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Army to Court Martial Birther Army Officer for Refusing Orders
Lt. Col. Terry Lakin has refused to report to Fort Campbell, Ky., for deployment to Afghanistan. Instead, he went to the Pentagon.
Lt. Col. Larkin was immediately reassigned to Walter Reed Medical Hospital while his case is being investigated.
The colonel does not recognize the authority of President Obama as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, believing President Obama to be a foreign national.
During the two years of campaigning by then Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. for the office of President of the United States, beginning in 2006, the claim that he was not an American citizen has been promoted by certain sectors of the American populous.
Those adhering to this belief have come to be known as birthers.
The birthers are not united on what is the alternative nationality of President Obama. Some claim he was born in Kenya, the homeland of his father, Barack Hussein Sr., his American mother being unable to bestow citizenship to her son due to her age.
Another twist to the birther challenge makes the claim the President is a British citizen, since at the time of his birth, his father's homeland, Kenya, was not an independent nation. It was still a British colony.
Yet another twist involves the time period President Obama resided in Indonesia with his mother and stepfather during his childhood, claiming his inability to claim both Indonesian and American citizenship.
Larkin is a "birther," a person who believes Obama is not native-born and therefore is ineligible to be president. Hawaii officials have repeatedly issued statements that Obama was born in the state and that the Health Department holds a copy of his original birth certificate. A copy of the document has been made available on the Internet.
Crowd Power
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Karen Hatter
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Recommendations (38)
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Mary Richard
Toronto, Canada -
YankeeJim
Arlington, Virginia, United States -
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huntsville, Alabama, United States -
Jordan Yerman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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stejeb
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Barry ORegan
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Roberto Alvarez-Galloso
Miami, Florida, United States -
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States




Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (28)
at 09:35 on April 15th, 2010
If this is such a big issue with them, perhaps it should have been brought to a head before he won the presidency? But then, I think they thought he'd never win.
We are in a global world, in any case, so none of this means what it once might have. Even so, this issue seems oddly symbolic to me.
Were they really so concerned with the ideal of the old Jeffersonian Republic, it would seem to me that George W would have struck them as the ultimate usurper and enemy: Waging wars in far flung corners of the globe for vast, international corporate interests. Foreign to the founding fathers.
So why Obama? Not his race, god forbid? Why, then , does he seem so foreign to them....?
at 10:06 on April 15th, 2010
All good points and questions, Susan.
I stated previously at another thread, now that the election has occurred with the majority of Americans electing Barack Obama president, with him racking up more than the necessary 270 electoral votes, over 300, what we now are faced with is an attempt to rescind/recall/overthrow the 2008 presidential election.
A few elected individuals of the Republican Party have stated their disagreement with the birthers, while some elected Republican Party members, while saying THEY don't subscribe to birtherism, give lip service that the birthers' quest is a valid one.
Some like Rep. Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota have embraced the birther cause.
I've been waiting for those conservatives, Libertarians and Republicans that do NOT adhere to birtherism, since these groups have the most among their ranks believing the birther nonsense, to speak and address attempts by this minority group among the populous to overthrow the elected President of the United States, trying to use the court system to do so.
So far, not a peep from any of them denouncing this tactic.
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Stoney Stonehenge (not verified)at 14:05 on April 15th, 2010
It, like the 'Constitution' and 'Big Government' is a smoke screen. Obama blocked the Republican dirty tricks of decimating the voting rolls via preemptive strikes in the courts {Remember Republican dirty tricks of 2000 and 2004. 2004 included arbitrarily discarding all votes from military folks serving overseas-so much for honoring the troops}.For some of them the color of Obama's skin is a minor factor. No, the Republicans are effectively terminally in their 'terrible two's.' If they can't be in the 'driver's seat' then they'll make sure the vehicle is outside the 'fog lines' as much as possible. They've gotten the nickname Rethugnicans for good reason.'W' broke damn near every law on the books and used the Constitution for toilet paper and the Birthers and Tea Partiers cheered. They demonstrated the US was no better than some third world tin pot dictator concerning law and torture-and still they cheered.For the Republicans the Democratic annex of the Republican Party IS the enemy and must be fought at any cost. Even if it means the destruction of the country itself.I've observed for years that if Clinton did 1/50 of what 'W' did the Republicans would have grabbed a rope and the nearest tree. What Republican do is just fine-as its sanctioned by God Hisself {Heavenly music}.Neither political party gives a tinker's damn about the Constitution they've sworn to uphold and defend. They're interested in power, position, and their dumb ass childish games.
at 10:25 on April 15th, 2010
I think that the Lt. Col believes what he is saying and challenging to be true. If the issue has not been sufficiently wrestled to the ground by now, it should have been.
What if it were discovered that Obama was born in Tanzania and was whisked away to Hawaii with his American Mother (not that I believe that is the case), but what if?
Frankly, I don't think that it makes any difference. What if Americans decided in this global world, that they want to elect someone born somewhere else? Well, a Constiutitional change would be in order.
I think there are probably many shades of grey along the spectrum of circumstances. One day, it won't be so black and white (no pun intended).
at 10:44 on April 15th, 2010
Oh, I know, Jim, he is sincere in his pursuit, as sincere as some of the others not lost in your pun, black versus white.
The problem is, we ALL know how much i.d. is required to do ANYTHING here in the States. I had to show three proofs of i.d. and residency to get a library card at my neighborhood library!
How in the world could Barack Obama just show up to run for President of the United States without presenting documentation to represent who he was?
at 11:16 on April 15th, 2010
I would agree with Yankee Jim: If it were to be proven (and this is unlikely, as you point out, KH, about how would he have escaped detection when running for presidency?) , but if it were to be proven, it is more likely that the constitution would be amended to accomodate him, than that he would be ousted. This Birther mania seems to be so much denial ("there MUST be a loophole, we cannot really have let him win!") and nostalgia (he is biracial, global, postmodern; he is the usurper, the destroyer of the good old days, though they vanished long, long ago....)....
at 11:42 on April 15th, 2010
Now, now, Susan! Bite your tongue!
Can you imagine what would break out in the most highly implausible and unlikely scenario IF there WERE to be an attempt at accommodating the PROVEN to be alien, foreigner, anti-Christ, usurper U.S. President, AMENDING THE U.S CONSTITUTION, after the tenacious fight the birthers have waged to unseat him?
There would indeed be a SECOND Civil War!
at 13:38 on April 15th, 2010
The controversy about Obama's birth place is unlikely to die down without convincing proof that he was born in the United States of America and is constitutionally eligible to hold the highest office of the land.How it can be done,it is upto Obama and his administration?Why not advertise the proof that he was born,was born,was born in the United States of America and put the speculations or doubts to rest.
Refusal on the part of the birthers,serving the armed forces,is a serious matter,court martial of one or two officers won't put an end to this controversial issue.
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Tyler Tork (not verified)at 14:10 on April 15th, 2010
The proof has already been published; in fact it's in the video at the top of this page. But people who want to believe what they want to believe, will believe it in the face of any evidence.A valid birth certificate is accepted as proof for all other purposes. It's unreasonable to expect better proof than this; how is anyone to know at the time of their child's birth, that there might at some point in the future be people so stupidly desperate to believe he's not a native-born citizen, as to require collecting and preserving extraordinary amounts of evidence? The case has been proven as well as we can ever reasonably expect it to be.Furthermore, it is not incumbent upon the office holder to prove these things. It's for the challengers to prove their case. Since they haven't managed to do so in all this time, they really should shut up and accept the will of the American people.
at 14:40 on April 15th, 2010
Tyler Tork,I overlooked that video on the top.You are right that those who are hell bent on not accepting truth,would never accept it while knowing that it is truth.
I have a hunch that there could be a deep seated conspiracy at the back of this controversy ,which must be unearthed and exposed.
at 16:52 on April 15th, 2010
At this juncture, TT (Not Verified), nothing short of film that shows, in full detail, the President's emergence from the womb, his mom displaying at least 3 pieces of i.d. on her person, with unmistakable, identifying landmarks in full view near the scene of his birth, will satisfy many and EVEN THEN, since I'm sure as a newborn the President looked a little different .... !
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Larry King (not verified)at 10:35 on April 16th, 2010
That's funny - Fathers Race = African....wrong terminology for the period. Never mind, I'm SURE ITS REAL!!! FACTCHECK SAID SO!!! How about some school financial aid records?
at 10:58 on April 16th, 2010
Larry King (Not Verified), no one at the thread declared the President's father's race as African.
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Keith Reyes, PhD (not verified)at 22:15 on May 7th, 2010
The majority of those who still insist that President Obama was not born in Hawaii (the US), are the same people who believe that Mr.God impregnated Mary. They are in a state of denial; they will never accept the fact that an African American can be president. They will employ any smoke screen to hide the real basis of bigotry for their actions. The US governmnet has repeatedly issued statements that President Obama was born in the state of Hawaii and that the Health Department has a copy of his original birth certificate. A copy of the document has also been made available on the Internet. Nothing will satisfy this deep seated bigotry of a misguided minority.
Keith Reyes, PhD.
Burnaby, BC. Canada.
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Kate washington (not verified)at 14:23 on April 15th, 2010
There was a lawsuit filed in August BEFORE the election by a person named Peter Berg. I am a believer in our Constitution and know that no one can be President unless he/she is a NATURAL BORN citizen. While I don't subscribe to whether Obama is, or isn't, a natural born, there are others who believe differently. There should have been unequivocal proof instead of a massive sealing of all Obama's records. I just hate it when we, as a nation, resort to name calling because someone has a different belief. If we lose our Constitution, we lose everything- please remember that as you berate those whose beliefs are different from your own.
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Kate washington (not verified)at 14:26 on April 15th, 2010
Tyler Tork- There is a difference between an actual Birth Certificate and a Certification of Live Birth. That's where the controversy appears to be. If the State of Hawaii has an actual certificate, it appears prudent that they release it and put an end to the controversy.
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Kate washington (not verified)at 14:30 on April 15th, 2010
There is an express difference between a certified Birth Certificate and a Certification of Live Birth which is what has been posted. If the state of Hawaii has a certified Birth Certificate, it seems prudent that it be released to end the controversy. However, Obama has spent millions to have records sealed allowing the controversy to continue. Makes some wonder why.
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Keith Reyes, PhD (not verified)at 22:17 on May 7th, 2010
The majority of those who still insist that President Obama was not born in Hawaii (the US), are the same people who believe that Mr.God impregnated Mary. They are in a state of denial; they will never accept the fact that an African American can be president. They will employ any smoke screen to hide the real basis of bigotry for their actions. The US governmnet has repeatedly issued statements that President Obama was born in the state of Hawaii and that the Health Department has a copy of his original birth certificate. A copy of the document has also been made available on the Internet. Nothing will satisfy this deep seated bigotry of a misguided minority.
Keith Reyes, PhD.
Burnaby, BC. Canada.
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Patti Kinlock (not verified)at 19:27 on April 15th, 2010
Well then, on conscience he should leave the military and find another profession. Duh.
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Donna Brown (not verified)at 20:26 on April 15th, 2010
The fact is President Obama wasn't born yesterday! He ran for the vacant Illinois Senate TWICE! If people had ANY questions, especially in the great State of Illinois where the hills are red, white and blue and I don't mean the Betsy Ross type, then, those questions about his name and heritage should have come up during those campaigns. I'm sure they did. The reason he prevailed is because there is nothing to see here! Please, can we get on with the business of running a country and protecting it's borders? Thank You! Now, everybody have a nice day!
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Donna Brown (not verified)at 20:32 on April 15th, 2010
Besides, President Obama wasn't the ONLY Candidate running for President who WASN'T born in these United States! He just happened to be the only DEMOCRAT campaigning for the Oval Office who wasn't born here! GO AHEAD! CHECK THAT OUT TOO WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!
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Donna Brown (not verified)at 20:37 on April 15th, 2010
Can anybody guess the other candidate who campaigned for president in 2008 who still holds a seat in Congress who wasn't born in these United States either? hmmm I don't hear no hoopla about him and his validity to be President. I wonder why?
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Lonni (not verified)at 20:43 on April 15th, 2010
If Lt. Col. Lakin is Court Martialed even President Obama can't stop the Military JAG from opening his records in response to Col. Lakins defense argument if Col. Lakin asked for discovery. I figure he will do just that.
at 06:26 on April 16th, 2010
Geez, George Washington was British by birth, yet he had no problem rallying the troops.
Seems like a lack of discipline in the ranks. A month or two in the cooler should help, toothbrush in hand, as toilets always need scrubbing for that spring time fresh smell
at 12:04 on April 21st, 2010
Obama and his team have been unwilling to release the contents of his original birth certificate because, it appears "legally" they do not need to.
Could the contents of the original birth certificate have made it difficult for him to become president even if it confirmed his natural born status? Quite possibly.
Will, with the eventual release of the Birth Certificate, people of America feel as if they were deceived by the suppression of this information? Also possible.
The Military acts as the defender of the Constitution and the President is it's Commander in Chief. Obama and his lawyers have done the job in convincing the judicial branch of the United States that he is indeed eligible to be president but other branches seem more skeptical.
Now it seems that plenty of red blooded and virtually all red necked Americans will circle this issue more and more as the "Change" initiated by Obama unfolds.
Do not be surprised if the day comes when top commanders turn their back on Obama and refuse his orders based on this issue. The rank and file under their command will most likely follow. You can imagine all the possibilities from there.
America, as an Empire, is being attacked on many fronts. North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Russia are actively working to take America down a peg or two. A major part of their strategy is to plant the seeds of discontent within America by funding the right people in the right places. Stuff right out of the CIA play book.
The USA is looking very weak right now and her enemies are ready to pounce when the time is right. The last thing you need right now is a divided military.
This controversy will not go away without an original birth certificate being released. Even the majority of American people, who believe that Obama is American, need to realize this.
The President should also.
at 05:06 on April 22nd, 2010
The problem with the rationale laid out, Utilaeastwind, birthers do not represent a substantial percentage of the American population and are mainly found among those known as the Tea Partiers, Republicans and conservatives, less than 25% of the electorate.
Any and all rednecks/racists don't need any excuse for defiance of the Black president.
Of course, since the Armed Forces relaxed their guidelines awhile back after September 11, 2001, called moral waivers, the Armed Forces has become a sort of haven for the criminal element as well as neo Nazi and White supremacist types yet, they STILL are a minority within the Armed Forces.
Source: fas.org
The majority of the servicemen and women in the United States Armed Forces do not believe the birther nonsense nor would they be inclined to engage in treasonous actions against their government or their president.
As far as any of the above mentioned groups or individuals that are in opposition to the President and his administration and those that find comfort in and have an affinity with the birthers, they will never be convinced no matter the evidence presented to them.
Most rational, reasonable people in America have long since moved on.
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Keith Reyes, PhD (not verified)at 22:20 on May 7th, 2010
The majority of those who still insist that President Obama was not born in Hawaii (the US), are the same people who believe that Mr.God impregnated Mary. They are in a state of denial; they will never accept the fact that an African American can be president. They will employ any smoke screen to hide the real basis of bigotry for their actions. The US governmnet has repeatedly issued statements that President Obama was born in the state of Hawaii and that the Health Department has a copy of his original birth certificate. A copy of the document has also been made available on the Internet. Nothing will satisfy this deep seated bigotry of a misguided minority.
Keith Reyes, PhD.
Burnaby, BC. Canada.
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Barry Soetoro (not verified)at 00:12 on April 22nd, 2010
Yes. I. Should.