According to the “birther” people, he was born in Kenya. They allege that as Obama was born outside of the US, he is not a “natural born citizen” eligible for the presidency. They also contend that Obama’s birth certificate showing that he was born in Hawaii is a fake.
Although these claims have been debunked, the doubters still believe that Obama is an illegal president. These claims made their rounds again last week, and received a lot of play and discussion in the media. It was partly brought about by the video clip of a town hall meeting held by Representative Mike Castle, a Delaware Republican.
A woman held up her own birth certificate in a clear plastic bag and shouted that Obama was born in Kenya. When Castle responded that Obama “is a citizen of the United States”, he was booed by the audience. I find the clip quite amusing, listening to the woman’s conviction. At one point, she shouted: “I want my country back!” One might ask, from what, lady? ( Watch it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1nmn2zRMc )
Some politicians seem to be agreeing with, or are listening to, the birthers. Ten Republican members of Congress co-sponsored a bill that would require presidential candidates to provide a copy of their birth certificate.
What I find puzzling is that I’m sure the birthers and the Congressmen are aware that the US government has its own intensive process of vetting presidential candidates. The Secret Service, FBI, the legal department and all the authorities have the means to search, verify and analysis every document and every lead, anywhere in the world. And, remember, Obama was a presidential candidate when the Republicans were in power. So, I’m sure they would not leave anything unchecked.
I suppose, as many people say, the birthers have chosen to believe that Obama is an illegal president, and no evidence will change their minds. And this is happening in one of the most advanced, high-tech countries in the world, in the 21st century. Strange, but true.
Building Bridges 
Don’t think for a moment that the “birthers” really believe what they are saying. It’s a typical neo-con tactic: distract from the real issues by any means possible. There will always be enough idiots around to chant their slogans. Truth, facts, data are irrelevant in their scenario.
The resurgence of their silliness now coincides with two great issues on which the republicans have nothing to offer: Health care reform and the nomination of Justice Sotomayor. They have already said openly and plainly that their role in both is simply to delay and obstruct.
Thanks for the comment. Apart from the distraction tactic, I think many of the birthers, the man in the street, believe in their claims. Here’s an interesting look at their motivation:
http://www.alternet.org/rights/141587/racism_is_the_prime_cause_for_debunked_obama_birth_certificate_conspiracy_theory/?page=entire
I wonder if the birthers would have been so adamant and active in pursuing this issue if Obama had not been dark skinned and his father would have been from France, for example, rather than from Kenya.
Hi Rana. Thanks for the comment. You’ve raised a very pertinent question, and a sad commentary on how some people still view others who look different from them.