One no-trump

I did not think that "The Donald" could do anything to make me think less of him. Between his ridiculous television program, his strategic use of bankruptcy laws, and his flagrant womanizing, he has offended nearly every finer feeling I possess.
Now, with his foray into Birtherism, he has managed to sink even lower. That such a nationally known figure with such a huge media platform would perpetuate the lie (yes, it is a LIE!) that our president was not born in the United States is unforgivable. The spreading of ignorance helps no one, and hurts us all in the long run. That this is getting the news play that it is, without being slammed at every step by the facts, is an affront to democracy.
When I was born, my parents received from the county government, a "Certificate of Live Birth." It is considered a valid official document to get my passport, driver's license, marriage license, mortgage, etc. It looks remarkably similar to Barak Obama's "Certification of Live Birth" that is online for all the world to see. The only difference is that mine is from New Jersey. (Not nearly as cool as Hawaii.)
Birtherism is a sly sneaky form of racism, and anyone who tells you differently isn't being honest with themselves. The hard-core Birthers are looking for any way in which they can invalidate Obama's presidency. They have never concerned themselves with any other president's or candidate's birth certificate.
The problem with this racism is twofold. One, virtually nobody wants to admit to being a racist. And two, when others point out to them that, from a bit of distance, this is looking kinda Jim Crowish, the racist in the hotseat is validly able to leap up and shout, "I never said anything about race! That's you who brought it up! YOU must have the problem with racism here!" And then the media reports that another African-American drew the "race card."
Which, by the way, African-Americans are perfectly within their rights to do. Because as much as we don't want to admit it, we, as a nation, are still battling racism. And the people who question our first African-American president's qualifications are a prime example of it.