Birther appeal turned down

The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal challenging President Obama’s U.S. citizenship and his eligibility to serve as commander in chief.

Without comment, the high court Monday refused to hear an appeal from Alan Keyes, Wiley Drake and Markham Robinson. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the challengers did not have legal standing to file the lawsuit.

The U.S. Constitution says only “a natural born citizen” may serve as president. The challengers allege that Obama, whose father was Kenyan, was born in that African country, rather than in Hawaii. They claim his Hawaii birth certificate is a forgery. Hawaii officials have repeatedly verified Obama’s citizenship.

Gitmo inmates lose appeals

The Supreme Court signaled Monday it will not review claims from the remaining Guantanamo detainees, leaving their fate in the hands of the Obama administration.

The justices turned down appeals from seven detainees, all of whom had lost before judges in Washington. They argued they had been denied the “meaningful opportunity” for freedom that the high court promised four years ago.

Meanwhile, the lone American citizen who was arrested in this country and held by the military as an “enemy combatant” also had his case turned away. Jose Padilla and his mother, Estela Lebron, sued former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other top officials for a symbolic $1 in damages.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.