Stefan Frederick Cook: Soldier Won't Deploy Over Obama Birth Certificate

UPDATE: The Army has revoked the deployment orders for a soldier who said he shouldn't have to go to Afghanistan because (he believes) Barack Obama was never eligible to be president.

Because he's a reserve soldier who volunteered for an active duty tour he can "ask for a revocation of orders up until the day he is scheduled to report for active duty," a public affairs officer explained. Cook volunteered for the tour in May of this year. It is not clear why he did so, considering his current objections.

* * * * *

Obama birth certificate deniers won a small victory in court on Monday. Meanwhile, one such conspiracy theorist refused to deploy to Afghanistan on the grounds that Barack Obama isn't a legitimate president.

A judge said he would listen to "the merits" of Alan Keyes' case challenging Obama's presidency. While a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said the move was merely procedural, birth conspiracy proponents are encouraged:

Supporters of a case that disputes the legitimacy of Barack Obama's presidency claimed a small victory today when U.S. District Judge David O. Carter told them to fix their paperwork and that he would listen to "the merits" of their case. But others present for the hearing Monday at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana stressed that the case remains a long way from ever getting a full airing in court and may never get to that point. [...]

Perhaps because of that history, Orly Taitz, the lawyer who filed the current suit, was greatly cheered by Monday's hearing. "He's very determined to hear the case on the merits," Taitz said, referring to the judge. "He stated, the country needs to know if Mr. Obama is legitimate, if he can legitimately stay in the White House."

Orly Taitz, the lawyer in Keyes' case, is also representing a soldier who refuses to acknowledge Obama as his president. U.S. Army Maj. Stefan Frederick Cook has argued that he shouldn't have to go to Afghanistan because the man sending him there isn't really president.

In the 20-page document -- filed July 8 with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia -- the California-based Taitz asks the court to consider granting his client's request based upon Cook's belief that Obama is not a natural-born citizen of the United States and is therefore ineligible to serve as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cook further states he "would be acting in violation of international law by engaging in military actions outside the United States under this President's command. ... simultaneously subjecting himself to possible prosecution as a war criminal by the faithful execution of these duties."

A hearing to discuss Cook's requests will take place in federal court this week.

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Comments

[radgrad63]

When the Secretary of State of the State of Hawaii posted Barack Obama's birth certificate online last year, I took a look at it. It looked just like mine (I was born in the Territory of Hawaii, before it became a state) including the non-descript light green check print paper and official embossment that is used on all birth and death certificate documents. It was certified by the Secretary of State. Looked legit to me.

[Crass Innuendo]

But....he's BLACK!

[dieselis]

look the guy went a little long in the hawiian sun. he didn't use proper amounts of sunscreen.

[Grim Truth]

"When the Secretary of State of the State of Hawaii posted Barack Obama's birth certificate online..."

That's who posted it? You sure?

[melodramy]

The Hawaii Dept of Health confirmed the veracity of Obama's birth records and has provided phone numbers to call.

http://hawaii.gov/health/about/pr/2008/08-93.pdf

[PunKinPai]

Oh, for god's sake, get a grip. Several independent journalists have looked at the actual document; the director of Hawaii's Department of Health and the registrar of vital statistics have certified the document is legitimate; and a researcher looking to dig up dirt on Obama instead found a birth announcement for Barack Hussein Obama II that had been published in the Honolulu Advertiser on Sunday, Aug. 13, 1961.

On second thought, maybe it's better you tinhats keep busy chasing your tails and out of the path of reasonable folk.

[LuckyGrad68]

The soldier is not refusing to go because of Obama that is rediculous. He just doesn't want to go and should never have signed up. He can't cut it.

[Lauralics]

I'm sure their are more soldiers that "don't want to go and should never have signed up". Were those soldiers orders revoked before they went throught the administrative process (like Cook's)?

[Bigorange]

Cook was not called up to go he requested to go - in May. Because he volunteered the rules say he can change his mind and have his orders changed and that is what happened. Soldiers who are called up do not have this option. Now, Obama was president in May and I would assume that Cook knew this. So this is obviously a political maneuver that has gone badly for Cook as he lost his job and will probably get tossed from the Reserves as well (as well he should be). Maybe we will see him again soon on one of those World's Dumbest People shows.

[lyonscmpy]

This man has served his Country for 21 years, I hardley think he is trying to shirk his duty have you ever served! He has every right to express his concerns over a question that has been in the minds of millions of Americans since before the election and one I might add could have been resolved long before now.

[Bigorange]

He has gone beyond "expressing" his concerns. If he served for 21 years he should have expected the backlash and known better. At least we have one less right wing-nut conspiracy theorist working for the government. And yes I have served and my husband is retired Army. He did not like Bush and did not agree with going into Iraq but when he was called up he went. If you are a soldier you are not allowed to "mutiny" just because your personal politics are different from the powers that be.

[Rober]

Obama was duly sworn in as POTUS. Until and unless he is removed from office he is legally the CIC. Questioning his orders on the basis of his qualification for office is not valid. His orders are legal in that respect as he is the Commander in Chief. Even if he is removed from office, commands he has given while in office will remain legal.

[pindiva]

This man should be dishonorably discharged and lose all future benefits. I don't care that he "served" 21 years.

I have family currently serving both in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has jeopardized them by calling them "war criminals" as a commisioned officer in the Army.

He did this strictly out of his private political views, although he represented those views in uniform. And this was an entirely staged incident as he was fully aware who was president when he volunteered to go overseas.

Personally, I would love to see him executed for treason, but I won't hold my breath. However, I would like to see him dishonorably discharged. He is not fit to clean the latrines of any of our soldiers or marines.

[JustAThought56]

So let me get this straight. After President Obama was elected, an army reservist volunteered for an tour of duty. He very predictably gets his orders, deploying him to Afghanistan.

But he is not interested in serving a tour of duty. No. He is interested in creating a "situation." So he uses the orders as a pretense for protesting his deployment, citing his personal belief that President Obama is not really the Commander-in-Chief. In fact, all he had to do was a) not volunteer, or b) revoke his application.

Since he is one of the members of the desperate fringe element who insist that the State of Hawaii is lying and there is no birth certificate on record for President Obama, everyone has to waste their time dealing with this poser and his bogus application.

He should pay for the time and paperwork that had to be processed by members of the military for this stupid publicity stunt. Their time is valuable, even if his isn't.

[mari2JJ]

Just arrest the guy and throw him in jail for the duration of the time he wold be overseas. And while we are at it, throw some of the rumor mongers in his same cell, You know, the ones that led this young man astray about denying the authenticity of Obama's birth certificate. I know Republicans in Hawaii will never get elected after all these nasty mainland comments about their birth certificates. But alas, Republicans are sounding dumber and dumber and that is why I got out of the party last year. But not only me. Even in McCain's Arizona, we left the party in droves.

[antifluff]

We can do that after we get all the lib protestors that have done similar actions.

[VinceTeeter]

They were fighting the draft. They were not in the army, yet. This guy signed up and now refuses to follow orders based on a birth certificate that anyone can view. You evil Rushpublicans are masters of twisted logic.

[tennesseepieman]

On the one hand, it's lovely that Maj. Cook wishes to stand on principle. In that regard, yes, I respect him for standing up for his beliefs.

But principle is literally all he has to stand on here. The facts do not back him, the physical evidence does not back him, the testimony of all the folks in the Hawaii Dept. of Vital Statistics won't back him, the testimony of the editors and archivists of the Honolulu newspaper where Pres. Obama's birth announcement appeared won't back him.

Maj. Cook, in this case, is betting the farm that the earth is flat. How sad for such a man who I'm sure has served honorably up to this point. His career is forever ruined because he has been duped by rumors promulgated by neo-conservative flunkies like Limbaugh, Hannity, Rove, and others of their ilk. Much like that old lady at McCain's rally just before the election that insisted that Obama was an Arab. Just sad - very very sad.

[radgrad63]

When the Secretary of State of the State of Hawaii posted Barack Obama's birth certificate online last year, I took a look at it. It looked just like mine (I was born in the Territory of Hawaii, before it became a state) including the non-descript light green check print paper and official embossment that is used on all birth and death certificate documents. It was certified by the Secretary of State. Looked legit to me.

[antifluff]

What facts? Do you know if he was registered as a foreign student to go to the 'big' schools? Do you know his citizenship status used to travel toPakistan? If you don't know, you can't declare you know the facts. There is a certificate from Hawaii, others claim it has been used for children born outside the US. Why are no records presented that show the hospital or doctor at the time of his birth?
Facts: name one thing he has done to make this a better nation (not argueably).

[jmsent]

He became the first African American POTUS. If you don't think that fact alone hasn't made this a better nation, I've got news for you. Never mind all the positive steps he is taking to finally fix health care, as well as systematically undoing all the things the last 8 years have done to make this a worse nation.

[Rober]

Marginalized kooks like you.

[greymom]

I could but they only allow 250 words per post on Huffpo.

Nobody throws shoes at him when he goes to foreign countries.

He is pushing badly needed health care reform and a public option (my cousin died of the flu 3 weeks ago and would not have died if there was a universal health plan)

He has a valid energy plan and is encouraging other countries to pollute less and setting an example here.

He is addressing the shambles of an economy that he inherited after 8 years of incompetent leadership.

He is a stunning example of a strong leader, family man and accomplished scholar.

He is tireless and works to make life better for the American people.

If my 2 1/2 year old grandson inherits a better America, it will be because of our POTUS.

[melodramy]

Take your questions up with the State of Hawaii Dept of Health, I am sure they can answer why the certificate they issued to Obama does not show the hospital or doctor at the time of his birth. (But you won't accept an answer from the source, preferring your fantasies instead). They have officially verified Obama's birth records and issued their official statement to that effect. Be sure to call the number.

http://hawaii.gov/health/about/pr/2008/08-93.pdf

[chameleon59]

Do you know that he was registered as a foreign student in the "big" schools? Do you even know if he actually traveled to Pakistan? If you don't, you can't declare that you know the facts. There is ONE fact that I know that you apparently do not, though. When a Hawaiian birth certificate is used to register the birth of a child born outside of Hawaii, the place of birth contains the actual city of their birth, not the city where the birth was registered, as some people want you to believe. If Barack Obama had not been born in Hawaii, it would not matter which form of the birth certificate was issued, it would not have said he was born in Hawaii.

[MJinCanada]

Why am I reminded of Corporal Klinger's quest for a Section 8?

[Jeff1958]

Well, he did look spectacular in that chiffon number.

[RuinedSaint]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4FnFYr1fLo

[VinceTeeter]

Yet another case of Deja vu, Ollie North, yet again, one more time. If the army breeds too many of these political soldiers, be ready when the coup comes.

[flash LI]

All the demeaning comments aside, what actually do you know about this guy, other than what he has told you, his books or sources that have referenced Obama's material? Hmm? Not much huh?

[RuinedSaint]

I know about the same amount of information about President Obama as I do for any other politician I've never met.

[JustAThought56]

What are you talking about?

[RuinedSaint]

He's playing the same "what do we really know about him" game that they tried (unsuccessfully) during the election in conjunction with the supposed Bill Ayers controversy.

These folks really need to find a new script.

[madatnewsmedia]

flash LI, please get a life! Did you every question whether Bush was a citizen? I don't think so! If this was a white man, these questions wouldn't even come up! You can dress this up however you want, but this isn't about a damn birth certificate, it's about the fact that this is a black man and he's running things and you can't stand it!

[antifluff]

The question didn't come up, because the information was AVAILABLE. There was no need to ask about it, the documentation was there and could be verified. He didn't go to great lengths to hide where he was born or the paperwork proving it. Why is this guy making such an effort to keep it hidden?

[ArtTeach]

I know he had a background check done by the FBI to become president.
I've never heard of any groups questioning the thoroughness of the FBI background check for any caucasian president.

[antifluff]

Arnold Swartznegger would not be allowed to become president even though he has spent most of his life here. He is not a natural born citizen and would be disqualified.

[greymom]

President of Harvard Law review was a major accomplishment and is irrefutable evidence of his scholarship and leadership abilities. I do not need to see his grade transcript from when he was a freshman in high school.

Did you request the grade transcript from GW Bush? Did you want to see his DUI that was expunged from the records by his daddy? Did you want to get the details about his girlfriend's abortion when he was a young man and he took her to the clinic?

No rumors of arrests or other indicators of bad behavior have surfaced about Obama. His friends in high school have great things to say about him. His college friends thought he was a great man. The neighborhood ladies in Chicago who worked on building a job training center with him when he was in his 20's think he was a hero. What is missing? Did he get the clap when he was 26? Does he smoke on the sly? I don't know and I don't care.

[antifluff]

You guys are the ones that keep telling us you are intellectuals.
If he went to college, registered as a foreign student, as an adult, he would have either
been the citizen of another country,
or a dual citizen,
either of those would disqualify him as president. He will not show those records.

[incognito-ergo-sum]

This man has absolutely no idea that he has been used as badly as an unconscious hooker on fleet night.

[gcallaghan]

He'll learn first hand how his favorite sheep feels.

[roooth]

ouch!

[anastomosis]

Nonsense, He's found out the soldiers aren't vivious enough so he's going to join the GOP.

[antifluff]

That is a great rebuttal. Thought you guys were the 'intellectuals'; is that only for ideals? You can't present facts?

[austintacious]

And where are your facts?

[OldFreddie]

John Mccain was asked by Congress to provide his original birth certificate, and he provided it. Why can't Obama just produce the darn thing in his hand , to the Congress, and end this once and for all? That's what I don't understand. Well, I also don't understand the need to seal all his records from Occidental, Columbia and Harvard, either, so maybe one of you guys has an answer?

[gcallaghan]

Why don't you get your congressional representative to ask for it then, Cletus?

[lmnop13]

Old Freddie, Obama produced his birth certificate for the 496,743th time.

[flash LI]

Have you even checked into the difference between the long form birth certificate and the certification of live birth?

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=101483

[Carmichael]

He did produce is birth certificate, where were you when he did so? Perhaps if you pay more attention the the facts, instead of these nincompoops out there, you wouldn't have suggested or asked such a stupid question. Alan Keys is bitter with Obama, because Obama whopped him so bad in Chicago for the US Senator seat...Keys is a disgrace.

[RuinedSaint]

Sn. McCain's BC was from Panama. And to be honest, I don't understand why that was an issue; after all, his father and grandfather are both well known war heroes. Why Congress felt the need to validate his Panama birth as valid for US citizenship escapes me; and because I think the claim that he wasn't a proper US citizen was spurious, I'm not going to bother looking up the why. I have a cousin that was born under similar circumstances in Japan and his status as a US citizen has never been questioned.

President Obama's BC is from Hawaii, an actual state of the US. And it looks quite a bit like mine (issued in 1969 by the state of Illinois), which is the one I present any time I need to present one for identification purposes (such as at the DMV). If mine is good enough for such purposes, than his is good enough for such purposes.

[roooth]

No, what you don't understand is why we won't all lay down and let you freaks have your way just because you keep insisting on it, even when you have long been proven to be insane.

Haven't you noticed that NO ONE in Congress is demanding this? Wonder why? BECAUSE OBAMA ALREADY PROVIDED IT. Why don't you understand that? Right-wing, left-wing and government sites have ALL stated that the docs have been provided and are genuine - Obama is a natural born American citizen. Why are you still asking?

As for sealed records, which records are you refering to, and why do you think you have a right to see them? How many times did you demand records from any other president? Did you demand Bush unseal his, because all his records were either sealed, destroyed or missing? Or do you only want to see the records of black presidents?

[mari2JJ]

Since leaving Hawaii several years ago, I have kept track of a retired nurse friend of mine. We both had a long history of working in OB, either labor and delivery or postpartum care. My friend shared with me last year that she was present at Obama's delivery in Hawaii. We are both long retired now but she remembers the details very well, particularly about what a beautiful child he was. So sorry, you goofs who listen to the nuts pushing this non citenship crap. So just sit out your time in jail for listening to a bunch of Republicans who have not faced up to the fact that they lost the election. So enjoy the slammer!!!!!

[Teritt]

don't give Michele Bachman any "ideas". j

[2smart2BGOP]

Another disappointing misleading headline.

[DavidDial]

This man should be dishonorably discharged. He is too ignorant to be leading troops and is a disgrace to the uniform.

[ContraEgoiste]

You got a point there. I don't think I would put my life on the hands of a man who is not working on all cylinders.

The question is...

"he can "ask for a revocation of orders up until the day he is scheduled to report for active duty,"

what happens when he is asked to report for duty and then ordered to Afghanistant??
For the sake of the men he would be leading I hope he refuses and just gets dishonorably discharged.

[RuinedSaint]

Won't happen; the Army has revoked his security clearance.

Unfortunately for him, his civilian employer is a defense contractor... So he's now out of a job.

[ladeyday]

Justice is swift and sure: he lost his job. And when he tries to get another one with this history...........

[Bongborg]

Oh, no,no,no, no... when they said they did not understand empathy the other day, I decided they just weren't gonna get any more wasted on them. Screw him.

[raresilk]

i am so with the people who are rooting this on.

the r3pug party has lost so much of its former legitimacy by hanging onto wild-eyed psycho causes like this. so long as they stay here, their party is signing its death warrant over and over.

seriously. anyone who claims that obama is not our legitimate president is welcome to say it to my face. but then you would have to defeat me in single combat, because those are fighting words so that's why you never do it.

[OswegoKayaker]

You are correct, they are cowards and would never meet with you. The soldier is a disgrace and does not deserve to wear the uniform.

[antifluff]

Do you know if he attended college as a foreign student? Do you know what country'spassport he used to travel2Pakistan was?
These are legitimate questions.

Your threatsagainst people's first amendment shows the types of people this man draws, what's next, are you going to declarejihad because someone says the house of reps is trying to make health insurance illegal in their healthcare reform bill?
Yawn.

[efmo]

I guess you're only a citizen of the US if you NEVER traveled abroad (you know like bush).

[DaveyDavey]

The nutter Cook is busted. End of story.

[CML96]

Now will the attorney be busted for filling a frivolous lawsuit?

She should have known since he "volunteered", he could also refuse deployment.

This was nothing more than a scam, and they lost.

[ContraEgoiste]

Hey, come on. The poor Maj. was probably pondering about the dangers in Afghanistan and in his state of turmoil had to appeal to a higher power. To take direction from the fearless leaders of his party. So he asked himself....

"what would S.Palin do??"

...then the clouds parted, the sky opened up and....

[Naithom]

ROTFLOL

Thanks, Contra.

[NewDem08]

Exactly. Thanks for the laugh!

[DocSyracuse]

Can't have a thread without Palin.

[clearlythinking]

Obama is an American citizen. I'm sure his cousin Dick will vouch for him.

[4 Real]

Personally I hope they keep pushing this "not an american citizen" theme because it brings out the fringe and exposes them to the light of day. There is no fact or common sense argument that will convince them but the rational people out there see what it's really about (racism).
So, let them keep it and up and eventually the fringe will wither away or go back under the rocks from whence they came.