Four Years of Sewage

On 2 August 2008, I posted my first article on what was then called the "Cult of the COLB" and later were known as "Birthers".

As I said a year later, I should have run screaming when I had the chance. And if you needed proof that I'm not funded by George Soros, the White House, the Gnomes of Zurich, or the Bavarian Illuminati, the fact that I've made just enough from this blog to take my family out to dinner once or twice in those four years, should be a tip off.

If George Soros wants to give me a freaking vacation and overdue hazardous duty pay, he can fly right on at it. Because I bloody well NEED one. I've gazed into the abyss so often I'm getting worried about what may be looking back at me.

When I first started debunking these twitwaffles, I thought for sure it was a cute little campaign smear, easily debunked and refuted.

Well, I got the easily debunked and refuted part right. What I didn't expect was the sheer level of bile and hatred. I didn't expect people like Dr. Orly to go on with it like a meth-crazed energizer bunny. I didn't expect Joseph Farah to buy a sheriff's office to give a thin veneer of respectability to it. I didn't expect an entire cadre of people who's obsession with President Obama's birth certificate may be due to the fact their birth certificates are letters of apology from the condom factory.

I didn't expect that after almost 150 lawsuits ALL ENDING IN CASE DISMISSED OR DENIED, that they would STILL be at it.

Okay, I still had some faith in humanity, what can I say?

Four years ago I didn't know about "sovereign citizens". Militia groups were something I read out in the news. My legal knowledge was thankfully limited. I avoided racist blogs and websites out of sheer disgust. I never once got a death threat. I thought that State bars actually gave a rats ass about enforcing ethics rules against attorneys.

Four years ago I didn't think I would ever see the level of open disrespect I've seen shown the President of the United States. I didn't think I would see an entire political party abandon even the pretense of non-partisanship. I didn't think I would ever see political discourse in this country poisoned to the level it has become.

I'm four years older now and a lot more cynical and disgusted. The birthers and their kin have shown a dark and fetid part of the American soul, and I refuse to let them destroy the country, the Constitution, and everything we're supposed to stand for, simply because they can't get over their paranoid terror and blind hatred towards the President.

In four years, there's been a lot of sewage and toxic waste spewed from the birtherstani. I've seen fake "grand juries", fake trials, fake "citizens arrests" and altogether too many people just slobbering over the chance to see the President of the United States (and his family) in front of a firing squad or hanging from a tree.

There's a handful of people who have spent that time showing the sewage for what it is. To that handful, I give thanks. I've met some amazing people among my fellow debunkers.

To the birthers, as you sow, so shall you reap. May your reward be exactly what your actions deserve.

Comments

[Squeeky Fromm, Girl Reporter]

Well, I have posted this in several places, but it needs to be here, too as a tribute, so your readers can appreciate what you have accomplished:

He Was Once A Callow Youth

(Dedicated To Patrick McKinnion
On The Occasion of His Fourth Year
Of Fighting Birthers)

by Squeeky Fromm, Girl Reporter

Four years ago, a callow youth
Set out to have some fun.
To tweak the nose of idiots,
And hush them one by one.

And yet it seemed, the more the tweak’d
And skewered with his wit,
The more arose to take their place.
There was no end to it.

From out of ev’ry Bedlam cell,
From under ev’ry stone,
From ev’y sewer overflowed,
The manic horde, full blown.

Both on the left and right of him
Both in the front and back
He swung the Mighty Sword of Truth
In furious attack!

And over time, the callow youth
Became a warrior bold.
The stories of his victories
Around the campfires told.

He took his rightful place among
The Satirists of yore.
He is a full-grown warrior, now.
He is a youth, no more.

And yet, could e’er have been a doubt
That this is what would be?
When what was once a choice became
Responsibility.

Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter

[linda]

I always enjoy your articles, and of course, your wit. Congrats on four years of a job well done!

[Dr. Conspiracy]

Yes, congratulations indeed. We who are about to die salute you. Have a prosperous year 5.

[Dave B.]

Well done, lad. I eagerly await each return of your scribblings. And in all fairness, not all of your recipes are scary.
My hat's off to you.

[Craig]

Nice one, Squeaky! And congrats (or commiserations?) on four years, Patrick!

[Craig]

I appreciate what you are doing..and have alerted some friends to your site.

[G]

Well, I don't know if "congratulations" is actually the right sentiment, as you and most of the rest of us would prefer that the disgusting Birther phenomenon never happened in the first place.

I for one, look forward to the day when their sick movement finally fades into the dusty shadows of obscure die-hard conspiracy nuttery, just like the Moon Landing deniers, Truthers, Flat Earthers and PUMAs. Sure, there will always be those bitter dead-enders hanging on and saying "any day now" until their dying days... and some of them will likely pop up again, taking up some new paranoid delusional cause and throwing their droppings of Birtherism into the mix.

But for now (and likely for at least another 6 months), they continue to bear careful monitoring.

So, for that, I say THANK YOU for all your hard work and talent in wading into those infested sewers and keeping up both entertained and informed about their antics. You do all of us and your country a great service! KUDOS.

[MTinMO]

Your hard work has made it so much easier for those of us who want to offer up information to those who walk on the dark side. I can and have done research myself, but I seem to not have the kind of time needed to debunk and answer all those accusations and imagined wrongs, so I'm very glad to have a "one stop shop" to find what I need. I look forward to all you write and thank you for all your work in the effort to keep us informed.

[The Magic M]

Congrats! I always enjoy your style of writing.
Your site is still my #2 daily stop-by (after Doc C's) for all things birther.

[Karl]

"Okay, I still had some faith in humanity, what can I say?"

I still do, To paraphrase Bab5/lyssandri's quote "
I stand between the candle and the star
...between the darkness and the light" Yourself, Fogbow, and may others are that light, that faith in Humanity. There will aways be darkness out there, But people like yourself are the light shining the way back. The darkness is looking back, and it is vapid.

They only win when it becomes everything in your life, like it is in theirs. Look in, debunk, laugh, then walk away and enjoy your life outside of birth certs and lawsuits. That will hurt them the most

(look at Rudy, he even admits he has few friends, such a sad life)

[AuBricker]

Hopefully, you will be able to continue ridiculing Birther outrage for four more years.

[Bob]

I have always felt that discussing this utterly ridiculous, swiftboatian smear was the best approach to take with it.

[democratista]

This does seem like the perfect time to say Thank You. I so enjoy the way you pull everything together and your writing style. I look forward to you "any day nows" and "today's visit from the Secret Service".

I do admit that I have become somewhat saddened by all the hate. I was oh so proud of this nation when President Obama was elected. Now it seems like we woke up a sleeping, hateful giant.

Oh well....I hope you DON'T have to do this for another four years, but it wouldn't surprise me if they don't stop.

[Xyxox]

Thanks, Patrick. You watch the Birthers so we don't have to.

[DaveH]

Thanks, Patrick, for wading through the sewage of birtherism and keeping us up to date on what is happening in their deranged universe.

Rarely, do I comment. But I always check the blog for the latest, excellent, and witty commentary.

[Donna]

Let me add my thanks for your continued dedication to this cause. When I started reading your blog I also thought "this won't last". Much to my dismay it has indeed lasted. And as the level of stupidity rises, not only among birthers but the general public and our elected officials, I'm also on the brink of losing faith.

This election will be interesting to say the least. As the saying goes "we elect the government we deserve" so if people keep voting against their own interests we will indeed become the Corporate States of America.

Keep up the good fight, my friend.

[gimmeabreak]

Well, we made it this far old friend - I guess I can say that now, lol.

You might not think it now, but you've provide an invaluable service. I said it a couple of years ago and now repeat - find a publisher.