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The entire reason there is a professional field known as forensic document examination is that a great deal can be told from examination of the original document itself. Much, much less can be told by looking at a photocopy of a document and very little, if anything at all, can be told from looking at a digital image that purports to be an image of an original document. Too much opportunity for adulteration, no opportunity to examine the paper, the ink, any impressions made on the paper, etc. These online pissing matches discussing images (especially photographic images) of documents are not worth the electrons.

I'm not arguing that Obama was not born in the United States. But, if I were arguing such a position I would be requesting that the President select a neutral panel of say 3 journalists and 2 (or 3) experienced forensic document examiners and then ask the Governor of Hawaii to unseal the documents for the purpose of an in camera examination, following which a report can be made to the public. That seems like a fair and probably not too expensive way to resolve this question.

At some point, whether Obama and his advisors consider those who argue that he is not a natural citizen to be total kooks, or not, it becomes worth it to clear away this question so, arguably, we can concentrate on what may be more important issues. As it becomes more of a distraction to his administration, it will become even more conspicuous that he does not swat this fly with ease, unless he values embarrassing his detractors more than clearing the air, in which case he may wait for a long time.

I think it would be extremely interesting to see a write-up of the procedural mechanics by which his campaign lawyers sealed these records as well as his academic transcripts. The Federal privacy laws which control access to academic transcripts date back to 1974, but seem to be generally ineffective for most politicians running for office (e.g., G.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, etc.) Somehow, Obama's approach worked. The only question on the transcripts is - was it something overt that the campaign did to maintain or assert the privacy interest or was the passive acquiescence of the media in not publicizing them?

I also find his transfer from Occidental College to Columbia University curious. I'd love to see a frequency analysis of how many students in the 10 years before or 10 years following Obama's entry at Columbia had transferred either from Occidental or a college similar to Occidental after 2 years of undergraduate study. Something tells me it is very uncommon. Like 56-game hitting streak in the major leagues uncommon.

These online pissing matches discussing images (especially photographic images) of documents are not worth the electrons.

LOL! That sums it up nicely.

I would be requesting that the President select a neutral panel of say 3 journalists and 2 (or 3) experienced forensic document examiners and then ask the Governor of Hawaii to unseal the documents for the purpose of an in camera examination, following which a report can be made to the public. That seems like a fair and probably not too expensive way to resolve this question.

A reasonable request, the granting of which would be totally out of character by this most un-transparent Administration.

I think it would be extremely interesting to see a write-up of the procedural mechanics by which his campaign lawyers sealed these records as well as his academic transcripts.

I'll think you'll find that the records of other candidates were routinely released voluntarily to the media in reponse to their requests. This is the first candidate in my memory who not only didn't release college transcripts, but to whom the media gave a pass. The NY Times grumbled a bit when it couldn't dig up anything about O's Columbia years, but they soon let it drop. Contrast that with their repeated ranting at McCain for not releasing his medical records according to their timetable.

It's doubtful much pressure was needed, other than a "friendly" phone call, to make sure the three institutions keep the records under wrap -- they were all wildly supportive.

More curious to me is the lack of ordinary undergrad friends -- particularly females -- from Obama's four+ years in New York, as well as his mother's first years in Hawaii and UH. There are no odd bits such as "we dated once or twice," or "I remember that time we were at a party..." The human-interest landscape is barren, except for one carefully controlled interview with his non-student Pakistani roommate, who then avoided the media like the plague. All we know of his infancy in Hawaii are the repeated jaw-flappings of Dem. Congressman Neil Abercrombie, who supposedly remembered his mother as part of the UH crowd, although none of his friends, nor his own brother, have any such memories.

According to his book, Occidental supposedly had "a transfer program" with Columbia. It would be interesting to know how many Oxy students took advantage of that alleged "program" -- especially a student like Obama, who "showed great promise" that went "unfulfilled," according to one of his Occidental teachers.