The President may have hedged about one thing this morning. No, not about the long-form birth certificate, which he and the White House released this morning. (This is a carnival barker-free zone.) What I can't quite believe is that Mr. Obama has been "puzzled" by the "birther" conspiracy.
He has to know that African-Americans in this country have been stopped and had their papers requested since the days of slavery. The President being hounded for his birth certificate is not equivalent to Frederick Douglass having to show his "free papers," but it is reminiscent of that and more recent demands to prove who you are.
Racism in our politics is not so much a philosophy as it is a tactic. The goal? Acquire and retain power. This is what it's is all about. President Obama knows that posting his birth certificate won't change the minds of some who think he wasn't born in the United States. The so-called "Birther King" told Mother Jones' Suzy Khimm today that he's satisfied by the document, but that there are "other questions," including the President's college transcripts (thanks, Mr. Trump) and some wacky nonsense about a Black Nationalist lawyer paying for the President's college tuition. Birthers may not be convinced until the President actually stops being Black.
A viewer went hyperbolic (or maybe not?) in the comment thread earlier this morning:
Now they'll ask for the placenta, and hire a medium to channel President Obama's mother and grandmother. They will never be appeased, they will never go away, until his skin color changes and his name is Joe Smith.
Another joked:
The document is obviously fake. I could not feel a raised seal when I touched the document on the computer monitor.
We'll have much, much more on all of this tonight, on TRMS.
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I'll have to admit I was a bit confused and a lot disappointed when Obama got special permission from Hawaii to get this copy and then released it. I knew it wouldn't stop the birther BS, and I didn't see much in the way of gain for him to give into this absurdity.
Then I read a comment from another reader who pointed out that as a political thing, it's probably not a bad move. Everyone knows this won't put an end to it, but it will make the birthers look even more unhinged than they did already. Have to admit I hadn't thought of that.
Haha, Im along the same lines as you in thinking the very same thing exactly, but you're absolutely right. These guys have been presented with the final word, the closing door, of this nonsence and YET, they will ultimately proove that all along they were what we've said about them from day one. Crazy nut job and racial conpiracyists.
Everytime I think Obama has made a mistake I realize that once again he is 2 steps ahead in the game. You are absolutely right. Makes you wonder if hes got Trump out there to stir up all the birthers to help Obama out. hmmmm...time will tell.
Yeah, Trump is out there alright. And the press can't get enough of him. I suppose after all the hype and 24/7 coverage of Sheen coming "unhinged" became old news, they had to put the spotlight of someone new that's even more "unhinged". Can anyone seriously imagine this man "up in the faces" of world leaders, raising his voice and pointing his finger at them??? It's a frightful image. But, after all, he's a rich white guy. Isn't that what "real America" wants in a President? TRMS doesn't need to waste time on Mr. T.
I pity the fool who wouldn't want to see Mr. T on TRMS. Trump, on the other hand...
The birthers have long demanded the long-form certificate. We knew it was never about the President's birth certificate at all, and the birthers have proved that by, among other things, now demanding his educational records. And his finger-paintings from kindergarten, too, for all I know.
The only thing this is about is the unwillingness of some people to accept a black man and a Democrat as the legitimate POTUS. The birther nonsense gives them what they need to justify (to themselves) that rejection. As long as the desire to reject this President remains, the birthers will persist in their conspiracy theories.
And I think I'll go further and predict that when the Obama presidency ends, wingers will embark on a Stalinist-like campaign to erase it from school texts. Maybe they'll call that four or eight years the Kenyan Interregnum. Or maybe the Sharia-Socialist Usurpation. Except those have way too many syllables for the birther crowd.
They have a right to free speach and we have a right to stop listening when it goes on and on and....It's a need for attention and a distraction from the real issues. Turn them off.
Thank you Terry, I agree 100% turn them off....
Terry: you are so right- turned them off. Than have a good laugh at their expense. Did you all know that Trump- means breaking wind, in the UK?
I knew that a long time ago, and I've been laughing a lot more since it was disclosed on national tv. Imagine Pres. Trump ???? God help us all from that group, known as the " mindless zombies ". Headed by the trumpeter!!
I agree whole heartedly that turn them off is the answer. I have never watched Mr.Trump's non-reality show, nor shall I ever. I will also castigate every journalist I am able to contact and let them know that I feel at least half of the brouhaha surrounding this indignity is media endorsed, fed by journalists. How can they be so hungry for stories when the world is crashing down around our heads and all they can do is further the cause of racism under the synonym of "birthers"?I plan to contact NBC Entertainment about keeping the guy on the air and all of the journalists and news programs I can find and give 'em hell!
I agree with turn them off, however, there are people (I'll be nice here and not refer to them by anything other than people) who listen and believe all of this garbage hook, line and sinker. It is certainly not in America's best interest to tear apart our President, or for that matter to allow him to be torn down. Our President, whether or not we like his policies or politics, is an institution the American people need to protect. It is our system of government that keeps us free. If we have learned anything from the recent uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, et al. it is that freedom is not free and that one slip with putting the wrong goomba in the President's seat is to say good-bye to liberty. So, I submit, do not entertain the opportunist intent on tearing down our President, protect our President. You cannot combat stupidity simply by ignoring it.
Khristine, funny, did you feel that way when Bush was president? That we should protect our president?
Trump got his certificate, now Buchanan wants Obama's grades, Fox and Friends will be asking for medical records, including but not limited to, Michelle Obama's test results from the pap smear she received at Walmart.
Obama is actually a robot from the Deathstar, so hopefully somebody in his cabinet can make up report cards and Walmart pap smear results.
I read somewhere that Buchanan attributed Obama's success to affirmative action. Nothing will shut these people up, no matter what documents are provided. They'll just find something else to try and illegitamize the President. I'm glad we're at a moment in history where a black man is elected President, but it also highlights that racism and ignorance is still very much alive in this country. It's just worded in a way that makes it less obvious (to them). He's a black man with a funny (OMG MUSLIM!!!) sounding name.
funny about the "muslim sounding" name, though....he's a scientologist (tongue firmly in cheek)
That was brilliant! Lol
I believe this was a strategic move on Obama's part. The GOP leadership has been trying to keep the birthers in their ranks quiet for quite some time, because they know most swing voters think the issue is ridiculous. Now that he's released the certificate, the tea partiers in congress will have to either capitulate, losing them standing with their base, or double down on the idiocy. This will push the wedge between the republican leadership, who just want this to go away, and the tea party faction even deeper. He knows he'll crush Trump in an election, perhaps this was his way of making Trump seem even better to the right wing extreme base, possibly helping him win a primary or two.
Trump attempted Sewer Side
Took Republicans for a ride
On the back of silly Birthers,
Sarah Palin, and the Flat Earthers.
I love that poem!. I must remember. Hey, get that copyright! I've got a feeling we just might have to use it again!
there is not a thing that the president doesn't understand about any of this, but what is he supposed to say "these people are rascists, it is beneath me to respond" he's doing all he can do by simply exposing them unequivocally as the haters they are. so now he can move on with all reasonable people knowing full well that he did what he could. and that donald trump is an attention whore who will say anything to get press. can this be over now.
I think Andy Borowitz nailed it:
"In a stunning announcement that took even political insiders by surprise, President Barack Obama revealed today that he ran for President of Kenya in 2005 but was disqualified when a birth certificate surfaced showing he was born in the United States."
I would like to retroactively request GW's high school grade reports and diploma based upon an advanced level of idiocy.
has anyone ever shown GW's sign in for the air national guard? Dems should petition for the 2000 ballots be made public access and stored at the LoC for public viewing. On a side note what was condi rice doin on 30rock the other nite? NBC is paying trump + paying condi rice is this the public face of the comcast takover- boosters for the republicans?
Oh, I think Obama WANTS Birtherism in the news. It's a win for him. Anyone stupid and hateful enough to entertain Birther ideas isn't going to vote for Obama anyway, ever. However, MANY people who can see Birthers are crazy might consider voting for Obama's opponent rather than Obama, for other reasons.
By keeping Birtherism going (ie by treating it as somehow more serious than claiming the Earth is flat), Obama forces major Republican politicians to publicly choose sides - between Birther crazy, or rational thought. Republican candidates who publicly disavow Birtherism offend the Birthers, and risk losing a good chunk of voters in the critical primaries. But those who embrace (or even tolerate) Birtherism can be painted as allied with lunatics and rejecting common sense and proven facts come the real race in 2012. And wedging open the "crazy Birther" door on some GOP candidate opens up the door to publicly doubting other obviously irrational right-wing thought... be it climate change denial, gold standard, Creationism, whatever. Getting GOP candidates to embrace Birtherism and then calling them "carnival barkers" lets Obama move the Overton Window on a whole host of issues that shouldn't be taken seriously by any thinking person.
People on right and left both keep forgetting that Obama is much, much smarter, more experienced, and better advised than they are. If you don't understand why he's doing something, instead of assuming he's an idiot, try figuring out WHY he's doing it.
You are so right Dave, well said. :o)
How long before NBC gets dragged into this? It starts to make them look bad, like the Charlie Sheen fiasco. Is Trump family friendly and inclusive like all Networks strive to be? Trump will smear the reputation of the Network and all the Celebrities who ever appeared on Apprentice. I could see Marlie Matlin and Cyndi Lauper backing away from their connections to the Apprentice soon. Yeesh, who would want to be associated with this guy???
I hope people start writing to NBC, get this racist loonatic off the air!!!
Totally agree!
Lawrence O'Donnell just gave a commentary on this calling out NBC Entertainment executives to tell us if Apprentice is going to be renewed or not or that they should fire him.
This was never about his birth certificate. I am glad he did this although I think it is a shame that he had to take time out of his day to even consider doing it.
He didn't...but the staffer he sent had to give up a day of real work to go to Hawaii. It's positively shameful. I hope the above posters are right in that this could have serious negative ramifications for the Tea Party.
With long form in hand, the birthers will stand, and admit not defeat, but redouble demands.
They'll not listen to reason, nor cease from their season, of negative libel, or thumping their bible.
I want to see Scott Walker's college transcripts. Oh wait, nevermind, he never graduated.
Well, Palin probably has enough transcripts for both of them. :)
While the racism is ugly, it's enlightening and kind of empowering to see how desperate they are to deligitimize Obama. Maybe Obama should throw this back in their face during his campaign for 2012...? He has been taking the weight of the country on his shoulders while these guys are squabling about conspiracy theories. I wonder how many voters are sick of the nonsense... it'll be interesting to see how the opinion polls change on this whole birther issue.
Why does anyone care about his grades? Geesh!
Now that Trump is taking credit for Pres. Obama releasing his long-birth certificate, he now wants transcripts, as several on MSNBC have said they would like to see them as well to see "what courses he took".
We all know that the BC issue is an Obama being "black" issue, as is his grades and entry into college and law school under "Affirmative Action!" His accomplishments at Harvard are being marginalized obviously becase Pres. Obama is black."
They also say nothing about the 12 years he taught at the Univirsity of Chicago Law School, one of the top 10 in the country, and claim he has never worked in the private sector.
"The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer."
From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers has high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.
"The Law School has received many media requests about Barrack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer."
From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers has high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined."
George W. Bush was a C- graduate of Yale, where he got into college on "Affirmative Action for the Rich". Then he was admitted to Harvard Graduate School of Business under "Affirmative Action for the Rich" as NO ONE usually is admitted to any graduate school with those grades, much less Harvard. I wantr to see George Bush's Harvard grades. I have been trying to see them for 10 years. By the way, lets see Donald Trumps grades as well!
The interview with Trump made me ill. He said he is "honored" to be the one to get President Obama to release his birth certificate. But, Trump still wants to view it and have people look at it to make sure it's okay. ARRRGH.
Didn't Trump--just hours ago--claim that the birth certificate was MISSING??? What a tool.
Trump is honored and proud to be the 2011 poster boy for the League of White Supremacy.
President Obama of course is not actually puzzled by the "birther" questions. But by saying he is, he forces everyone else to come to terms on their own with the fact that it is simply racism cloaked as conspiracy theory. And those that do not come to terms with it but rather find new things, like college admission, to question, do, like Haddie Nuff said above, make themselves look even more unhinged.
Now, where are Trump's Tax Returns...he told George Stephanopoulos that if Obama released his long form birth certificate, he'd release his tax returns....WHERE ARE THEY TRUMP?
Way to go, BookEmDano! I'd forgotten that. Let's keep up the demand! Tax returns bound to be more interesting than the birth certificate!
I'd always said they wouldn't be satisfied until they had a photo of Obama's mother in childbirth at a Don Ho concert on top of Diamondhead. Unfortunately, I still haven't been able to work the Arizona Memorial in there yet.
I'm just embarrassed that the President of our nation was forced to wave his birth certificate in the air in front of the press corps to begin with. You want something that makes us a laughingstock in the world? There you go.
Absolutely right...it amazes me that there are those in our country who want to make us the laughingstock of the world. GWB made us look ignorant, now these freaks make us look like fools! Along with our Congress, no one will trust us as being powerful and competent for a long while.
Nah. They'd only claim it was photoshopped.
If Orly Taitz was given a ride in the Tardis to witness the birth personally, she'd then argue that the Doctor was part of the conspiracy.
Ooooo gislebertus! You forgot to add the bit of giving birth during a luau!
RACHEL!
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8494
Nicole Sandler was arrested at a town hall with Allen West after asking a follow up question for Medicare!
Rachel! I'm jumping up and down, waving my arms, telling you that a Progressive Radio host was arresting in her Florida district for asking the same questions others have asked their Republican Congressman!
Rachel! Can you hear me? After 100's and 1000's of people heckled Democrat's during the health care debate, someone who lives in Allen West district was handcuffed and taken to jail for trying to ask more than one question.
RACHEL! Is anybody out there? Allen West, a Republican Congressman who swore to defend the First Amendment and believes in smaller government, tweeted this:
"These town hall hecklers will continue to be removed if they try and cause problems. They can try all they want- they will lose everytime."
RACHEL! Can't your people put Nicole on your show tonight?
Much more interesting and scary than birthers who get all the publicity.
We need to know what and why this happened and what are out officials going to do to help Nicole Sandler!
oooh boy, it seems they infringed on her rights to speech, they shouldve just kicked her out if she was loud, but to arrest her and put her in jail. ooh no.
i personnaly think they dun goofed.
"Birthers may not be convinced until the President actually stops being Black."
people use what they can to gain leverage. sadly racism is a factor. the fact that it seems so pertinent to some overwhelms me altogether, considering the seriousness of our pressing global problems???
This whole thing is such a joke and it seems the brunt of the joke is the joker Trump!
He is a fake, fraud, phoney bully. Have you folks noticed how he handles questions from the news or from reporters? He interrupts, spews his lies and then interrupts more.
OHHH I forgot RUDE in my description of Trumpo!
I hope that our President will forgo the usual roasting and congratulatory tone of this year's White House Correspondent's Dinner. Frankly, the media does not deserve to be honored by the nation. President Obama should instead use that time to reflect on how their quest for higher ratings is distracting us from issues that really matter and preventing any real progress from being made.
I do think it was the right move for the President...in his speech, he absolutely sounded like the voice of reason and anyone who now raises these ridiculous questions are made to look like the "carnival barkers" that they absolutely are. And yes, sadly, there is deep racism at the core of all of this disrespect and desire to de-legitimize this President. Anyone who denies this has their head in the sand. With Trump it's not even thinly veiled. With his inane remarks about the President's schools he might as well be saying "we have an affirmative action President." History is on the side of this President and history will not be kind to these idiots. They cheapen our entire political discourse.