To the Point
Barack Obama, the 'Birthers' and the Long Shadow of Conspiracy
The claim that President Obama was born outside the country may appeal to the right-wing base of the Republican Party, but the repetition of a falsity could do more harm to Republicans than Democrats.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThe claim that President Obama was born outside the country may appeal to the right-wing base of the Republican Party, but the repetition of a falsity could do more harm to Republicans than Democrats. Also, the bloody crackdown continues in Syria, and Chernobyl. After 25 years, the worst nuclear accident in history is far from over.
Banner image: Phil Wolf, owner of Wolf Automotive used car dealership, stands in front of a billboard on his auto lot on November 21, 2009 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Wolf paid $2,500 to have the billboard painted. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesBloody Crackdown Continues in Syria
Yesterday, tanks and soldiers stormed the Syrian city of Dara'a and killed at least 25 people in efforts to stop a five-week long uprising with a death toll that now totals nearly 400. Western countries, including the US, are urging their citizens to leave the country and threatening sanctions.
Read the story7 minThe Birthers and the Anatomy of a False Accusation
Donald Trump is among those currently making the claim that Barack Obama is not a "natural born citizen," as the Constitution requires a President to be. Despite all evidence to the contrary, polls show that some percentage of Americans believe Obama was not born in Hawaii, but in another country.
Read the story35 minChernobyl 25 Years Later: Lessons for Fukushima
Twenty-five years ago today, reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in what's now Ukraine melted down. Some 600,000 workers were exposed to massive amounts of radiation and the radioactive plume caused sickness and death elsewhere in the northern hemisphere.
Read the story8 min
