Brilliant Idea from Vox

Blogs vs billboards

The birth certificate controversy isn't the first time the old media has attempted to exert control over the public discourse and sweep inconvenient issues under the carpet. Nor will it be the first time they'll be unsuccessful in doing so. Who needs billboards when we've got blogs?

I'd encourage those of you who understand that the Certification of Live Birth produced by the Obama campaign is not the relevant birth certificate being requested and does not prove anything about where he was actually born to throw an electronic billboard up on your blog somewhere. I recognize it's entirely possible that Obama is, in fact, completely eligible for the Federal office he presently holds, but the indisputable fact of the matter is that we don't actually have any evidence that he is while we do know that the administration is going to unprecedented lengths to keep a very tight lid on a number of his records for reasons that remain unknown.

If you find it difficult to believe there is any difference between the document that has been provided and the one being requested, I suggest obtaining a Certification of Live Birth for yourself and attempting to use it the next time you are required to provide a birth certificate. The issue may ultimately prove irrelevant, but the difference is real. Those of us who have lived abroad for extensive periods are painfully aware of the significant differences between the various forms of birth-related documents.


"In order to process your application, DHHL utilizes information that is found only on the original Certificate of Live Birth, which is either black or green. This is a more complete record of your birth than the Certification of Live Birth (a computer-generated printout)."