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News - Fort Benning

Friday, Sep. 18, 2009

Officer, lawyer in 'birther' case ask judge to reconsider ruling

- ariquelmy@ledger- enquirer.com
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Army Capt. Connie Rhodes, who unsuccessfully petitioned a federal court to stop her deployment to Iraq by arguing President Barack Obama can’t legitimately hold the office, has asked U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land to reconsider his Wednesday ruling.

The emergency request for stay of deployment and request to amend the judgment was filed Thursday on behalf of Rhodes by attorney Orly Taitz — a national figure in the “birther” movement.

In a Wednesday order Taitz called “sarcastic” and “biting,” Land denied Rhodes’ request and told Taitz she would face sanctions if she ever again filed in his court a similar frivolous action.

“Plaintiff avers that there is increasing evidence that the United State District Courts in the 11th Circuit are subject to the same illegitimate chain of command which plaintiff has previously protested in this case,” Rhodes’ Thursday filing states.

Rhodes claims in her Thursday filing that Land denied her Fifth Amendment right to due process by not letting her file a response to the government’s motion to dismiss. Also, Rhodes had no meaningful access to the courts because Land’s ruling didn’t address her arguments, the request states.

In his ruling, Land said Rhodes had no credible evidence and made no reliable factual allegations that would support her unsubstantiated claims that Obama can’t serve as president.

Rhodes asks that Land stay her deployment until Sept. 30, which would give her enough time to file relevant motions. Land ordered that the defendants — who include Obama, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Col. Thomas MacDonald, Fort Benning garrison commander — will recover any costs from the complaint from Rhodes.

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