Far be it from me to impugn the character of someone who volunteers to serve their country's armed forces -- especially during a time of war. But the judgment of U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Stefan Frederick Cook is fair game for questioning after he announced he wasn't going to fulfill his commitment to serve in Afghanistan because, now get this, he believes Barack Obama was never eligible to be president of the United States. ...
Cook, a reserve officer who volunteered for active duty, is standing with a group of folks, led by political gadfly Alan Keyes, who believes that Obama is not a "natural born citizen" as is required in the U.S. Constitution. Keyes filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of Obama's presidency.
Few are taking the Keyes legal action seriously. In December, the Supreme Court dismissed without comment a similar case challenging Obama's right to take the oath of office. But the weakness of any legal argument aside, I wonder why Cook would use such a flimsy rationale to avoid going to Afghanistan.
Cook volunteered to serve in May, according to a report in the Huffington Post, and the reason for his change of heart is unknown. I would think that anyone willing to put their life on the line for their country would do so for reasons that go a lot deeper than where the president was born (Hawaii, not Kenya).
I'd like to think that all of those soldiers ducking bullets and roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan would still serve even if they found out the president was born on a spaceship.
Don't feelings of patriotism and duty to country trump a president's birth certificate?
But seriously, let's get past this already. The man was born in Hawaii!
_________________
Paul Shepard blogs the Democrat side of politics for Black Voices. He has been a journalist for 16 years on the national urban/minority affairs beat for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and for AP in Washington. He now runs his own public affairs firm, Shepard Strategic Communications.
Comments: (38)
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By: Alexis on 7/16/2009 6:37PM
I am active duty military as well (US Coast Guard). Who my president is has nothing to do with how I will serve my country because the fact that I love my country and want to represent it and all Americans is why I joined.
As for this soldier, who is he to suggest that everyone else are idiots? Surely he's thought about and realized the DNC thoroughly checked Obama to make sure he could run for office. How about all those for McCain? Does this guy not realize a large percentage of them probably checked as well? With all that was going on between the Clintons and Obama during the primary, it should be obvious the Clintons checked.
Oh yeah-- I guess we should forget all of the stories/reports on his history that prove he's from Hawaii. Or maybe this guy doesn't realize Hawaii is an American state.
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By: marianne on 7/21/2009 7:30PM
When you get captured and your wonderful white/Arab Prez is nothing but a civilian. who will protect you from your captives? you will be nothing but a mercernary,think about that? Yo better aak questions now as you are not the oly one who loves America,
Cherokee woman
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By: jabalie on 7/16/2009 8:18PM
This idiot is suposssed to be court marshalled/ what is the hold up?
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By: Ray on 7/16/2009 10:48PM
The question you should all be asking yourselves is... Why won't obama just show his long form birth certificate and end it all? Why did he have his collage transcrips sealed? Your responce is "well somebody must have checked him out". YOU need to check him out!! What is he hiding? Don't YOU want to know?
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By: WTFWJD on 7/17/2009 11:07AM
this is the easiest thing to prove. You don't spent almost $1M (most likely your campaign donations) and lawsuits in 13 (at last count) states if you have nothing to hide.
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By: mebedebbie on 7/20/2009 10:52PM
I have done alot of research and there is no official birth certificate, only ones that were not from the recorder's office. Also, why would anyone keep their college transcripts sealed? Especially a proud black man that has told of his rough time, but finally taking the right path and becoming a community organizer (whatever that is). Also, he has not allowed his medical records revealed. Every other president has had to allow all of their records to be reviewed. Why is Obama any different, unless he has something to hide. Think about it, he runs with some bad people, stayed at a racist church for 20 years and now he's taking advantage of our taxpayer dollars while he has the chance to fly all over the place taking Michelle on dates. Now he flew to Europe an while he took Air Force One back home, Michelle, their 2 daughters and her mother took another Government 757 to Paris and London to do some shopping! Along with that, the people in London said their were many limosines, secret service following them and you know how long it takes and how much it costs for secret service to scout out every place the president goes. I also thought it was not fair to the taxpayers that he had Air Force One stop over and pick up Willy Mays for his flight to St. Louis for the All Star game...what a waste of our taxpayer money. Like we have so much to give. He is playing up the big man while he has his 4 years and is going to whoop it up with every big wig he can meet. He has to do it now, because in 4 years, he'll be another former president and won't be in the limelight. But it is ridiculous that he is spending money right and left to take trips for town hall meetings and dates with Michelle. What really cracks me up is he refused to do town hall meetings with McCain when they were campaigning...now that he's the president, he's decided he likes the town halls, because it gets him out of the White House. Like he said they get tired of being cooped up in the White House and can't just sneak out and go somewhere like they used to. Well, News Flash, Obama, you wanted the Presidency and you got it, so live with it!
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By: Leroy on 7/16/2009 9:46PM
You are absolutely right. Why won't he put his cards on the table??? What is he hiding?? Why don't people want to know the truth? This country is going downhill FAST.
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By: Aunt Jemima on 7/16/2009 9:49PM
This president is a fake!! Do your homework.
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By: Truth on 7/17/2009 9:47PM
Stay off of Fox Nation and YOU do your homework. I guess the whole U.S. was duped by this black man. The NSA, the CIA, the FBI, the previous administration because of course you know they wouldn't let a muslim, black man who kicks it with terrorists be elected to run the country. All of these people with all of their intelligence, technology and clout I guess were fool by this one black man. Well hell if thats the case he is the man I want for president because he is the smartest man ALIVE.
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By: Sandy on 7/19/2009 4:19PM
You are an IDIOT and a COWARD to use such a fake screen name. Use your real name if you are going to plead your case. If not, shut the hell up and go live in another country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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