Conservative Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker on the birthers:
Alas, there is no reasoning with the unreasonable, too many of whom these days seem to self-identify as Republicans or conservatives. This is as Democrats would have it, needless to say [I’ll plead guilty here], but no one is served by our national descent into silliness. Sadly missing on the Republican side is the leveling voice of the grown-up who will say not only that he takes Obama’s word (and the clear evidence), but that the Republican Party won’t tolerate further discussion. Case closed.
Instead, too many seem satisfied to let the fringe inform the base. We dwell in a time when buffoons are elevated and presidents are compelled to respond to the jester. These circumstances cannot bode well for the republic.
