Actually it wasn't my ass, it was an anti-Obama political blogging site's ass.
TaskmasterJack Send a noteboard - 17/04/2011 03:56:35 AM
Which I mistakenly assumed had squeezed an actual fact into their birther tirade. That site was trying to blame Congress for failing in it's "customary duties". It turns out however, after further research on numerous other sites, that while the Constitution is clear on various factors of eligibility for Presidency, it is rather unclear on who those proofs of eligibility should be presented to, or what action, if anything, should be taken or by whom if a President were found to violate an eligibility rule.
Some of the sites I found angrily indicated that it is the responsibility of the various Secretarys of States to each vet the candidates on their State's ballots but that almost none of them bother and just assume each candidate is eligible if they progress far enough in the nomination process.
I thought Justice Benjamin R. Curtis' comments were interesting (although they pre-date the 14th Amendment):
"The Constitution having recognized that persons born within the several States are citizens of the United States, one of four things must be true:
First. That the constitution itself has described what native-born persons shall or shall not be citizens of such State, and thereby be citizens of the United States; or,
Second:. That it has empowered Congress to do so; or,
Third. That all free persons, born within the several States, are citizens of the United States; or,
Fourth. That it is left to each State to determine what free persons, born within its limits, shall be citizens of such State, and thereby be citizens of the United States."
Apparently, there is a statutory method wherein a President-elect's eligibility may be challenged by Congress, but I found nothing about what to do for sitting Presidents.
It's all very interesting, with very few definitive answers, and I admit it was my mistake in originally only checking a single website about "proof of Presidential eligibility" before posting. It did sound like something that would be probable... like Grant being buried in Grant's tomb.
Some of the sites I found angrily indicated that it is the responsibility of the various Secretarys of States to each vet the candidates on their State's ballots but that almost none of them bother and just assume each candidate is eligible if they progress far enough in the nomination process.
I thought Justice Benjamin R. Curtis' comments were interesting (although they pre-date the 14th Amendment):
"The Constitution having recognized that persons born within the several States are citizens of the United States, one of four things must be true:
First. That the constitution itself has described what native-born persons shall or shall not be citizens of such State, and thereby be citizens of the United States; or,
Second:. That it has empowered Congress to do so; or,
Third. That all free persons, born within the several States, are citizens of the United States; or,
Fourth. That it is left to each State to determine what free persons, born within its limits, shall be citizens of such State, and thereby be citizens of the United States."
Apparently, there is a statutory method wherein a President-elect's eligibility may be challenged by Congress, but I found nothing about what to do for sitting Presidents.
It's all very interesting, with very few definitive answers, and I admit it was my mistake in originally only checking a single website about "proof of Presidential eligibility" before posting. It did sound like something that would be probable... like Grant being buried in Grant's tomb.
This message last edited by TaskmasterJack on 17/04/2011 at 03:58:58 AM
WTF arizona?
15/04/2011 04:28:19 PM
- 1942 Views
I think it's more payback than anything else, what exactly are you objecting to anyway?
15/04/2011 04:46:17 PM
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Yeah, I'm going "wait, they didn't have to do that yet?" here as well.
15/04/2011 08:40:44 PM
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It is a bit of an oversight not to have that
15/04/2011 09:41:40 PM
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that's because they're morons.
16/04/2011 03:36:54 AM
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Re: that's because they're morons.
16/04/2011 04:27:04 AM
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I wouldn't ACTUALLY hunt boars with a boar spear, but that's because I'm too little
16/04/2011 04:44:14 AM
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it's the spirit, not the letter, of the law that i have a problem with
15/04/2011 10:19:27 PM
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Surprisingly, many politicians are mean-spirited
16/04/2011 02:31:37 AM
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if any of those examples were legislated by a state house, you'd have a stronger argument....
16/04/2011 07:23:49 AM
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I believe I gave you state examples already
16/04/2011 01:55:37 PM
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I call shenanigans on Seel
15/04/2011 04:48:48 PM
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really becasue Obama has already produced enough documents to clear this bar
17/04/2011 01:04:39 AM
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The article is wrong on one key point. Obama has not produced a birth certificate
15/04/2011 04:50:21 PM
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Yes he has. Don't act like a fool.
15/04/2011 05:02:58 PM
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sorry but it is not the same so don't act like a fool
15/04/2011 06:04:19 PM
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It's clear that he was born in the US.
15/04/2011 06:54:28 PM
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Care to point out where you believe I was defending them?
15/04/2011 07:37:39 PM
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You say that Obama hasn't produced a birth certificate, when he has.
15/04/2011 07:47:54 PM
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What exactly is the difference between certificates?
16/04/2011 12:13:04 AM
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One is the origianl document and one is a certificate created when it is requested.
17/04/2011 12:44:27 AM
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Then you need be be more clear because that is not what you said.
17/04/2011 03:14:03 AM
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Presumably you want his certificate of stillbirth as well?
16/04/2011 12:59:22 PM
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thanks for your contribution. They are all important no matter how small *NM*
17/04/2011 12:50:55 AM
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thanks for your contribution. They are all important no matter how small *NM*
17/04/2011 12:50:56 AM
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I wish the birthers would stop waste everyone's time and focus on actual policies of Obama's.
15/04/2011 04:59:01 PM
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Actually
15/04/2011 06:12:41 PM
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He already has
16/04/2011 07:41:43 AM
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I'm not referring to Obama. Just anyone who wants to be anyone in the future. *NM*
16/04/2011 02:01:25 PM
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Don't we already do this?
15/04/2011 06:24:29 PM
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He did produce his Certificate of Live Birth and was approved to run for President. Case closed.
16/04/2011 11:42:05 PM
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Re: I actually find the whole thing hilarious, and I hope it continues.
16/04/2011 01:33:34 AM
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What's the problem? Show your birth certficate, problem solved. *NM*
16/04/2011 03:32:37 AM
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problem was solved awhile ago when he produced his birth certificate. what are you holding onto? *NM*
16/04/2011 07:29:39 AM
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Perhaps he's responding to the actual post, and not talking about Obama this time? *NM*
16/04/2011 12:56:50 PM
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As per the Constitution, Congress already verifies eligibility. Of each President.
16/04/2011 03:36:06 PM
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Did you mean to reply to me or to the main post? *NM*
16/04/2011 03:44:38 PM
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You. Well, the trzaska subthread in general. Although it applies to the overall topic equally. *NM*
16/04/2011 03:53:38 PM
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Which is why I would think even if this law passes it will be tossed as it should.
16/04/2011 11:44:50 PM
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Supposedly the FEC only has jurisdiction over matters of campaign finance. *NM*
17/04/2011 03:24:39 AM
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as per you pulled that out of your ass
17/04/2011 01:16:15 AM
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Actually it wasn't my ass, it was an anti-Obama political blogging site's ass.
17/04/2011 03:56:35 AM
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not only is no one in charge of making sure the president meets all the qualifications
18/04/2011 02:51:16 AM
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To make things even more fun in this thread...
18/04/2011 03:50:43 AM
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I am not a birther, but WTF makes you a nutjob for this?
18/04/2011 08:40:15 AM
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read above, he has. *NM*
18/04/2011 02:47:25 PM
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Provided a birth certificate?
18/04/2011 02:51:56 PM
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Why is a Certification of Live Birth insufficient?
18/04/2011 08:43:34 PM
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because it's easier to push a non-issue than it is to work on something constructive i guess....
19/04/2011 04:27:31 AM
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No, actually
19/04/2011 05:18:52 AM
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Since when is religion hereditary?
19/04/2011 02:57:30 PM
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Re: Since when is religion hereditary?
19/04/2011 03:10:27 PM
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Re: Since when is religion hereditary?
19/04/2011 03:32:10 PM
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I don't think it's as strong a claim as you make it out to be
19/04/2011 03:39:01 PM
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how many previous presidents have had to prove their place of birth?
19/04/2011 04:34:42 PM
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with how many has it been in doubt? *NM*
19/04/2011 05:08:18 PM
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why doubt this one beyond all others? *NM*
19/04/2011 06:45:24 PM
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people always find some reason to doubt the legitimacy of a president they don't like
19/04/2011 09:01:33 PM
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Brewer vetoes the bill!
19/04/2011 02:31:50 AM
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yay, she's not as much of a nutjob as i once thought she was!
19/04/2011 04:28:05 AM
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yes she is, don't let her fool you *NM*
19/04/2011 04:31:10 PM
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i didn't say she's not, just not as much as i thought before *NM*
19/04/2011 04:37:34 PM
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