Where Fun Comes to Die

There’s a heated discussion occurring online surrounding President-Elect Obama’s citizenship, and unfortunately it’s not got the attention of the mass media.  For me, it only speaks to the alarming trend that I noted as I was working in the Obama HQ, answering calls from around the world – that people really do have obsessive qualities.  It’s perhaps the funniest conspiracy theory that I have heard in a while, though the feeling of humor quickly turns to one of embarassment…

I had a conversation with one caller during the campaign who wanted proof of Obama’s birth by means of his birth certificate.  I directed him to our fact check page, on which a scanned version of the legitimate document was posted.  He then said, well if Obama’s father isn’t American, than neither is Obama.  I corrected him on that fact, as well as pointed out that even if Obama was born outside of the country, he would still be considered a citizen because his mother was a citizen.   He not only said he thinks that is absolutely wrong, but that even if it were the law, McCain would have an exception because he was born to military parents.  I again corrected him and stated that our nation does not have a special class of citizenry for the military.  That although definite exception has existed historically, under the law, our citizens are equal…  and the conversation turned downright silly.  I even had to make a comparison – we may not like that the speed limit is 55mph and that it’s our right as Americans to speak out against it, but we still must conform to that law.  This gentleman agreed, but still thought that in Obama’s case, regardless of the law, he should not be allowed to run for office.

Yes, embarassment…  For those that just don’t quite get it.

Thankfully the Supreme Court is not taking part in this discussion.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-over-obamas-citizenship/