To President-elect Barack Obama - From Citizen Berryhill

Dear Mr. President-elect Obama,

With out a doubt, your history making ascension to the highest office in the land has brought, and continues to bring, unexplainable pride to millions of people of color, not just in America... but around the globe. People are rooting for you, as they want you to be a good President.

But on the other hand... there are also millions of others who do not like you, respect you, or want to see you confirmed as the 44th President of these United States. Please understand that for some in that category, it's personal. But there are many, who have not accepted your position, operating out of fear because there remain 'questions' about your life that have not been thoroughly answered.

I am writing this open letter to you today on behalf of both sides. Mr. President-elect, surely you know that there is a 'tempest in the teapot' brewing regarding the vault version of your birth certificate. And, only you, Sir, can bring closure to this issue.

For months now across bloggersville, and... now the issue is surfacing in main line media outlets as well, American citizens–– yes, the ones who voted for you... and the ones who did not–– are 'bewildered' that you feel the need to pay money (in the midst of a recession) to three major law firms to make sure that the American people, who you wish to serve, cannot have access to your birth records in Hawaii or your college transcripts. Speculation is running rampant that you received aid as a foreign student. So, instead of relishing in your victory, those who supported you are having to confront these allegations daily...without documentation or ammunition to counter the claims.

Americans believe you when you say you 'love this country'. However, to allow this birth certificate brouhaha to reach the Supreme Court on December 5, causes many to question your love for the country you want to lead. Why would you allow this issue to proceed to the Supreme Court, knowing the national scab has not fully healed from the Bush vs Gore election which was decided at the SCOTUS level? Unfortunately, Mr. President-elect, whichever decision is handed down by the Justices, will not make this issue go away. And, quite frankly, a Constitutional crisis may be imminent... which could further divide an already divided nation.

I know this birth certificate issue may seem trivial in the scheme of things: National Security briefings, world threats, picking a cabinet, an economic crisis looming large... but to many of our fellow Americans, 'nothing' is more important than the Constitution of the United States. Consequently, you Sir, are the only one who can bring closure to the issue at this juncture.

So, please Mr. Obama... for the sake of all the people who supported and voted for you... and, also to quiet (once, and for all) the skeptics, naysayers, and people who already deem your presidency 'illegitimate', do like Senator John McCain did, and present your birth certificate to the American people today.

Our prayer is that you will do the right thing, put an end to this nonsense... so America can come together and tackle the real issues that face this country.

God bless you. And, God bless America!

Vivian Berryhill, Citizen

Bill Clinton Is Still a Slick-'un!

As they say here in the South... "watch that Bill Clinton... he is a slick-'un"! How best was this phrase demonstrated than during his recent interview on ABC news... where his comments continue to generate incessant rumors at the grass root level, regarding Senator Obama's constitutional qualifications for the office of President. Clinton, the masterful dean and inventor of message innuendo said, when asked by ABC correspondent Snow about Obama being completely qualified to be President:

"The Constitution sets qualifications for the president, and then the people decide who they think would be the better president".

Why didn't #42 just state a resounding "Yes, he is" ... or a conclusive "No, he's not", when asked that question? Surely Bill Clinton understands that this statement would further fuel the constant, nagging drag on Obama––and subsequent tanking poll numbers of Obama––because of the junior Senator from Illinois' refusal to produce his original, signed, certified birth certificate. Was President Clinton signaling a hidden meaning in his "... Constitution sets qualifications for the president..." remark that he has also bought into the wide-spread notion that Obama is hiding something by not being transparent and revealing his birth records?

While it's true the former president is busy championing his cause in Africa... but is he, or his aides, aware that he fed right into "web chatter"? Did he not know that bloggersville is abuzz with these 'daily' and 'hourly' conspiratorial posts:

Was Obama born in the US... Does he have dual citizenship in Indonesia and US... Was he legally adopted by his Indonesian step-father whereby his legal name on his birth certificate is Barry Soerto... Was his mama legally married to his daddy at birth... Or was he born illegitimate (as Michelle O hinted a few weeks back)... Is he part Arab by nationality... Was he listed as Muslim by religion...?

Clinton had to know that these are "real time" questions that dominate cyberspace–– and cyberspace is where this year's electorates are getting their information and forming their opinions for the General Election. It also should be noted that presumptive GOP nominee, John McCain, whose qualifications for the presidency were also questioned early-on in the contest, presented his original birth certificate to the media, and received an official ruling that his birth in the Panama Canal does not disqualify his run for the highest office in the land.

For sure... the shrewdness of Clinton's now-famous 'Constitution/qualification' remark did not help an already-wary-public put to rest these Obama birth certificate rumors. As a matter of fact, by virtue of his authority... he gave futher credence to them. Well, if this birth-certificate-'Constitution/qualification' issue is not sorted out before the Democratic Convention in two weeks, Obama can believe that the Republicans (who won't let the birth certificate issue go uncontested... nor let it hang like an overcast cloud) will mop the 50-State map up with him every day until he produces it, then, move on to the main blood bath through November 4th.