This story falls into the Urban Legend category. I thought of the course I took years ago, where the assignment was to find an urban legend. A woman found one, but then presented it as the truth, since she heard it from her cousin who knew the best friend of the person involved. It was truly a stunning teaching moment for the teacher, whose basic message was the same as this author's: Folklore is passed along because "groups" think the story is true because it supports a certain belief within the group.

In this legend, the group belief is that Obama won through illegimate methods and is, even by birth, "unamerican."

What's hilarious is that it is Clarence Thomas who supported this ridiculous lawsuit come before the Supreme Court. Guess he didn't much like being singled out as an unintelligent choice by Obama, eh?

Berg's case has been thrown out because he has no evidence of his claim at all. He basically is saying that it's Obama's job to convince him. That's legally stupid, and no court will support such a position.

It's a nuisance lawsuit. What's rather sad is that this story has swamped some previously reputable blogs. Now, the paranoids have taken over and not only can they not think reasonably about this story but they are committed to group think to such an extent that there's no real dicourse any longer.

Yes, we definitely saw a shift. The social climate is not supportive of old-style Republican positions. Obviously, the majority of people have "been there, done that" and were ready for change.

Mostly I agree about the religious aspect of presidentialism. Amen!

It's absurd and led to excesses in rhetoric, no different than I recall seeing over other emotional issues.

The governor of Hawaii has issue now 2 statements regarding the legitimacy of the birth certificate.

We HAVE investigated the story.

It's baloney.

What the B/C nuts want everyone to believe is that the governor of Hawaii is in on some conspiracy.

Stuff and nonsense.

Guess google is a bit much for you?

Here's the verification.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/31773_Hawaii_State_Verifies_Obama_Birth_Certificate#rss

The real fun part of this article is watching how it plays out. It simply reinforces the author's point.

Once you're invested in a lie, you'll do anything to keep it going.

This wasn't the only nutty story of this election, by any means. And the irrationality certainly doesn't belong only to the "right-wingers." Oh goodness, no.

Not at all. This is just a group think kind of problem.

It affects all walks of life.

Aren't you a perfect example of what the author is saying!

I just love it.

I posted and others did, too, the governor of Hawaii's statement.

But now, your conspiracy has expanded. All these news sources have decided to lie.

*hooting*

The conspiracy grows and grows.

a fool, yet again.

Anon...there's no playbook. This is just a nuisance lawsuit and one of the results of blog-world. I noticed long ago that it was people pretending to research. Nevermind that their "research" turned up virtually nothing.

Some people suffer, truly, from OCD. This is the work of their minds.

is about like the warmth you feel when you pee on yourself on a windy night.

In short, it feels good momentarily, but......

True good-will is pretty boring and simple stuff. It's returning the shopping cart to a proper location, allowing the guy with his blinker on to actually merge into your lane, letting someone know when you sincerely like their sweater.

Small stuff that so many people simply have no time for these days is the actual spirit behind that slogan, Random Acts of Kindness.

It takes a kind of centered person to notice when an opportunity arises.

And it takes a good soul to follow through.

Good. I'm ready to see a dismantling of many monopolies, particularly in the news industry.

Now, quality is always quality.

And that is NOT necessary becoming the best at the latest details which bore the most dedicated reader.

And it certainly isn't writing one more piece of Palin's wardrobe.

The cream will rise to the top.

of this ridiculous net story that grew "legs" is that people should understand now the danger of believing every blog story that suits their political perspective. This story was NEVER legitimate. Reading the blogs regarding the B/C was embarassing. 90% relied upon the rationale, "If Obama won't address this, then that proves he's hiding something."

Rev. Manning is clearly a sick man. One aspect of the election that was disturbing was that people who did not support Obama actually convinced themselves otherwise. It is one thing to make odd bedfellows in an election year, but to promote someone with a clear mental problem was alarming.

The news conference sounded about like the one with Sinclair, who is still promoting the story about Obama being involved in a sex and drug scandal.

The ridiculous remarks about being similar to the rise of Hitler is what I saw on blogs that finally have banished anyone who is NOT irrational. That's the tone of 90% of the remarks. Anyone who can't "get" that this is facism is deemed to have a problem.

Perhaps a long-term benefit may be that we recognize that many of our citizens have mental illnesses that probably are going unaddressed. A good healthcare plan is needed.

The story will die now, I'm sure, but those of you proclaiming that a lawsuit challenging the validity of Obama's birthplace that makes it to the Supreme Court should be ignored crack me up!

If that ain't news, I don't know what is!

but Obama did not.

As for your question about how "these" nuts exist? Stinky types live for this.

I recognize the thrill of conspiracy theories is attention.

These are people who love negative attention. Why? They really don't know how to get positive attention, and any attention is better than none.