Gee. Farah:

Jeffrey Scott, and presumably Breitbart, is of the persuasion that one simply needs to be born in the U.S. under any circumstances, notwithstanding parentage issues, to be a “natural born citizen” and eligible to be president.

There are a number of problems with this assumption – none of which he addresses.
In 2008, the Republican nominee was not born in the United States. The U.S. Senate held hearings to determine John McCain’s eligibility. It determined he was eligible because both his parents were U.S. citizens. I think it was a good decision. But if the definition of “natural born citizen” is, as Scott suggests, simply being born on U.S. soil, what difference would it make that his parents were U.S. citizens? When does that fact become relevant – only when someone is born in a foreign land?

How is McCain’s eligibility relevant to the question of jus soli? Whether the fact of parents becomes relevant for foreign soil or not, it doesn’t refute jus soli.

By Scott’s definition, every anchor baby – or the American-born offspring of illegal aliens – would also be a “natural born citizen” and eligible to be president or vice president. I know some people actually believe that. But then, some people make no distinction whatsoever between a “citizen” and a “natural born citizen.”

And? Where’s an argument here?

The founders’ intent is very clear on this issue. They wanted to avoid even the appearance of “divided loyalties” – something lawyers for John Kerry probably wouldn’t care much about.

And how does that mean that jus soli isn’t in effect?

That’s the whole of Farah’s case. LOL.

Long ago I joined a few other brave souls in trying to stimulate such a national dialogue on an important constitutional issue – what it means to be a “natural born citizen” and eligible for the presidency. I honestly thought Americans might like to take a look at this issue honestly, candidly and intelligently. For my trouble, I was blackballed, vilified, ridiculed and scoffed at by thoughtless people – and I wasn’t alone.

Cookie?