Bob McCarty Writes

Two questions about President Barack Obama surfaced in my mind this morning as I came across news that the United States Marine Corps is introducing a new multimedia campaign entitled “The Line,” connecting the past to the present this Black History Month:

1.  In a totally transparent world, would an 18-year-old Obama have been able to meet the mental and physical qualifications to serve as a Marine? and, more importantly,

2.  In a totally transparent world, would the man now serving as president of the United States pass a background check necessary to serve as a Marine?

Sadly, the answer to both questions is probably “No.”

As an 18-year-old in 1979, Obama was thin and, by his own admission, dabbled in drugs and drinking, according to his memoir, “Dreams From My Father.”  Chances are he wouldn’t have made it through boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., or San Diego, the Marine Corps Recruiting Depots.

Regardless of age, however, Obama would not likely be able to pass a background check necessary to serve in the Marine Corps — or any branch of the military — without first providing proof of his citizenship and information about such matters as his education at Occidental College, Columbia University, Harvard Law School and his world travels to Pakistan during college.

Incredibly, he is able to serve as president of the United States without providing the information above.  Something’s wrong.