Lt. Scott Easterling has entered a novel fight while serving in Iraq: he is suing President Barack Obama. Easterling is calling the President an “impostor” and challenging his right to issue commands while his birth status is in question. It is one of a series of lawsuit challenging the right of the President to serve on the basis of his birth status. It appears that he could be joined by Senator Richard Shelby in the litigation. Shelby has refused to accept Obama citizenship until he sees a birth certificate.
Easterling is supporting challenges filed by California attorney Orly Taitz and her Defend Our Freedom Foundation. He issued a statement: “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.
The statement will raise an interesting question for an active soldier. It appears that Lt. Easterling is still following orders and he does have a right to file a lawsuit. However, calling the Commander-in-Chief an “impostor” in an out-of-court statement could be the grounds for discipline under the military code. Here is the statement that he released to the public:
To Any and All Interested Parties,
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. He 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. In fact, he has fought every attempt made by concerned citizens in their effort to force him to do so.
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.
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 Offficer, my sworn oath to support and defend our Constitution requires this action.
I joined the Army at age 40, after working in Iraq as a contractor with KBR in ‘05/’06. I chose to work with KBR to support my troops and then left that lucrative position when the Army raised it’s 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 therafter deployed to Balad, Iraq. I was promoted to 1LT on Feb. 2, 2009 and I have approximately five months remaining of our fifteen month deployment.
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.
Very Respectfull,
Scott R. Easterling
1LT OD/LG
United States Army
[Update: Now a second soldier has reportedly joined Easterling in his challenge to the President’s legitimacy.
The case may follow the same course as the court martial of Lt. Ehren Watada for his public comments against the Iraq war. His case led to some novel appeals and a mistrial. 
Shadow:
I dont think he was saying that you said it, he was implying that you are a fanatical irrational idealogue. Although I dont want to put words in Mespo’s pen hand so I could be mistaken.
Mespo is very polite but does have a wonderful way with words.
Bron,
Because I am not a trickster, nor a pawn, but rather a truth seeker I did the research for you. I think you should be satisfied with my findings and indeed be reassured that I am a man of integrity.
from immigration.findlaw.com
“The laws governing whether or not a child born outside of the United States acquires U.S. citizenship from parents have changed several times. You’ll need to look at the law that was in effect on the date of the child’s birth (and the parents’ birth, if grandparents were U.S. citizens) for guidance. These laws differ for the following time periods:
prior to May 24, 1934
May 25, 1934 to January 12, 1941
January 13, 1941 to December 23, 1952
December 24, 1952 to November 13, 1986, and
November 14, 1986 to present.
To read about the law that was in effect at the time of your birth, see U.S. Immigration Made Easy, by Ilona Bray (Nolo).”
Notice that they differ for the time periods and the circumstances. The only thing relevant is what I said, which is true: according to the law of the time, Obama needed to be born to a woman who was a 5 year resident after the age of 14. SA Dunham was not. Again, what have I done? Made a claim that is verifiable. I’m a fact checker and a truth seeker! It is true what I have said. Period. Doesn’t this give me more, not less credibility?
Sometimes it takes a while to gain credibility — that’s why I’m willing to take the time to show you. Because I care and this is NOT a game or a name calling exchange to me.
I am very pleased that you would like to follow the Constitution. Currently the “President” and the Senate are trying to pull another fast one — make a law that gives full representation to D.C. in the House of Representatives. This is expressly forbidden in our Constitution. If they want to amend the Constitution, fine. But they are trying to do whatever they want. Check Steve Chapman’s article about this. It is called “Misstating the Constitution.” He is a non-partisan editorial writer.
Thanks,
Shadow
Mespo:
have you or anyone else read the Rubyiat? I read it yesterday for the first time and was wondering if I got the gist of it. I think there is a bit more to it than I might understand but basically he is talking about taking life as it comes and not wasiting it but enjoy it and take time to smell the flowers. Also love well. Maybe a bit of a follower of Epicurus?
Mespo,
What’s the new information???
My point was that everything I have said is verifiable. I debunked Treacy’s assertion about Fukino and Onaka.
You then say, “I always love an opponent who confidently tells the world that regardless of whatever new information he receives, he will never change his opinion.”
I never said this. You invented it. In fact, anyone who has read me and has an open mind will see that I said I’m willing to take back all that I have said if you can bring up Fukino or Onaka’s statements about the supposed COLB. I’m still waiting. Know why Treacy can’t do that? He doesn’t have the new information, as you say. Why? They have never commented on it. End of story.
Shadow:
why would he not be a citizen if his mother was 18 and not 19? What does it say about the citizenship of an American child born to an American mother and a non-American father? You really did not answer the question.
As far as the constitution goes I certainly want to abide by it but you havent yet made the case that he is not a citizen. If his mother is a citizen then he is either a citizen or not a citizen if he was born outside the US but you havent brought up any relevant case law that says that or at least you havent explained it well enough for me as a layman to understand.
Lets say my daughter goes to france and has sex with a german national and then moves to china and has the baby in china, all the while retaining her American citizenship what is the baby? Is she french because that is the place of conseption or german because that is the nationality of the father or is she chinese because she is born in china? If the father wanted her she could be a german citizen, she certainly is not french and it would have to be determined if she could be a chinese citizen. She certainly would be an American citizen by virtue of her mothers citizenship unless of course her mother renounced her American citizenship and moved to germany to be with the father. But even if she did that because the child was born an American would not she [child] still be an American citizen because she cannot renounce her citizenship because she is not yet of age? So I would say that Barrack Obama is the legitimate president of the US unless you can find a document that was prepared under oath in some foreign country after the age of 21 where he renounces his citizenship
Unless you can answer all of this satisfactorly and with legal precedents you are wasting my time and your own.
Any lawyers? have I got that right?
Mr. Leo,
Thank you for your inquiry. This isn’t about me. I am just showing that these others arguments are not correct, factually, that’s all.
Mr. Berg on the East Coast and Mr. Kreep out West are working on the case. I have followed them for a long time now.
I will not talk badly about Mr. Treacy, he at least civilly discuess things, I respect him for that. But this clown BIL guy will continue to try to defame me. Pay no attention to him. The clue that one is a troll/loser is that he never mentions the issues. So he betrays himself. Meanwhile, I keep talking about productive stuff.
My mission is to show people how shady this whole deal is. I can’t for the life of me think of ANY possible answer why Obama would refuse for SO LONG to release the original birth certification if he has one … and he has one. Again, Fukino has officially said this and I have linked it. I think it is easy to see why someone might find it tragically unreasonable to not show something that is a strict qualification for President of the USA. Don’t you?
By spreading the awareness of the case we will at the very least put pressure on the issue. Even if my conclusion were wrong, at least someone wouldn’t get off the hook or special treatment. Look, this man has sealed EVERY record he has — medical, college, law, etc. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
That is unprecedented in modern presidential history. Look it up! Verifiable again! Bush, Clinton, McCain in this election … ALL showed such documents!
Help me out here LEO, please, I beg you. Given all that I have said, and what others have said, maybe you can help me and them simultaneously.
If he has nothing to hide, that is, he REALLY is born in Hawaii, why not show? Please, I really want to know. Can you come up with anything? Something!
Anyone?
Bueller?
I’ve thought long and hard. Maybe I’m not creative enough. I’d rather here from someone like you anyway who is open enough to have a real dialogue.
Buddha:
“My arguments speak for themselves precisely because they can be verified. I don’t care what you say.”
**********
I always love an opponent who confidently tells the world that regardless of whatever new information he receives, he will never change his opinion. I see precious little verification from Shadow and an abundance of supposition and reliance on secondary sources with an ax to grind. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. I am still waiting for Shadow’s.
Ahh, Buddha, only you resort to attacks. At least Vince tries to address arguments.
What I have said stands not only because it is sound, but because it is verifiable. People can check if what I said is true. Nothing I have said is false. What does that mean?
At best, Mr. Treacy has hope, but no case because he cannot explain why this won’t go away? Why won’t it go away? Obama won’t show… in fact he can’t show or else he’s in JAIL, unless he gets pardoned.
My arguments speak for themselves precisely because they can be verified. I don’t care what you say. Anyone reading has learned the argument and sees the point. I’ve already won because my integrity is maintained. Everything I have said is true.
I think Mr. Treacy is a fine man but I have exposed his argument — he cannot produce one shred of official documentation or statement from Fukino or Onaka about the supposed COLB. Why not? It doesn’t exist.
Shadow,
Then what do you plan to do to resolve this issue? Do you have legal support? Are there ‘enough’ of like-minded people to do anything constructive or are you simply trying to vent your real or perceived concern for what you consider a constitutional crisis?
Still no converts, huh, Propaganda Boy? How’s that result oriented analysis working out for you? Resorting to the ad hominem on Vince since you couldn’t win, eh? Smear the messenger when you can’t defeat the message?
Sucks to be you.
Semi-colon.
Vince, I know all of the cases. You quoted the Constitution correctly. You then get into diversion. Everyone read what Vince quoted.
It says that a natural born citizen or a citizen at the time of the signing (since at that time no one was old enough to be President at the founding of the nation) could be president. The 2nd scenario is now gone, since the signing took place.
Immigration law at the time of Barack Obama’s birth (Aug 4 1961)was that a child born to only one American parent needed to live in the United States for 5 years past the age of 14 to transmit this status. S.A. Dunham was not 19 when she had Obama, she was 18. This law is the applicable law in this case.
Let’s forget about an undecided Supreme Court for now — it’s irrelevant because it hasn’t happened yet. McCain under law of his birth was a natural born citizen, according to immigration law. FACT.
According to immigration law at the time of Obama’s birth, he was not natural born. FACT.
I’m not going to argue what the Supreme Court may or may not decide in these posts given. That is for another time and another place; it is irrelevant. The precedent at the time is immigration law. I have given you more truthful statements about the two cases, both verifiable. Obviously, those immigration laws were based on historical law application and other supreme court cases. Go ahead and look up acts of 1790 and then the repeal of that act in 1795 defining natural born.
See what I’m doing Vince? I’m not afraid of what I state, because every time, it is VERIFIABLE. People reading my posts don’t have to take my word for it. They can check for themselves.
This hurts you in comparison because you don’t do this, in fact.
Vince, you have now brought up (repeated actually) two ideas at the end of your post that I have debunked. The fact that there is a seal on a COLB that Obama won’t show to anyone but a random website means nothing. What if the document is forged? You said that Onaka said that it was legit. You are incorrect. Again, neither Fukino nor Anaka have EVER talked about the supposed COLB on record. NEVER. If they have and you have any official comment of theirs regarding the COLB Obama claims to have, please link me to this document. I will read it and then take back everything I have said. So please do it, because I do not want to be wrong. But I have extensively searched because I want to be sure that I am not making false claims (unlike you) —- I desire the truth.
Your last point is answered by what I have just said.
The only way to clear up confusion would be for Obama to release the original birth certificate. But he won’t because
VINCE TREACY’s explanations are incorrect. Period.
Mr.Vince Treacy,
Thank you sir.
Shadow said the constitutional requirement is that “the President must be 35, lived here 14 years, and be born in the United States as a natural born citizen.”
Actually, that is not what it says. It says “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.” Art II, sec. Cl 5. It does not say born in the United States. The exact words of the Constitution are important.
Bron, many scholars agree with you that persons born of American citizen parents are natural born citizens regardless of place of birth, but the Supreme Court has not yet ruled. There are long articles on the web. Go to the discussion started on March 29, 2008 on this site, and scroll down to the memo by Tribe and Olson:
http://jonathanturley.org/2008/03/29/olson-and-tribe-argue-that-mccain-is-natural-born/
Under this reasoning, I concluded that McCain was eligible. I would also agree that Obama would be a natural born citizen because his mother was an American citizen at the time of his birth, even if he was born outside the United States (which he was not).
The First Congress treated foreign born children of Americans at natural born citizens. Shadow says “You need two citizens as parents to be naturally born if not born in the United States,” but that is just his opinion, because there is no such requirement in the Constitution.
Everyone: Hawaii issued a “Certification of Live Birth” or COLB for Obama on June 6, 2007.
Hawaii uses signature stamps on birth certificates. This one says “I certify this is a true copy or abstract of the record on file in the Hawaii State Department of Health” and is signed by Alvin T. Onaka, State Registrar.
http://www.factcheck.org/UploadedFiles/birth_certificate_7.jpg
I hope this clears it up for all of you, if not for shadow. The Hawaii State Registrar of the state’s department of health has certified that the document released by Obama is a “true copy or abstract” of the record on file. The official issued the certification based on the records in the file. I do not know how many other ways I can convey this meaning.
Finally, Shadow still does not grasp the fact that a birth certificate issued under Hawaii law for a person born outside Hawaii, such as an adopted child, would not show a place of birth in Hawaii.
I hope this clears up some confusion.
Bron, your type of attitude isn’t surprising. At this point I think may Americans care so little about the Constitution they are willing to let a man who defrauded himself knowingly do whatever he pleases.
If you let this go, what are you going to do when they take away free speech? Wait for the next guy? I’m willing to say that this may not happen for some time, but things change and happen faster than we think — War, economic collapse, etc.
Your indifference is your right, but you didn’t write the Constitution. If the only thing that many have given their lives for (our Republic as given by the Constitution) is not respected and is walked upon, there is no rule of law anymore. Anyone can do anything he pleases … and the rate we are going, whoever that may be … WILL.
You need two citizens as parents to be naturally born if not born in the United States. Barack Obama is a Con law lecturer. He knows very well that he is not a naturally born citizen, which is why he won’t show the original birth certificate.
my only question as a layman is why does any of this matter, I thought his mother was an American citizen so isnt all of this moot? He could have been born on Mars and wouldnt he still be an American?
His mother was an American he is an American as far as I am concerned. And Shadow I can tell you I would be very happy if President Obama was just plain Senator Obama but even as partisan as I am dont see a problem.
Lets just work to get someone else elected in 2012 and spend the energy and money on intelligent opposition instead of tilting at wind mills. This kind of fringe kookery does us no good.
Thank you Mike for the tacit recognition that you cannot and have not been able to counter my points, as much as you make up or read into them.
I have no problem with you not buying the argument, which is a good one. That’s fine. I don’t expect people who see poltiics as their religion to easily come out from that mindset. I know it is very human for there to be impedance to try to look at things more objectively. I have frailties too and sometimes they get the best of me.
What I do have a problem with is arguing against something by inventing things. You invented what Fukino said, what SHE NEVER said. And I showed this to you. You have every right to ignore or not believe anything you don’t want to. That’s up to you.
However, misleading or creating things that aren’t on the record is betraying a true argument. Don’t do it.
Be honest and admit that Fukino never said anything contrary to anything I have asserted. Also be honest and that the real reason I would ever post on this site is really due to Obama’s arrogance and lack of forthright transparency. It’s on him, not on me. If he releases the real original and you are right, I shut up. But he won’t.
And we both know why.
Buddha,
I began re-reading Neal Stephenson’s “Baroque Cycle” today. In light of the financial crisis I thought it would be instructive to see how finance began. Anything interesting happening in this thread today? Doesn’t appear to be. Back to my books.
maple goodness, mmmmm
Michael, please, keep your emotions out of this. Vince did nothing of the sort with regard to “demolishing” any argument.
Vince just said to me,
“Personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures.”
‘Read these words. He has personally seen the original.’
I have no doubt that there is an original. That’s what we know. He said that they have an original in accordance with state policies. One of those policies is a birth certificate for people not born in the state.
The OFFICIAL statement NEVER SAID and “I issued a COLB, the one that Obama has shown, based on it.” LOOK AT THE PDF-31 Oct 2008
“He has issued a certificate based on it.”
You added this and it is not at all what the official said. YOU SAID IT. If I’m wrong, correct me. But I am not. I have looked at every official statement said by Fukino. You said it, not him, you read into that; you extrapolated something he never said.
Fukino never commented on any COLB. He only addressed that Obama has an original birth certificate on file. It is possible that one can have an original and be born out of state. Obama won’t show the original. If he showed, I would shut up and walk away. Why are you mad at me?
For the record, I do not believe that you need two citizen or American parents to be President of the United States. I am not saying nor have I ever said such things. I do defend the Constitutional requirement however that the President must be 35, lived here 14 years, and be born in the United States as a natural born citizen.
Obama won’t show the original. Why?
He wouldn’t even open the COLB up to the public. Ha! It’s even sketchier. If worried about conspiracy anyway, just open up the COLB to the people, not to some random website of his choosing. But again he won’t even be truly forthcoming about the COLB.
Again, Fukino NEVER SAID ANYTHING OFFICIALLY about ANY COLB. For a reason … it’s not her business that someone faked a COLB and only showed it to a random website. She doesn’t care. Her business is telling the truth about having an original. And she did tell the truth. There is one. But it has some other info untoward to Obama.
All of the preceding elements are FACT.
BIL, yes thank you for the Blackadder treat!