"Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Ok editors don't go all "Terms of Servicey" on me because I'm not perpetuating a conspiracy theory, I'm trying to end one before it starts.
You are going to hear about it because it is growing like wildfire on the Web right now.
I'm going to claim layman's prefecture on the issue of the President's birth certificate. After the lefty libel machine known as Media Matters trashed me as a kook here and here for articles I wrote on FoxNews.com and DailyCaller.com about the President's birth certificate, today I have the revenge that comes from having been right. The two predictions I made in my articles came true: 1. The President was born in Hawaii, and 2. The existence of the controversy was his fault for not releasing innocuous information sooner.
Sidebar with MSNBC - the birther controversy was not fueled by racism. It was fueled by the President's furtive action in refusing to show this certificate.
The new controversy has to do with the pdf image released by the White House having "layers." There are some videos out there that show these layers, and they appear impressive, like this one:
As I understand it, if you scan an image to a pdf, there are no layers. You basically get a photograph. However, if you use a software like Photoshop and change things, you get layers - the original image and the new image layered on top of one another.
Or so I thought.
I went online to read the 411 from folks who claim to know much about this sort of thing. I got lost in conversations about OCR and halos and other geeky things. All I accomplished was to become intimidated. Both sides sounded convincing, I assume because I know so little about computers that I'm easy to convince.
Before this thing gets out of control, the makers of Adobe and Photoshop need to come out with a joint statement and explain what is behind this "layered" business. Guys like me can't figure it out.
Another point: Even if it is layered, it's OK. What was released could be an aggregation of information from other sources of Hawaiian vital statistics, which is perfectly legitimate.
Focus on the Clerk's certification at the bottom of the certificate. The words are important:
I certify this is a true copy or abstract of the record on file in the Hawaii State Department of Health.
Notice the "or." Hawaii law allows the Clerk to either photocopy the original certificate, or make an abstract, which is a compilation of information from other sources combined into one document.
There is support this is an example of the latter (again, it's OK if it is).
Recall when media was reporting that Dr. Chiyome Fukino, the Republican director of Hawaii's Department of Health said she saw the birth certificate? Well, she didn't exactly say "birth certificate." She said:
"I, Dr. Chiyome Fukino, director of the Hawaii State Department of Health, have seen the original vital records maintained on file by the Hawaii State Department of Health verifying Barack Hussein Obama was born in Hawaii and is a natural-born American citizen.
"Original vital records." More letters than "birth certificate." Three words instead of two.
Add to that Governor Abercrombie's botched search for the certificate a couple of months back wherein he seemed to state that the certificate wasn't found, but other information was found.
The older you get, the chances of ever having an "original" birth certificate get smaller. Floods, fires and dopey file clerks can wreck havoc on Municipal Clerk's offices. I'm betting many people born in the USA can't ever get hold of an actual original certificate made contemporaneously with their birth. Sometimes you have to rely on other information on file.
Whatever is on file, whether it's a one document birth certificate or a compendium of other information, it's been certified twice now by the clerk as accurate and stated to be so by the director of the Department of Health.
Now about that debt ceiling...
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
The only thing I know about this controversy is that Donald Trump is a clown. When you engage in a fight with a clown, you get pie in the face. The president now looks like a sucker. Bully for Trump!
Nov '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Mr. Dr Seno, I agree with your thesis. And I honestly have only a passing interest in the matter. Like others, however, I was initially struck by the use of the term "African," rather than "Negro." Also, the name of the hospital listed on the birth certificate appears to be an anachronism-- Kapeolani was officially called Kapeolani Maternity Home until 1977 when it was changed to Kapeolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital. In 1978 the name was changed again to Kapeolani Medical Center, when it merged with another hospital. I have verified the history of these name changes with the Hawaii Historical Society.
My question for you is this: would your notion of an abstracted birth certificate reasonably explain these two peculiar details seen on the document released yesterday? I note in passing that Kapeolani Medical Center removed all reference to the name "Kapeolani Maternity and Gynocological Hospital" from its web site yesterday around 5:45 EST-- but I imagine this may simply have been done because they were being overwhelmed with emails and phone calls.
Could you please try to address these two particular issues (the name of the hospital and the use of the designation "African?"
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Here's a good refutation of all of the major conspiracy angles that have popped up (including the name of the hospital and the "African" designation) since yesterday:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2711660/posts
Fun fact: My husband was born at Kapeolani! My mother-in-law, who is staying with us, praised her doctor. But it was not the same doctor who delivered President Obama.
Mar '11
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
The birthers are never going to go away.
Never.
There are folks still scanning the photos of the Grassy Knoll trying to pick out E. Howard Hunt. There are people who are certain that FDR knew all about Pearl Harbor before December 7. There are even a few that will tell you that Florence Harding slipped Warren some rat poison in his scrambled eggs.
I wish we could focus on what does matter, but the TV behind me is currently filling me in on all the details of a wedding that I really couldn't care less about.
Aug '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
You have to wonder why he acted so dodgy and avoided releasing the thing for so long; and why the content and syntax of his two autobiographies are as different as night and day. And Percival, you also have to wonder why JFK's brain is missing, and why the "magic bullet" was found laying on JFK's gurney.
Sep '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
I start from the premise that politicians, including and especially Obama and the liberals, lie, and lie all the time. This is not conspiratorial in any way--it is a known fact.
If, and only if, a panel of non-partisan experts examines the original document, and finds it to be real, will I be satisfied. (However, how this will be done to satisfy everyone is a huge problem that probably will never be solved.) That's just the way it is. In my book, Obama is guilty until proven innocent in this matter. Everything he says and does is suspect, now that we know how much he lies.
And for those Ricocheteers who've seen some of my other posts, you know I'm not in any way a conspiracy theory-type of guy.
Mar '11
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
I am convinced by the Freeper post - thanks for that.
Nov '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Mollie, Thank you for posting that link to Jeff Winston's article. I thought it was very well done and compelling.
Even though I was initially intrigued to see the term "African" used on the certificate, I realized that attempting to delineate one's "race" in Hawaii can be quite difficult, no matter how you approach the matter. I assume that Jeff Winston has evidence that in the early 1960's terms such as "Oriental" and "Negro" were not strictly adhered to in Hawaii.
I am also willing to accept Winston's claim that other birth certificates issued around the time of Obama's birth referred to the hospital as Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital.
However, I still do not understand why-- until late yesterday afternoon-- the hospital's own web site stated the facility was officially named Kapiolani Maternity Home until 1977, when it was briefly renamed Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital until 1978, when it was again renamed Kapiolani Medical Center. Nor do I understand why the Hawaii Historical Society could not verify for me any name changes, apart from those detailed here.
I'll let others worry about these things, I guess.
Mar '11
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Tommy and Mollie,
Indeed, thanks for that. It's amazing how fast the Internet works!
Indeed, the bigger issue is why Mr Obama waited so long, and let Lt. Col. Lakin be court-marshalled - Richard Armitage and Scooter Libby come to mind.
Indeed, Trump was obviously born in the USA - he believes in the Republic. Mr Obama? Eh, not so much!
Edited on April 28, 2011 at 5:16pmDec '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
If Dick Cheney can mastermind 9/11 in 8 months then Joe Biden can certainly come up to speed on Photoshop in 2 years.
Jan '11
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Another point on the "African" thing: at that time, people living in East Africa used "African" and "European," for "black" and "white" So if anybody asked Barack Sr. what his race was, his natural response would have been "African."
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Raconteur,
I'll take a stab at answering, so long as we agree I'm speculating.
The "African" identity didn't bother me. I don't know the cultural mindset of Obama Sr. or how he self-identified. If the clerk took down answers and he or Ms. Dunham said "African" she'll write it, particularly since he was from Africa.
On the hospital name I wouldn't know, but the Freeper article says that its the same on the certificate of those twins born the following day.
Also, sometimes things have serveal names, or colloquial names. If you asked me where I was born, I'd say Jersey Shore Hospital. But it was called Fitken back then. It's been Jersey Shore for so long, I'm just used to saying that.
It works the other way too. One of my first haunts was a bar called Bob Davis' (remember him? Backup QB to Joe Namath). That bar's name has changed many times. None of them stick with me. My wife will say, "We're going to the Lake House." I stare. "The Yacht Club." I stare. She shouts, "Bob Davis'!!!" Then I know where we're going.
Dec '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
This new release is a "true copy," whereas the short form was an abstract.
I helped build some of the first digital document image storage systems, including one for the Library of Congress, so I have some expertise. When you scan a document, you get a digital image comprised of color values for each pixel, a photocopy. Most scanning control software these days then offers conversion to PDF. Part of the current standard for PDF files is the ability to generate and store an OCR (optical character recognition) representation of the pages, which stores both the text the OCR engine could read (with corresponding position information) plus image snippets for regions the OCR engine couldn't read. The OCR data lets you use your cursor to select and copy text from regions of what seems to be an image.
It looks like the original document is bound into a book for safekeeping and that this PDF was scanned from the book on a platen or glass document table. I believe it is completely authentic.
Edited on April 28, 2011 at 5:46pmNov '10
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
It seems to me that trying to analyze the document itself is a waste of time.
The matter could be put to rest once and for all by an affidavit (or testimony) from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in Hawaii that this is a true copy of the records kept in that office. That’s how it would be authenticated if it were offered as evidence in a court proceeding.
It already has some sort of official seal or stamp on it to that effect so unless there is something wrong there, or evidence of forgery, that’s the end of it.
Another reason to dispense with this is that under current law it is possible that Obama would be a natural born citizen even if he were born outside the U.S. because his mother was a natural born citizen (I am assuming) and Obama was brought to the U.S. before he was 18. I don’t know why no Obama supporters ever made this argument (to my knowledge). A natural born citizen is not restricted to being born on U.S. soil. It is the result of being a citizen by birth alone, without anything further.
Feb '11
Re: "Birther" to "Certer?" Ending the "It's a fake!" Controversy Before It Begins
Tuesday was ok...today I'm confused.
I always thought that Obama's refusal to produce his long form birth certificate was part of his desire to not explain adoption law to the nation. "I'm sorry...it was sealed...by law I am still a child in this matter and have no rights...." The fact that he has produced one doesn't cause me to wonder if it is photoshopped, I want to know how he got a copy at all. Are Indonesian adoptions not recognised by the United States? Did Lolo Soetoro never adopt him, and is that the lie? Why would he lie about that? None of it makes any sense anymore.