NOTE: this blog is no longer active as of 12/07. New one: http://blog.kirchhof.com
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
Thu, 28 Oct 2004
Humor
thanks Mary...
Posted at 15:51 by Randy Kirchhof [Permalink]
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The First Volley From Jeb
Sigh. From the BBC:
Florida ballot papers go missing
Tens of thousands of postal ballots have gone missing in the US state
of Florida, sparking fresh concern over irregularities in the poll
campaign.
Authorities are investigating the apparent loss of 58,000 absentee
forms in Broward County, north of Miami.
[...]
A police investigation into the missing ballots has not uncovered any indication of criminal wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the US postal service inspectorate said it was highly unlikely that 58,000 pieces of mail had just disappeared.
[...]
In 2000, Broward gave Al Gore his biggest margin among Florida counties. He won 67% of the vote there, while losing the state to George W Bush by 537 votes.
"It looks like they're trying to steal the vote again," said Diane Glasser, vice-chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party.
[...]
Posted at 15:35 by Randy Kirchhof [Permalink]
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Today's Best Lede
From Slate:
A Democratic lawyer friend of mine now teases his Republican clients by asking whether they want "faith-based" advice or "reality-based" advice.
Posted at 12:27 by Randy Kirchhof [Permalink]
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Voter Intimidation - Very Important
From the Times:
G.O.P. Bid to Contest Registrations in Ohio Is Blocked
By JAMES DAO
Published: October 28, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 27 - A federal judge on Wednesday blocked six boards of elections in Ohio from proceeding with hearings into Republican-initiated efforts to knock tens of thousands of registered voters off the voting rolls.
The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Susan J. Dlott of Federal District Court in Cincinnati made it likely that few, and perhaps none, of the challenge hearings would proceed before Election Day, state officials said.
"This is an important victory for all Ohio voters because it means this cynical and desperate effort by the Republican Party to prevent tens of thousands of legal registered voters from casting their votes has backfired," said David Sullivan, a lawyer for the Ohio Democratic Party.
[...]
Folks, this is as real as a heart attack. The National Republican
Party is deploying 3400 "poll watchers" in Ohio alone. As I am
sure readers here know, you are not required to show anyone except
sworn-in election officials any credentials when you
vote. Period. If someone outside the polling place tries to intimidate
you in any way, they are guilty of a Federal crime. Make sure that
everyone you know is aware of this. The elderly and minorities
in liberal districts will be targeted by these facists.
Democrats and the blogosphere are responding. The suggestion is to
wear some sort of non-specific political wear that identifies you as a
liberal and bring a video camera with you. (If you are wearing a
Kerry/Edwards or Bush/Cheney or whatever shirt, you'll be allowed to
vote, but after that, you'll have to stand at least 100 feet from the
polling place door. I think that a Burning Spear t-shirt will be my
attire of the day.) After you vote, go back outside, turn your camera
on, and observe. If you see these criminal activities going on, stand
right beside the "poll watchers" and tell voters that they do
not have to produce any credentials or speak to anyone
outside of the polling place. Get it on tape. Call the Feds. And
put a Republican Racketeer in prison for the good of your country and
your democracy.
I am a very fortunate man this election. I am informed, I have
access to a camera, I can take Tuesday off, and I happen to live
across the street from a polling place in a district that is full of
liberals, elderly, and minorities. I fully intend to do exactly what
I've described above on Tuesday. I'll probably take a comfortable
chair along. And I will not hesitate to file a Federal Voting Rights
Act complaint with the FBI on every goon that I see and videotape. If
I can get my hands on a cell phone for the day, I will call the FBI at
the moment of the act.
It is my humble suggestion that you consider doing the same. We
need at least one person (and preferably several) at every polling
place in this country on Tuesday. Because they'll likely have someone
there waiting for you.
[ Update: this is a surprisingly popular piece. Lots of hits
today. One thing to add -- a rethink. I'll wait until the end of the
day to vote. That way, if anyone tries to intimidate me, they
can go to federal prison for twenty years or so. ]
Posted at 15:38 by Randy Kirchhof [Permalink]
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