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We Only Wish Obama Attended Occidental College on a Scholarship for Foreign Students."

My sincerest apologies for my error in thinking the original article (The claim is that Obama received a Fulbright scholarship for foreign students, proving that he is not a U.S. citizen and therefore not eligible to be president.)  posted here an hour ago was true and factual. It was not.

I was alerted by a reader it may have been a hoax. I immediately pulled the article and its posting and did more research. What I found  from "Fact Check.Org"  about the hoax is posted below. Know though that this much is true "Occidental College Attorneys Threaten to Quash Subpoena..."  the article is posted below. 

Again I apologize, and will be more careful in posting articles in the future.

G.C.


OBAMA - SMOKING GUN FINALLY FOUND?
 
Q:
Has a "smoking gun" been found to prove Obama was not born a U.S. citizen? Did he attend Occidental College on a scholarship for foreign students?
I recently received this and wanted to know if it is accurate, and what the implications are.

Thanks


April 1, 2009

AP- WASHINGTON D.C. - In a move certain to fuel the debate over Obama’s qualifications for the presidency, the group “Americans for Freedom of Information” has released copies of President Obama’s college transcripts from Occidental College. Released today, the transcript indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro, received financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia as an undergraduate at the school. The transcript was released by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit brought by the group in the Superior Court of California. The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro) applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship program. To qualify, for the scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship. This document would seem to provide the smoking gun that many of Obama’s detractors have been seeking.

The news has created a firestorm at the White House as the release casts increasing doubt about Obama’s legitimacy and qualification to serve as president. When reached for comment in London, where he has been in meetings with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Obama smiled but refused comment on the issue. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs scoffed at the report stating that this was obviously another attempt by a right-wing conservative group to discredit the president and undermine the administration’s efforts to move the country in a new direction.

Britain's Daily Mail has also carried the story in a front-page article titled, “Obama Eligibility Questioned”, leading some to speculate that the story may overshadow economic issues on Obama’s first official visit to the U.K.

In a related matter, under growing pressure from several groups, Justice Antonin Scalia announced that the Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to hear arguments concerning Obama’s legal eligibility to serve as President in a case brought by Leo Donofrio of New Jersey. This lawsuit claims Obama's dual citizenship disqualified him from serving as president. Donofrio’s case is just one of 18 suits brought by citizens demanding proof of Obama’s citizenship or qualification to serve as president.

Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation has released the results of their investigation of Obama’s campaign spending. This study estimates that Obama has spent upwards of $950,000 in campaign funds in the past year with eleven law firms in 12 states for legal resources to block disclosure of any of his personal records. Mr. Kreep indicated that the investigation is still ongoing but that the final report will be provided to the U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder. Mr. Holder has refused to comment on the matter.

A:
This chain e-mail is a transparent April Fools' Day hoax. It fabricates an AP news story about an nonexistent group, and makes false claims about Obama and the Fulbright program.
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The claim is that Obama received a Fulbright scholarship for foreign students, proving that he is not a U.S. citizen and therefore not eligible to be president. Supposedly this was reported by The Associated Press. But the claim is false and the story is a hoax.

April Fake
We contacted The Associated Press just to confirm what should be obvious, that no such news story ever appeared on the news agency's wires. Jack Stokes, the AP's manager of media relations, gave us this statement:
AP: The story purported to be from The Associated Press on April 1 is fake. 
Furthermore, the group that the fake story credits with gaining release of the supposed "smoking gun" documents is also a fake. Searches of news accounts and Internet sites showed no trace of any group called "Americans for Freedom of Information," until recently. On May 6 such a group did appear, but only as a joke to make fun of anyone who had fallen for the April Fools' Day gag. An anonymous blogger set up a site calling itself "Americans for Freedom of Information: We Do Not Exist." Its first entry begins:
"Americans for Freedom of Information" May 6: We are the Americans for Freedom of Information. We are a fictitious group of individuals; i.e. we do not exist. And yet, for a nonexistent organization we wield great power and knowledge! O Yea, Verily. OK, actually, not verily at all. Anti-verily, as a matter of an utter lack of fact.

Where Truth Ends

Not all versions of this e-mail carry the telltale April 1 dateline, however. And more than a month after it first appeared we continue to get questions about whether it is true, and to see postings on conservative blogs that seem to accept its claims as fact. But not only is the message a hoax, its key claims are as false as they can be.

Among the few claims that are true in this message is that from fall 1979 through spring 1981 Obama attended Occidental College, a small (currently 1,825 students, according to its Web site) school in Los Angeles. After that he transferred to Columbia University in New York City to finish his undergraduate education. The photo here is from his application to Occidental.

It's also true that Obama was on scholarship while at Occidental, according to articles in the Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe.

But that's about where the truth ends. For those who might believe that even a fake news story quoting a nonexistent organization might still have some validity, we offer these facts:
No Fulbright: Contrary to what this e-mail claims, Obama's scholarship wasn't a Fulbright. It's true that many foreign students come to the U.S. under the Fulbright program, sponsored by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. But Fulbrights for foreign students are primarily intended for graduate students studying for masters' degrees or Ph.D. degrees, not for college freshmen and sophomores.

No "Soetoro": Another false claim is that Obama attended and received financial aid "under the name Barry Soetoro," using the surname of his Indonesian stepfather Lolo Soetoro. The college's Director of Communications Jim Tranquada told us there's no record of that. He told us in an e-mail:
Occidental spokesman Tranquada: Contemporary public documents, such as the 1979-80 freshman 'Lookbook' published at the beginning of President Obama's first year at Occidental, list him as Barack Obama. All of the Occidental alumni I have spoken to from that era (1979-81) who knew him, knew him as Barry Obama.
No Records: It's not even true that Occidental has released Obama's student records, as claimed in the message. Nor have courts ordered any such records to be made public. According to the college spokesman:
Occidental spokesman Tranquada: To date, all of the litigation filed regarding President Obama's student records at Occidental has been rejected by the courts. Occidental has not released his transcripts or his student file.
Furthermore there's no trace of the supposed Daily Mail story headlined "Obama Eligibility Questioned," either on the newspaper's Web site or in the Nexis database of stories published by the paper. The claim that the Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a case brought by Leo Donofrio is also false; the high court in fact refused to grant a hearing in that case back on Dec. 8, 2008.

There is a group called the "United States Justice Foundation," and it does list a Gary Kreep as its executive director. But we find no report of any study of Obama's legal spending on its Web site, or any mention of turning information over to Attorney General Eric Holder. We've asked Kreep about this in an e-mail message, and will update this item should we receive a reply.

-Brooks Jackson

See article about Occidental College Subpoena.at:    http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/occidental-college-attorneys
Sources 
 
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Keyes v. Bowen, Obama, et.al. Superior Court of the State of California County of Sacramento
The motion to quash the subpoena is granted.

March 26, 2009

(item #4 of the ORDER)

4. MOTION TO QUASH OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, AND 55 CALIFORNIA ELECTORS OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, FOR AN ORDER THAT THE DEPOSITION OF THE CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS OF OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE NOT BE TAKEN.

Respondents President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and the 55 California ELectors named as respondents move for an order quashing the subpoena by petitioners directed to third party Occidental College demanding access to President Barack Obama’s “academic and housing records.” In the alternative, they seek an order that the deposition of the custodian of records of Occidental College not be taken.

The moving parties seek relief pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 1987.1, 2025.410, and 2025.420. They contend that the subpoena and the associated notice to the consumer were improperly served. They contend that the subpoena is vague and overbroad and seeks information that is neither relevant to this Lawsuit nor reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.

The motion is granted on all grounds stated. Code of Civil Procedure section 19853 requires that a copy of subpoena seeking access to confidential consumer records be served on the consumer whose records are sought at Least five days before service on the custodian of records. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1985.3(b)(3).) If served by mail within this State, this tune lu’nit is extended to ten days pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 10 13(a). In this case, the notice and subpoena to Occidental College were mailed either the day before or the very same day Occidental College was served. (Woocher Dccl., pars. 2-3 and Exa. 1-2.) This is insufficient.

Petitioners contend that respondents waived any objection by failing to object for twenty-seven days. The Court finds this argument without merit. The motion to quash was filed within the period provided for by Code of Civil Procedure section 2025 4 10(b). The Court further finds that the two categories of documents petitioners seek are vague, overbroad, and are of no relevance to this Litigation. Petitioners demand access to all of President Obama’s “academic and housing records.” However, the relevance of such records is not established. The issues raised in the First Amended Petition concern the duties, if any, of the respondents to demand proof of natural born citizenship of a candidate for President. Petitioners have not shown that any of the documents sought could assist in answering this question. Petitioners’ argument that they could have sought even more documents is not persuasive, nor is their argument that more specific objection was needed pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.240(b).

Moreover, this lawsuit is moot as to issues concerning President Obama. The Court on this date is prepared to sustain demurrers to the petition without leave to amend. But even if the court were to overrule the demurrers, the First Amended Petition contains no claims as to which the records sought are relevant.

The motion to quash the subpoena is GRANTED.

 
Related article: 

Occidental College Attorneys Threaten to Quash Subpoena...

Litigation over Sen. Obama's Citizenship: Interesting concept Obama opposes
Posted by: Admin on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 07:15 AM PST

Daily-Jeff.com
Cambridge Ohio   http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/occidental-college-attorneys

Interesting concept Obama opposes the production of the requested records.


Bob Unruh reports that a high-powered team of Los Angeles attorneys representing Obama in his effort to keep his birth certificate, college records and passport documents concealed from the public has suggested there should be "monetary sanctions" against a lawyer whose clients have brought a complaint alleging Obama doesn't qualify for the Oval Office under the Constitution's demand for a "natural born" citizen in that post.

The suggestion came in an exchange of e-mails and documents in a case brought by former presidential candidate Alan Keyes and others in California. The case originally sought to have the state's electors ordered to withhold their votes for Obama until his eligibility was established. Since his inauguration, it has been amended to seek a future requirement for a vetting process, in addition to the still-sought unveiling of Obama's records.

In the case, being handled largely by Gary Kreep of the U.S. Justice Foundation, he recently subpoenaed the records documenting the attendance by Obama, or possibly the student when he was known as Barry Soetero, from Occidental College.

The lawyer for the college, Stuart W. Rudnick of Musick, Peeler & Garrett, urgently contacted Fredric D. Woocher of Strumwasser & Woocher.

"This firm is counsel to Occidental College. The College is in receipt of the enclosed subpoena that seeks certain information concerning President-Elect Barack Obama," he wrote via fax. "Inasmuch as the subpoena appears to be valid on its face, the College will have no alternative but to comply with the subpoena absent a court order instructing otherwise."

Within hours, Woocher contacted Kreep regarding the issue, telling him, "It will likely not surprise you to hear that Obama opposes the production of the requested records.

"In order to avoid the needless expense of our bringing and litigating a Motion to Quash the subpoena, I am writing to ask whether you would be willing to agree voluntarily to cancel or withdraw the subpoena"

Woocher warned, "Please be advised, in particular, that in the event we are forced to file a motion to quash and we prevail in that motion, we will seek the full measure of monetary sanctions provided for in the Code of Civil Procedures."

Why?

Is it a coincidence that both the Occidental lawyers and the Obama lawyers have addresses at 100 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles? And, that Woocher, selected as a "Southern California Super Lawyer, 2009" practices "political law" -- what's "political law?"

There's at least 48 legal cases attempting to gain access to various documents from Obama's past. In this one case, Obama is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to hide his bona fides, and using a "Super Lawyer" to do it. You do the math. Obama is spending millions to hide his past from the American People.

Why?

Watch this case. Occidental's lawyers say they have to comply with Gary Kreep's subpoena. Watch to see how Obama's lawyers attempt to manipulate the justice system to quash this subpoena.... Excerpted from:   http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/occidental-college-attorneys
 

New Freshman College Pics of Barry – Obama, the College Years


Excerpted from BUT AS FOR ME NEWS>COM

M+B is pleased to announce the inaugural exhibition BARACK OBAMA: THE FRESHMAN, black and white photographs by Lisa Jack.  First featured in Time Magazine’s 2008 “Person of the Year” Issue, which chose then President-elect Barack Obama for his “rare ability to . . . organize himself and others to anticipate change and translate it into opportunity,” these photographs offer a window back in time before the posters and before the campaign, when a 20-year-old young man was caught up in just such a change that Time Magazine would later describe. Lisa Jack, then a student of photography at Occidental College, sought a striking subject for a portrait project and was tipped off about a charismatic freshman named “Barry” Obama who would make an ideal subject.  After the shoot, these images would remain locked away for the next 28 years, until a dare from a friend triggered Lisa Jack to seek them out.  At first worried these images could be used against President Obama, Jack realized they were not incriminating of anything other than being young and self-conscious, and that they offered a unique glimpse into how the man who made history went from being “Barry” to Barack. This exhibition marks the first time these rare photographs have ever been printed and on display.

As described in his memoir Dreams from My Father, Barack Obama’s time at “Oxy” (Occidental College) was one of confusion and self-searching.  He was chided by his mother for being friends with someone who was arrested on a drug possession charge, having so-so grades and, worst of all, being undeclared.  Having recently moved from his grandparents’ home in Honolulu, he searched for his place in his new environment and eventually translated a situation of uncertainty into opportunity.  These images from 1980 offer a view of that young man grappling with issues that would shape him to become the 44th President of the United States.  During this year at Oxy, Obama vigorously sought out peers who were politically active and would transfer a year later to Columbia in order to be part of a larger community.  These photographs evidence the shift from what he described as “going through the motions” to finding a sense of self and, subsequently, purpose.

Of this session, Lisa Jack described it as initially awkward. “Barry” showed up to the shoot with a bomber jacket, flared jeans, a pack of cigarettes and a Panama hat he thought would look “cool.” Initially, he posed self-consciously, but as the shoot progressed, the personality and charisma we would all later bear witness to emerged.   More of excerpted article and photos at: http://www.butasforme.com/2009/05/27/new-freshman-college-picks-of-barry-obama-the-college-years/      

  • TRY THIS LINK: VIEW NEW PHOTOS at M+B Gallery (Site is down to heavy traffic).
  • ____________________________________________________________________________
  • view link



    The Obama Timeline: 1961-2008   http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/1224815



    The following is an attempt to present the relevant aspects of Barack Obama's life, from birth to the present. Every attempt has been made to present accurate names, information, and dates. If errors or significant omissions are noted, please free to contact the author at colony14@gmail.com.

    1979-1981

    Obama moves to Los Angeles , and attends Occidental College , [28] where he plays basketball and continues taking drugs. He becomes friends with Pakistani Muslims Mohammed Hasan Chandio, (or perhaps Chandoo) and Wahid Hamid, [20] and Indian Vinai Thummalapally. [189,245] At Occidental College, Obama indulges in alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. [188] He becomes interested in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa . While at Occidental, Obama is mentored by an openly gay professor, Lawrence Goldyn, who has a strong influence on Obama's acceptance of gays. [191]



    Obama's friends at Occidental tend to be blacks, foreign students, Chicanos, Marxist professors, feminists, and punk-rock performance poets. [187,192] Obama is rebuked on one occasion for calling another black student, who wasn't "black enough," an "Uncle Tom." One female student criticizes Obama with the remark, "You always think it's about you."



    Obama's first known public speech takes place at an Occidental College event, sponsored by the Students for Economic Democracy (SED), which is a branch of the Campaign for Economic Democracy (CED), a group that was founded by radical, anti-American, Marxist activist Tom Hayden (former husband of actress Jane Fonda), who was also active with the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). [259] (William Ayers' subsequent radical group, the Weather Underground, was comprised of many former SDS members; in 1969 the Weather Underground - then called simply "Weatherman" - declared "war on Amerikka.") [259]



    Obama may have made a 1980 trip to Kenya to visit his father. During that trip, he may also have visited Pakistan , and Indonesia (to visit his mother). [194,195,196]




    During his college years, Obama maintains contact with his father through correspondence, until his death in 1982. [271]



    Probably in late 1980, Obama decides to stop using the name Barry Soetoro and returns to the name Barack Obama, Jr. [194]




    Obama is disappointed in a grade he receives from political science Professor Roger Boesche, and complains he is being graded "on a different curve" because of his race. [20]



    In 1981, Obama visits his mother and half-sister in Indonesia , and then continues on for three weeks to Karachi , Pakistan and Hyderabad , India , [26,194,195,196] with his friends Chandio [23] and Hamid, [25] and finally to Kenya to visit his father's family. [245]




    One of Obama's hosts in Pakistan is Muhammadian Mian Soomro [24], Obama's senior by 11 years, son of a Pakistani politician and himself a politician, who later becomes interim President of Pakistan when Pervez Musharraf resigns in August of 2008. Soomro states that "someone" personally requested that he "watch over" Barack Obama, but Soomro will not name that individual - who today allegedly lives in South America . [24]



    It is unknown who financed Obama's costly 1981 trip.




    Note that a trip to Pakistan in 1981 was not possible for Americans, except for those who were on official government business, because it was on the list of nations banned by the State Department for U.S. travelers. It is possible that Obama was able to enter Pakistan on an Indonesian passport. Pakistan , being almost 100 per cent Muslim, would have welcomed foreign Muslim visitors in 1981. The U.S. State Department would not have known Obama was in Pakistan had he traveled on an Indonesian passport.



    Obama's school records from Occidental College have been kept secret. This may simply be to hide poor grades. It is also possible that those records list Obama as an Indonesian, and not an American, citizen. [259]




    1981-1984


    Obama moves to New York City and enrolls at Columbia University . He attends socialist conferences "for inspiration." His roommate is Pakistani Muslim Sohale Siddiqi. [26,27] Siddiqi is a drug user; Obama allegedly stops using drugs while at Columbia . Living a few blocks away from Obama and Columbia is William Ayers (at 520 West 123rd Street ). [206,297]



    At Columbia , Obama studies political science and international relations. His thesis is on nuclear disarmament. [29] (The Obama campaign will not release copies of that document.) [29] Obama graduates from Columbia in June of 1983, with a degree in political science, without honors. [264]
     
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