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Perception is a funny thing

By: Ian Johnson Posted: 07/26/09 9:21pm

Public perception is kind of a weird thing. A lot of the time, what is true and what people think are true are not the same. And if you get some people who are crazy enough, they’ll occasionally try to fight for an issue that doesn’t really exist.

That’s what happened at a press conference held by Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del, when some idiot interrupted the conference and questioned why the congressman was ignoring a claim that President Barack Obama wasn’t born in the United States. It’s on YouTube and I recommend you go check it out. It’s hilarious in a really sad way.

This woman — who the crowd seemed to support — actually believes that Obama doesn’t have a U.S. birth certificate and brought her own to help make her point. Either that or it was so authorities could identify her easier.

It seems like this perception is a layover from the election, when Obama’s heritage played a significant role in the campaign. For some reason, enough people are getting the impression he not only is descendent from Africa, but he was probably born there, too. Then, when people tell them to shut up, the “birthers” — which are strikingly similar to the Sep. 11 “truthers” — act like they’re being suppressed.
It’s not like people aren’t paying attention to your argument because they want to keep it quiet, they’re just ignoring it because it’s stupid and wrong.

I don’t know if it’s because he’s black — I hope to God it’s not — or if people just don’t like his politics, but the fact that this issue exists is baffling. Since he has a valid birth certificate, I think it’s safe to say they’re making this claim based on absolutely no evidence.

I’m going to count people like this as reason No. 65,275 why nothing ever gets done in this country.

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Commentary:

mike

07/26/09 9:47pm

On January 21st, 2009, Obama’s very first day in office, Barack Obama implemented and signed into law Executive Order 13489.

Here is what it said (qoute, unqoute)

“Sec.2

Notice Of Intent To Disclose Presidential Records

When the Archivist provides notice to the incumbent and former Presidents of his intent to disclose Presidential records pursuant to section 1270.46 of the NARA regulations, the Archivist, using any guidelines providied by the incumbent and former Presidents, shall identify any specific materials, the disclosure of which he believes may raise a substantial question of executive privilege.”

Seems a little odd doesn’t it?

I am finding that he has gone to great lengths to hide his information.

Also, per Hawaii the Short Form Certification of Birth cannot be used legally to establish if someone was actually born in Hawaii because only the Long Form Certificate of Birth will show whether the person was born in Hawaii, adopted, or born Abroad.

...

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Do your research next time

07/26/09 11:23pm

Let me begin by saying that I love conservative conspiracy theorists. They are the most fun to deal with.

Ok, let’s start. Executive Order 14389 amends the Presidential Records Act of 1978. The PRA changes the ownership of “Presidential Records” from the President to the government, making them essentially public.

Why the hell would they want to do that?

...

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Captain Steve

07/27/09 9:36am

Count “people” like you as number one reason things are messed up! I say people, because you are not a journalist. Do a bit of research before you spout off.

For the zillionth time, the COLB aka short-form is available to children other than just those born in Hawaii. Say for example that a Hawaiian parent adopts a child from China, the short-form would say Hawaii.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, even if he was born in Hawaii, that does not definitively establish “natural-born” citizenship.

OBAMA, STOP HIDING. SHOW US THE LONG FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!!!! Let’s have the transparency you promised!

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Randolph

07/27/09 7:40pm

I’m sure this won’t change conspiracy theorists’ minds, but for everyone else, read this.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/jun/27/obamas-birth-certificate-part-ii/

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Bill

07/28/09 1:16pm

Why does this matter

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Brilliant opinion by the NYTimes

07/28/09 8:43pm

http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/henry-louis-gates-deja-vu-all-over-again/

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RE Bill

07/30/09 9:02am

It doesnt matter since its crazy.

BUT,

If it were true, it matters because that would mean he couldn’t be president. One requirement for becoming the US President is to be born in the United States.

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Populista

07/30/09 11:45am

This is exactly what they wanted to happen when they gutted the US public education system. Oy vey.

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Tim

08/03/09 1:23pm

Captain Steve-
OBAMA, STOP HIDING. SHOW US THE LONG FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!!!! Let’s have the transparency you promised!

When did Obama promise transparency regarding his personal medical records?
Why should he respond to ridiculous accusations like yours and reveal personal information in the process? Next a woman comes out of the woodwork and claims Obama is the father of her kid and you will demand he provide a DNA sample.

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