And The Winner Is ...

KVUE TV Will Pick Up

the Most Plaques

The Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Association announced the award winners for the 2008-2009 this week. KVUE-TV (ABC) will be making multiple trips to the podium when the hardware is handed out in April.

KVUE won nine first place awards and five more second place. KEYE TV and News 8 (Time Warner Cable) tied with five, although one of KEYE’s awards was a second place honor for Nanci Wilson who is now at KXAN. KTBC TV is next with four. KXAN wins three.

Worth noting: KEYE TV won first place for its web site for the second straight year under the guidance of Sousa Williams.

Here’s the breakdown:

2008-2009

AP Broadcast Award Winners

DIVISION 2

Best Newscast
1. WOAI, San Antonio. Lauren Blevins. Aired 6 p.m. 3-20-2008
2. KVUE, Austin. Frank Volpicella. Aired 6 p.m. 12-17-2008

Best Sportscast
1. WOAI, San Antonio. David Chancellor, Mike Klein & Keith VanProoyen. Aired 9-26-2008
2. KXAN, Austin. Roger Wallace, Brian Sanders & Leila Rahimi. Aired 10 p.m. 9-26-2008
Hon Men: KEYE, Austin. Bob Ballou, Chris Pelikan & Anthony Geronimo. Aired 10 p.m. 9-26-2008

Best Weathercast
1. KENS, San Antonio. Bill Taylor. Aired 6 p.m. 12-17-2008
2. News 8 Austin. Maureen McCann. Aired 12-17-2008
Hon Men: KTBC, Austin. Scott Fisher. Aired 9 p.m. 6-24-2008

Best News Anchor/Team
1. KVUE, Austin. Tyler Sieswerda
2. WOAI, San Antonio. Delaine Mathieu
Hon Men: KVUE, Austin. Terri Gruca

Best Spot Coverage/Station
1. KVUE, Austin. May Storms
2. KXAN, Austin. Amber Alert for Adrian Jaimes
Hon Men: KXAN, Austin. Governor's Mansion Fire

Best Spot Story/Individual
1. WOAI, San Antonio. Ryan O'Donnell & Michael Botsford. Steve's Tornado Hit
2. KABB, San Antonio. Jonathan Martinez & Hondo Garcia. Waycross Fire
Hon Men: News 8 Austin. Heidi Zhou & Eddie Garcia. Highway Rescue

Best Feature/Serious
1. KVUE, Austin. Christine Haas & Todd Rogenthien. Jessica's Story
2. KENS, San Antonio. Joe Conger & Michael Humphries. Something in the Air
Hon Men: KVUE, Austin. Tyler Sieswerda & Jarrod Wise. Race for Cancer

Best Feature/Light
1. KTBC, Austin. Foti Kallergis. Personal Paparazzi
2. KENS, San Antonio. Chris Marrou & Michael Humphries. Green Burials
Hon Men: KVUE, Austin. Clara Tuma & Scott McKenney. Haunted Theaters

Best Investigative
1. KVUE, Austin. Christine Haas & Todd Rogenthien. Sex Offender Loophole
2. KEYE, Austin. Nanci Wilson & Joe Moreno. Austin Building Inspectors
Hon Men: KENS, San Antonio. Joe Conger & Larry Burns. Grave Secrets

Best Photojournalism/Station
1. KVUE, Austin2. KENS, San AntonioNo HM.
Best Photojournalism/Individual1. KENS, San Antonio. Michael Humphries
2. KVUE, Austin. Doug Naugle
Hon Men: KVUE, Austin. Nathan Cardenas

Best Documentary/TV Magazine or Special
1. KVUE, Austin. Olga Campos & Kathy Hadlock. Home for the Holidays
2. News 8 Austin. Rachel Elsberry, Drew Moses & Chris Rodriguez. ACL Music Festival
Hon Men: KVUE, Austin. Quita Culpepper & Kathy Hadlock. Does It Work?

Best Series
1. KEYE, Austin. Jason Wheeler. Hurricane Ike
2. KVUE, Austin. Clara Tuma, Jarrod Wise & Doug Naugle. Survivor's Story
Hon Men: KTBC, Austin. Foti Kallergis. Hair Today

Best Specialty/Beat Reporting
1. KVUE, Austin. Elise Hu. Political Beat
2. KENS, San Antonio. Barry Davis. Eyewitness Wants to Know
Hon Men: News 8 Austin. Victor Diaz. Film Industry

Best Reporter
1. KVUE, Steve Alberts
2. KENS, San Antonio. Barry Davis
Hon Men: KABB, San Antonio. James Keith

Best General Assignment
1. KVUE, Austin. Christine Haas & Todd Rogenthien. Jessica's Story
2. KVUE, Austin. Shelton Green & Robert McMurrey. Last House Standing
Hon Men: KTBC, Austin. Rudy Koski & Sonny Carillo. Caldwell Shootout

Best Continuing Coverage
1. KENS, San Antonio. Recycling Center Fire
2. KEYE, Austin. Jason Wheeler, Joe Moreno & John Salazar. Hurricane Ike
Hon Men: KVUE, Austin. May Storms

Best Website
1. KEYE, Austin
2. KVUE, Austin
Hon Men: News 8 Austin

© Jim McNabb, 2009

Football prodigies

There's lots of "Next Zidane"s and "Next Ronaldinho"s lately. But this one seems genuinely far above his peers. The rest seem only "Next Kewell" level.


Algerian Madin Mohammed, 6 years old.

The previous one I was really impressed with was:

Brazilian Jean Carlos, should be about 12 now. This was taken in 2005 when he was 9.

Heads and shoulders above the rest. Gotta wait and see how they develop physically though. Would be a shame if they grew up short and slow.

NB: Here's the latest on Madin

The Blow-Back

Austin TV Stations to Share Video - The Reaction

Austin television stations’ plans to share video from routine news conferences and photo ops generated the most interest of any News McNabb posts, not to mention national exposure in TV Spy. There were only two posted to the blog site, but I got a ton of email and even comments and a link on Facebook.

Generally, among my readers the consensus is negative, although there were some that “get it” from a management point of view. These are difficult times for media.

The audience for this blog is rather diverse. Most have some media background. Others are media savvy. And, there are some who represent “the audience”, the users/consumers/viewers of traditional television news.

I think that is important to make the distinction of “traditional” television news. It may be a generational thing—Baby-boomers who were the first TV generation. The next generation could the “Cable/Satellite” viewers. Now comes the post-modern viewers who are sampling all media, traditional, digital, and otherwise. Some get their “news” from “The Daily Show” and YouTube. My concern with this rising generation is that they may be leaving local news behind.

Newspapers are failing or, in the case of the Austin American-Statesman and others nationwide, selling. Will they be selling out? Who cares? This rising generation isn’t getting the daily local newspaper in the driveway. They may not be getting it online from newspapers, TV, or other local media. If they are not, how in the world can they make informed decisions at the polls this spring when Austin votes for new city council members? Yes, this generation was mesmerized in the recent Presidential Election, but will local candidates also inherit the online magic? If so, will be news by news release on email, or will it be through a thorough vetting of the candidates through local media?

Back to the blow-back. What follows are reactions to the news that local TV stations plan to cover “routine” news events with one camera, a “pool” camera, and share the video. Where people posted in public on “News McNabb”, I will identify them by name. Otherwise, I will say who they are by description, even those who posted on Facebook, since it is a password-access site. By and large, the reaction was negative:

> “Actually, aside from the financial savings, it makes editorial sense. I don't think viewers will notice the similarities between the various newscasts’ airing of the same dog-and-pony news conference. As you noted in your column, stations will pull different bites and write different voice-overs. -- John“However, more problematic is the likelihood TV stations will eliminate crews rather than pursue more enterprise stories. Then it is really homogenized news.” -- John

> One thing I keep telling myself is that, well... things change. They just do. There may be a re-definition or new definition of what constitutes news and how it's done. It will be some synthesis of the twittering going on with the Morrow school. It's always sad to see what truly was "good" end... but if we're going to have an influence on the future, we have to be a part of the change. –Viewer

> The NBC and CBS stations up here in Portland [Maine] are doing the sharing thing too. The same idea, for ribbon cuttings and things like that. Signe Wilkinson nailed it with her cartoon yesterday with newspaper stands full of press releases instead of newspapers. “Who cares about facts just use the press release for all your information." --Kevin Duckworth, former KXAN TV photojournalist

> “Something good that may come of this is that it will allow reporters and photographers more time to pursue the other angles of the story, rather than be tied up in a news conference that we really only need for background information.” -- Laura Skirde, former KXAN TV Meteorologist and Reporter.

> I think this is a crazy idea and all it's going to do is eliminate jobs. Do football teams share players???? Hell no!!!! – Kenny Kaplan, Former KVUE Chief Photographer now working in New York City.

> Intra-station collusion and pooling is at best creepy. I never once picked up the phone and called a competing Assignment Editor in the market. How is the market/public served if the pool op pops a fuse, has 2 mic cords go in a row, loses a light, has back focus problems, or is summarily re-directed to "more important" spot news? Does the responsible Desk say "My bad" to 4 other stations? –Former Austin Assignments Editor and Photojournalist.

> Another step toward the demise of "TV News" as we know it. I assume this is brought forward as a cost cutting measure, but it forces me to other sources. – Former Austin TV and Radio News Director.

> Hmmmm. I could argue this both ways. It makes sense if newsrooms don't abuse it and use it as an excuse not to do their own legwork. – Former Austin Executive Producer, Producer, and Reporter.

> When you hint at this having thorny issues, I have a bucket load. – Currently in Austin news media.

> Wow!! -- Former Austin Chief Photographer

> Yuk!! -- Former Austin Reporter

So, is this the state of the art now? I have said several times to people today, desperate times call for desperate actions. Am I an anachronism? Am I too much of an idealist for this age? If I am either of these, I take comfort in company.


© Jim McNabb, 2009

Tea Party Protests

I was glad to see that Greta Van Susteren covered one of the "Tea Party" protests that went on all across the country today. Michele Malkin has lots of photos, updates, additional links to blogs covering the story, and comments from readers.

Michelle writes:

"There is, as the old ’60s song goes, something happening here. And what it is, is very clear: A grass-roots revolt against the culture of entitlement. The spendzillas in Washington do not speak for us."

That says it all...in a nutshell!

One of my favorite pictures is the one above (from Cleveland protest) with the little child holding a sign that states:

"I read as much of the Stimulus Bill as my Congresswoman."

Loved this one, too:



Out of the mouths of babes via signs and t-shirts!!

HT: Michelle Malkin

*******

Update:

Found this one that appeared on Greta's segment tonight!



GateWay Pundit has some photos with great signs. Love the top one that states:

"I Don't Want to Pay For The SwindleUs."

And the photo at the bottom of the page with signs that state:

"Honk If You're Paying My Mortgage."

and

"The Three Little (crossed out)

BIG PIGS

Reid, Pelosi and
Obama"

A Unique Look at the Freedom of Speech

Everyone,

I apologize for the late posting of this article. This weekend, my family and I traveled back to be with family as a cousin of mine got married. Weddings are a amazing time to recognize the power of love both on a spiritual and physical level. I can only hope to find that someday.

Anyway, on to Friday's post..

If you ask most people, blogging is considered a source of entertainment. This platform allows people to discuss ideas, share facts and get to know people on through this thing we love to call "cyberspace ." However, for people like me, cyberspace offers so much more. Take a look at another disabled blogger's perspective:


http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/the-freedom-in-freedom-of-speech/

Exposing Obama & Stimulus Counterpunch!

My concern for brave military officers like 1st Lt. Easterling, and others who have joined as Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Resident Obama, have now subsided after reading On The Right Side Of Life: Comparing Military Enlisted and Officer Oaths

Excerpt:

There is a huge difference between the military enlisted oath and the officer oath of office. The wordings of the current oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers are as follows [per this link]:

Enlisted Oath

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.” (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).

Officer Oath -

“I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.” (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

As you can see, the officer does not swear to obey the orders of the President. We only have an obligation to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic (for example, a Presidential Usurper).

Our forefathers were so brilliant to foresee a situation like we find ourselves in now. The officer oath is a safeguard to protect the Constitution against a corrupt elected government. Officers only have an obligation to defend the Constitution. Military officers have a lot of legal clout when it comes to Constitutional matters. The officer oath does not mention following the UCMJ laws as does the enlisted oath.

Yes. Our forefathers WERE brilliant. How awesome is it to realize that they had the capacity to foresee a situation like the one we are in today regarding Obamafraud.

My comment is still in moderation over there, but here's a copy:

This is great news. Really REALLY great news. I, for one, was highly concerned when I read elsewhere that 1st Lt. Easterling could subject himself to some deep trouble for going public with this lawsuit against Obama. Now that I have seen the difference between the oaths here, I feel much more relieved about his public declaration as a Plaintiff.

My absolute respect for the Founding Fathers and their astounding wisdom while creating our Charters of Freedom founding documents grows by leaps and bounds each day.

My gratitude, and respect for our military officers who will stand by their officer’s oath of allegiance to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.” and follow that oath to willingly expose the truth about Obama’s ineligibility gives me much hope (the genuine kind) today.

There is no way that a military officer would be labeled by any court judge as "not having standing" on this Obama ineligibility issue.

Switching gears a bit, last night I read a great blog post that had a wonderful idea. Use the Obama ineligibility issue to make all of the Porkulus bills signed by Obama NULL AND VOID!

COLUMN DU JOUR
Stimulus counterpunch:
Question O's eligibility
Paul Murphy offers strategies for combating president's Keynesian solution
--Redstate.com

Hat Tips:

The Right Side of Life

WorldNetDaily

Red State

*******
P.S. Since I didn't get around to posting and analyzing Obama's speech the other night, I present one of the best blogposts I have recently found which exposes Obama's doublespeak (quite hilarious, too):

Ironic Surrealism: Obama's Speech to Joint Session of Congress - Winds of Change or Rhetorical Hot Air?

Note: Captioned photo from Patriot Depot.com found via Ironic Surrealism.

*******
Update:

Obama is so narcissistic, he even has to VET PRAYERS NOW???

What an idiot!

I am telling you, this guy is not only a fool - he's dangerous for more reasons than I can count anymore!!

Speaking of "vetting," Mr. Resident Obama, there's something that the public would love to VET ABOUT YOU!

Of golf courses, filtration plants, and green roofs

(Image courtesy of Grimshaw.)

Grimshaw, the landscape architect Ken Smith and the doyens of green roofs, Rana Creek, will soon combine two of our favorite memes: golf courses and civic infrastructure.

According to The Architect's Newspaper, the $2.1 billion Croton Water Filtration Plant, currently under construction in the Bronx, will be topped off with “one of the largest and most intensive green roofs to date.” Unlike Ken Smith's inaccessible and inorganic roof garden at the remodeled Museum of Modern Art in New York, this one will be open to the public as a fully functioning golf course.

It's landscape, architecture, infrastructure, eco-machine and land art all rolled up into one.


(Image courtesy of Grimshaw.)

So many things about this project are noteworthy, for instance, all this talk about sustainability when there's this golf course in the room. In common practice, golf courses are notoriously unsustainable. They are as land use intensive and ecologically suspect as new ex-urban developments on virgin land. They're water guzzlers, a symbol in post-water American West of irresponsible resource management. Seeing well-manicured, verdant greenery amidst a climate-changed sea of sand and rocks, or even hearing about Tiger Wood's golf course in Dubai, we can't help but think of them as the folliest of follies. In other words, a golf course described as “a true display of sustainable green design,” which might be the case here, is a bit of dissonance for us.

But to be perfectly clear, we think this to be one of the most interesting projects we have heard thus far this year.

(Spotted via @bldgblog via @archpaper.)

3d pavement painter back again

The Same News Stories Everywhere?

Most If Not All Austin, Texas Stations Will Share Video

Austin, Texas stations KVUE TV (ABC), KTBC (Fox 7), KEYE (CBS), and KXAN (NBC) are now planning to share news video. Most, if not all of the stations in the nation’s 49th market, would send only one photographer to what might be considered “routine” stories—news conferences, photo ops and the like—and then, they will share the video.

“Yes it is true. This will enable our stations to achieve broader coverage while not wasting time and energy duplicating efforts when covering news conferences and similar events,” says Eric Lassberg, president and general manager of LIN Television, Austin. Lassberg was responding to whether KXAN TV’s news department and KTBC News were planning to share news video.

Representatives from five Austin Television stations met Wednesday, February 25, 2009. The details of the arrangement are yet to be worked out. Not all of the stations’ personnel have been informed, but apparently it is a done deal. Amy Villareal, KEYE TV general manager confirmed, “KEYE is participating.”

“Yes, KVUE will be a part of this video sharing agreement,” said Frank Volpicella, news director at KVUE TV. “All five stations have agreed in principal. We are hashing out the details.” Certainly, the deal will not deter stations from sending full crews if they deem the story of greater importance. Frankly, I hope that happens more often than not.

KTBC TV News Director Pam Vaught deferred comment to Mark Rodman, KTBC general manager. He has not responded yet.

It is said that Univision will also be invited to join in the loose consortium.

If any of the stations in the Austin market were to share video, it makes the most sense for KXAN and KTBC to be partners. Austin TV viewers/news consumers/news users are very fickle; they sample other stations a lot. But, research indicates that KTBC and KXAN share relatively few viewers. So, it is less likely that a viewer of KTBC’s 9 p.m. news will say, “I’ve seen that before” if they were to watch KXAN at 10 p.m. KXAN and KVUE share many viewers, however. Depending on the details, this arrangement, while economically doable, could be damaging to viewers.

It is unclear whether different reporters will also attend the news conferences and, therefore, present a different angle on a story. Also, the stations may choose totally different sound bites.

Critics might call it a homogenizing of news content. That’s a danger. Conspiracy theorists always maintain that the news is all the same dictated by some sinister force—the TV stations, the network, and even the government are all in cahoots. This could be fodder that fuels those flames. But on the day with The Rocky Mountain News announced that tomorrow (Friday, February, 2009) will be the final edition, it says a lot about the economy.

This is the first such partnership with competing stations in the Austin market, but it is not uncommon elsewhere. For instance in the Phoenix market, three stations are sharing one helicopter. "This was done as a response to this economy and for financial reasons," John Misner, president and general manager of 12 News told the Arizona Republic.

This Austin pool coverage agreement is happening at the same time that the only mass-production local newspaper is up for sale. Experienced reporters at the Austin American-Statesman are being offered buy-outs. As a journalist, it’s a scary, sullen time.

In kindergarten they taught us to share. It was a good thing. It was something we were supposed to do all of our lives, in fact. Nowadays, in TV news, it’s becoming a way of doing business. One could put it into the same pigeon-hole called “Doing More with Less”. Or, one might more rightly say, given these economic times as media stocks become penny stocks, it is a smart way of doing business.

Still, there is a danger to local democracy. If all the local media are reporting from the same stuff (“Stuff” is used intentionally.), I believe that the consumer/user/viewer of broadcast journalism may be losing something of great value. Personally, I’d seldom use content from a news conference, considering it “canned”. Instead, I’d pull the sources aside and ask questions others weren’t asking.

As noted above, the details of this apparent agreement are still being worked out. I do have faith in some of the “Big J” journalists in this market who will ensure that the important work of information to the audience is being done. Some, however, may be lazy. Some stations may simply take the rote sound bites of the day to fill the news hole. Geez, I hope not.

There are many philosophical, thorny issues inside of this issue. This could be a field day for politicians and publicists. I hope to explore these with the local news directors and news editors soon.

© Jim McNabb, 2009

Incredible Strength Training

Hero's Mom Calls For Review Of Flight 93 Memorial

Mother of Flight 93 hero calls for “a full and transparent review” of the crescent-shaped memorial.







For two years, Tom Burnett Sr. has been speaking out against the crescent-shaped memorial to Flight 93. This week Beverly Burnett (mother of Flight 93 hero Tom Burnett Jr.) stepped into the public eye to support her husband, and to make her own appeal for a full investigation:

Today, I am adding my voice for a full and transparent review of the National Park Service and Flight 93 design selection process that produced Crescent of Embrace. Does it have Islamic symbols or doesn’t it? Let's settle this once and for all.



Why do you think Tom Sr. opposed this design? It is pretty simple; Tom Sr. saw the Islamic symbols and knew those symbols did not belong at the crash site of Flight 93.



Tom Burnett Sr. traveled to Pennsylvania last August to attend the Task Force Meeting to voice his opposition to the memorial design. A Family Board member as well as a commissioner accused Tom Sr. being “just like the Islamic terrorists” that killed our son.



Why didn’t someone speak up and defend Tom Sr.’s right to voice his opinion? Thanks to The Somerset Daily American for publishing Mrs. Burnett’s complete statement, which she also entered into the record of the most recent Memorial Project meeting. Read the whole thing.





Two other mentions of the memorial controversy in the local PA press this week



In a letter to the editor, a local woman echoed Mrs. Burnett’s sentiment in favor of preserving the site as it is, instead of demolishing the highly regarded Temporary Memorial and radically transforming the landscape, as the Memorial Project intends.



At present the Temporary Memorial looks down over the “field of honor.” Because this temporary memorial is located roughly in the center of the planned half-mile wide crescent, it will be eliminated. Visitors who stand at the location of the Temporary Memorial will no longer look out over the original landscape, but will instead see the crash-site framed between the pincer tips of the giant Islamic-shaped crescent.



They call the crescent a broken circle now, but the unbroken part of the circle, what symbolically remains standing in the wake of 9/11 (originally called the Crescent of Embrace) remains completely unchanged.





Nice words from a local columnist, but no fact-checking



In the area’s second local paper, The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, columnist Ralph Couey offers a very nice tribute to the heroes of Flight 93 in which he mentions Mr. Burnett’s opposition to the planned memorial. Unfortunately, Mr. Couey goes on to describes Mr. Burnett’s opposition as “hopeless intransigence,” and expresses his optimism that it can be gotten past.



Given that newspapers are supposed to get to the truth, one would hope that those who gain the privilege of this public platform would bother to check the facts. If Mr. Burnett is correct in his warnings about Islamic symbolism, then finding a way to get past these objections is like finding a way to sneak a hijacker past gate security. It is a bad thing, not a good thing.



The petition that Mr. Burnett sponsored along with our blogburst group lists four damning facts about the approved design that can all be verified in a matter of minutes. Can Mr. Couey check just one: that a person standing between the tips of the giant crescent and facing into the center of the crescent will be facing within 2° of Mecca?





The Muslim prayer direction in this animation (qibla) is from the Mecca-direction calculator at Islam.com. (If you have trouble getting their calculator to work--your Java has to be configured correctly--there is another Mecca direction calculator at QiblaLocator.com.)



This Mecca-orientation makes the giant crescent a mihrab, the Mecca-direction indicator around which every mosque is built. Does Mr. Couey really want to see the world’s largest mosque planted on the Flight 93 crash site? It is fine to speak highly of the heroes of Flight 93, but it would be a lot more meaningful if he would honor the Burnett’s urgent appeal for fact-checking by stepping over to a globe and checking this one simple factual claim.



Mr. Couey is not the only one who wants the crescent controversy to go away without caring to know the truth. Sorry, but that is insufficient. Planting a giant Mecca-oriented crescent on the crash-site will dishonor the heroes of Flight 93, and it fails to follow their example. They didn’t just have good intentions. They got the job done, and we have to get the job done too. We can’t be asleep at the wheel while an al Qaeda sympathizing architect hijacks our memorial.



What? Is it just too outlandish to think that the enemy might try to hijack one of our memorials? The same way that it is just too outlandish to think that the enemy might dare to hijack our commercial airliners? Do these people even know what they are memorializing?



But they CAN wake up. All they have to do is actually check the facts. Then they will know. So please Mr. Couey, take the time to check a few facts, then write a second column, reporting your findings. Somebody out there in Somerset needs to start telling the truth. It might as well be you.





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Some Concerns, But Still Lots of Hope

It took me some time to realize this, but I have found that lawyers (not all, just some) can be very stubborn, edgy and irritable when it comes to questioning their motives, methods, tactics, and strategies regarding lawsuit issues. In their defense, who could blame them? It's a very tough profession - to say the least! Plus, they are just people, too. They are not perfect. They make mistakes.

However, when it comes to the current Resident Obama (HT: Road Sassy for that term!) "natural born citizen" controversy, it appears that many are going in different (and some, actually heading in unfortunate) directions. Whereas, if they could agree to pool their resources, ideas, and HAD AN OPEN CONVERSATION with each other on the BEST METHOD and approach to get the job done, IMHO, there might be a chance that the correct lawsuit would arise from the seemingly chaotic mess that appears to be going forward these days.

I might be very wrong about this. I admit it.

I might have no idea what they are all up against. I admit it.

I might be asking for a "pie in the sky" resolution to it all. I admit that.

However, when it comes down to danger and possible severe repercussions against any active military plaintiff in the Obama citizenship issue, that has to be where a line is drawn.

The best way to follow what I am referring to here is to read the following comment (that I originally posted at The Right Side of Life blog), click and read the two posts included in the comment, and then return to read Phil's response and the rest of this post below.

Christinewjc says:
February 25, 2009 at 11:37 pm

After reading at Leo Donofrio’s “Natural Born Citizen” blog, I am highly concerned for the military people who are signing up as plaintiffs against Obama. There are some VERY strong “powers that be” behind Obama, and since the SCOTUS has dismissed most cases presented about the birth certificate issue because of “lack of standing,” I fear that they will just come up with another excuse not to give this issue a hearing - despite the perceived standing that military personnel have (or should have!).

Donofrio has two blog posts up about his fear that these military plaintiffs might end up in trouble.

1. First post
2. Second post

Phil, may I ask what your opinion is regarding Donofrio’s concern for the military plaintiffs?

In the comment section, Donofrio wrote:

“[Ed. The publicity is focused on the BC. For example, many of the media people who have commented, like Steve Malzberg yesterday, have told their audiences that all of this would go away if Obama would just show the BC. The issue won't go away since there is NO DOCUMENT CAPABLE OF PROVING OBAMA IS A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN. No document can change his birth status having been governed by the British nationality Act of 1948.]“

My question. Could Dr. Orly Taitz be going about this in the wrong way?

Next, Donofrio also wrote:

“[Ed. or perhaps by creating a false issue which he holds the final word over (by eventually showing a genuine BC from Hawaii), he placed a cloud of cover over the issue which he cannot control... that his birth was Governed by the British nationality act of 1948. It's classic game theory. He who controls both sides of the game, controls the game. As to the BC, OBama controls the game, so that's the game he wants to play.
By playing the BC game, he distracts all from the game he does not control... he does not control the fact that his father was NEVER a US citizen.]“

Is there a way to word the lawsuit in order to challenge what Obama can’t control…namely…”he does not control the fact that his father was NEVER a U.S. citizen?”

Lastly, I wrote the following over at Donofrio’s blog, but it was ignored:

I see that you didn’t like the suggestion to either write or talk with Dr. Orly Taitz in order to warn her of what you wrote here:

“The issue won’t go away since there is NO DOCUMENT CAPABLE OF PROVING OBAMA IS A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN. No document can change his birth status having been governed by the British nationality Act of 1948.”

That is what I was going to suggest - discussing that important issue with her.

What about a lawsuit that requires the release of all of the following hidden (and/or forged) documents?

Obama has lived for 48 years without leaving any footprints — none!

There is no Obama documentation — no records — no paper trail — none — this can’t be an accident.

Original, vault copy birth certificate — Not released
Certificate of Live Birth — Released — Counterfeit
Obama/Dunham marriage license — Not released
Soetoro/Dunham marriage license — Not released
Soetoro adoption records — Not released
Fransiskus Assisi School School application — Released
Punahou School records — Not released
Selective Service Registration — Released — Counterfeit
Occidental College records — Not released
Passport (Pakistan) — Not released
Columbia College records — Not released
Columbia thesis — Not released
Harvard College records — Not released
Harvard Law Review articles — None (maybe 1, unsigned?)
Baptism certificate — None
Medical records — Not released
Illinois State Senate records — None
Illinois State Senate schedule — Lost
Law practice client list — Not released
University of Chicago scholarly articles — None

Is it possible that he attended college here as a foreign exchange student?

Wouldn’t that prove that he is not a natural born citizen?

If that’s a stupid question, then here’s several more.

It has been rumored that maybe Obama ’s real father was Malcolm X (Little) or Frank Marshall Davis. Even so, if he was adopted by Lolo Soetoro and taken to Indonesia (which doesn’t allow dual citizenship to attend school there) - wouldn’t Barry Soetoro have lost his U.S. Citizenship? What angle could be played in such a scenario? Did he “naturalize” back as a U.S. Citizen? Would he then be eligible for POTUS or not?

OK…finished with the dumb questions…for now.

Ultimately, there has GOT TO BE a way to get the truth out and a case heard in court! Someone just needs to present the argument in the correct way where Obama does not have “control” over the situation and where the court MUST ACKNOWLEDGE the proof of his INELIGIBILITY!

As Mr. Donofrio pointed out at his blog, perhaps the way to do this is to utilize the fact that Obama’s father was under the jurisdiction governed by the British nationality Act of 1948 - and so was Obama Jr.’s “birth status” in 1961 - no matter where he was born!

Thanks, in advance, for any input you are willing to share in response. My questions were completely ignored by Donofrio.

Phil at The Right Side of Life was gracious enough to respond:

Phil says:
February 26, 2009 at 9:52 am
Christinewjc,

I think that Mr. Donofrio makes some good points, especially from a “court of public opinion” perspective. I think anyone who has been watching Dr. Taitz operate over the last few months knows that, despite her good intentions and willingness to go all out on the eligibility issue, she tends to shoot first and ask questions later. That cannot be helpful in situations like this.

Nevertheless, I think Mr. Donofrio is similarly correct when he mentions that none of the prerequisite opinions will matter if and when such a case is heard in Court, be it military or civilian. Rather, he is addressing the theory that some publicly-known verbiage may not make these soldiers’ lives any easier, going forward.

-Phil

When the first StimuWASTE bill passed, a Republican House member who voted it against it (each time) was interviewed on Fox. As the interview ended, he made a shout out to the public to "join together and do something" about the gluttonous earmarks and wasteful spending spree that the liberals are getting away with in Congress.

I truly believe that both of these issues can only be solved by "We The People." We can no longer rely on the three branches of government to do the RIGHT THING for our nation anymore. I would urge people reading here to support three efforts (Obots can stop reading now...).

1. Support Stephen Pidgeon's National Grand Jury (NGJ) Declaration and formation in any way that you can; either by volunteering to be on the NGJ or donating to the legal fund he is associated with - the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF). I have donated to that organization for many years now. They have been front and center in protecting religious rights in America against the powerful lawyers and lawsuits of the ACLU. Think secularism is taking over in the United States? It may seem that way. But in reality, it would have been FAR WORSE and FAR MORE ADVANCED here in 2009 without the help of ADF to combat such a takeover in the courts.

2. Support the H.R. 25 Fair Tax Act of 2009 It sure generated a lot of comments over at Digg: 44 House Republicans submit bill to eliminate income taxes

Think it's a brazen idea that will never work? Maybe. But who ever thought that Congress would commit "generational theft" (as John McCain put it) and get away with it?


3. The national debt is the problem.

More Americans Are Saying: “It’s Not Our National Debt” – Join the Revolt!

Washington has bailed out the banks, Wall Street & their Washington special interests and much of the cost is added to the national debt to by paid by this and future generations while real estate and investments continue to fall. Find out what a growing repudiate the debt movement could mean for treasuries, the dollar, gold and mining shares.

The Campaign to Cancel the Washington National Debt By 12/22/2013 Constitutional Amendment is starting now in the U.S.

See: Campaign To Cancel the Washington National Debt By 12/22/2013
Ron Holland


Hat Tips:

The Right Side of Life

Stephen Pidgeon's National Grand Jury (NGJ)

Open Congress.org

Campaign To Cancel the Washington National Debt
By 12/22/2013

*******
P.S. For those of you who may view Road Sassy's post as insulting, please see THIS VIDEO WHICH ASKS: Does Obama Have Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Whose Fault Is It?

It’s the Media, of Course.

Finally, someone has pointed the finger of blame for the economic issues facing the nation. It’s a wonder President Obama didn’t mention it last night. Who do you blame? Blame the media, of course.

A Rasmussen poll released today says, “Fifty-five percent (55%) of U.S. voters believe the media tries to make the economy seem worse that it is. That’s an increase from 46% in November. “The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 23% believe the nation’s professional reporters and commentators try to present an accurate picture of the economy. Thirteen (13%) believe the media tries to make the economy seem better than it really is.”

This crisis has been going on for months now. Various analysts blamed banks for writing bad loads. Ivy League PhDs never once said the news media is to blame. No one ever barked “bias” until now.

According to “Rasmussen Reports” people professing to be Republican are more likely to think this way, but not by much of a margin. “Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans say the media paints a bleaker picture of the economy than the facts merit. That view is shared by 44% of Democrats and 59% of those not affiliated with either major party.”

What has this to do with us here in “The People’s Republic of Austin”? I recently became aware that there is a watchdog “Media Bias Alert” organization operating on Facebook. It has 102 members who would blow the whistle on suspected media bias. “This is a group that allows you to raise your voice without having to raise your hand regarding the ridiculous Media Bias we have in our Country,” the site says.

The local moderator is a Round Rock man. I accidentally found myself in an unintended discussion with him regarding media. “Well. Pursue truth wherever you find it,” I told him meaning to end the conversation, but he had the last word. “And the truth will set this Country free soon enough... when it wakes up from the love fest.” I left it there.

When I was answering all of the email at KXAN a few years ago, I would have sworn there were more than 102 people in the audience who made the media, TV news in particular, the scourge of all that is democratic in this nation. I was shredded regularly by anonymous writers for having run a “biased” story, when there was every effort to make it balanced instead. The problem, of course, was that the story at issue didn’t say what the viewer thought it should say.

All of this goes back to my assertion that journalism should be considered a profession. Seeking the truth, balancing the story, observing the applicable laws, and making the final product worth reading is something that must be practiced, not much different from practicing law.

After answering hundreds, if not thousands, of these emails, I also came to know this truth again: You can make some of the people happy some of the time, but you can’t make all of the people happy all of the time. Further, some people aren’t happy people. Even more news viewers/users/consumers choose to have a closed mind.

What can the media do to counteract this assault? Keep standards high, check facts, and continue telling the truth. If ever we need professionalism, it is now.

© Jim McNabb, 2009

Silver Lake Operations, Lake Lefroy, Western Australia

(Silver Lake Operations #1, Lake Lefroy, Western Australia, 2007. Photo by Edward Burtynkski.)

Instead of an arboretum of indigenous flora as at Pedreres de s'Hostal, for this copper mine in Western Australia, how about an extraterrestrial garden of phytoremediating plants, both the unmodified and the genetically modified kinds, with gorgeously red- and orange-hued pools of metal-eating microogranisms?

Or you plant this ecosystem in all the disused open pits everywhere except here, where you merely design a circulation system interspersed with “educational signs” and some observation platforms — a masterpiece of topographical mapping, pictorial analysis and narrative making? Or you can scratch all that, and the only intervention you do involves installing a marker near the entrance, for instance, a cairn. How about Las Vegas neon marquee because beyond lies a terrestrial extravaganza? What routes people take inside will be up to them.

Or how about just a set of coordinate rendered perfectly on Google Maps' well-designed web interface? Should anyone want to visit the mine, at least they know where it is on the surface of the earth.

Encouragement: Blindness not a factor for martial arts participant

Hey Guys~

Okay, so the Botox injections went well. I ended up getting six injections in my left arm and two in my right. It will take two weeks until we see the maximum results they will have. But I am hopeful. Right now, my arms ache and are a little weak ; as a result, I am posting a little early and shorter this Wednesday. You may remember I posted about Cole Massie earlier this month. Cole is a young man with CP that participates in karate despite his disability. Well, recently, his Judo friend Sensei Rich also made the news.

Read more of his amazing story, also overcoming being legally blind http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2009/02/23/news/srv00000%20ease%20than%2004753462.txt

--- --
*After posting this article, sensei Rich pointed out some corrections. Rich participates in judo, not karate. He is also legally blind with Congenital Nystagmus, not totally blind. Judo is a recognized Paralympic and Olympic sport. I am sorry for the misrepresentations previously, I wasn't really feeling that great

USS Cole Victim's Parent on Blog Radio Tonight

In a previous post here at Talk Wisdom I shared the terrible betrayal that a mother of one of the USS Cole victims felt when she spoke out against Obama's decision to halt the trial of the mastermind perpetrator. Now, another parent of another USS Cole victim (who also refused to meet with Obama when invited to the White House) will be interviewed this evening at Evil Conservative Blog Radio.

Excerpt quote:
February:

1. Before 9/11, Al Qaeda attacked the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen. 17 American heroes were murdered, including 26 year old Navy Fireman, Petty Officer Gary Swenchonis. On Feb 5, Obama dropped the charges against mastermind Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. EC is honored to interview Petty Officer Swenchonis' father about this betrayal, and his subsequent refusal to meet with Obama.

Every American who ever wore a uniform should support Gary Swenchonis, Sr. and be irate at this abomination.

2. EC will interview US Representative Charles Boustany (R-LA), about Obama's Trillion-Dollar Turd, the direction of our foreign policy, and is Obama's collectivist agenda constitutional? Will Obama's collectivist drive end up any better than the bloody collectivization of other societies?

We'll also get Rep. Boustany's opinion on Obama's treatment of the USS Cole case, and what that means for our fighting men and women. ECR is ready to hit hard tomorrow night.

Make sure you wear a chinstrap.

Remember, the government produces nothing, so anything they give you had to be stolen from someone else first. /quote

I have a question and some comments. I am wondering if these two parents of the USS Cole bombing victims would have "standing" in a new court case against Obama's ineligibility for the position of POTUS?

Also, did anyone else catch Bobby Jindal's Republican response to Obama's speech where he stated:

"Jindal just called barry the son of an American woman and a KENYAN."

HT: Commenter Rocknee over at Citizen Wells blog.


That last line in what Evil Conservative aptly labels "Obama's Trillion-Dollar Turd" makes an astonishing but accurate point!

- "Remember, the government produces nothing, so anything they give you had to be stolen from someone else first"-

is hard hitting - yet SO TRUE!

It is NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S MONEY!

IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY!

I think that is one of the MAJOR differences between liberal vs. conservative philosophy when it comes to taxes and expenditures in government. Note: I didn't say "democrat vs. republican philosophy," because there are conservative blue dog democrats who voted against the StimuWASTE bill and liberal RINO republicans who voted for it in the Senate.

In fact, we saw the 180 degree difference between the two speeches last night. Obama's tax and spend policies came roaring through in his speech; vs. Bobby Jindal's "the people's money" speech. Another point worth mentioning is the fact that Jindal believes that "the American people can do anything;" which stands in sharp contrast to Obama's constant doom and gloom "crisis" crapola.

I will be writing a more comprehensive post comparing the two speeches in a new blog post today or tomorrow.

Christine

*******

P.S. Last night, I encountered an "error message" that I had never seen before. Has this ever happened to anyone out there visiting this blog today?

This is what happened.

I was attempting to access the "Evil Conservative" blog/radio site. Twice, while viewing the page, the following popped up soon after:


Google
Error


Server Error
The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request.
Please try again in 30 seconds.

Please see Google's Terms of Service posted at http://www.google.com/terms_of_service.html



We have encountered an error while processing your request. If you would like to provide us with information about this error, please report your problem. In your email, please send us the entire code displayed below. Please also send us any information you may know about how you are performing your Google searches-- for example, "I'm using the Opera browser on Linux to do searches from home. My Internet access is through a dial-up account I have with the FooCorp ISP." or "I'm using the Konqueror browser on Linux to search from my job at myFoo.com. My machine's IP address is 10.20.30.40, but all of myFoo's web traffic goes through some kind of proxy server whose IP address is 10.11.12.13." (If you don't know any information like this, that's OK. But this kind of information can help us track down problems, so please tell us what you can.)

We will use all this information to diagnose the problem, and we'll hopefully have you back up and searching with Google again quickly!

Please note that although we read all the email we receive, we are not always able to send a personal response to each and every email. So don't despair if you don't hear back from us!

Also note that if you do not send us the entire code below, we will not be able to help you.

Best wishes,
The Google Team

[Included was a bunch of numbers and letter code which I did not publish here.]

If this has happened to anyone else reading this blog, please comment. Any techies out there that can give me more information about this - please do. It would be much appreciated!

Christine


HT: Evil Conservative Blog

Texans Trade Logic.

Follow me here...

[John McClain, Chron.com]

The Texans can’t consummate their trade of quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the Minnesota Vikings before 12:01 a.m. Friday, the start of the NFL year and the beginning of free agency.

Like other teams, the Texans are preparing for what is always a whirlwind period.

Besides trading Rosenfels to Minnesota for a fourth-round draft choice, the Texans will waive defensive end Anthony Weaver, who would have made base salaries of $3.5 million this year and $4 million in 2010.

Weaver signed a five-year, $26.5 million contract, including a $12.5 million signing bonus, to leave Baltimore for the Texans in 2006, which was Gary Kubiak’s first season as coach. He started for three seasons but didn’t provide the kind of pass rush the coaches wanted from the left side.

The Texans are expected to use free agency and the draft to try to improve their pass rush.

Weaver said Monday that he felt uncomfortable commenting until the move becomes official.

The Texans and Vikings won’t comment on the Rosenfels trade until Friday.

In 2007 The Texans traded two second round draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons for (then un-proven) backup QB Matt Schaub who they planned to make their starter.

In 2008 the Texans turned down an offer from the Minnesota Vikings of a third-round draft pick for (semi-proven) backup QB Sage Rosenfels.

In 2009 the Texans are trading their (proven) back-up QB, Sage Rosenfels, for a fourth found draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings, who hope to make Rosenfels their starter.

There's very little difference between Schaub's numbers and Rosenfels numbers when you boil it down. Either the Texans overpaid for Schaub two years ago, or they're letting the Vikings get away with highway robbery now.

Missing Bush, Obama Crisis, Media Malpractice

The three topics in my blog title might not sound like they should be easily connected in any way. However, when you read the two blog posts linked here and view the "Media Malpractice" documentary trailer at "How Obama Got Elected," you will be able to connect the dots. The media's aim was to utterly destroy the candidacy of Governor Sarah Palin in order to get their "chosen one" elected. What's more, when you read the post over at Investigating Obama, you will see how, and why, we are in this terrible economic mess and why Obama keeps using that word "crisis" in his speeches. The crisis was actually brought about through him and his cronies (like George Soros!). You will read about the Cloward-Piven strategy of orchestrated crisis. You will read about Saul Alinksy's methods to force a neo-Marxist philosophy and government into this country.

First, I will share one of the more pleasant subjects of the three. There are many people who are missing President Bush.

One of the best blog posts that I have read in a very long time can be found over at The Anchoress: Yep, I Miss Bush. The following quote tells about the huge difference between Obama's "politics of fear" and former President Bush's declarations of REAL hope and freedom:

Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom, the great achievement of our time and the great hope of every time, now depends on us.
— G.W. Bush, September 20, 2001

Yes.

Contrast what is written over at the Anchoress blog with what the echoes of "crisis" (at Investigating Obama blog) constantly being pounded into the minds of Americans by Obama. If you take the time to read the entire post (long, but really worth it!), you will learn why, how, when it started and ultimately the reason for what is now happening in our government - which is quite disturbing - to say the least! It is all explained over at Investigating Obama: How to Create a Crisis and Steal a Nation.

How many times has Obama said the word "crisis" in his recent speeches?? So much for any kind of real hope, huh?

Next, see How Obama Got Elected: Media Malpractice.

You will see how the media distorted so much about Sarah Palin. At the same time none of them went about the true journalism techniques of properly vetting Obama. Additionally, you will see how much of the electorate who voted for Obama were terribly ignorant of his past and political positions. They were obviously mesmerized by the "hope" and "change" mantra that was being spouted ad nauseum by Obama on the campaign trail.

Unfortunately, we are now experiencing the ugliness of Obama's evil intentions that he is currently inflicting upon our nation. Just goes to show that people need to pay more attention to what that term "change" really means. The neo-Marxist "change" that Obama is leading us to is not what most people wanted or expected.

It is still my prayer that America won't have to suffer through four long years of this. Exposing Obama for the usurper that he is can still happen. He will then be immediately removed from office. Perhaps Lt. Scott Easterling's case will be the one to do just that!

P.S. While reading an article over at Pajamas Media: Visualizing a World Where We Did Not Remove Saddam I decided to share something that I thought was VERY STRANGE at the new whitehouse.gov website. When you click on “presidents” and then click on George W. Bush's biography, there is NOTHING written about the Iraq war!

My 21 year old daughter had this to say about it:

“What is Obama trying to do…rewrite history?”

Is anyone else bothered to learn about this?

Here's a copy of the biography:


43. GEORGE W. BUSH 2001-2009
George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, was sworn into office on January 20, 2001, re-elected on November 2, 2004, and sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005. Prior to his Presidency, President Bush served for 6 years as the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, where he earned a reputation for bipartisanship and as a compassionate conservative who shaped public policy based on the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and local control.

President Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University in 1968, and then served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. President Bush received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1975. Following graduation, he moved back to Midland and began a career in the energy business. After working on his father’s successful 1988 Presidential campaign, President Bush assembled the group of partners who purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989. On November 8, 1994, President Bush was elected Governor of Texas. He became the first Governor in Texas history to be elected to consecutive 4-year terms when he was re-elected on November 3, 1998.

President Bush worked with the Congress to create an ownership society and build a future of security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans. He signed into law tax relief that helped workers keep more of their hard-earned money, as well as the most comprehensive education reforms in a generation, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This legislation ushered in a new era of accountability, flexibility, local control, and more choices for parents, affirming our Nation’s fundamental belief in the promise of every child. President Bush also worked to improve healthcare and modernize Medicare, providing the first-ever prescription drug benefit for seniors; increase homeownership, especially among minorities; conserve our environment; and increase military strength, pay, and benefits. Because President Bush believed the strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens, he supported programs that encourage individuals to help their neighbors in need.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our Nation. President Bush took unprecedented steps to protect our homeland and create a world free from terror. He was grateful for the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform and their families. The President believed that by helping build free and prosperous societies, our Nation and our friends and allies can succeed in making America more secure and the world more peaceful.

President Bush is married to Laura Welch Bush, a former teacher and librarian, and they have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The Bush family also includes two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley, and a cat, Willie.



HT's:

The Anchoress

Investigating Obama

How Obama Got Elected

A True Patriot!

One of the most difficult things to do in this life is to go up against the "powers that be" in any situation. When a person has a grievance, especially when it is being sought against the most powerful man in the world, that person's life could be at risk. I have no doubt that the pressures being leveled against soldier Scott Easterling are enormous. Yet, he will not cower under such pressure. He is a true American hero and true patriot!

Christine

*******
Quote:
A U.S. soldier on active duty in Iraq has called President Obama an "impostor" in a statement in which he affirmed plans to join as plaintiff in a challenge to Obama's eligibility to be commander in chief.

The statement was publicized by California attorney Orly Taitz who, along with her Defend Our Freedom Foundation, is working on a series of legal cases seeking to uncover Obama's birth records and other documents that would reveal whether he meets the requirements of the U.S. Constitution.

"As an active-duty officer in the United States Army, I have grave concerns about the constitutional eligibility of Barack Hussein Obama to hold the office of president of the United States," wrote Scott Easterling in a "to-whom-it-may-concern" letter.


Obama "has absolutely refused to provide to the American public his original birth certificate, as well as other documents which may prove or disprove his eligibility," Easterling wrote. "In fact, he has fought every attempt made by concerned citizens in their effort to force him to do so."

Taitz told WND she had advised Easterling to obtain legal counsel before making any statements regarding the commander-in-chief, but he insisted on moving forward. His contention is that as an active member of the U.S. military, he is required to follow orders from a sitting president, and he needs – on pain of court-martial – to know that Obama is eligible.

Taitz said other legal cases questioning Obama's eligibility filed by members of the military mostly have included retired officers, and courts several times have ruled they don't have standing to issue their challenge.

Easterling, however, is subject to enemy fire and certainly would have a reason to need to know the legitimacy of his orders, she argued.

"Until Mr. Obama releases a 'vault copy' of his original birth certificate for public review, I will consider him neither my Commander in Chief nor my President, but rather, a usurper to the Office – an impostor," his statement said.

Easterling said he joined the Army at age 40 after working in Iraq as a contractor.

"I chose to work … to support my troops and then left that lucrative position when the Army raised its maximum enlistment age to 40. Upon completion of basic training, I entered Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a 2LT in August 2007. After completing the subsequent basic officer leadership courses, I was assigned to Ft. Knox and shortly thereafter deployed to Balad, Iraq," he wrote.

"I implore all service-members and citizens to contact their senators and representatives and demand that they require Mr. Obama prove his eligibility. Our Constitution and our great nation must not be allowed to be disgraced," he wrote.

Taitz said Easterling is among the plaintiffs she is assembling for a new legal action over Obama's eligibility. Others include a list of state lawmakers who also would be required in their official position to follow orders of the president.

"My conviction is such that I am compelled to join Dr. Orly Taitz's lawsuit, as a plaintiff, against Mr. Obama. As a citizen, it pains me to do this, but as an officer, my sworn oath to support and defend our Constitution requires this action," he said.

Easterling was "saluted" in a forum on Taitz' website.

"Lt. Easterling, As a retired US Army SFC, I salute you sir as a true American patriot and hero! Thank you for your unselfish service to our country. It is rare to find someone today with such moral courage to do the right thing regardless of repercussions," said one contributor.

Said another, "For your voluntary service to our country, we owe you a debt we can never pay." /quote

Read the rest here.

HT: WorldNetDaily