Chris Matthews: Why Doesn't Obama Just Release The Birth Certificate?

[tombogan03884]

I'd rather see the Gov. deadlocked for the next six years than have it be productive in the manner it his been in the past...especially the past 2 years.

It is doubtful it will work that way. Between BO's veto, and the lack of courage inherent in politicians who have to rely on popularity to keep their jobs, the Republicans are unlikely to accomplish much either.
It is likely that , just like in 08 he will get Dem control of the Congress again which he will claim as a mandate. Since he is (currently ) prohibited from a 3rd term he will do as he pleases and to hell with the People or the Constitution.
What is needed is an end to the 2 party system.
A viable 3rd party would prevent any party from achieving a majority. That way they would all have to focus on real improvement rather than simply defeating the opposing party.
The only way the TEA Party would qualify is if they severed all ties to the Republicans, currently they are merely a faction with in the Rep. Party and therefore at the mercy of  the same old party leadership.

[billt]

This keeps coming up, and will not go away because the answers and explanations are not good enough. Their answers simply provide more questions. This is a lot like the Kennedy assassination. You have the "Oswald did it alone" crew. They think the conspiracy theory guys are all nuts. But they have tapes of Santo Trafficante and Sam Giancana who worked with the CIA saying "He's (Kennedy) going to be hit". They can't disprove it, so they ignore it. You have the cocktail waitress who Ruby introduced to Oswald 3 weeks before the assassination. They say she's "Lying". The 3 hobos, one who looks like E. Howard Hunt, and on and on. They have no explanation.

Fast forward to Barry Sorento, Barack Hussein Obama, or whoever the hell he calls himself now, and it's the exact same thing. Hussein can't prove a thing, so he won't say a thing. If your suspected of committing a crime, you don't talk to the cops. When almost 50% of the public thinks your a lying A-Hole of a "President", you don't talk to the press. Much like Kennedy, Hussein will go to his grave, and we won't know the answers.  Bill T.

[Tyler Durden]

As far as McCain goes, despite wherever he was born, I would think his service as a Navy pilot, and prisoner of the infamous Hanoi Hilton would guarantee some sort of citizenship status automatically.

I haven't read the books myself, but I guess Robert Heinlein wrote the Starship Troopers book(s?).  There is an often quoted line from that book:

service guarantees citizenship

In that same vein, yeah, in a way, I do wish that it was in the Constitution that the President must have served honorably in the military for X amount of time.  I mean...he is supposed to be Commander in Chief, right?  He should know first hand what it's like to be the private or corporal down in the trenches....especially before he sends them half way around the world to Third World $hitholes for whatever reasons.

[tombogan03884]

As far as McCain goes, despite wherever he was born, I would think his service as a Navy pilot, and prisoner of the infamous Hanoi Hilton would guarantee some sort of citizenship status automatically.

I haven't read the books myself, but I guess Robert Heinlein wrote the Starship Troopers book(s?).  There is an often quoted line from that book:

In that same vein, yeah, in a way, I do wish that it was in the Constitution that the President must have served honorably in the military for X amount of time.  I mean...he is supposed to be Commander in Chief, right?  He should know first hand what it's like to be the private or corporal down in the trenches....especially before he sends them half way around the world to Third World $hitholes for whatever reasons.

Yes, Heinlein wrote "Starship Troopers" (just the one book ) it's a small book, 200 pages or less and it is supposedly aimed at a juvenile audience, but the thoughts on Duty, Honor, and Citizenship make it worth reading by every one.
It should be required reading for any one who wants to hold any public office.
I agree that service should be a requirement, We have had enough Generals for President to shoot down the fear of "Military Dictatorship".
Unfortunately we can't even demand proof of citizenship from voters  let alone that politicians actually do something to earn the trust they are given.  

[Timothy]

Currently 31 Presidents have served.

Should it be a requirement?  Not for me to say but those that didn't serve aren't exactly memorable are they?

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

I'm pretty sure obama is going to be remember for a long time...

to be fair I see a huge diffrence between those that actually fought, vs those that served on some base in the states.

[Timothy]

Obama who?

[tombogan03884]

I'm pretty sure obama is going to be remember for a long time...

to be fair I see a huge diffrence between those that actually fought, vs those that served on some base in the states.

I'm pretty sure obama is going to be remember for a long time...

to be fair I see a huge diffrence between those that actually fought, vs those that served on some base in the states.

I have to disagree with you on that TAB, jimmy carter was Commander of a nuclear sub, while Nixon was a military lawyer, NH's President who was basically a do nothing place holder was a Brigadier General in the Mexican war, While John Adams was not even active in the militia,Eisenhower never saw combat either.
I would have to say that the character of the Man is more important than the position he filled.

[Timothy]

Correction Tom..

Carter was being trained to be a nuclear submarine Officer but he never commanded the SS Minnow.  He left the Navy after his daddy died, one year before the SSN 571 Nautilus was launched.

Carter is a Veteran and for that he deserves my thanks.  Since then, rather unimpressed with his accomplishments.

[tombogan03884]

jimmah was one of Rickover's fair haired boys. I read somewhere that old Hyman never forgave him for resigning.