STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Commentary: Sheriff Arpaio Has a Problem

What is it about the birther movement that causes naysayers to cast a blind eye on the truth? Since President Barack Obama announced he was running for president back in 2008, there have been people trying their best to prove he was not born on U.S. soil and therefore unqualified to be president. The birthers insist the president was born in Kenya, despite the fact Obama’s official birth certificate clearly indicates he was born in Honolulu.
By now most intelligent people have accepted the fact that Obama was born in the U.S. and have moved on with their lives. Unfortunately, there is a tiny group of doubting Thomases who adamantly insist the president’s birth certificate is a fake. Apparently they just can’t believe the State of Hawaii or the documentation.
Chief among such nonbelievers is Arizona’s Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has launched his own investigation into the matter allegedly using tax payer’s money. According to the Washington Times, Arpaio, who is currently under a Federal investigation for racial discrimination against Latinos and abuse of power, has sent a “threat” investigator and a deputy sheriff to Hawaii to track down more information on the president’s birth certificate. Arpaio’s irrational actions come on the heels of watching Arizona’s Secretary of State Ken Bennett back down on the birther issue after receiving adequate verification from the State of Hawaii and allowing the president’s name to be placed on Arizona’s presidential ballot.

 

It appears none of this means anything to Sheriff Arpaio, who seems to be determined to embarrass himself and the state of Arizona by wasting tax dollars chasing down some  conspiracy theory.


The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of BET Networks.
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo:  Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.