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Counterfactualism.
30-Mar-11Of the same brand as Mormonism: the Birthers. The fact that the name is appropriate just shows how much this is an identity issue. “Ask in your heart if it’s true” that Obama has no birth certificate would mean here, “ask yourself whether you feel he’s one of us.” If you feel he is, then the question seems obviously absurd. As for Trump, people really need to get over the idea that making a lot of money must mean you have some intelligence.
On the other hand, the persistence of the Birther thing is proof that contrary to opinion, the U.S. government is not incompetent in all things. It is absolutely astonishing that the Secret Service has managed to keep Barack Obama safe for the past three years. Absolutely astonishing. The coordinator of the Secret Service should run for president immediately, as one of the single most competent and ingenious managers this country has ever known. The Manhattan Project and the Moon Landing are nothing compared to keeping this president safe.