Rep. Eric Swafford's bid to make Tennessee a laughingstock
by Jeff Woods
Though this year's session has just begun, one lawmaker is already making Tennessee a laughingstock.
That would be Rep. Eric Swafford, who proudly became America's first state legislator to join the wacky legal action challenging Barack Obama's status as a U.S. citizen, an issue that's become an obsession of the far-right fringe.
When reporters asked House Democrats for their reaction, Rep. Larry Miller was incredulous. "He did what? Who's Eric Swafford?"
"He's from Mars," Democratic leader Gary Odom responded.
Democratic caucus chairman Mike Turner, who had just left the hospital for tests for chest pains, was simply happy he's not charged with keeping Republicans in line. "I don't see how some of these people get elected," he said. "I'm just tickled to death I'm not in a leadership position in the Republican Party. That heart attack I had yesterday would have been for real probably."
But while Democrats may find it amusing to watch their enemies repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot, it can't be good for the state, says Miller. "There's always something coming out of the Republican Party in the state of Tennessee—something racist, something goofy. What is the mentality of these kind of people who continuously make these kind of goofy statements?... We're the joke of the nation, and they continue to make us the joke of the nation."
Still, that didn't stop three other House Republicans from promising to join the crackpot legal action, which demands that the president produce his birth certificate. Among them was—you guessed it!—grandstanding Rep. Stacey Campfield and GOP caucus chairman Glen Casada.
A sobering thought: Had these men not been out-schemed by Speaker Kent Williams collusion with Democrats, they'd actually be running the House.
Frank Niceley, a farmer from Strawberry Plains, is among the conspiracy theorists. He's the same guy who once told a House committee: "It's not exactly rocket surgery."
Yet Niceley believes the president, who's already produced his birth certificate, should be held to the same standards as his grandchildren.
"If my grandkid wants to play Little League ball, he's got to show a birth certificate," Niceley said. "If it's not too much to ask of a Little League baseball player, it's not too much to ask of the president. He ought to go ahead and show it and make everybody shut up. I don't see what the problem is. There's a lot of unanswered questions floating around. I don't think that's asking too much of the most powerful man in the free world. You don't just ignore the Constitution the way the federal government has started doing now. I don't know where Obama was born. Who knows what the truth is these days?"
Wacko World, Part II
Speaking of goofballs, Campfield—self-appointed champion of family values—has filed his usual batch of ridiculous and mean-spirited bills.
First he wanted to force women who have abortions to obtain death certificates. Now he's sponsoring a creepy law that bars the state from recognizing unmarried fathers of stillborn children by keeping them off official paperwork. Though it appears to be some vague tribute to family values, the end effect is little more than cruel insult.
Campfield's also combining his fetish for reproduction with another attack on illegal immigrants. He wants to deny a birth certificate to any child of an illegal immigrant mother unless the father is a U.S. citizen and agrees in writing to provide for the child until age 18.
Of course, the suspect constitutionality of Campfield's legislation is of no concern to the sponsor. Luckily, he's yet to pass a bill in his legislative career, and the House doesn't waste much time talking about his proposals.
In the past, they've been summarily killed in subcommittees. This year shouldn't be much different, despite a more Republican House. Speaker Kent Williams hates Campfield and his ilk and probably will insist on killing all his bills.
Democratic infighting
As if Tennessee didn't have enough trouble, the Democratic Party is feuding about how much to pay its new chairman. Finance committee chief Will T. Cheek is trying to cut chairman Chip Forrester's pay by $40,000 annually, although he'll settle for a smaller reduction. Forrester, in turn, wants to depose Cheek as head of the finance committee.
The party is beset by troubles. Four Democratic congressmen and Gov. Phil Bredesen backed another candidate for chairman, Charles Robert Bone, the son of a major money guy. The party's executive committee defied them by electing Forrester in January. Since then, elected officials have been pouting and refusing to meet with Forrester, sources say.
They see Forrester as a little weird, and have decided they don't need the party anyway.
"Chip is kind of squirrelly," one source says. "He's not a dumb guy, but his thought processes are not good and he ends up doing stupid things."
The party is basically broke at this point, but it's not all Forrester's fault. Other factors are hurting fundraising as well.
The economy isn't helping. And when Republicans took the legislature last fall, they captured the state's constitutional offices and Building Commission, which have long been used to extract contributions in exchange for state contracts.
Email jwoods@nashvillescene.com, or call 615-844-9445
Comments (21)
Showing 1-21 of 21
I wonder if the Obamites will claim that Alan Keyes is a racist for denying Obama's eligibility to be POTUS. Up to this point, they have more or less defined any doubters as "un-educated white racists". How will they deal with Keyes?
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Since Hawaii has issued the type of COLB that Obama placed on the internet to babies born in foreign countries, the actual country he was in fact born in, the hospital and, the doctors signature, will only be found on the vault copy of his long form birth certificate. This long form is the one he will not release. Why ? What is he hiding? Hawaii officials say this vault copy is in their files, but they can not , and will not release it without his permission. Obama instead is paying lawyers to keep this and other records secret. Our new president HAS NOT proved he is eligible to be in office.
Since Hawaii has issued the type of COLB that Obama placed on the internet to babies born in foreign countries, the actual country he was in fact born in, the hospital and, the doctors signature, will only be found on the vault copy of his long form birth certificate. This long form is the one he will not release. Why ? What is he hiding? Hawaii officials say this vault copy is in their files, but they can not , and will not release it without his permission. Obama instead is paying lawyers to keep this and other records secret. Our new president HAS NOT proved he is eligible to be in office.
Well - this story is highly biased, isn't it? I never thought of myself as "wacko" or similar but...I have never seen Obama's BC... I do not believe he has been properly vetted for candidacy and I would like to see it done, even belatedly. Two things I request: a "Birth Certificate" (not the "Certificate of Live Birth" - two different things and one is not the other - even in Hawaii only the BC is sufficient for certain activities) and a copy of his school records. This is part of the proper vetting process. Vetting wasn't done. Am I "wacko" for wanting it? I do not support Obama, obviously, but this issue is separate from my support. Am I biased? Frankly, I'm glad someone of "standing" is taking the issue to the courts. Obama can solve all of this with the least amount of effort compared to his efforts his attorneys have expended keeping this info away from the public...or is that a "wacko" statement? I mean, mere observation of lawyers keeping info "hidden" makes me "wacko" I guess....sigh....
What is wacko and crazy are the people calling those asking to see proof Obama is qualified. Oh, or you all must be the ones in line for free money. I get it now. Our country is headed for ruin.
What is wacko and crazy are the people calling those asking to see proof Obama is qualified. Oh, or you all must be the ones in line for free money. I get it now. Our country is headed for ruin.
Just a couple of observations about this issue. First of all, if you think this is going away anytime soon just watch the response to this and other articles about Obama's real birth certificate. Second, those wanting to see Obama properly vetted are always called whackos, poor losers and right wing conservative radicals. Never do you see a response that answers the basic question; what is the problem with us seeing Obama's real vault birth certificate? What is he hiding? Instead of the name calling let's have a logical answer please. I'm a lifelong liberal democrat wanting to support Obama. But, only after we see he meets the constitutional requirements to serve.
How do you get to be a full grown adult male and still convince yourself anything on the left has merit. Just shut up and show the F***king birth certificate.
"who's already produced his birth certificate" That is a bald-faced lie. To who? When? How do you know?
"who's already produced his birth certificate" That is a bald-faced lie. To who? When? How do you know?
Obama has not produced his "Birth Certificate", he produced a "Certification of Live Birth" which is different from a Birth Certificate. Educate yourself!!
Of course the writer of this article recognizes the pattern of obstruction to vital information concerning Obama, right? You have to squint awfully hard or be radically partisan to be satisfied with who he is. Health records not released, university records not released, and a proven fraudulent/photoshoped "Certificate of Live Birth," which is NOT a "Birth Certificate." Our Constitution demands he be a "Natural Born" citizen and the American people deserve to know who is "leading" their country. No person should be allowed to violate our most sacred document. And if you think that's OK, then the USA is already dead.
Rules for Radicals Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.
Rules for Radicals Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.
This is the first presidency for which there has been any question of citizenship. What we do know is that Hawaii handed out birth certificates to anyone who asked for them to establish residency in the new state. This is the document that Obama showed. We also know that Obama lived in Indonesia for a number of years, which prohibits dual citizenship. And we have anecdotal evidence that Obama was actually born in Kenya! So yes, my dear Obamamaniacs, there is a real Constitutional question here.
This is the first presidency for which there has been any question of citizenship. What we do know is that Hawaii handed out birth certificates to anyone who asked for them to establish residency in the new state. This is the document that Obama showed. We also know that Obama lived in Indonesia for a number of years, which prohibits dual citizenship. And we have anecdotal evidence that Obama was actually born in Kenya! So yes, my dear Obamamaniacs, there is a real Constitutional question here.
Thank God for Eric Swafford, he isn't floating along with the rest of the dead fish. He has every right to ask for anything that the people he represents want. Go ahead and laugh and we will see how hard you are laughing next year. Eric Swafford is a fine individual and is appreciated by the people he represents.
Items of concern from the Berg Lawsuit provided below. The Scene should consider these facts before denigrating those who deem it important for the President to come foreward with proof that he is constitutionally eligible to hold this office. This is not an insignificant or frivilous issue as a growing number of people have become concerned. It could be settled very quickly by the President. Most curiously, rather than provide transparency, as Mr. President has so often promised during his campaign, his lawyers have engaged in aversive strategies that reflect badly on the President as indicated in the following release: Obama Threatens Keyes and other Eligibility Plaintiffs – Obama’s lawyers file motion to quash efforts to obtain documents that confirm eligibility for Presidential office. (cf. Bob Unruh's WND article Sanctions sought in eligibility case.) that includes “a demand that monetary penalties be assessed against me and the other plaintiffs in the suit. Though not unexpected, this motion confirms Obama's ruthless determination to destroy anyone who continues to seek the information the Constitution requires. Why should they demand penalties against citizens who are simply seeking the enforcement of the Supreme Law of the Land? It is simply because their persistence runs contrary to the will of a supposedly popular demagogue? This smacks of tyrannical arrogance. That Obama thus signals his intent to bring financial ruin on those who won't accept his cover-up of the circumstances of his birth is a tactical escalation. It confirms the common sense suspicion that he won't act forthrightly in this matter because he has something to hide.” http://loyaltoliberty.blogspot.com/2009/02/obama-threatens-keyes-and-other.html The following is from the Berg lawsuit: The only document provided by Mr. Obama thus far is a 2007 computer-generated Certification of Live Birth, (“COLB”), generated by officials of the state of Hawaii, purportedly at the direction of the Governor and two U.S. Senators. This “short-form” document is NOT the same as the original vault copy (i.e., “Certificate of Live Birth”) as it does not bear a sworn certification of an attendant (physician) or contain other vital birth information such as hospital location, mother’s age, etc. The sample vault copy shown here is a copy of a legal “Certificate of Live Birth” obtained at the request of a person born in Hawaii in 1963. In 2007, Mr. Obama released a scanned graphic copy of a computer-generated Certification of Live Berth (“COLB”) via this campaign website, (www.fightthesmears.com). After numerous individuals began to question the authenticity of the document supplied by Obama, a “respected” political watchdog organization, FactCheck.org initiated an “independent” analysis of Obama’s COLB, which included physical examination of the document and photographs of the document. The organization concluded the document is authentic and that, as indicated on the certificate, Obama was therefore born in Honolulu, Hawaii. FactCheck.org apparently did not check the meaning of the content of the authentic, COLB. For instance, FactCheck.org did not determine if the authentic, Hawaiian issued, computer-generated, Certification of Live Birth was generated from a State database that included births that were registered in Hawaii after occurring in foreign countries. According to Berg, it was not uncommon for people living in Hawaii to give birth in foreign countries and then register the birth in Hawaii. Surprisingly, FactCheck.org apparently did not ask Mr. Obama to obtain a copy of the official vault copy of his birth certificate. NOTE: Obama’s Hawaiian “Certification of Live Birth,” reviewed by FactCheck, was created in 2007. This raises an additional question as to what documentation Obama used to establish his citizenship to run for Illinois state Senator or U.S. Senator in 2006. Beside its apparent failure to investigate the proper document, an apparent conflict of interest exists regarding FactCheck’s analysis. FactCheck.org is an arm of the powerful Annenberg Foundation which also runs the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, the entity which employed Barack Obama as its chairman of the board. According to the National Review, the Annenberg Challenge was founded by former “Weather Underground” terrorist Bill Ayers, who apparently played a pivotal role in politically positioning Obama to run for public office. See this National Review article detailing Obama’s relationship to Annenberg and Ayers and its unsuccessful efforts to review the archives of the Annenberg Challenge.
If it's 'no big deal', then why haven't they released the official birth certificate and all the other identifications that are in question? While they're at it, it might be nice to have a look at his transcripts.
There's nothing dumb about it, I support these representatives, and I am a democrat. I also voted for Obama, and do regret it. The fact is, there's nothing wrong with upholding the US Constitution, and it does require that anyone seeking the presidency be a natural born US citizen. The founding fathers included that requirement, because they knew that anyone with divided loyalties, would place our country at great risk. Citizens have to document who they are all the time. A birth certificate is not hard to get, and at most it only costs $12. to obtain a legal, notarized copy of the long form of one's birth certificate. It does NOT present a hardship, and citizens do not get a pass when one has to show one to verify their identity, even if they are in dire need. I had no idea up until a few weeks back, that not only has Obama refused to provide a notarized copy of his long form birth certificate, he's spent close to a million dollars in legal fees fighting any effort to require him to do so. Supreme Court Justice Souter ordered him to provide it, and Obama ignored it. Citizens have the right to ask why? Obama supplied a faked short form, with no notary seal to an organization that he has had long term ties to, the Annenberg Trust. Experts examining the graphic (they denied access to the original of that one as well) have found that the birth cerficate's numbers and text has been edited and that there is no notary seal. All birth certificates, and certificates of live birth are required to have a seal. Again, a citizen has the right to ask why? Obama has also blocked access to his college and other similar records, because he seeks to deny anyone the ability to learn that he applied to those colleges with a foreign passport. If this is not true, why not provide access? It's already common knowledge that he has used an Indian and a Kenyan passport when traveling to other countries. He was also declined a security level clearance when he was in the senate, why? The office of the president is that of the chief public servant of the people of the US. It's not the position of a king, or a CEO. He is not our commander. He sought to run for the office, it was not imposed upon him. We have the right to demand that he uphold the constitution, he took an oath of office to do just that. For him to refuse to honor that oath, to document his birth status, is not only an insult to each and every one of us, but to that very constitution. That means he has no business being in the whitehouse, again, the office is not an entitlement. Whatever your feelings might be about republican elected officials, or republicans in general, it is immature and actually, a sign of a fascistic mindset to ridicule them for merely asking that Obama honor his oath of office and the constitution. What's more, our troops deserve the respect each and every one of us owes to them, and the main court case regarding this, represents a number of our soldiers who have presented their standing as citizens who have to look to the president as commander and chief. They are asking to have their legitimate concerns on the subject respected, the president asks them to put their lives on the line. If you can not understand their concerns, and respect their rights to have their concerns addressed, then it is you who are foolish and an embarrassment to the people of Tennessee and the United States.
There's nothing dumb about it, I support these representatives, and I am a democrat. I also voted for Obama, and do regret it. The fact is, there's nothing wrong with upholding the US Constitution, and it does require that anyone seeking the presidency be a natural born US citizen. The founding fathers included that requirement, because they knew that anyone with divided loyalties, would place our country at great risk. Citizens have to document who they are all the time. A birth certificate is not hard to get, and at most it only costs $12. to obtain a legal, notarized copy of the long form of one's birth certificate. It does NOT present a hardship, and citizens do not get a pass when one has to show one to verify their identity, even if they are in dire need. I had no idea up until a few weeks back, that not only has Obama refused to provide a notarized copy of his long form birth certificate, he's spent close to a million dollars in legal fees fighting any effort to require him to do so. Supreme Court Justice Souter ordered him to provide it, and Obama ignored it. Citizens have the right to ask why? Obama supplied a faked short form, with no notary seal to an organization that he has had long term ties to, the Annenberg Trust. Experts examining the graphic (they denied access to the original of that one as well) have found that the birth cerficate's numbers and text has been edited and that there is no notary seal. All birth certificates, and certificates of live birth are required to have a seal. Again, a citizen has the right to ask why? Obama has also blocked access to his college and other similar records, because he seeks to deny anyone the ability to learn that he applied to those colleges with a foreign passport. If this is not true, why not provide access? It's already common knowledge that he has used an Indian and a Kenyan passport when traveling to other countries. He was also declined a security level clearance when he was in the senate, why? The office of the president is that of the chief public servant of the people of the US. It's not the position of a king, or a CEO. He is not our commander. He sought to run for the office, it was not imposed upon him. We have the right to demand that he uphold the constitution, he took an oath of office to do just that. For him to refuse to honor that oath, to document his birth status, is not only an insult to each and every one of us, but to that very constitution. That means he has no business being in the whitehouse, again, the office is not an entitlement. Whatever your feelings might be about republican elected officials, or republicans in general, it is immature and actually, a sign of a fascistic mindset to ridicule them for merely asking that Obama honor his oath of office and the constitution. What's more, our troops deserve the respect each and every one of us owes to them, and the main court case regarding this, represents a number of our soldiers who have presented their standing as citizens who have to look to the president as commander and chief. They are asking to have their legitimate concerns on the subject respected, the president asks them to put their lives on the line. If you can not understand their concerns, and respect their rights to have their concerns addressed, then it is you who are foolish and an embarrassment to the people of Tennessee and the United States.
