The defense fund for birther and former Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin put out a statement on Wednesday in response to the release of President Obama’s long-form birth certificate, asking that Lakin, a doctor, be given a “full and complete presidential pardon” for his court martial conviction of six months, “including restoration of pay, benefits, and service.”
The reasoning? If only Lakin had seen this birth certificate a year ago he would have never refused his orders to deploy to Afghanistan!
“This document which was so casually dropped on the news corps could just have easily been provided twelve months ago or two years ago,” the statement said. “Even six months ago, it would have prevented LTC Lakin being manacled and hauled away to Fort Leavenworth prison for standing up for the Constitution, consistent with the oath he took as an officer, and the rule of law.”
Lakin was court-martialed and sentenced to six months in a military prison in December, after refusing his orders on the grounds that President Obama may not have been eligible to be Commander-In-Chief. He was also discharged from the Army.
With the release of this birth certificate today, it seems Lakin’s defense fund sees an opportunity. “The Terry Lakin Action fund is relieved that Barack Obama has begun the resolution of this longstanding and important Constitutional issue,” the statement said.
Had the Obama administration agreed to allow the document unveiled today and other related documents as requested for discovery in Terry Lakin’s first pre-trial hearing, the matter would have been resolved and soldiers assured their military orders were lawful, given by a lawful Commander-in-Chief.A good soldier, having played his part in this issue, would have returned enthusiastically to the service for which he is so ably trained.
Though, the statement also calls for the document to be “submitted for forensics testing to determine its authenticity.” It continues, “similarly, the Kenyan birth certificate that has been widely circulating on the internet and on Capitol Hill— should be tested.”
Jillian Rayfield
Jillian Rayfield is a Reporter/Blogger for TPM, and started as a News Intern in May 2009. She graduated from Cornell University in May 2008 with a degree in Film, and worked as a Research Assistant for a market research firm in London in between.
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