Replies: 28 Comments
Comment #1: wallen said on 7/31/06 @ 11:14pm ET...
Thanks for he heads up.
Comment #2: MAX 1 said on 7/31/06 @ 11:45pm ET...
Tesing, testing, 1 - 2 - 3
Check - 1
Check - 2
Flip switch - 3
Comment #3: feline said on 8/1/06 @ 12:30am ET...
The National Association of State Elections Directors
these people say:
The ITA Committee is now staffed by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). All inquiries about previously or currently certified equipment or the testing process must be directed to Brian Hancock, the ITA Secretariat at bhancock@eac.gov or (866) 747-1471.
Election Assistance Commission
In the link below, Hancock deferred to Tom Wilkey, director of NASAD. (And, NASAD site says to ask Hancock.)
Vote Trust USA
The machines are not up to HAVA standards; and HAVA standards, IMHO, are not that high.
Comment #4: hpcharlie said on 8/1/06 @ 12:32am ET...
Dear Congressman Conyers,
I noticed earlier this evening the report that members of the Democratic Judiciary had learned through their investigation & non -partisan oath of office and obligation to the Constitution *reported on Raw Story... that our dearly beloved "Cristocratic GOP/Diebold" apparently has the definite capability to fraudulently manipulate our U.S. Elections. Aren't they such moral Christians??
May they all be held accountable by the U.S. Congress" after November Elections...if not...they still will ulimately report to a "Higher Power" in the final end!
Charlie C.
Dallas TX
Comment #5: Frosted Flake said on 8/1/06 @ 1:40am ET...
It is, of course, obvious. But it might be of value to, occasionally, put into words the forest all these trees add up to.
Hacking voting machines is not a hobby, it's a business. The product is a stolen office. That office is not stolen in order to have a job, but to do one. People who steal offices always have a big reason, an agenda, and partners. The bigger the office, the bigger the reason, agenda and partners. The Presidency is the biggest office. And, of course, we are really talking about ALL offices, are we not.
The connection between hacked voting machines and the events in the middle east is that these are the means to an end, and those are the ends.
It is all one crime.
Frosted Flake
Comment #6: Rusty said on 8/1/06 @ 2:42am ET...
(From Raw Story)
"Election Lawyer to File Legal Contest in California Congressional Race
Miriam Raftery
Published: Monday July 31, 2006
'Overall, this election was handled in such a way that we have no reason for confidence in the results,' famed election attorney Paul Lehto said of California’s 50th Congressional District special election between Francine Busby and Brian Bilbray.
Highlights of Raw Story's article:
1) "The San Diego case will ask for a full recount performed by hand to detect counting errors and scanning errors."
2) "The San Diego lawsuit will ask the court to set appropriate costs for the recount."
3) "The suit will seek affirmative evidence of election irregularities, For example, absentee precinct 99068 lists a seemingly impossible 4,750% turnout." (Yes, Frosty, you read that right. 4,750% turnout)
4) "The suit also seeks to reveal ways in which the public and plaintiffs have been 'prevented from determining if election irregularities or fraud have occurred.'"
5) "Lehto will also assert Constitutional claims under Article 2, Section 25 of the Califiornia Constitution, which states that a voter has the right to have his or her vote properly counted."
6) "In addition, Lehto plans to raise an Equal Protection claim."
7) "Lehto expects his case will be placed on a “rocket docket” for speedy trial within 45-60 days.
8) "He cites evidence of hack tests as proof that a single voter may hack into an electronic voting machine in less than a minute with no password, changing results for an entire election. Those facts have been published in the Washington Post and on CNN."
Raw Story
Comment #7: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 7:07am ET...
Congressman JC, I guess we now know why they don't like "observers" to watch after elections are over and do all they can to shoo they away from their "vote flipping."
JC, PLEASE join up with Lou Dobbs soon on this topic. He's chaffing at the bit on this one. THANKS!
Comment #8: Nolip said on 8/1/06 @ 8:31am ET...
The Congressional "slight of hand" that committed this nation to a bill that was tied to the neocon agenda is laid out very well by Robert F Kennedy Jr in his interview on bradblog.com
The "slight of hand" was the testimony of some paid expert who testified that paper ballots on voting machines would create a problem for the blind, therefore eliciting a Republican controlled response that all voting machines should be without a paper ballot to avoid this from happening. How ridiculous and how very cunning all at the same time.
We are now just a few short months from the mid-term elections. Congressman Conyers has a bill before Congress that speaks to the necessity for a paper ballot generated by the high tech machinery that counties and states will be using to count the ballots. Will Congressman Conyers bill get proper treatment (like maybe the Rethuglicans will tie another estate tax windfall for the rich to the Conyers bill) or get beat up as it makes it's way through the legislative process? And, if the bill does pass will the machines that are currently in place get refitted before the November elections? Stay tuned...
Comment #9: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 8:38am ET...
Off topic. Reminder: Tonight at 6:10 pm, C-SPAN will repeat the viewing of the 9/11 Scholars for Truth symposium.
Comment #10: koryannder said on 8/1/06 @ 9:43am ET...
Hmmmmmmm - looking at the pix on slashdot, the immediate thought that came to mind was "WHAT A KLUDGE!" I am not the world's greatest computer mechanic, but I have several good ones in my family, and all agree that the architecture is MUCH too complex for utility. My grandson-in-law says "I could rip half that garbage out and make a better machine!" Maybeso - and maybe it is deliberate obfuscation? As I read it when first I heard of the "Paperless" idea, I thought, "So now all elections can be tracelessly stolen." It has taken years, but I think the public is beginning to get wise - now, if the Cheneyacs can be prevented from creating a synthetic "Terror attack" to start another war, and JC's bill to get paper trails - CORRECT ONES! - back passed, even Georgia might give us an honest election! Maybe even Ohio? Or San Diego?
Comment #11: unspun said on 8/1/06 @ 9:59am ET...
Congressman Conyers,
I just sent an e-mail to Lou Dobbs quoting your post. With primaries coming up in August and the congressional elections in November, this issue needs to be put at the top of the priority list.
TIA #7: I agree, Lou should interview Mr. Conyers about the vulnerabilities of e-voting.
Comment #12: Carole J Gilbert said on 8/1/06 @ 1:05pm ET...
As we have a constitutional right to vote, and have our vote counted accurately, if a state willing/knowingly allows "poor" equipment to be used, is that cause for a civil suit?
Comment #13: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 1:33pm ET...
In keeping with this thread, here is a notice from www.blackboxvoting.org.
It speaks better than I can about the dangers posed in the upcoming elections by the fraud perpretrated upon us by those who want to remain in power. Consider taking their advice, read this post and proceed according to your energies, time and inclination. Unfortunately I can only post part of it because the JC Blog will only allow 10 links, and this alert email from Blackboxvoting has many more, so please, after reading the portion below, go to their hotlink that I've made, or see the continuation in my next post.
Permission to cross-post to all lists granted by blackboxvoting.org.
-----------------
Subject: From BBV: Now is the time for your 2 cents: Citizen's Tool Kit to Take Back Elections
Date: Aug 1, 2006 11:46 AM
Distribute to lists etc. as desired.
If you are worried about Election 2006, this message is for you. The Black Box Voting
CITIZEN'S TOOL KIT contains 20 modules, listed below. Begin actively managing
your elections by choosing one thing to do. This is your chance to suggest improvements
to the tool kit.
Choose one action – any action. This is YOUR tool kit to help you and your group
take action and monitor upcoming elections, so contribute input as desired.
A FRAME OF REFERENCE: You own your government, it's not the other way around.
When you own something, it's up to you to manage it. The Citizen's Tool
Kit was created through combined expertise with many of our nation's most effective
and experienced citizens, to help you learn the citizen management skills that work.
If you depend on others to do this for you, you may just lose your country.
TELLING IT TO YOU STRAIGHT: WE'RE IN TROUBLE
Our electoral system is fundamentally broken. It's NOT going to be fixed by
November. And we don't have a lot of time to make things right.
What happens when the owner of a business doesn't do anything to manage it?
Pretty soon it doesn't exist. Let's not kid ourselves: The same thing can
happen to our democratic republic.
We need to take this seriously. Your children and grandchildren will inherit the
government you give to them. If you don't take action, who will?
Black Box Voting is not going to organize you, fix the government for you, or manage
your efforts. We WILL provide you with the tools to have a real impact, either individually
or by gathering together in small groups of 5 to a dozen people. We will provide
you with mentoring if you need it. This is not a top-down initiative, it's roots-up,
and it's your turn to reach for sunlight.
If you've been under the impression that the American citizenry can win back
our elections by clicking "send" on an e-mail or writing letters to our
representatives, or even by passing a law, think again. Those of us who have been
in the trenches know: Laws are being ignored willy-nilly, public records are being
withheld from citizens, and the voting machines we're using are junk.
If you aren't convinced, here is a presentation you can review -- it's pictures
and captions, a quick read (but due to so many pictures, a slightly slow download,
allow a few minutes even on high-speed connections):
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-presentation.pdf
You can also use this presentation to explain the situation to others.
CITIZEN'S TOOL KIT TO TAKE BACK ELECTIONS - Choose what interests you most (links
to each at bottom). Pick just one thing and take action.
MOBILIZATION MODULES
Module 1: Have a House Party
Module 2: Organize a Town Meeting
Module 3: Give a Speech to a Group
HARD CORE EVIDENCE MODULES
Module 4: Adopt Part of an Election: Check Out the System Testing
Module 5: Adopt Part of an Election: Check On Voter Registration Lists
Module 6: Adopt Part of an Election: Become a Poll Worker or Elections Judge
Module 7: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Voting
Module 8: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Counting
Module 9: Adopt Part of an Election: Check on the Chain of Custody
Module 10: Adopt Part of an Election: Audit for Accuracy
Module 11: Get Public Records and Freedom of Information Documents
CREATIVE & SPECIALTY MODULES
Module 12: Be the Media
Module 13: Adopt a Public Official
Module 14: Check Out the Money Trail: Who's Getting Paid?
Module 15: Accountability Check-up: Did the Election Follow Rules & Laws?
Module 16: Legal Actions
'PLAN B' MODULE
Module 17: Count the Votes Yourself
MODULES FOR CANDIDATES, CELEBRITIES, AND WEALTHY CITIZENS
Module 18: Actions for Candidates
Module 19: For Famous Voices (Action ideas for Celebrities)
Module 20: Actions for High Net Worth Individuals
Each module is being posted at Black Box Voting for your perusal and commentary.
Links to each module are also provided below. You can see the modules as they go
up, and read the comments of others, here:
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/1954/36341.html
You can contribute your input by going to the above link -- you must be signed in
to post, so if this is your first time, just hit the "register" link to
the left, fill in the boxes and you're ready to go!
You can also comment by e-mail. Just hit "reply" to this message and send
your input along.
We'll take your ideas into consideration and update the Citizen's Tool Kit
as needed. To help you customize each module for your own community or group, a
page is also provided at the end of each module.
The entire Citizen's Tool Kit will be available module by module and as one
complete document.
CITIZEN'S TOOL KIT TO TAKE BACK ELECTIONS
INTRO http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-intro.pdf
MOBILIZATION MODULES
Module 1: House Parties http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-house-party.pdf
Module 2: Town Meetings http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-town-meeting.pdf
Module 3: Speeches http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-speaking.pdf
Additional modules are being added throughout the day. If the links below don't
work, wait a couple hours and try again as they are updated and added all day today.
Comment #14: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 1:36pm ET...
Continuation of Blackboxvoting notice email alert:
--------------
HARD CORE EVIDENCE MODULES
Module 4: Adopt Part of an Election: Check Out the System Testing http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-testing.pdf
Module 5: Adopt Part of an Election: Check On Voter Registration Lists http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-voter-registration.pdf
Module 6: Adopt Part of an Election: Become a Poll Worker or Elections Judge http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-pollworker.pdf
Module 7: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Voting http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-voting.pdf
Module 8: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Counting http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-counting.pdf
Module 9: Adopt Part of an Election: Check on the Chain of Custody http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-chain-of-custody.pdf
Module 10: Adopt Part of an Election: Audit for Accuracy http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-audit.pdf
Module 11: Get Public Records and Freedom of Information Documents http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-public-records.pdf
CREATIVE & SPECIALTY MODULES
Module 12: Be the Media http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-media.pdf
Module 13: Adopt a Public Official http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-adopt-an-official.pdf
Comment #15: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 1:45pm ET...
Final section of Blackboxvoting's email alert:
-------------
Module 14: Check Out the Money Trail: Who's Getting Paid? http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-money-trail.pdf
Module 15: Accountability Check-up: Did the Election Follow Rules & Laws? http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-accountability.pdf
Module 16: Legal Actions http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-legal.pdf
'PLAN B' MODULE
Module 17: Count the Votes Yourself http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-count-the-votes.pdf
MODULES FOR CANDIDATES, CELEBRITIES, AND WEALTHY CITIZENS
Module 18: Actions for Candidates http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-candidates.pdf
Module 19: For Famous Voices (Action ideas for Celebrities) http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-celebrities.pdf
Module 20: Actions for High Net Worth Individuals http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-affluent.pdf
Enjoy. If you have any questions or input, e-mail to crew@blackboxvoting.org or
post them on the forums at http://www.blackboxvoting.org
* * * * *
Comment #16: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 1:48pm ET...
Sorry folks, that I had to break that up into so many pieces, but I felt it was worthwhile to post it. So many times a person may feel inclined to read what is posted here but not have time to click on the links. There's a lot of tantilizing information and if you scan through it, you may see something that will be just what you feel like jumping into.
A little of the last portion of the alert didn't make it to the last post because it had a few too many links, so if you want to post it to another list, please go to www.blackboxvoting.org and get it fresh for yourself there, although you may also have trouble as many blogs such as JC's have screening mechanisms to prevent spam.
Comment #17: wallen said on 8/1/06 @ 2:20pm ET...
Remember to pass along to the disenchanted republicans that our's are not the only votes that will be either switched or go uncounted. The true will of the electorate can only be known through fair, honest and transparent elections. Paper ballots ensure the ability to go back and check the election's accuracy. Ask your right-wing friends if they would consume Tylenol from a bottle that wasn't tamper-proof.
Comment #18: wallen said on 8/1/06 @ 2:28pm ET...
GOP purging voter rolls
Election Board approves the action despite objections from Democrats
By Cordell Eddings
cordell.eddings@indystar.com
August 1, 2006
Republicans may continue purging names from the Marion County voter rolls despite Democrats' concerns that some voters could be disenfranchised.
In an emergency meeting Monday, the Marion County Election Board sided with Republicans, who were concerned about potential voter fraud due to people registered in more than one location and deceased voters who were never taken off the books.
The Election Board voted 2-1 in favor of allowing Republicans to continue purging names.
The controversy began Friday when Republicans started removing the names of voters they thought were ineligible. The names came from a list supplied by a vendor contracted by the secretary of state's office that indicated about 36,000 Marion County voter registrations were questionable. Republicans were certain that about 4,500 of those names should be purged immediately. Purging of additional names also is being considered.
Democrats questioned the criteria and the motives Republicans were using in determining who was a legitimate voter. In the past when the two sides disagreed on a voter registration issue, nothing happened, according to Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy.
click here
Comment #19: Nolip said on 8/1/06 @ 3:50pm ET...
"But politics has a way of bringing senators back down to earth. With control of Congress on the line this November, both political parties are pressing the wedge issues—immigration, stem-cell research and, most prominently, Iraq. And creatures of the center are struggling to simply stay in the game. Nowhere is the struggle more desperate than inside the Gang of 14, whose alliances across the aisle could cost three senators their jobs. Their fellow Gang members are helping where they can, but some wonder about the future of moderate coalitions in American politics. "This is an incredibly close election," says former Louisiana Democratic senator John Breaux, himself a celebrated centrist. "The bases of both parties don't like anyone who looks like they've helped the other side." "
A Gang Under Siege
They were 'saviors of the Senate.' But the Gang of 14 may pay a price at the polls.
Comment #20: Genghis Khan said on 8/1/06 @ 3:57pm ET...
JC: Go easy on Slashdot. Not all of us there hold politics in low regard. In fact, there's a whole section for Politics as well as YRO (Your Rights Online).
Speaking of politics: I know it's a Senate call, but can you update us on the plans to block Dubya's sale of a few superb nuclear delivery systems to Pakistan?
Recent events make this rather worrisome.
Comment #21: Nolip said on 8/1/06 @ 4:02pm ET...
"But there's something psychologically deeper going on in this campaign that is both understandable and depressing—a cannibalistic distraction from what should be the top priority of Democrats, namely booting Republicans. The same Democrats who are justifiably angry with Lieberman for not holding Bush accountable are harming efforts to, well, hold Bush accountable. "
'The Putting of First Things First'
The revival of the romance of the antiwar left is a potential disaster for the Democrats. It's what gave the world Richard Nixon in 1968.
Comment #22: Kitty Gambler said on 8/1/06 @ 4:18pm ET...
Does "paper trail" mean junking electronic voting machines and switching back to written/punched hand ballots or does it mean issuing a paper receipt to each voter? If the latter, I fail to see what's to prevent hackers from flipping the receipts to report the opposite of what the machines actually recorded. Also, how does one recount such paper receipts and maintain a voter's right to privacy?
Comment #23: wallen said on 8/1/06 @ 5:48pm ET...
At least with paper there is tangible evidence. The black hole of electronic voting is a void which can be filled in by the machine's creator, or master.
Comment #24: Nolip said on 8/1/06 @ 6:22pm ET...
"Criminal negligence. That is the best face I can put on the Administration's current handling of Middle East policy.
I can point to the mess we've made in Iraq or the growing gap between the President's "vision of a two-state solution" and the depressing Palestinian reality, but the lack of any meaningful response by the Administration to Sunday's massacre in Qana, Lebanon is the most recent example of the mess they are leaving behind in the Middle East.
Instead of recognizing the enormity of the tragedy at Qana and the impact it would have on an already roiled Arab World, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed only regret, but no condemnation. Instead of pushing harder for an immediate ceasefire, she canceled her mission and announced a return home. Meanwhile, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns appeared on television to absolve Israel of blame, reaffirming "Israel's right to defend itself," while only lamely expressing concern over civilian casualties."
Criminal Negligence
Comment #25: koryannder said on 8/1/06 @ 8:28pm ET...
Just finished watching C-SPAN'S replay of the scholars who challenge the 9/11 myth. You all know where I stand on that point; I have told you often enough about watching the controlled demolition of the Traynor and the Claridge in Atlantic City. I KNEW what had happened on 9/11 WHEN it happened! But, aside from maintaining the point, I have had little impact. NOW, it is TIME. For every ONE of you who subscribes to ANY publication, please do what I am about to do to The Nation, Mother Jones, The Washington Monthly, The Progressive, The American Prospect, The Progressive Populist, and The New York Times; I am sending the following e-mail; "It is high time to stop pussyfooting around, and take off the kid gloves. With the Administration plotting an act of synthetic terror to start World War III, it is time to start investigating what REALLY happened on 9/11/2001. You KNOW the official story is a myth; in order to prevent catastrophe for our Nation and the World, the FACTS of 9/11 MUST be brought to light. Do you have the guts, or are you part of the supine sheepfold which is allowing our country to be drawn into another unwinnable war? Expose 9/11. and MAYBE there is a chance yet."
I suggest every one of you do the same to every publication you receive. Enough squeaks, and maybe our wheels will get greased! Use your own words, not mine - one of my congressman once advised me that duplicate letters - even a thousand of them - are counted as ONE! But individual letters - especially handwritten ones - are taken seriously. Please think about doing this; it is of paramount importance.
Comment #26: bill_o_carolina said on 8/1/06 @ 9:49pm ET...
very well said and done korryander!
Bob Bowman: "the truth about 911 is that we don't know the truth!"
Comment #27: Truth_in_action said on 8/1/06 @ 11:04pm ET...
I just bought beautiful new Crane stationery, Kory. I will pen some tomorrow. Thanks for the idea, and the emphasis on hand writing!
Comment #28: Carole J Gilbert said on 8/2/06 @ 7:28am ET...
Handwriting is excellent, but I have read it is better to fax than mail, because the delay can be up to 3 weeks because of screening methods. So fax your handwritten letters.
