I happen to believe Obama was born in Hawaii, BUT...

Check out today's article by Michael Isikoff at:
[link to www.msnbc.msn.com]

In particular:

""It's a Department of Health record and it can't be released to anybody," he said. Nor do state laws have any provision that authorizes such records to be photocopied, Wisch said. If Obama wanted to personally visit the state health department, he would be permitted to inspect his birth record, Wisch said. "

In other words, Wisch claims that because there is no law that permits a photocopy, we must assume that photocopying is not allowed.

This is absolutely insane. Since when is the default "You may NOT do X until or unless a law is crafted PERMITTING you to do X".

Now, check out the law on the matter:
[link to www.capitol.hawaii.gov]


"(b) The department shall not permit inspection of public health statistics records, or issue a certified copy of any such record or part thereof, unless it is satisfied that the applicant has a direct and tangible interest in the record. The following persons shall be considered to have a direct and tangible interest in a public health statistics record:"

Obama is listed as one of the people (obviously) allowed to receive a 'certified copy' of the document. But what exactly does that mean? To me, that means something that contains exactly as much information as on the original document, and garnished with a state seal of some sort.

But these goons in Hawaii are essentially saying that Obama doesn't have a right to a certified copy -- he only has a right to a certified PARTIAL copy. Things like the name of the doctor who delivered him are not provided on the document Obama is entitled to.

The open question remains -- what is the plain meaning of 'certified copy'?