When the Fringe Becomes the GOP Mainstream

CNN's Howard Kurtz had an interesting discussion about the (sadly) still-growing birther movement yesterday,

I agree with the disgust expressed by most of the speakers, but take exception with two points.

• Kurtz describes the birthers as "the fringe of the fringe," which is true only if you consider the Republican Party "the fringe." We have two members of the MO House GOP Leadership -- Tim Jones and Cynthia Davis -- suing the president in federal court, for crying out loud. On top of that, more than a dozen other legislators -- including leaders like Sen. Jim Lembke, Rep. Ed Emery, Rep. Mike McGhee and Rep. Robert Cooper -- have all publicly signed on to the birther lunacy.  And not one of them has disavowed the insanity.
   
• Lauren Asburn of USA Today suggests it's "unethical" for the media to give the put the story "front and center" when there are actual problems in the world. It's not clear from the clip if she's talking about people like Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh, or if she's talking about the media a whole.  I'd certainly agree that it's unethical and devastating to the credibility of anyone who's pushing this conspiracy theory -- but how can it be unethical to cover the misguided, willfully ignorant and small minded actions of our elected leaders? 

  If anything, we should be hearing a lot more about the continuing efforts of Jones, Davis, Lembke and others.  The Orly Taitz fly around was certainly a big event, but that's hardly in the end of the story.
   

In happier birther news, Lawyer/Dentist/Realtor Orly Taitz is scheduled to sit down with Stephen Colbert tomorrow. Woo hoo!

(Video via ThinkProgress)