#1 killer of American troops: friendly fire

If a dozen American soldiers die in a month, is it news?

Well, it depends on how they die. If they're killed ON the battlefield, that's major news--especially if a suicide is involved. But if they die OFF the battlefield, it usually isn't--unless a suicide is involved. What has made the news in recent years is the alarming number of American military members who die at their own hands. Many more attempt to kill themselves, but don't succeed on the first try.

There's a lot to comment on, but I'll refrain.

Barack Hussein Obama's Kenyan Birth Certificate

In previous posts (here and here), I mentioned first the possibility, then the likelihood, that President Obama was actually born in Kenya. Now I have damning evidence to that effect, having seen video footage of a certified copy of his birth certificate being procured from a hospital in Kenya. The image at 6:30 on the linked video is a bit blurry, so I transcribe it here. Digits and letters not quite clear in the photo are in italics (3/4/11--most of these can now be clearly read online)--some of them are read aloud on the video, some can be guessed, and some are too blurry or overwritten to read at all [edited to add: many lines have since been confirmed by comparison with the certified copy of the certificate signed by Joshua Simon ODUYA on February 17, 1964 (further additions and clarifications on 12/16/2010 in bold), more added 3/4/11]:

COAST PROVINCE GENERAL HOSPITAL
Mombasa, British Protectorate of Kenya

CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH
Certificate No. 32018

(Helton Managa's signature)
HELTON MANAGA
CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
COAST PROVINCE GENERAL
HOSPITAL
CHIEF(ILLEGIBLE)
##-2222148

Child bearing the name BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA II / Sex M

STANLEY ANN OBAMA DUNHAM 11/29/1942
Full Name of Mother Maiden Surname Date of Birth

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA 1936
Full Name of Father Date of Birth

on this 4th day of AUGUST, 1961 at 7:24 PM

7 pounds 1 ounce 18 inches 6 inches
Weight of Child at Birth Length Width Between Shoulders

HONOLULU, HAWAII, WICHITA, KANSAS
UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
Residence of Mother Birth Place of Mother

KANYADHIANG VILLAGE, NYANZA STUDENT STUDENT
Birth Place of Father Occupation of Father Occupation of Mother

JAMES C. W. ANG' AWA (signature) 8/5/1961
Name of Attending Doctor Signature of Attending Doctor Date

JOHN KWAME ODONGO
Supervisor of Obstetrics
(footprint of baby) (signature) 8-7-1961
Registrar Date
(embossed seal)
COAST PROVINCE GENERAL HOSPITAL
MOMBASA

SEAL

KENYA
V452
M37

UPDATE August 18, 2011:
It has become evident, with Mr. Obama's release of an altered Hawaiian birth certificate, along with the publication of his father's INS file, that this particular certificate is a recent forgery. Someone in the Vital Stats division of Kenya was foresighted enough to make up a fake birth certificate during the birther controversy, knowing that sooner or later someone would show up with a wad of cash wanting to buy a copy--which is exactly what happened. Search this blog for "Obama" for details of the story.

What has never been answered satisfactorily is why Mr. Obama's step-grandmother said that she was present for his birth in Mombasa.

UPDATE 2015:
It turns out that his step-grandmother had words put in her mouth. In the least conclusive way possible, Barack Obama has finally managed to prove that he was born in the USA.