You didn’t offend me. I just thought it was broad-brushing it. There are fiscal Republicans and as well as social Republicans; and though the more conservative Republicans prefer the fiscal and social to be found in the same person, they realize that is not always the case and you can have a social Republican who believes in big spending or a fiscal Republican who believes abortion is ok.

The Honolulu papers do put a major dent in the “he’s not born in Hawaii” theory. And it’s made me reconsider my position. Again, my frustration is more with the lack of proper vetting.

No rift at all, my friend. I’m not much of a person who likes “surface” talk or “small” talk as some people call it. If we’re going to dialog let’s make it relevant and interesting and below the “surface”.

So I’m still having fun.

And I laughed for a good 30 seconds at your comment about being ushers at a gay wedding. That was much needed the day I read it.

From your 5th paragraph, I presume that I’ve offended you, and if that is the case I sincerely apologize. I was referring to outspoken people such as Limbaugh, Tancredo, etc. Statements about Obama “pandering to the blacks” and having been “elected by people who can’t even pronounce the word ‘Vote’” and advocating a “literacy test” at the polls (that last term has a lot of history behind it). Also Palin refusing to speak out against the guy at one of her rallies last summer who yelled “kill him!” and others who made similar statements. And especially those who have told the media that they openly pray for his death. But I was not meaning to imply that all conservatives are racist or violent. I’ll admit I don’t have many conversations with conservatives, though I’ve yet to hear any of them take umbrage with any of the stuff I mentioned above. But I’ll certainly admit that your party is much larger than those individuals. And that those individuals I mentioned have views in other areas as well – therefore it’s possible for someone to support them in general, either without agreeing with, or without being aware of, the things I cited above.

I am also weary of seeing various posters on sites such as newspaper websites, digg.com, etc. using the term “Osambo”. In contrast, “Ostupid” or something would be one thing, but of course “sambo” is a racist term. It would also be difficult to honestly deny that those who stress his middle name are doing so with an anti-Arab or anti-Muslim bent. But again, I recognize that these are just some random crazies on the internet, which the left certainly also has its share of, and doesn’t imply anything at all about conservatives in general.

I see Obama’s dilemma. If it’s true he was born in Hawaii, then to give any type of panel to view/scrutinize the certificate gives credence that maybe it’s not real. But it’s a big enough issue that an independent panel of forgery experts could simply see the original document and offer judgment.

As for Palin’s son Trig, he was born April 18, 2008. When Bristol, Sarah’s oldest daughter, gave birth on December 27, 2008 to her son it pretty much settled the issue for most people. However, if there is still concern and Palin hasn’t produced it, then she should.

I’m not sure what would happen if he wasn’t born in Hawaii. It’s not about getting a “better” person in there. There’s no chance a “conservative” would replace him and I’m not sure who would be elected/chosen. The point is following what the constitution says. If we are going to toss out a part of the constitution, then there’s no point in having a constitution.

I would have to disagree with your last paragraph in that the recent gubernatorial elections and the senate race in Massachusetts seem to indicate otherwise. The left and the far left might believe that–I don’t know, I hadn’t heard about violence or racism party-wise–but the independents and even some Democrats clearly don’t OR the independents and some Democrats at least don’t care and are willing to still vote for Republicans. Plus, to broad-brush all conservatives with those terms seems a little harsh. It’d be like me saying all liberals are socialistic, baby-killing, extremists.

Besides, even if it were shown at this point that he weren’t a citizen…then what? President Biden? Hillary? Wouldn’t they just take pretty much the same actions as Obama is? So…trying to imagine myself in a conservative’s shoes here, what’s the point? I think the president of the USA should focus on governing, not on jumping through whatever endless series of hoops an angry fringe group demands.

Again putting on my “pretend I’m a conservative” shoes, I think the smarter move for your party would be to focus on your main pillar of small gov’t and fiscal responsibility, but to also show you’re willing to play ball. That will draw people from the center. Wasting time on fringe issues, open racism, and threats of violence will only make the conservatives be viewed as foolish by the independents. I’m of course not alleging that every conservative is racist or violent or petty, and am absolutely not suggesting that you are any of those things. But in general the conservative party is viewed from the outside as moving in that direction. I may be a staunch liberal, but I also strongly favor the idea of having more than two viable parties. As much as I consider most of the conservative platform to be naive or downright unethical, I don’t want to see that party disappear.

First, he won’t simply produce it. Seriously, just bring the thing out in public and let us see it.

Second, an internet “scan” won’t do in this day and age of Photoshop. If you or I could Photoshop a birth certificate, then I’m sure any politician with enough power and money could get a really good one done to put on the internet.

Third, it was possible in 1961 to register foreign births in the state of Hawaii. That in itself is concerning.

Fourth, two of Obama’s blood relatives have stated they witnessed his birth in Kenya, the country his father was from.

Fifth, and it’s a little off point, but it’s annoying when Sarah Palin is questioned as to whether Trig is her son and so she simply produces the birth certificate and lets the media see it, but when President Obama is questioned about his birth certificate he doesn’t produce it. (Has he even produced it yet publicly?)

Six, the media jumped all over Palin in regards to Trig but the media remained largely silent over President Obama’s birth certificate. Their silence allowed much of the intrigue on this issue to gain momentum. Why wouldn’t they cover it? Why wouldn’t they ask him questions about it? This just fueled the fire.

So there are too many unanswered questions for me at this point.