How is it different?”
If you need a lesson in grammer, then trust me, the POTUS is the least of your worries
Typical liberal answer. When you know you have lost the argument resort to name calling or change the subject. Just go ahead and admit it. You head says I am right and this should be the law but you bleeding left wing heart just can not let you type it on the page.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:36 am
NRBD2 – “The state will only remove them from the ballot if they’re ineligible, what part of that is unclear to YOU?”
And since Georgia would be the only state requiring this particular process to make a candidate ineligible, then they would inherently be in violation of the constitution defining the citizens right to vote.
Next?
Steve
March 2nd, 2011
10:37 am
What is sad is all of this turmoil, when all that is needed is for Obama to prove them all wrong by showing the documents. If he has them…
jt
March 2nd, 2011
10:37 am
Kyle will insist that a tomato picker from Mexico jumps through a document hoop,
but gives the president a pass.
Go figure?
Statists all.
NRBD2
March 2nd, 2011
10:40 am
they would inherently be in violation of the constitution defining the citizens right to vote.
—————————————————–
There is no defining “right to vote” in the constitution, actually. The constitution merely states that if there is a vote, that there can be no discrimination based on sex,race, or gender.
But since you’re such a scholar, you knew that already.
This bill does not discriminate based on race, sex, or gender. It states that a person not born in the United States cannot be on the Georgia ballot.
That other states don’t have a similar bill (yet) is irrelevant. NEXT.
td
March 2nd, 2011
10:41 am
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:30 am
“If a Presidential candidate has proven eligibility, then you have the right to vote for them. Just because said candidate doesn’t meet your particular state definition of eligibility, does not give said state authority to remove them from the ballot, thereby eliminating “your right” to vote for them”
I thought we have already established the FACT that you do not have the right to vote for a President. You vote for a set of electors that votes for the President (and they do not have to vote the way you voted). Also, the states have the rights to keep any candidates electors off the ballot if they do not meet the states qualifications (No constitutional parties electors will be on the ballot in Georgia).
I guess you must have failed you civics class because these are the basics.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
10:42 am
td – “left wing heart just can not let you type it on the page.”
Again, I haven’t labeled anyone. I’ve stated quite clearly several times that 1. I didn’t vote for Obama. 2. I don’t hold with either the Left or the Right. and 3. If the Democrats came up with something as completely full of $hit as this bill, I would take the same position.
In truth, I’m a GOP wet dream. Educated, white middle aged male, independent business owner who resides in the evil upper 2% and takes advantage of any and all tax breaks I can get. However, when I see stupid or ignorance, I don’t immediately step in line and become a bobble head for ANY side.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
10:50 am
Who cares?
You accusing me of being an Obama apologist indicates the primary reason that you support this legislation, to get Obama off the ballot. Unfortunately, you’re still struggling with reality.
I do stand corrected. I wasn’t aware of that clause. The reality that you can’t face now is that, under the clause you cited, Obama would be eligible to be on the Georgia ballot. He, of course, has produced birth records (birth certificate from State of Hawaii), a U.S. Passport, really the ONLY items indicated that would show that Obama meets the natural born citizenship requirement. Undoubtedly, he could also produce social security records, medical records, school records, etc.
So, why are you still insisting on the “long form” from Obama, as you did in your earlier post, when you can’t produce one yourself, nor for example, can anybody born in Indiana? Why are you still insisting on this so-called long form from Obama when he could easily comply with the legislation you cited by providing the Hawaii birth certificate and a U.S. Passport?
Again, you and your birther friends continue to request that Obama provide “long form” documentation to “end the controversy” —documentation hat you yourselves wouldn’t be able to produce and now you’re supporting legislation that doesn’t even require such documentation to…what? Get back at “Obama apologists?”
Fix-It
March 2nd, 2011
10:51 am
It is quite embarrassing that states have to make state laws that are exactly the same a federal law, because the fed refuses to enforce their own laws.
killerj
March 2nd, 2011
10:54 am
The only “farce” is the Bozo running the show,Go Tea Party.
Left wing management
March 2nd, 2011
10:57 am
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.
Good for you. You’re right!
James Thomas
March 2nd, 2011
11:00 am
What is embarrassing is that the entire American political class let Obama get on the ballot last time without his having to provide documentation of his eligibility to be president. Do you not believe in the rule of law, Mr. Wingfield? I congratulate the Georgia assemblymen who do.
Left wing management
March 2nd, 2011
11:02 am
Interesting that there’s not a single female among the sponsors of this legislation. Nor is there a single black member. All pasty white Giowgya Boyz. Can that be coincidence?
Gm
March 2nd, 2011
11:04 am
Boy I wish these idiots could pass liqor sale this fast”"”
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
11:04 am
“Who cares…?” cited a clause in the legislation that shows what this legislation is really about. The bill first requires a “long form” birth certificate that most, if not all, states do not offer. Then the bill essentially says, hey, if you don’t have the “long form”, then we’ll accept other records like your certified birth records (in other words, the birth certificate that you do have), your U.S. Passport, etcetera. Of course, Obama does have and has produced these documents.
So, this legislation accomplishes nothing except to play to the Republican base (i.e. Birthers) to satisfy their rabid Obama hate. It’s just like the legislation being proposed in various states to block courts form considering Shariah law when deciding cases. Of course, there’s already such a ban in the…wait for it…Constitution (Establishment Clause of the First Amendment). Again, this is legislation tailored to make their uninformed base jump up and down with joy, even though it accomplishes absolutely nothing.
So, the likes of “Who cares…?” can jump up and down with joy about this legislation, and run to the polls to vote the guys who voted for it and against the guys who voted against it, but guess what. This legislation does absolutely nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada.
Chilidog
March 2nd, 2011
11:12 am
@NRBD2 “The state will only remove them from the ballot if they’re ineligible, what part of that is unclear to YOU?”
================================
The state is not authorized to make that determination.
That right is reserved to the electoral college and Congress.
Snafu
March 2nd, 2011
11:15 am
Why don’t people stop dancing in the asylum! The only reason why they have introduced this bill is because of the color of the current President’s skin. I don’t here anyone talking about Piyush Jindal or Nimrata Haley both who equally were not born here. Its just the fact that there are Caucasians who think they are the only ones entitled to be President.
Snafu
March 2nd, 2011
11:16 am
And further more John McCain was born in Panama but was weclomed as a Presidential Candidate WHY! Because just look at the color of his skin. And there is not such thing as WHITE PEOPLE.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
11:19 am
Chilidog – “The state is not authorized to make that determination.
That right is reserved to the electoral college and Congress”
Which I belive are in the Constitution, and tied to the invidual right to vote. Inherently, if you try to remove one, you will remove the other.
Thanks for the support CD.
stands for decibels
March 2nd, 2011
11:20 am
is it too much to ask of our legislators that they not try to enshrine such conspiracies in state law?
sadly, yes.
Anyway, just a drive-by to say “thanks, Kyle,” and remind myself that there are some somewhat rational Republicans out there, still.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
11:22 am
Snafu – “And further more John McCain was born in Panama but was weclomed as a Presidential Candidate WHY! Because just look at the color of his skin. And there is not such thing as WHITE PEOPLE.’
Gotta back you down on that one. McCain was born in Panama, but at the time it was considered to be U.S. soil. It’s a moot point though since both parents were U.S. citizens. I’m not defending anyone, but the fact that he is white has little to do with his acceptance as a candidate.
The Original Get Real
March 2nd, 2011
11:25 am
Sean Smith @ 6:41 am Where are the jobs???
Ask Obama and Harry Reid
Was not raised in Georgia
March 2nd, 2011
11:25 am
For the party of “small government”, how many more government jobs will the Sec. of State’s office need to deal with all the requests allowed by the bill.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
March 2nd, 2011
11:34 am
For anyone who wants to know where the jobs are, they are overseas, so that our corporations can get bigger profits. Try Mexico, India for starters. Americans don’t want to make anything anymore. They want to buy things. They don’t want to serve. They want to be served. Where is the money? Try the portfolios? Check Switzerland, Cayman Islands . . . start there. Why not American companies to bring jobs back to America so that America can flourish; instead of sending them overseas, so the corporations can flourish and the rest of us can flounder. Where is your Brain? Where is your sense of justice? Where is your reason?
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
March 2nd, 2011
11:36 am
I dare you to write your congressmen to lobby these big corporations getting huge tax breaks to bring the jobs back to America. Now there’s a movement for you! BRING JOBS B A C K to America! How about that? We can’t have it both ways; we sacrificed our way of life, our great society for great profits. So now we all up the creek, so get over yourself? Where are the jobs? Why are you not hiring?
joe
March 2nd, 2011
11:46 am
I have a huge problem with BO being President, but we’d be much better off voting him out instead of suggesting bills such as this. If the state wants to pass some much needed legislation, how about requiring employers to hire americans and have police question the legal status of people stopped for violations.
Who cares about the Constitution?
March 2nd, 2011
11:51 am
@Joe I am not a “birther.” I’ve never claimed that Obama was not a citizen. I do, however, think that the interpretation as to whether he’s a “natural born citizen” is a very interesting question of LAW that’s open to debate. There’s a difference.
Under the terms of the bill, if a long form birth certificate is available, any POTUS candidate would have to produce that first. If there isn’t one, they can go to the other documentation to prove that the candidate is a “natural born citizen.”
@Snafu It took an act of Congress to clarify McCain’s eligibility under Art. 2, Sect. 1 of the Constitution. He was born to two service members who were stationed in the Panama Canal Zone in an off-base hospital.
Eligibility is something to be taken very seriously, no matter what political party the candidate comes from. For me, it rings true with Sarah Palin and Ronald Reagan as much as it does Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
Was not raised in Georgia
March 2nd, 2011
11:52 am
Does anyone actually think the GOP nominee will not win GA in 2012 anyway; all they need is the “R” by their name. What a waste of time, money, and resources.
Snafu
March 2nd, 2011
11:53 am
Fletch
Bull! WHITE is the reason why this is going on. If this was a matter of policy then there would be no question. But to say a “birther bill” and there is no overt racism here is quite a disingenious to say the least. Why was this not brought forth with all the previous Presidents? Why well because their skin color was not “Brown”.
Since you brought up parents as in McCain..well, President Obama’s mother was in fact AMERICA..was she not? Can you see the hypocrisy of these Caucasians who are trying to put forth this bill. Would this also apply to Caucasians who claim their parents were Irish, German, Russian etc. Where are those long forms since these Caucasians want talk about birth certificates. The problem is America is being dumbed downed by the asylum escapees and no one is beating them back at the stupidity.
flintrock70
March 2nd, 2011
11:56 am
@Joe
The GA GOP won’t do much for making employers require legal workers since the backed down when the Agri-Business community told them to. So they failed at that, again.
The GA GOP thinks doing this shows they are doing actual work to help the state.
Jim Pierce
March 2nd, 2011
12:01 pm
Requiring proof of citizenship shouldn’t be a requirement for the highest office in the land? lol Some of you people are simply freakin NUTS.
the mehlman rings twice
March 2nd, 2011
12:03 pm
NRBD2@ 8:31am
Fifty bank failures.
My point is that our elected officials should be concerned that the state and federal government agencies that are tasked with overseeing banks, supposedly to protect the public, are doing their jobs. The last 2 crises in the financial services industry happended because the Executive Branch turned a blind eye to the risky practices by these institutions. In the case of President GHWB, one of his sons was actively participating in fraud, for which he is now banned for life from ever participating in the S&L industry. There are also reports that President GWB called off the dogs when banks were exceeding there investment/reserve ratios.
But I know, birth certificates, state flags, and loyalty oaths are far more important.
jconservative
March 2nd, 2011
12:09 pm
“Political leanings and personal feelings aside, Kyle, would you agree that the Constitution requires that the President be a natural-born U.S. citizen? Would you acknowledge that there is no statutory mechanism for the enforcement of that provision?”
“..no statutory mechanism for the enforcement of that provision?”
Yes there is. The US Passport office has the responsibility of determining if a birth certificate meets Federal standards. Has since the early 1920’s.
Obama has had a passport since he was four.
I have had a US passport since I was 24. And my birth certificate does not meet this bills qualifers.
Just saying.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
12:21 pm
Actually the outcome of the bill doesn’t matter as far as Ga voters go…..They would vote for Charles Manson just as long as he had a R in front of his name.
ATLER
March 2nd, 2011
12:25 pm
And this what the Republicans are doing and have been doing since they’ve been the majority instead of looking out for the best interests of the state. If it wasn’t for Atlanta, Ga would be another poor southern state.
False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR)
March 2nd, 2011
12:26 pm
Thanks, Kyle, for an honest and sane assessment of this pending legislature. By the way, “tribal loyalty” = willfully ignorant.
Snafu
March 2nd, 2011
12:27 pm
Fletch
Panama was not considered US soil. Panama was independent since 1903. The Army Corp of Engineers built the Panama Canal between 1904 to 1914 but that was not the US soil. John McCain was born in 1936 after the Panama Canal was transferred back to Panama. So once again this is not moot.
Fletch
March 2nd, 2011
12:29 pm
snafu – “Fletch
Bull! WHITE is the reason why this is going on. If this was a matter of policy then there would be no question. But to say a “birther bill” and there is no overt racism here is quite a disingenious to say the least. Why was this not brought forth with all the previous Presidents? Why well because their skin color was not “Brown”.
Since you brought up parents as in McCain..well, President Obama’s mother was in fact AMERICA..was she not? Can you see the hypocrisy of these Caucasians who are trying to put forth this bill. Would this also apply to Caucasians who claim their parents were Irish, German, Russian etc. Where are those long forms since these Caucasians want talk about birth certificates. The problem is America is being dumbed downed by the asylum escapees and no one is beating them back at the stupidity.”
I agree, and race should have no part in it. Your counter argument to the supporters of this retarded bill was that McCain wasn’t born on U.S. soil, and therefore the only reason he is accepted is because he’s white. I know that Obamas mother was a U.S. citizen and I know that Hawaii is a state. Therefore, I have no reason to believe that Obama was elected under false pretenses.
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.
Ramguy
March 2nd, 2011
12:29 pm
Don’t you bozos know that if “dirty tricks” Karl Rove had just inkling that the Repubs could make Obama’s citizenship an issue in the last election he would have as fast as Faux News repeats lies?
Fisherman
March 2nd, 2011
12:32 pm
Man I am glad I left Ga. So many Jethros and Rubes and so little time to laugh. When the Olympics were in Atlanta some people must have thought they made inbreeding an Olympic event.
Blue Man on a Red Island
March 2nd, 2011
12:33 pm
JT – I think I misunderstood your original post. It appears we are in agreement on the topic. My apologies dude. Keep on keeping on.
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
Some People are stupid
March 2nd, 2011
4:01 pm
I find it funny how I requested a copy of my Birth Certificate and got a certificate of live Birth from GA…and then used it to get my passport….I think someone is confused when they say that doesn’t pass federal standards.
LeeH1
March 2nd, 2011
4:02 pm
This Republican nonsense is not as bad as the miscarriage of justice that Bobby Franklin’s miscarriage bill (HB-1) is. The whole nation is laughing at Georgia over this one, who wants to put women in jail for life or execute them if they can’t prove that a miscarriage occurred naturally. Yes, the women have to prove they are innocent- the state assumes they are guilty.
See this miscarriage of justice for yourself at:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=31965
Sheriff Lobo
March 2nd, 2011
4:07 pm
Honestly, much like Hoover had the FBI tab MLK, Bush & Cheney had the FBI and CIA delve into EVERYTHING Obama as soon as he announced he was running…LOL Trust me, his records are legit.
Real American
March 2nd, 2011
4:23 pm
Gawga – Deliverance isn’t just a movie ya know.
Gm
March 2nd, 2011
4:30 pm
Thulsa Doom : still can not address the question: I dislike Bush spending my dollars on another country, however I was not out there dis respecting the Office of the President:
Calling the President Bozo shows how immature you are, when you start personally attacking the President Obama wife which some of these hicks in Georgia do all the time makes you trailer, never mind the man has class and family values and never been caught in scandals, thats not good enough for white bigots who over looked the last President that destroyed this country, so please spare me you hate his policy crap, you and the birthers are Anti Americans and represet why this country will never be great.
Dave
March 2nd, 2011
4:36 pm
Gm,
But of course, anyone who disagrees with Obama’s agenda MUST be a racist, huh?
Goes to show why the country is turning against you leftist communist filth and the policies you push, every single one of which harms our country. If you don’t like this place, feel free to go somewhere you’d feel more at home (Venezuela? Cuba? North Korea?)
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Credible, Compelling, Complete....Bwahahahaha, just sayin...
March 2nd, 2011
4:46 pm
If it prevents another obozo in the future, who in their right mind could be against it?
Joe the Plutocrat
March 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
Dave, no; anyone who disagrees with Obama’s policies is a political opponent. those who continue to seek “proof” of his native citizenship, often using the words “Kenyan father” are likely to be racists. of course, racism is the belief that one’s race is superior, so I don’t know that birthers are racists, so much as they are just white people who don’t like the idea of a black president. and I suppose there is a bit of unconcious or latent racism in your comment, as you have somehow attached “policy” to this debate. what does your “logic” suggest about those who agree with Obama’s policies, but believe he was born in Kenya or Indonesia, or Timbuktu?
Jefferson
March 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
End of the day, the President is in the White House.
AmVet
March 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
The southern, white bigots here are just updated versions of their daddies and granddaddies – the bigots who hated Jackie Robinson…
duke
March 2nd, 2011
5:05 pm
Are you kidding? To suggest that Presidential candidates must prove their constitutional eligibility is a fringe issue? It should not even be necessary to pass a law about this. It should be routine that candidates have to prove this. All Americans have to present their birth certificates in all sorts of situations. Obama has spent millions of dollars in attorneys’ fees to keep his birth records and all other records secret from the sort of review that is standard for all political candidates.
When Obama was allegedly born in Hawaii- 1962, I think- there were four way to get a long-form birth certificate on file. One was a document signed by the doctor who delivered the baby in a hospital. That document would settle the question, unless credible evidence were presented challenging its authenticity. But at least one of the other ways merely required an adult claiming to be a family member make a statement to a low-level bureaucrat. One of the ways could be done through the mail. The long-form document would reveal which of these methods was used. The short-form document- which is all anyone has seen, and even that has not been authenticated- merely indicates that long-form certificate is on file.
But Obama is ineligible anyway. The Constitution requires that the President be a natural-born citizen. The Law of Nations, a principle reference for our founders, defines natural-born as both parents being citizens. Obama’s father, as a Kenyan, was a British citizen. The idea, according to The Law of Nations, is that a natural-born citizen is more likely to have actually absorbed the nation’s culture, and to be an actual citizen by nature as well as by law. It should be clear to anyone that Obama is not a cultural American. He is a product of the fiercely anti-American culture of Ivy League liberalism.
Because John McCain was born in Panama, a child of an American military officer, questions were legitmately raised about his eligibility; and he readily presented the necessary documentation.
dave c
March 2nd, 2011
5:05 pm
If it was a Republican President right now, the state of GA would not have brought up that bill !!!!
Sandra
March 2nd, 2011
5:16 pm
@Del, this bill IS about Obama and trying to satisfy the ‘birther’ nuts! So don’t even try to go there.
R Elliott
March 2nd, 2011
5:16 pm
Mr. Wingfield, Although I may disagree with your conclusions from time to time, I find your logic to be well-organized. In this case, I agree with all of what you said. Not only that, you have demonstrated great political courage by castigating statements that run against perceived “conservation” wisdom. In fact, this topic doesn’t even merit serious consideration by serious-thinking people. Thank you for what you have written. It shows that Georgians of many stripes can co-exist peacefully here and that not all of us drink the Koolaid of political extremists.
Gm
March 2nd, 2011
5:30 pm
Dave: To stupid to know the meaning of communist:
Please turn off the fat slob, high school drop out Rush Limbaugh and look up the word yourself.
gadawg
March 2nd, 2011
5:39 pm
AMVET you aren’t a real veteran if you were in service you were probably a cook or supply clerk. I am a Viet Nam Veteran Infantryman you are scum.
Government Union Goon Steward
March 2nd, 2011
6:07 pm
Sunday Sales and Birther Bills…
Anybody smell a smokesceen?
We need water in Atlanta !!
This is Mrs. Norman Maine
March 2nd, 2011
6:16 pm
Date: 3/2/3011
Dear Diary,
Today Kyle Wingfield did not sign on to the right wing agenda and he disputes popular wingnut talking points. Who knew this day would ever come?
AmVet
March 2nd, 2011
6:18 pm
dawg, it’s both interesting and telling that you got your panties in a wad over that post.
I presume you took it personally for good reason…
JB Clark
March 2nd, 2011
6:31 pm
My dad never had birth certificate. He was born in the USA, went to school and college in the USA, served in the Navy in World War II, started a business that grew to employ dozens. His birth certificate was either lost or possibly he was never registered, since he was likely born at home. Everyone who knew the details of his birth was long dead when he found out he did not have “official papers.” Later, the state issued him a certificate saying that, based on school and military records, he was a citizen — but he was turned down for a passport, which is bizarre since he traveled overseas at great risk to his life (Okinawa, Guadacanal) for our country.
There are thousands of people just like him in the USA. My sister has two birth certificates, one with the wrong date. The hospital where my brother and I were born burned to the ground, and the courthouse was flooded when we were children. That may explain why our birth certificates are tiny documents without much detail — just the name, father and mother, race, and weight. We were all able to get passports, but I guess no one in my family will be eligible to run for president.
cborgia
March 2nd, 2011
6:31 pm
Clearly we all need to take a loyalty oath when we get up each morning. We should also take one before meals, and before we go to bed at night. At random times during the day, national thought police should check our birth certificates and travel and work papers. Loyalty oaths administered by special agents at check points would trap those who had become disloyal since their last oath. (Thanks, J. Heller)
This will ensure our freedom and prevent unwanted government intervention into our private lives. One shouldn’t mind the occasional full body X-ray or cavity search if one has nothing to hide, should one?
itpdude
March 2nd, 2011
6:54 pm
Even Kyle Wingnut doesn’t agree with the weirdos in his party? What the crap?
I hope the bill passes. The wackier and wackier the GOP shows itself the be, the less and less relevant that stinking and corrupt party becomes. Let all their crappy bills get through and drive the country into the ground so we may be rid of them soon enough.
Mike
March 2nd, 2011
7:12 pm
When the Bush Administration failed to protect our country and 9/11 happened, when they put is into trillions of dollars of debt (yeah, they did), and when they started a ridiculous war with no exit strategy… that is what I call RUINING THE COUNTRY. Health care for all people is not even close you delusional wackjobs! And it isn’t communist!
Maybe you should look back at all the freedoms we lost during the Bush Administration and the freedom we continue to lose in our own state of Georgia! Why do these Republicans at least at the state level keep getting elected??? Why?
td
March 2nd, 2011
7:14 pm
dave c
March 2nd, 2011
5:05 pm
If it was a Republican President right now, the state of GA would not have brought up that bill !!!!
You are corrct. Vermount, Calf., NY or Mass would have.
Still Waiting For the Trickle Down
March 2nd, 2011
7:15 pm
When it was Clinton, it was his immorality and the humdingers he procured in the Oval Office.
With Obama, it’s all about his birthright.
When will you folks just admit you’d say anything derogatory about any Democrat holding that office? We know how you think. You don’t have the power of intention concealment in your miserly arsenal.
Yllwjckt1
March 2nd, 2011
7:27 pm
I do not see anything wrong with the bill and am behind it 100%. A long time ago, I applied for a government job and underwent a background check that included interviews of family and friends, credit checks, fingerprinting, and a slew of other things. Requiring each and every candidate to prove they meet the requirements of an elected position seems just a basic law and I’m surprised that it hasn’t been previously enacted.
The law does not deny any right and seems only to ensure that other existing laws are properly followed. It is intended to apply to all candidates and thus is fair to all.
Kyle, I generally agree with you on most things, but you missed it on this one. Any right-minded Georgian would welcome this and any similar legislation. Only those loonie lefties find fault with this bill.
Mary Elizabeth
March 2nd, 2011
7:32 pm
Kyle,
I want to thank you for this post today. My perspective often differs from yours, but I know that if Georgia is ever to move forward, progressives must join with enlightened conservatives to overcome
the thinking of generations of Georgians still mired in their past.
Bull Durham
March 2nd, 2011
7:44 pm
This is another poll tax and literacy test. I find it strange no one is going to Germany to check out John McCain’s birth credentials. I was born at home in Georgia and my birth certificate probably wouldn’t pass the muster test of this bunch. Good Grief!
George
March 2nd, 2011
7:50 pm
The thing is that the representatives who support this bill don’t really care…none of these “birthers” care. They just don’t like Obama’s politics and they just want to stir the…..! It really cast doubt on their ability to make real decisions about anything important that effects the average Georgian..
Bull Durham
March 2nd, 2011
7:52 pm
AND BTW any candidate running for congress is fully vetted by NSA, DIA, FBI. I think those agencies have more experience and resources than the state of Georgia in determining basic citizenship. Its sad Georgia politics focus so much on ensuring 2nd class status for those that don’t fit the basic profile of what they think an American should look like. How about coming up with some ideas on how to jump start Georgia’s economy instead of this pathetic nonsense.
Grob Hahn
March 2nd, 2011
8:16 pm
This is nearly as stupid as admitting you won’t allow Sunday alcohol sales for religious reasons, when you’re an elected official. Leave your church at the door and do your JOB.
Grobbbbbbbbbbbb
JM
March 2nd, 2011
8:31 pm
I’m convinced that video of Don Ho serenading Obama by his full name as his mother expels him from her birth canal wouldn’t be sufficient evidence to convince the fringe Right he’s a U.S. citizen.
HJP
March 2nd, 2011
8:36 pm
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Has there ever been an election lost in Georgia
by appealing to the basest of instincts?
And so many people in this state believe
education is the answer. Or do they?
Shame on you, Stephen Allison, for sponsoring this
exercise in idiocy.
La_chat
March 2nd, 2011
8:54 pm
Shouldn’t they also be required to take a blood test to prove their relationship to the “parents” listed on the birth certificate? You never know, some jihadist might have switched the babies…
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:09 pm
Bull Durham
March 2nd, 2011
7:44 pm
This is another poll tax and literacy test
How in the world did you come to that conclusion?
td
March 2nd, 2011
9:16 pm
Bull Durham
March 2nd, 2011
7:52 pm
AND BTW any candidate running for congress is fully vetted by NSA, DIA, FBI
Where did you come up with that nonsense from? Candidates for Congress are not vetted by any federal agency unless they are elected and want to serve of the intelligence committee. If they are considered a risk they are not allowed on the committee and not kicked out of office.
independent thinker
March 3rd, 2011
7:58 am
100% agree with you Kyle. To raise needed funds for the state budget lets have the legislature sell tickets for appearances at Phillips Arena and get a few more circus acts to go along with these clowns.
BW
March 3rd, 2011
2:10 pm
The larger issue is that one state challenges the official document another state releases. That precedent simply cannot be allowed. I think this bill will die but would certainly be overturned in the courts. Could you imagine if every state got to dictate how they would provide air traffic control in their airspace?
middleoftheroadandtiredofit
March 4th, 2011
5:02 pm
If a Hawaiian birth certificate is not acceptable proof of citizenship why would a Georgia birth certificate be? Would all births be videotaped with women giving birth in front of state capitols so it could be captured in a single frame? Or would there be cries of photoshopped every time a Democrat or minority was elected with such a picture? Seriously, what would constitute proof or would it be up to individual representatives’ interpretation? It’s like the requirements made for voting in the last few years by Republican controlled state houses; there has been no documented attempt by illegals to vote and is just another iteration of the poll tax once used to keep “Negroes” from voting. If Obama were not biracial and considered African-American there would have been no such hue and cry. We elected who we elected and have gotten what we deserve. We look like the dumb, hick, uneducated, prejudiced state the rest of the country sees us as! And unfortunately many of us are stuck living here.
middleoftheroadandtiredofit
March 4th, 2011
5:42 pm
Hey, NRBD2, your rhetoric about government not creating jobs, etc., etc., is as ill thought out as your other arguments. The Republicans, Georgians too, forced the extension of the tax cuts for the wealthy and business claiming it was necessary for these entities to have the wherewithall to create jobs. That was government intervention. And this was one of the biggest entitlement programs of all times. How much of an increase in your pay did you see? Did your company grow so that massive hiring was necessary? I didnt’ think so. But the tax cut extension did provide for outrageous bonuses and salaries and perks for people who cannot show us a single real thing they did to earn this largesse. You purposely misstate that people want to be given something for not doing anything and that is just not so. Maybe if you get “laid off” and lose everything you will have some comprehension of what is happening to millions of our fellow citizens. Through no fault of their own and with no way to fix things. And idiots like you call them moochers who don’t want to work and want handouts. And I get that we provide our birth certificates to get passports, etc. And that’s what Obama did. His certificate is just like yours and mine except from a different state. So what makes his unacceptable and makes him have to somehow come up with more proof than the rest of us, including Bush and Reagan? I don’t Huckabee, Gingrich, Brown, Romney rushing to publish their birth certificates. And Palin should be held to equal scrutiny with the President as she was born in one of the newest states. Nothing will ever satisfy you because it’s about race and people feeling they can have a different opinion than you. Your kind has put a lot of folks who are doing tremendous harm to this country and to its citizens in power. Hopefully we will take back this country before it is destroyed.
middleoftheroadandtiredofit
March 4th, 2011
5:49 pm
Hey Yllowjacket1, do you really think your background check exceeded that undergone by Obama and his wife? Of course, you don’t object. But how about the next time you go to get a driver’s license your birth certificate is demanded and someone in DMV questions it, repeatedly and repeatedly, even after the State of Georgia says it is legitimate, you don’t get a license until, say, the janitor in the DMV office says it’s legitimate. And suppose that janitor doesn’t like you so he refuses to accept your certificate. Obama has a passport, he was in state politics, has had a driver’s license for years, probably even registered with selective service. But it’s still not enough and never will be.
Sensibility
March 4th, 2011
7:49 pm
@NRBD2: “Yes, liberals really do want to “persecute” anyone who speaks out. Censorship and persecution, the liberal way.”
Sure that’s why they were against the civil rights movement, don’t support Planned Parenthood and are against a woman’s right to choose…go figure
Sensibility
March 4th, 2011
7:51 pm
@middleoftheroadandtiredofit well put my friend
Sensibility
March 4th, 2011
7:54 pm
What kills me is that “birthers” can’t be honest and admit that this all about Obama’s race. If your racist at least have the guts to admit it. Don’t hide behind phantom technicalities, take Sarah Palin’s advice and “grow a pair”
Sensibility
March 4th, 2011
7:57 pm
@Grob Spot on. The right claims they want “smaller government”, but they want to be involved in everything from telling a woman what she can do with her body, when we can drink alcohol, who we can prank call etc. It’s ridiculous!