Not only is what the middle-name-obsessed are doing stupid and offensive for its own sake, it’s getting in the way of what was turning into a really nice gaffe by the Clinton campaign.

And as for dual citizenship in either Kenya or Indonesia, I’m guessing that young master O. didn’t exactly put himself in for it even if some oppo researcher finds a piece of paper that says the status had been claimed for him. He’d have been a child at the time. Can we not remain legitimately focused on what he wants to spend the next 4 years doing, please?

bernzright777 on February 28, 2008 at 1:53 PM

If you’re going to quote copy-and-paste an entire article, you should provide a link. Otherwise, quit trying to pass someone else’s thoughts as your own. Loser.

I understood your point – that it could very well be a common name in Africa, like John Smith is here

I’m guessing that the names most likely to be used across the entire continent are western names. Africa is continent with many countries and cultures. The most common denominator of among african nations is probably colonialization.

I have known many Africans hailing from many nations. I know some with very interesting names and others with very French or Catholic names.

I have a close friend born and raised in Ghana with the exotic name “Sandra.”

***

baldilocks on February 28, 2008 at 2:48 PM

As I said in the comments at HA (not directed at Allahpundit or Geraghty), are we conservatives suddenly in favor of following International Law when it damages our opponents?

F*** ‘em. And thank you for your service.

d1carter on February 28, 2008 at 3:49 PM

The vetting process has just begun. Obama spoke of the “sily season.” I think the “ugly season” is more likely.

Citizenship for any offspring was the furthest thing in Kirk’s mind when encountering any of his women “friends”.

And I would like to be the FIRST to welcome our new British Overlord…

(viii) What should a child born in Kenya of mixed parentage( i.e. a Kenyan and a foreigner) do to become Kenyan?
The child holds dual citizenship up to the age of 21 years and will have to renounce his claim to the other nationality before he turns 23 years old in order for him to remain a Kenyan citizen.

Kenyan? no… but he may very well be a Citizen of the Commonwealth … as when he was born his Father was a Commonwealth subject… and unless he has specificly renounced that citizenship, he reatains it…

As to a Dual Citizenship President? The US did not acknowledge dual citizenship until the courts forced the issue… it was not even envisioned by the founding Fathers that this would come up.

The New York Times is at it again, this time questioning John McCain’s eligibility to be president because he was born in the Panama Canal Zone at a US military installation.

This is what the Constitution of the United States has to say about the ….

Per the 1914 Nationality Act, citizenship was granted to anyone born within the British dominions (Obama’s father was born in Kenya) and per the 1948 Act citizenship descended automatically to children of male citizens born outside the dominion (but only the first generation).

Obama for Prime Minister!

Would a love-child of Captain Kirk born on Vulcan be a Federation citizen? Boggles the mind.

Skipper50 on February 28, 2008 at 1:33 PM

(whispers) Valcan is a planet in the Federation.

Now as to what may or may not have happened on this mission I can not say. What happens on Romulus, stays on Romulus.

It is, of course, racist per se

Umm, isn’t any criticism of the Messiah, including calling him the “Messiah,” racist per se? All kidding aside, he’s become untouchable on all issues, because to attack his views means you are attacking his race. Even Bubba, our “first black president” and former MSM darling, is being treated by the MSM as if he were a right-wing fanatic.

You know, between those who call me “a black racist muslim female” for sharing one ethnicity with Obama, those who contend that our ethnic names are “un-American” and “un-Christian” and those who, like you, imply that while I was giving the best years of my life in service to my country that I was some sort of security risk, I’m starting to feel a bit…angry. And bitter.

Go to Hell.

baldilocks on February 28, 2008 at 2:48 PM

And you should, some of it has bee really rude.

then why would the “argument” even matter and why would it be a slip-up by the grantors of security clearances? And if it didn’t matter, then why bother going to the Kenyans and asking?

baldilocks on February 28, 2008 at 2:59 PM

We were talking about qualifications for the presidency and citizenship. The question was could Obama unknowingly hold dual citizenship. If Kenya thinks he is a citizen then it is pertinent to the subject of the thread. If Kenya said he did hold dual citizenthip, Obama, I suppose could renounce such citizenship and make the issue moot. It’s pretty much an academic discussion.

if Kenya considered someone in such a circumstance as a citizen, that doesn’t mean that person considers themselves a citizen of Kenya nor does it mean the US cares

then why would the “argument” even matter and why would it be a slip-up by the grantors of security clearances? And if it didn’t matter, then why bother going to the Kenyans and asking?

baldilocks on February 28, 2008 at 2:48 PM

Look, it is just a diplomatic technicality prone to debate. No one is saying anything about you personally. Even if Kenya considered someone in such a circumstance as a citizen, that doesn’t mean that person considers themselves a citizen of Kenya nor does it mean the US cares.

As an electability issue, however, this story could get interesting. The first black president, who happens to also be our first Kenyan citizen? Might raise a few eyebrows, especially if it encourages people to look more closely at any eccentric relatives he might have in other countries.

FWIW.

bnelson44 on February 28, 2008 at 2:01 PM

You know, between those who call me “a black racist muslim female” for sharing one ethnicity with Obama, those who contend that our ethnic names are “un-American” and “un-Christian” and those who, like you, imply that while I was giving the best years of my life in service to my country that I was some sort of security risk, I’m starting to feel a bit…angry. And bitter.

Go to Hell.

Oh, sorry dude, my bad. I misunderstood you.
In that case, we’re on the same page again, as usual.

Shirotayama on February 28, 2008 at 2:34 PM

I understood your point – that it could very well be a common name in Africa, like John Smith is here.

BHO is not a common name in this country however, and it’s not as ordinary and unremarkable a name like John Adams or Benjamin Franklin.

I just find it amusing to see what lengths people, particularly progressive academics, will go to spin reality into fantasy.

We’re not talking about Islam. Or calling Obama a Muslim.

We’re wondering if he’s hiding a Dual Citizenship or not.

Apple. And. Orange.

Can’t get over it, can’t go under it, just can’t help that name thang and the need to keeping using it. It’s like an addiction.

Unfortunately, first time I’ve ever disagreed w/you.

I couldn’t give a rat’s a** what some leftard UMich prof sez. My point was that since Kenya has sizeable Muslim AND Christian communities, there are probably LOTS of guys named “Barack Hussein Obama” there (after all, he’s a JUNIOR, his Dad was named the same) and it’d be a matter of an attorney in Nairobi (or Jakarta) finding the RIGHT birth record to determine if he has dual citizenship or NOT.

Sheeeeeeesh….

even though I don’t care for B.O. this issue is kind of the same as the McCain issue. Boring.

Is it a non issue and boring? What is the law about someone who has duel citizenship being president? Did the founding fathers not address it because everyone at that time was a former subject to the crown? Anyone know the specific answer?