An American President

The New York Times editorial this morning called it "sardonic resignation." That hits it about right. I was thinking about disbelief, calm rationality in the face of what the President, kindly, called "silliness," and a determined dignity.

One question that comes to mind is this one: how could such huge numbers of Americans (nearly 75 percent, reportedly, of Republicans) be led to believe the "birther" absurdity, all factual evidence to the contrary? The only explanation that could seem to account for it is the familiar, ugly one: racism. Those riding their political ambitions on the notion that Obama was not born in this country were quite clearly playing on the fear and hatred of otherness, the scurrilous intimation that he is not, and was never "one of us." A curious irony, since he has proved himself time and again to be one of the best of us: smart, clear-headed, generous to a fault, patient, calm in adversity, good-humored, loyal, the father of a wonderful family.

Shame on those who have fomented hatred for their political goals. Shame on Republican leaders who have rejected countless opportunities to speak out forcefully and defuse this non-issue. Shame on those in the United States Congress and in the state houses of shamefully numerous states to legislate this issue into something it has never been--legitimate.

Will it now be put to rest? Clearly not. Those impervious to facts or rational argument before the President's unveiling of the "long form" of his birth certificate are unlikely to be persuaded by any further facts of rational argument. The whispers--no longer whispers, thanks in part to the loud and ugly voice of Donald Trump--will persist, questioning the authenticity of the document and the reasons for what such voices consider to be too tardy a response to their impertinent demands.

And meanwhile, we trust, Obama will continue, despite all the roadblocks, to work with what others consider to be excessive patience on the issues that really matter to this country.