House Judiciary Dems taking action on election irregularities

The dems on the House Judiciary Committee have entered the fray in a major way. The first item of note is that they sent a letter to Blackwell, challenging him on a number of issues in Ohio. The second one is not official yet, but there are reports that the Committee will hold public hearings in Washington beginning next Wednesday. I give links and summarize both items below the fold.

Letter to Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State:

http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellltr12204.pdf

Unfortunately I can't cut and paste any excerpts, because it's in image rather than text form. It's well worth the read...they're really calling Blackwell to task, and in some cases are directly targeting him for his decisions. Here's a summary of some of the issues they want him to respond to:

Warren County lockdown
Perry County counting discrepencies
Perry County registration peculiarities
Unusual results in Butler County
Unusual results in Cuyahoga County
Spoiled Ballots
Franklin County overvote
Miami County vote discrepency
Mahoning County machine problems
Machine shortages
Invalidated provisional ballots
Directive to reject voter registration forms

Public hearings on election irregularities:

Note that this hasn't been officially announced, so take it for what it's worth.

http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001016.htm

U.S. House Judiciary Dems to Announce Hearings on Voter Irregularities!

A source inside the House Judiciary Committee has informed The BRAD BLOG that Democratic members of the committee will be announcing public hearings in Washington to begin next Wednesday on Voting Irregularities in Election 2004.

Scheduling is currently under way and the hearings are "99% certain" according to the source, who hopes the official announcement will be made tomorrow.

The hearings will be held by the Democratic members only at this time since all Republican members of the committee have refused to take part in the investigation so far.

The House Democrats hope to hear testimony from a number of witnesses concerning the thousands of reported cases of mistabulated votes, voter suppression and other concerns about electronic voting on Nov. 2nd.

Witnesses being scheduled to testify include Attny. Cliff Arnebeck, who is leading a group of attorneys filing litigation in Ohio to have the election results set aside, Bill Fitrakis, reporter and editor of the Columbus Free Press whose continuing detailed reports cataloging voter suppression and other related matters on the ground in Ohio have set the standard for what real investigative journalism looks like, and possibly Jesse Jackson who has been outspoken of late on all of these matters.

•  Things are heating up

  This is fantastic news.

  by bejammin075 on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:09:03 PM PDT

  •  Blackwell has got to be filling his pants.

    I don't see anyway that Blackwell can answer most of questions without admitting fraud.  
    It asked Blackwell to answer upwards of 100 questions about how thousands of votes diappeared from Kerry and re-appeard in Bush's column.  I got the impression that they only scruntinized a fairly small number of Ohio precincts, and it probably happened all over Ohio.  

    If anyone out there has not read the whole letter, you really have to do so.  It is wonderful.  

    by Bryan E Burke on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:59:29 AM PDT

    •  I don't know that Blackwell would appear

      Minority parties don't have subpoena power do they?  

      -Fred

      by FredFred on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:33:28 AM PDT

      •  How would it look...

        ...for a state official to refuse a Congressional subpoena?

        Even most Republicans would wonder about something like that.
        

        by KTinOhio on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:35:02 AM PDT

        •  not really

          Not if the republicans are just calling the dems sore losers and they are just fishing for anything.  Don't you know that Kerry has already conceded!  Its a PR game and the Dems have a tough road to face when no one still thinks the outcome is in doubt.  These hearings aren't going to make any difference is the recount isn't even making the news.

          by Damon on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:50:22 AM PDT

    •  My God We are Starting to Look Stupid

      Look folks,

      The House DEMs are catering to a minority community and its supporters with the same type of rhetoric that the Democratic party has indoctrinated them too, and everyone, predicatable, is jumping up and down and getting excited as our puppet strings are being pulled by the likes of JJ and KO.  

      Man, this is really going to hurt us.  The reason that the mainstream media is not involved is that even they know the when they are pushing the envelope too hard and seriously damaging their reputation.

      Voting irregularities are common when 100,000,000 votes are cast.  In Michigan, massive fraud on the DEMs side is the story of the day.  Both sides cheat a little becuase in every group of people there are always a few assholes, but there is no widespread centrally controlled fraud machine that meets in dark secret places and takes esoteric oaths and are not allowed to take any notes least they be suddenly discovered and their cover is blown. Tin fucking hat shit.

      Come on, we need to get a grip.  I am finally realizing, after getting whipped up by all the - I will use this word now - CRAP on this site about this topic that the real issues are being ignored, the party is going to be severely damaged by this, and we are all going to wish that our collective heads were not shoved up our ass.

      Already in the Washington state governorship race 73% do not want a recount and only 27% do, which is smaller than the DEM base there.  People are really starting to get pissed off - including some DEMS.

      I am also starting to get so pissed off, that I know longer plan to support any progressive causes with either money or time, and I may, if this crap continues, switch over the Repulican party and attempt to temper what appears to be their more reasonable minds to at least give my ideas a fair hearing.

      People, grow up!  This is not even close to the Ukraine issue where there is widespread video evidence of MASSIVE fraud.  In any US election, if you dig hard enough, you will find some machines to be not as good as they should be, people who are intimidated in reality and in their own minds and people who say they were disenfranchised just because Jessie Jackson told them so.  Thankfully, many of my African American friends are beginning to see thru this garbage and paying attention to reality.

      Would you like to join them?

      I think we all should.

      by kerry4pres on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:18:10 AM PDT

      •  Is it so unreasonable...

        ...to want an election process in which the electorate feels confident that their vote was counted accurately?

        The sanctity of the vote is at the very foundation of our democracy. Whether there was massive fraud or not in this election, the process itself is very much broken, such that the possibility of massive fraud does exist. This MUST be fixed, or we won't even have a democracy left to work with! Nothing is more important, in my view.

        And the best way to motivate real change in the electoral process is to expose the many problems that occurred this year, no matter what their cause.

        Perhaps you would do better to switch to the republican party. Members of MoveOn.org voted this issue the #1 priority, and the efforts to examine the vote are dramatically increasing in number, not decreasing.

        by pointsoflight on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:58:30 AM PDT

        •  it's not about kerry!!

          pointsoflight, you are right on about the need to make sure the electoral process itself is secure.

          of course we all hoped kerry would win, but do you really think all of the congressmen (women??) are willing to stake their repuations on a few votes that more than likely will still end up falling to Bush?

          I SAW john conyers interviewed just before they filed to have the GAO investigate. he was all about, yeah, that would be nice, but this is about democracy and making sure the people can trust the process, bc if they don't trust the process they won't vote at all.

          IMO, this is all part of a long term strategy to make sure we all "fight the power" next time and the next time etc -- bc the only ppl who won't vote bc they don't think their votes will count are NOT republicans.

          by michelina on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:19:03 PM PDT

          •  That's right.

            One forward-looking thing that no one is discussing is what the voter disenfranchisement and lack of confidence in the vote could mean for dem turnout in future elections. You could sure see how someone who stood in line for several hours in the rain in Ohio--yet still doesn't even know if his/her vote counted--would not be particularly enthralled about voting next time around...

            by pointsoflight on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:36:09 PM PDT

      •  "... switch over ..."

        For my money, if you're willing to equate the growing number of incidents as "some machines to be not as good as they should be" or "say they were disenfranchised just because Jesse Jackson told them so," then the Republicans can have you.

        If they don't already. Let's see, the username "kerry4pres," apparently created a month after the election ... a total of 2 comments ... both along the lines of "Get over it, fools!"

        Still, I'll play along. You want "dark secret places"? Try the Warren County, OH, election counting room on for size. Like a lot of people here, I want to see that any challenges are done on the basis of facts and not hysteria. There appear to be a number of facts reported from multiple sources, and people like Kenneth Blackwell need to account for them.

        And transparent trolls should go back to doing whatever it is when they're not tying up (or being tied up by) dominatrices during conventions.

        by btrain on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:59:39 AM PDT

      •  I would like to know

        what are the issues you continue to ask about and I would like to have you explain why the proper accounting of our votes is not one the important issues to you.

        by gayntom on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:41:36 PM PDT

      •  Looking stupid is bad..

        ..but eating stupid is far, far worse! Try this recipe for great turkey rolls:

        1 whole wheat sandwich wrap
        2 tbsp cream cheese
        1 oz. spinach
        2 oz. shredded mild cheddar
        2 oz. thinly-sliced deli turkey

        Add ingredients, in order, to one side of wrap. Roll tightly, and secure every inch and a half with a toothpick. Cut into sections like a swiss roll. Great for parties!

        by McMasters on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:16:47 PM PDT

        •  And for desert

          Pistachio/Hemp Baklava

          Ingredients:

          Syrup:
          1 1/2 cups sugar
          3/4 cup water
          juice of 1/2 a small lemon
          2 tbsp. honey

          1 lb. fillo (phyllo) dough
          1 1/2 cups clarified unsalted butter, melted (3/4 lb.)
          1 cup shelled hemp seed (5 oz.)
          1/2 cup shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped (2 1/2 oz.)
          2 Tbsp. sugar
          1 tsp. cinnamon, ground
          1/2 tsp. nutmeg, ground
          1/4 tsp. cloves, ground

          Method:

               Put all ingredients for syrup in a small saucepan and bring to a boil and simmer for two minutes. Cool and refrigerate for later.

               Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix together the hemp seed, pistachios, sugar, and spices and set aside. Freshly grated nutmeg and freshly ground cloves are best. Unroll the fillo dough on your counter. With a sharp knife cut the fillo dough in half to fit your baking dish. Cover the two stacks of the fillo dough with plastic wrap and a damp dishtowel. You can use just the dish towel if you wring it out very well and work quickly. Dried out fillo dough is next to impossible to work with.

               With a two inch or larger pastry brush butter the bottom of a 16 x 10 x 2 inch Pyrex baking dish (it says 38 x 25 x 4 cm on the bottom of mine) with the melted butter. Lay in one half-pound stack of fillo dough one sheet at a time brushing each sheet with the melted butter as you go. Evenly sprinkle reserved nut mixture over buttered fillo dough. Lay in the other half-pound stack of fillo dough one sheet at a time brushing each sheet with the melted butter as you go. Remember to keep the fillo dough covered as you work.

               Cut pastry into diamond shapes about 1 1/2" x 2" with a sharp knife, cut through nut layer, but not all the way through. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and fifteen minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for five minutes. Pour cold syrup evenly over hot pastry. Allow to cool to room temperature before removing from pan.

               Notes: This dish is a little work, but is well worth it!

          "The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add an useful plant to its culture" -- Thomas Jefferson

          by tommurphy on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:14:10 PM PDT

          •  Thank you!

            by givmeliberty on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:22:19 PM PDT

      •  You are so full of shit

        your eyes are brown. It seems like your shirt is as well.

        by Brian Nowhere on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:16:58 PM PDT

      •  Massive Fraud In Michigan?

        I do not know why you would advocate throwing in the towel at this point in the election.  Nothing has been certified and there are far too many questions of fraud and irregularities that we, the  people, deserve an answer to.

        BTW, can you back up your statement,

        "In Michigan, massive fraud on the DEMs side is the story of the day."

        with some links?  While I don't doubt Dems are capable of 'massive fraud' the only thing 'massive' I observed on 11/2 came from the Republicans.  And this is the first I have heard of your claims of fraud in Michigan on the part of the Democrats.  How about some backup?

        by givmeliberty on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:21:33 PM PDT

    •  Blackwell and scared? Rethugs are never scared

      Blackwell has got to be filling his pants?
      No way!
      Republicans are rarely ever scared, all they need to do is one simple thing to come clean:
      "LIE"

      That's what he did very effectively the other day when he showed up at Countdown. Rethugs are even so smart as to know when the have to come out and lie and attack the opponents, so that the opponent suddendly needs to defend themselves. He called Jesse Jackson a "provocateur."

      Haven't we learned anything? They're unbeatable in their strategies.

      As for "proof," well, there's no proof so far, just "irregularities," "questions," "unexplained events."

      And the Rethugs will all stick together as they always do and they will together find a way to
      "LIE"
      their way out of this mess.

      That's what they're good at, and because democrats don't "realize" that, they not only became complacent before the final veredict is in, but they never have an effective strategy to deal with the Republican crimes and bring them to justice.

      by Political Poet on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:31:48 PM PDT

  •  KO is on it!

    
    MSNBC Votes, Steroids, and Shoes (Keith Olbermann)-

    by lawnorder on Sun Dec 05, 2004 at 06:22:12 PM PDT

•  Great minds...

  Just deleted my own diary on this subject (giving you credit for your bringing it to my attention, of course).

  My personal opinion is that this may be one of the single most important documents I have ever read.  When all is said and done and the evidence is presented in a court of law, I think this may put Watergate to shame.

  Recommended.

  by skunky wazoo on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:12:50 PM PDT

  •  Yup

    Watergate was really petty compared to what these people have been doing for years.  It couldn't happen to more deserving people.

    by larryrant on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:48:01 AM PDT

  •  But howcum

    we have two RD's on this same topic??  Isn't it more efficient for folks to have all the discussion in one place?

    by a gilas girl on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:10:26 PM PDT

•  The tide is definitely turning--Now

  we'll see if any of this makes any waves on the mainstream media.

  by Einsteinia on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:15:08 PM PDT

  •  I see that the Committee....

    ...did release their letter to Blackwell to the media. Don't know how they can ignore this one.

    They should put the info from this letter back-to-back with Blackwell's quotes about how smoothly the election went.

    by pointsoflight on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:29:20 PM PDT

    •  I'm so disgusted with CNN, et al.,

      I haven't been able to stomach it.  However, now I have a morbid curiosity to see how/if they'll cover it.

      by Einsteinia on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:37:58 PM PDT

      •  Been doing a bit of googling and here's the...

        ....report from the Cincinnati WCPO:

        http://www.wcpo.com/news/2004/local/12/02/kerry_ohiovotes.html

        "In another development, U.S. Rep. John Conyers Jr., a Michigan Democrat, sent a letter to Blackwell asking for his assistance in a House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff investigation of "election irregularities."

        That probe would be in addition to one sought by the Government Accountability Office.

        Complaints received by congressional Democrats include disparities in vote totals for Democrats on the same ballot, too few voting machines in urban, Democrat-leaning precincts, organized campaigns directing voters to the wrong polling place and confusion over the counting of provisional, or backup ballots, by voters whose names did not appear in the books of registered voters at polling places.

        Conyers also wants to know why election workers in Warren County barred reporters and others from board offices, claiming a security threat.

        Blackwell's office received Conyers' letter, spokesman Carlo LoParo said, and was working with the Government Accountability Office in its investigation."

        by understandinglife on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:49:19 PM PDT

      •  First blip at the NYTimes ... pick up of the AP...

        ....release:
        Kerry Campaign Keeping Eye on Ohio Cases
        By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

        Published: December 2, 2004

        Filed at 10:51 p.m. ET

        "In another development, Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., sent a letter to Blackwell asking for his assistance in a House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff investigation of ``election irregularities.'' That probe would be in addition to one sought by the Government Accountability Office.

        Complaints received by congressional Democrats include disparities in vote totals for Democrats on the same ballot; too few voting machines in urban, Democrat-leaning precincts; and organized campaigns directing voters to the wrong polling place."

        Link:

        http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Ohio-Vote.html?oref=login
        

        by understandinglife on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:54:42 PM PDT

        •  They Must Be Kidding!

          Excerpt from NYTimes article:

          Blackwell's office is working with the GAO and ``would be happy to fill in the gaps of information from the GAO and what Congressman Conyers is requesting,'' spokesman Carlo LoParo said. He said a review of media reports would answer many of Conyers' questions.

          No, Mr. LoParo, we will not rely on biased media garbage to answer these questions.  We'd rather have the truth for once, thank you very much.  

          by BarbinMD on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:50:02 PM PDT

          •  That was such a funny quote....

            ....I was LOL'ing as I went to sleep thinking about it!

            Peace.

            "Did Bush Know?"

            by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:41:50 AM PDT

            •   Of course not.

              He is not a crook. Too hard, being a crook.  You have to remember all the lies and illegalities ...

              by larryrant on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:50:18 AM PDT

      •  I'm disgusted as well

        also shocked and concerned. My eyeballs aren't seeing ANY main stream media ads, except for Keith Olbermann.

        by bejammin075 on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:52:15 AM PDT

        •  Yes, and as to Mr Olbermann....

          ....well, it only takes one leader to make all the difference, be it in journalism or anything else.

          Peace.

          "Did Bush Know?"

          by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:45:33 AM PDT

          •  The Big Enchilada

            >"Did Bush Know?"
            ==>
            What did the President know, and when did he know it?

            P.S. For under 30s, the title of this post and the above question both came up during Watergate.  Google on them for a quick history lesson.

            It's worth remembering that Watergate started out as a "3rd rate burglary" (and it was ignored by MSM/SCLM, except the city desk of WaPo), but that within 2 years Nixon had been toppled.  

            Let's see what happens this time.

            by quake on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:26:36 PM PDT

            •  Having lived in very close proximity....

              ...to several of those who were eventually indicted for their roles in that smarmy 'burglary,' I assure you that the stench emanating from this rotten national 'election' will burn your nostrils before too long.

              Our fellow citizens were systematically disenfranchised; that we already know, and that should be reason enough for tens of millions of Americans to be shouting 'invalid' and refusing to allow the process to proceed.

              That must happen before Jan 2005 or we have failed our responsibility to ourself, each other and the all of those throughout the world who have looked to our Constitution and to the more than 200 years of our fighting past race, sex and age barriers as we have expanded access to those who should be able to vote. That legacy was viciously and systematically attacked, not just on 2 Nov 2004, but on 6 Nov 2000 and in the US Senate on 6 Jan 2001. We must halt it now; no valid reason exists to justify allowing the process to continue.

              Peace.

              "Did Bush Know?"

              by understandinglife on Sat Dec 04, 2004 at 12:40:08 PM PDT

      •  Missoula Independent: "Does Not Compute"

        A nice summary of various studies and something those following the Conyers hearings may find to be a useful 'primer,' as topics inlcude "A Rat is Smelled," "Vote Stealing 101,".....

        Link:

        http://www.missoulanews.com/News/News.asp?no=4508

        Introductory paragraphs:

        2 Dec 2004

        Does not compute

        by Alan Waldman

        Watchdogs want to know: Did every vote count?

        Talk radio and the Internet are abuzz with suggestions that John Kerry was elected president on Nov. 2--but Republican election officials made it difficult for millions of Democrats to vote while employees of four secretive, GOP-bankrolled corporations rigged electronic voting machines and then hacked central tabulating computers to steal the election for George W. Bush.

        The Bush administration's "fix" of the 2000 election debacle (the Help America Vote Act) made crooked elections considerably easier, by foisting paperless electronic voting on states before the bugs had been worked out or meaningful safeguards could be installed.

        The Wall Street Journal recently revealed that "Verified Voting, a group formed by a Stanford University professor to assess electronic voting, has collected 31,000 reports of election fraud and other problems."

        +++++++++++++++++++++++++
        Peace.

        "Did Bush Know?"

        by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:01:59 AM PDT

        •  You are in Missoula?

          I am from Kalispell. Born, raised, great-grandfather founded the town sort of thing...

          by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:34:43 AM PDT

          •  Actually, in Seattle....

            ....and, someday hope to visit Missoula and check the records on italian immigrants who passed through or lived there.

            Peace!

            "Did Bush Know?"

            by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 11:00:15 AM PDT

  •  What power can they exercise?

    Other than the force of potential embarrassment, which relies on the editorial decisions of journalists settling into the reality of a one-party state?

    Suppose it gets buried? What does that indicate to us?

    by macdust on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:27:15 PM PDT

    •  The 'power' begins with....

      .....the number of media organizations focusing their cameras and reporters on that hearing next week.

      Be prepared for terra'lerts and all kinds of holiday gifts from the wh.......

      Peace.

      "Did Bush Know?"

      by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:44:30 AM PDT

      •  Groundswell

        Groundswells take a while.  But I think there is still enough freedom in this country for that swell to rise and topple the mighty.

        What's that quote from M L KING? something like 'the arc of ? bends slowly, but it bends toward justice.'

        by larryrant on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:53:28 AM PDT

        •  "Arc of the moral universe is long....."

          Yes, indeed, it was Rev King, Jr., who said:

          'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.'

          Here's a link to something that may interest you:

          http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4191747

          Peace.

          "Did Bush Know?"

          by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:43:09 AM PDT

    •  See my comments and petition

      below.  I spoke with the Committee itself and got advice on what is helpful.

      by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:35:31 AM PDT

•  Brad Blog link...

  ...here:

  http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001016.htm

  And, earlier this evening, I saw a sentence appear that I have been waiting 4 weeks and 1 day to see -- "Did Bush Know?"

  I have fond memories of our life in DC between 1971 and 1979; very fond memories of the first of the, now, 34 years we've been together and our wonderful apartment in Georgetown that happened to be directly across the street from one of Nixon's boys. And, I remember those first "Did Nixon Know?" murmurings.

  Ah yes, as we had our dinner this evening celebrating the 34th year together we both toasted the first glimpse of the "Did Bush Know?" meme that appeared just as we were leaving for our little celebration.

  It's going to get intense everyone -- get ready to jump on that steamroller and stop the paving of our democracy.

  This time around, let's make sure that no one, decades from now, will ever experience one of those "Did xxxxx know?" moments. Our franchise is resilient, but it can use a long period of being cherished and nurtured.

  And, just start asking and tagging everything with that simple little sentence "Did Bush Know?"

  The 2004 National Election is not over and is not valid; a truly fair and valid National Election that chooses the 44th President of the USA is just beginning to show first light on the horizon. Be prepared to bask in it's glow.

  We will prevail.

  "I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"
  

  by understandinglife on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:32:42 PM PDT

•  Miami County

  I'm a bit unclear on the Miami discrepancy.  They claim that 19000 new votes were added and Kerry's percentage stayed the same.  They say that Kerry's vote count didn't change.  It seems to me that Kerry must have gotten more votes (35.92% of the new votes) for his percentage to stay the same.  Either I'm misunderstanding this or these representatives are woefully innumerate.  I'm hoping for the former.

  by NonemptySubset on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:36:21 PM PDT

  •  The wording was bad.

    Kerry's percentage of the 19,000 additional votes differed by only three hundredths of a percentage point from the original set of data.  I believe that is statistically almost impossible, and it would indicate that the tabulating machines themselves were rigged.

    by skunky wazoo on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:46:23 PM PDT

    •  Actually...

      ...it says that Kerry's percentage stayed exactly the same to three one-hundreths of a percentage point.  I'm not a numbers person, but I'd say that is completely impossible!

      by BarbinMD on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:57:49 PM PDT

      •  I guess my wording was bad :-)

        I'd love one of the numbers people here to calculate the statistical probability of that actually happening.

        by skunky wazoo on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:10:10 AM PDT

        •  Probably about the same as me winning

          the lottery tomorrow.

          And I don't buy lottery tickets.

          by skunky wazoo on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:14:38 AM PDT

          •  Another Miami County, Yet in Reverse?

            Please read this diary by jmknapp. It points to a case of the Miami County mystery, but in reverse, and in the Senate race.

            http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/12/3/9382/33465

            The number of votes cast in the Parma 5-E race between Fingerhut and Voinovich went from 850 to 630, but the percentage breakdown stayed virtually identical.

            The number of votes cast for President in Parma 5-E barely changed, but the total number of votes dropped by 263.

            How did some numbers change so much and others stayed virtually identical?

            by wanderindiana on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:39:15 AM PDT

        •  Simply utterly amazing

          That after 2 National pResidential (s)elections  Junior continues to defy all odds and is the luckiest man in the world...Guinness Book of World Records style.  Coincidence, I think not. The only thing I can think to say optimistically is that his "luck" is bound to run out sometime soon.

          by emal on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 04:33:14 AM PDT

        •  HERE: Statistical analyses of Fla. irregularities

          Forwarded with permission: an assessment by 2004 Congressional candidate Mike Byron (D-CA) re: irregularities in FL:

          All,

          Yesterday, Thursday Nov. 18th Prof. Michael Hout, a member of the American Academy of Sciences, and other researchers at U.C. Berkeley, published a paper assessing the Florida Presidential vote.  That paper can be read at: http://ucdata.berkeley.edu/ .

          Here is Hout's summary of findings:

          "The Effect of Electronic Voting Machines on Change in Support for Bush
          in the 2004 Florida Elections
          Summary:
          

          • Irregularities associated with electronic voting machines may have awarded 130,000 excess votes or more to President George W. Bush in Florida.
            
          • Compared to counties with paper ballots, counties with electronic voting machines were significantly more likely to show increases in support for President Bush between 2000 and 2004. This effect cannot be explained by differences between counties in income, number of voters, change in voter turnout, or size of Hispanic/Latino population.
            
          • In Broward County alone, President Bush appears to have received approximately 72,000 excess votes.
            
          • We can be 99.9% sure that these effects are not attributable to chance.

          Details:
          Because many factors impact voting results, statistical tools are necessary to see the effect of touch-screen voting. Multiple regression analysis is a statistical technique widely used in the social and physical sciences to distinguish the individual effects of many variables. This multiple-regression analysis takes account of the following variables by county:
          

          • number of voters
            
          • median income
            
          • Hispanic population
            
          • change in voter turnout between 2000 and 2004
            
          • support for President Bush in 2000 election
            
          • support for Dole in 1996 election

          When one controls for these factors, the association between electronic voting and increased support for President Bush is impossible to overlook. The data show with 99.0% certainty that a county's use of electronic voting is associated with a disproportionate increase in votes for President Bush. The data used in this study come from CNN.com, the 2000 US Census, the Florida Department of State, and the Verified Voting Foundation - all publicly available sources. This study was carried out by a group of doctoral students in the UC Berkeley sociology department in collaboration with Professor Michael Hout, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the UC Berkeley Survey Research Center."

          [Back to Mike Byron:]

          I'd note that Hout (I dialed in to his press conference yesterday morning) found a probable range of excess Bush votes of between 130,000 to 260,000.  Bush's "official" margin of victory in Florida seems to be about 377,000 votes per CNN (http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/FL/P/00/index.html).  One might conclude that even taking the high figure from this range 260,000 and subtracting it from Bush's lead still leaves Bush ahead by about 117,000 votes.  However, this is likely incorrect, as I will show below.  

          What is at issue is whether these "ghost" Bush votes were votes that were simply added to the total of votes cast, OR alternately, are they Kerry votes which were electronically `flipped".  If the latter, then Kerry likely won Florida.  Suppose that we take the most probable excess vote total, the median value of this range of 130 - 260 thousand votes, or 195,000.  If these represent "flipped" Kerry votes then we must both SUBTRACT 195,000 votes from Bush's total, AND we must also ADD 195,000 to Kerry's vote total.  This, of course means that there is a net swing of 390,000 votes placing Kerry ahead of Bush by 390,000 - 377,000 or 17,000 votes.

          How to determine which contingency is correct? Most of the "false" Bush votes were concentrated in three heavily Democratic south Florida counties per Hout.  The addition of about 100,000 "ghost votes" in the three counties would drive apparent turnout to anomalously high levels.  No one has reported such a turnout anomaly in these counties.  Therefore these "ghost" votes must have been produced by electronically "flipping" real votes for Kerry to Bush.  If "flipping" were due to a machine design flaw it ought to be random.  But it is not.  All "flipping" is from Kerry to Bush.  This is evidence of INTENT.  All the elements of a crime are now present:  Means, motive, opportunity.

          Given this conclusion, we now have a probable explanation for the statistically impossible discrepancies See: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0411/S00227.htm and between exit polls and actual vote tallies in targeted swing states nationwide. Willful vote fraud.

          Bev Harris' account of what she observed in Volusia County, Florida this past Tuesday adds physical corroboration to the intentional nature of this fraud.  [See http://www.blackboxvoting.org and also http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/112004X.shtml for details.]

          My Conclusion:

          I assert that there is no logical reason to believe that George W. Bush was actually elected to any office last Nov. 2nd.  [Nor was he elected in 2000, but that is another issue.] Rather, an elaborate crime was committed.  If we allow the perpetrators of this crime to get away with it, then America will have become only a hollow shell of a Republic.  In reality, it will have become an imperial oligarchy of, for, and by its ruling elite.  The American Republic will have become a subject for historians, perhaps it already has.  Sure rigged Presidential "elections" might be continued for some time by these elites, but they will be all show, totally lacking in substance. The Republic is dying before our eyes.  The Empire is stirring...  BUT this transformation has not been completed just yet.  There is still a possibility of reviving the Republic...I hope.

          Mike Byron

          by not lois on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:43:41 PM PDT

      •  uh...

        wouldn't it, by definition, be around a 1 in 19,000 chance of this happening?

        by tunesmith on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:30:59 AM PDT

      •  0.03% of 19,000

        is 3 in 10,000, or less than 6 votes out of 19,000

        by Cache on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:46:52 AM PDT

  •  here is a simpler scenario

    same thing, but I'll change the exact numbers. imagine they said that with 100% of precincts reporting, that bush got 20,000 votes and kerry got 10,000 votes, so 66.7% for Bush and 33.3% for kerry. then they revise the numbers after 100% of precincts reporting, and report that bush got 30,000 votes and kerry got 15,000 votes. It is still 66.7% for Bush and 33.3% for Kerry, but now Bush's total vote had been padded 5000 more votes than Kerry.

    In my mind, I imagine this Diebold worker or hacker having access to the insecure Microsoft Acess-type data base, running on the run-of-the-mill computer that's been given the grandiose name "Central Vote Tabulator". He/She takes all the Bush and Kerry votes in one column, multiplies them all by the same factor, say x1.5, and then replaces the original tally.

    by bejammin075 on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:05:45 AM PDT

    •  Right

      Adding the votes after 100% have reported is definitely suspicious, but I think the issue of the percentage staying the same is a bit overblown.

      by NonemptySubset on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:22:39 AM PDT

    •  Well, not quite that simple

      The argument is that that W's percentage changed slightly while kerry's stayed exactly the same:

      Before:  W=20807 (65.80%), K=10724 (33.92%), other=89 (0.28%), total=31620
      After: W=33039 (65.77%), K=17039 (33.92%), other=157 (0.31%) total=50235

      The suggestion is presumably that this could be a result of making Kerry's percentage a constant and rearranging the other votes to match.  I'd be more suspicious if the other percentages stayed the same... only 16 more W votes and we'd have that situation.  I suppose you could postulate a spreadsheet like:
      Vkerry = Vtotal*0.3392
      Vbush = Vtotal - (Vkerry + Vother)

      At any rate, while odd, it isn't a smoking gun without demonstrating Vkerry != sum(kerry precinct totals).
      

      by mik on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 09:04:54 AM PDT

•  I am shaking with excitement

  and have chills of awe after reading that letter to Blackwell.  I am moved.  This is WONDERFUL.  They are responding to the people's complaints.  They are taking Blackwell to task for his abuse of his power.  This is democracy working.  

  by concernedamerican on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 10:44:30 PM PDT

  •  I am also shocked

    that democrats are responding in some way that doesn't involve self-castration, followed by thanking their GOP colleagues.

    by bejammin075 on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:07:57 AM PDT

  •  Write or call them and tell them

    The number is 202-225-3951
    be sure and ask to speak to the Minority, as the phone is answered by the majority (ain't us, sadly)

    Pass this on.  They need to ehar our groundswell.

    by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:37:30 AM PDT

    •  I called!

      It was easy, just like you said.  You're right, as many people as possible should call encouraging them because you can bet they're going to be getting lots of negative calls from freepers.

      Thanks for posting the number and instructions.

      by antoinette from NYC on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:03:43 PM PDT

•  couple points

  1. you can get the text off of an adobe file by pressing the text button (looks like a capital "T") and then highlighting normally.

  2. Their standard of proof is lower than the one we use at Dkos. If they aren't reading dkos, they better get their shit together.

  3. They didn't list any of the Dkos diaries as sources. I wonder why. 3/4 of their "evidence" appears to be related to a dkos diary, but they go to the subjects of the analysis rather than the analysts.

  4. I hope they have enough muscle to rush it. Electoral meeting in 11 days or something.

  by Furious Hal on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:48:38 PM PDT

  •  ah

    yeah you can't capture this.

    by Furious Hal on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:51:13 PM PDT

  •  One thing that seems to be a glaring omission...

    They didn't mention the unauthorized person (a former ES&S employee) who was on one of the tabulator computers before the election. Last I heard, the election board was still waiting to hear from Blackwell about that. I would think the Judiciary Committee would want to know what, if any, investigations have been done on that case, why the person was allowed to be on the computer, whether they looked for evidence of tampering, etc.

    This was first reported in October. Blackwell has had plenty of time to look into it.

    by pointsoflight on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:57:29 PM PDT

    •  well

      i guess they went with these in particular for a reason.

      by Furious Hal on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:12:04 AM PDT

    •  Actually, they do! In the followup letter

      to Blackwell, they ask him about his "investigation" into the unauthorised access to the computers in Auglaize county by the ES&S employee, and whether certain points were addressed: http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellfollowupltr12304.pdf

      by dnn on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:30:30 PM PDT

      •  Follow-up letter?

        Been busy all day and didn't see that. Thanks!

        by pointsoflight on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:41:08 PM PDT

•  stat people

  you guys better go over this letter in case there are any errors.

  by Furious Hal on Thu Dec 02, 2004 at 11:49:58 PM PDT

  •  This might not be right.

    "Connally received 10,000 or more votes in excess of Kerry's total number of votes in five counties, and 5,000 or more votes in excess of Kerry's total in ten others."

    I seem to remember that there was confusion here...that the 10K and 5K numbers referred to bigger margins between Connally and her opponent than between Kerry and Bush. If I'm remembering this right, the above wording is poor, because it states the numbers as Connally's votes vs. Kerry's votes.

    It's an anomaly either way, but need to look into this.

    by pointsoflight on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:08:38 AM PDT

    •  Barking up

      the wrong tree. The Supreme Court vote is not a "discrepency." With no Party label on the ballot there's no reason New Bush voters sahould be expected to know the GOP's pick in a low profile race.

      by ben masel on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:30:25 AM PDT

•  Help to Up the Ante

  Calling out Blackwell is a great move.

  But some of us think we should start upping the ante now, and get our "leaders" to pledge to stand up. This is how:

  Declaration of Intent
  

  by Dusty on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:50:20 AM PDT

•  Don't you get it?

  Although it is great Democratic House members are speaking out.
  They have ZERO power.. they have been reduced to totally irrelevant minority party within the house.

  This isn't going anywhere

  by smartone on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 04:53:50 AM PDT

  •  I suspect you are right n/t

     

    by eoglesby on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:44:46 AM PDT

  •  You are wrong on this one

    I hve been calling people in congress all morning and people are on top of this and paying attention.

    Do you want it to go away?

    by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:38:55 AM PDT

    •  This is the tipping point. n/t

      by ElizabethJames on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 10:53:06 AM PDT

•  Everyone call your reps

  and support this.  Writing here will not get herd.  Poeple feel they are sticking their necks out.

  by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 05:14:53 AM PDT

•  To challenge the election

  What is the process? Doesn't one member of the Senate have to sign on (remembering that shamful scene in F911...).

  by eoglesby on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:02:23 AM PDT

  •  Ohio

    They would challenge the election with that state supreme court justice.  They could challenge the Ohio electors, but with a republican majority there would be no way of getting any traction.

    by Damon on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:52:09 AM PDT

  •  A Senator is needed?

    I could think of a few senators that might be interested in this, i.e. Kerry or Edwards perhaps...

    by maddercow on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:09:34 AM PDT

    •  Edwards won't be around in Jan.

      Kerry will.  Again, write them!  Write your senators!

      by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:39:57 AM PDT

•  Recommended!

  Looks like both Kerry and the House Dems are finally speaking out.  Wonder if they've been reading what is being written about them on this blog and others and realized that they were losing support among progressive activists?  Whatever, this is good news.

  by markusd on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 06:42:14 AM PDT

•  Ohio, America's very own Ukraine

  Here is a summary of the findings of the international poll obserevers in Ukraine. It's startling how neatly the findings in Ukraine mirror the issues raised in this letter:

  *Abuse of power (like Blackwell subjectively invalidating provisional ballots and rejecting voter registration forms)

  *Dubious data (Perry County registration peculiarities, the Franklin County overvote)

  *Extra votes and "mystery" votes (Perry, Butler, Cuyahoga and Miami counties)

  *Open to tampering (the Warren County lockdown)

  I am so proud of these Congressmen and their staff for doing all they can to bring these problems to light. Unfortunately, we don't have international observers and a free and fair media to substantiate and investigate these charges in Ohio, so, unlike Ukraine, I don't think we'll ever know what really happened.
  

  by thebes on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:12:16 AM PDT

  •  you might want

    to take the ukraine thing with a grain of salt. the US is running the same crap they do on this side.

    by Furious Hal on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:27:09 PM PDT

    •  They might be

      but why not use their own tricks against them?

      by high5 on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:03:35 PM PDT

•  I am so relieved and grateful

  that someone in our government is doing something FOR the people!  I've said it over and over.... whatever we do here now our in the future is completely and utterly useless... just liberal mental masturbation.... unless we have strong faith in our elections.  Few of us have faith in this election.  Bush won but did Kerry lose? I'd say, what does it matter? but look at the last four years and ask yourself if the fairly elected President Gore had sat in office, would we be in Iraq now or would we be four years into the most aggressive financial terrorist lockdown possible and would we be well on our way to a railroad and energy independent country?  

  by citizengeo on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 07:55:11 AM PDT

•  Names of signators

  The people who signed this letter are:

  Conyers (Detroit)
  Nadler (NY)
  Baldwin (WI)
  Watt (NC)
  Sanchez (CA)
  Waters (CA)
  Jackson-Lee (TX)
  Weiner (NY)
  Wexler (FL)
  Delahunt (MA)
  Meehan (MA)
  Lofgren (CA)

  It is hard to read.

  I aclled the number on the letter, was put through to the minority divison (that's us folks) and spoke with Michelle there who assured me that they are JUST GETTING STARTED.  Letters to your reps in Congress supporting this letter are very welcome.  Also indicate that you support the recount 100%.  Expect this to become big.  Michelle said she the committee welcomes our making this issue onto the front pages of the media.

  by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:09:04 AM PDT

•  A sample peition to print out and sign and mail

  mail this to:

  Congress
  House of Representatives
  Committee on the Judiciary
  2138 Rayburn House Office Building
  Washington, D.C. 20515-6216

  House Judiciary Committee

  RE: WE THE UNDERSIGNED SUPPORT THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE'S CALL TO HONORABLE KENNETH BLACKWELL TO ASSIST IN INVESTIGATION OF VOTING IRREGULARITIES IN OHIO, AS DESCRIBED IN A LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2, 2004.

  Dear Madam and Sirs:

  With this letter we wish to express our STRONG SUPPORT for the letter drafted by the House Judiciary Committee to the Honorable Kenneth Blackwell in Ohio on December 2, 2004.  The letter requests the assistance of Mr. Blackwell in continuing the investigation of voting irregularities in Ohio.  We are deeply concerned that if the detailed voting irregularities are not adequately investigated, we will have a further erosion of the confidence of the American people in the electoral process. We ask that you record our deep concern about the possible evidence of voting problems, and our support for a thorough, bi-partisan and public investigation into voting irregularities in Ohio, and elsewhere in the United States. We expect nothing less from our elected officials that they guarantee that all votes are fairly and accurately counted.

  Sincerely,

  NAME                                    ADDRESS

  by Percheronwoman on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 08:26:02 AM PDT

•  There is one question that I want answered...

  more than any other.

  Ken Blackwell has been Secretary of State of Ohio since 1998.  

  Why did Blackwell suddenly decide in September 2004 that only voter registration forms that were on postcard stock paper were valid?

  The law itself had been on the books for years and years.... suddenly, Blackwell discovers this law, and tries to enforce it?

  EVERYTHING having to do with that decision should be supeonaed....

  by bushsux on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 10:05:03 AM PDT

•  Here's the Rapid Response alert

  (I'm crossposting to diaries on this topic.)

  This alert comes from Rapid Response. Please forward to your progressive networks.

  http://www.rapidresponsenetwork.org

  --------------------------------
  ISSUE
  --------------------------------

  Congressional Democrats via the Judiciary Committee have pulled together a highly detailed, highly organized list of voting irregularities from Ohio and sent it to Ohio Sec. of State Ken Blackwell (co-chair of Bush/Cheney 2004).

  WE MUST BACK THEM UP!

  • Write to REPORTERS and EDITORS and TV/RADIO NEWS -- ask them to look into this.
    
  • Write to CONGRESS and tell them to keep up the pressure!

  * ACTION *

  #1
  Write to News Editors and Political/National Reporters. Be polite and nonpartisan.

  Ask them what they know about this and say you want to be sure Pres. Bush was elected legitimately and our democracy is on the up-and-up. (I repeat: BE POLITE and NONPARTISAN.)

  http://www.capwiz.com/lwv/dbq/media

  #2
  Write to your Representatives and Senators. If they're Democratic, encourage them to actively pursue this not just in Ohio, but also New Hampshire, Florida, the Carolinas, New Mexico.... all 50 states!'

  http://www.congress.org

  * SOURCES *

  http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellltr12204.pdf

  or

  Go to:
  http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/
  and look on the right side under 'Latest'

  by thesill on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 10:21:27 AM PDT

•  Press Advisory: 8 Dec 2004 10am EST

  PRESS ADVISORY

  Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
  Fourteenth District, Michigan
  Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary
  Dean, Congressional Black Caucus

  ------------FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  December 3, 2004
  CONTACT: Dena Graziano [phone]

  CONYERS AND OTHER CONGRESSMEN TO HOLD FORUM ON VOTING IRREGULARITIES IN OHIO

  Rep. John Conyers, Jr. and other Representatives will be holding the first congressional forum on election irregularities in Ohio, the pivotal state in the presidential election. The forum will include leading advocates, election experts and investigators who have reviewed the myriad of election day and recount problems in Ohio, as well as numerous individuals who experienced problems and outright disenfranchisement on election day. Among other things, the forum, which is open to the public, will concentrate on many of the issues raised in letters from Ranking Member Conyers and other Members to Kenneth Blackwell (http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellltr12204.pdf).

  WHAT:
  "Preserving Democracy - What went wrong in Ohio?"

  WHEN:
  Wednesday, December 8th @ 10:00am

  WHERE:
  2237 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

  WHO:
  Rep. John Conyers, Jr.
  Rep. Melvin Watt
  Rep. Robert Scott
  Rev. Jesse Jackson, Founder Rainbow Push Coalition
  Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State (invited)
  Ralph Neas, President, People For the American Way
  Jon Greenbaum, Director, Voting Rights Project, Lawyers Committee For Civil Rights Under Law
  Ellie Smeal, Executive Director, The Feminist Majority
  Warren Mitofsky, Mitofsky International, Coordinator of National Exit Poll (invited)
  Prof. Robert Fitrakis, Editor, The Free Press
  Cliff Arnebeck, Arnebeck Associates
  John Bonifaz, General Counsel, National Voting Institute
  Steve Rosenfeld, Producer, Air America Radio
  Shawnta Walcott, Communications Director, Zogby International
  ##JUD-108-12/3/04##
  \

  http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001018.htm

  Peace.

  "Did Bush Know?"

  by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 12:23:42 PM PDT

  •  Fantastic

    A few weeks ago, there was much discussion around here about the need for a 'shadow government' to counter the heinous influence of Shrubco. This is it. Doesn't matter whether the repugs show up or not, as long as the MSM do.

    <fingers crossed and writing letters>

    by ElizabethJames on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:02:10 PM PDT

•  Sent a letter to

  My senator Bob Graham, and to Meg Laughlin, the writer at the Miami Herald who wrote the dismissive Dixiecrat story last week that actually asked as many questions as it answered.

  
  Ms. Laughlin:

  As I remember the enlightening article you co wrote a week or so ago about the Dixiecrat counties up north, and as you had through that displayed yourself as a reporter who is interested in clearing up voting irregularity issues, your name came to mind when I read the following:

  It seems the House Committee on the Judiciary under the direction of John Conyers, Jr. has been  investigating  the voting irregularities that seemingly plagued the state of Ohio on November 2nd.  And now they have written Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell a letter asking him to help clear up a plethora of irregularities which they have outlined for him.

  Their homepage at http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ is right now seemingly devoted to the issue with links from there to their most recent letters to Blackwell, Mitofsky and others.  

  Ms Laughlin, I urge you and other reporters who care about the protection of our democratic process--to follow up on this issue and to keep the pressure on in this regard.  

  Mr. Conyers has been persistent in his pursuit of the truth in this regard,  and it is an issue that is becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

  Thank you very much

  While I think it's probably a pretty good idea for people to email Senator Graham on this, I KNOW all kossites involved in this issue would love to email Miss Laughlin at [e-mail].  Write your own or copy mine, but as she has, um, shown so much interest in the issue, I'm sure she should be made aware how many people care about her, um, continuing work, on the issue.

  rastro
  What would Johnny Damon do?

   

  by rastro on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:08:01 PM PDT

•  Ahh got an autoreply

  Shit.

  Seemed like a good idea anyway. . .

  <sigh>

  rastro
  Did Bush know?

  by rastro on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:10:19 PM PDT

•  Bush win dialed down

  The certified vote in Ohio showed that, after provisional ballots, Bush leads in the state by 119,000 votes.  Not 136,000.

  the snowball is starting to move downhill...

  by dday on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:19:09 PM PDT

•  It's Chilling

  All but one of the reported "irregularities" strongly favored Bush. Very lucky man that George Bush - did he also win a few dozen lotteries that day?  

  In terms of sheer odds, we're talking about hundreds of millions to one against the presumption that these "irregularities" were brought about by mere happenstance. Really, the relative incidence of same puts this particular grouping extraordinaire way outside the bell curve. Unquestionably, it demonstrates a concerted statewide effort to step more than a bit beyond the "lawful line." Where the heck is that gutsy Ohio DA when we need one? If only a few people under pressure would begin to flip, then we just might have a ballgame on our hands.

  In any case, I'll bet Blackwell is on the line to someone high up at the Bush Whitehouse several times a day - perhaps that person might even be Karl Rove himself.

  If some people (even lower echelon people) do not serve time over this, then the all-out blitz that is going to occur in 2006 and 2008 will make the election of 2004 look like a very freindly game of tag football.  
   

  by Major Tom on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:22:18 PM PDT

•  3 Dec 2004: Follow-on Letter from Rep Conyers.

  thanks to Stephanie at DU for converting the .pdf to text.

  December 3, 2004
  The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell
  Ohio Secretary of State
  180 East Broad Street, 1 6th Floor
  Columbus, OH 43215

  Dear Secretary Blackwell:

  The purpose of this letter is two-fold. First, I am inviting you to participate in a very important forum, hosted by several House Members, on Wednesday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m, in Room 2237 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The forum, "Preserving Election Integrity: What Went Wrong in Ohio," will explore many of the issues identified in the letter I sent yesterday with other Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee. Featured panelists include Reverend Jesse Jackson, founder of Rainbow/Push Coalition, Ralph Neas, President of People for the American Way and John Bonifaz, General Counsel of the National Voting Institute. I hope that you, too, will join us in examining the outstanding issues from your State that continue to raise concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of our electoral system.

  In addition, as follow-up to the letter I sent yesterday, I would like to bring two additional concerns to your attention.

  First, in Section 11(C) of our letter, we raised the problem of a directive you issued on September 7 commanding county elections boards to reject voter registration forms "not printed on white, uncoated paper of not less than 80 lb. text weight." We noted that you reversed the directive on September 28, but in the interim a number of counties followed the directive and rejected otherwise valid voter registration forms. It has now come to our attention that in at least one county, Delaware County, the directive is still posted on the Internet. Attached is a screen capture of this directive for your review. This raises the question of whether Delaware County rejected voter registration forms after your rescinded the directive.

  Second, I would like to follow up regarding the investigation your office possibly conducted of the Auglaize County Board of Elections. Specifically, on October 21, it was reported that Joe McGinnis, an employee at Election Systems and Software, the company that provides the voting system in Auglaize County, violated protocol by accessing the main computer that was used to create the ballot and compile election results. Your office placed the Auglaize County Board of Elections on administrative oversight, but, to date, there has been no word as to the results of any such investigation.

  35. Did you or your office, in fact, conduct an investigation into this matter? If so, did you find impropriety in the conduct of Joe McGinnis?

  36. Did you find any other impropriety, either by McGinnis or any other employee of Election Systems and Software, that could have affected vote counts in the county? Did you find any impropriety by any employee of the Auglaize County Board of Elections?

  Again, thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions about this inquiiy, please contact Perry Apelbaum or Ted Kalo of the House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff at [phone].

  John Conyers, Jr.
  Ranking Member
  House Committee on the Judiciary

  ______

  Attachment to Conyers Dec 3 Letter

  <it's an image of a web page, with the following text highlighted:>

  Due to the new paper weight restrictions set forth by the Secretary of State, we can no longer accept a copy of the Voter Registration from. Please call us at 740-833-2080 and we will be happy to send one to you. Thank You for your cooperation.

  ___________

  Link to original PDF:
  http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellfol...

  ++++++++++++++++++
  Peace.

  "Did Bush Know?"

  by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:26:10 PM PDT

  •  Maybe Stephanie can also convert the followup?

    The followup email addresses the access of computers in Auglaize county by an ES&S employee. I can't get the text tool to work, or I'd text the pdf, sorry. http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellfollowupltr12304.pdf

    by dnn on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 01:33:35 PM PDT

    •  the letter above is the 'follow-up'....

      ....and does address the Auglaize connty isse...

      Here's the text again:

      "Second, I would like to follow up regarding the investigation your office possibly conducted of the Auglaize County Board of Elections. Specifically, on October 21, it was reported that Joe McGinnis, an employee at Election Systems and Software, the company that provides the voting system in Auglaize County, violated protocol by accessing the main computer that was used to create the ballot and compile election results. Your office placed the Auglaize County Board of Elections on administrative oversight, but, to date, there has been no word as to the results of any such investigation.

      35. Did you or your office, in fact, conduct an investigation into this matter? If so, did you find impropriety in the conduct of Joe McGinnis?

      36. Did you find any other impropriety, either by McGinnis or any other employee of Election Systems and Software, that could have affected vote counts in the county? Did you find any impropriety by any employee of the Auglaize County Board of Elections?"

      +++++++++++++++++++++++++
      Peace.

      "Did Bush Know?"
      

      by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:05:08 PM PDT

•  Rep Conyer's personal invitation to Mitofsky...

  can be found here:

  http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/mitofskyelecinfoltr12304.pdf

  You betcha they want the 'raw data.'

  Peace.

  "Did Bush Know?"

  by understandinglife on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 02:50:11 PM PDT

•  Will it be enough?

  Let's say the Ohio vote is reversed.  Say that John Kerry becomes President.  Spectacular.  What then?  He'll be dealing with overwhelming Republican majorities in the House and Senate if the rest of the vote stands.

  What about all the senate races (SIX of them) that exit polls projected would go Democratic, but didn't?  Will we ever know if those were gamed as well?  

  That is, are the house and senate results any more valid than the presidential result appears to be?  And is anyone investigating it?  And is there any chance of turning it over as well?  Because without a complete turnaround (by some election-eve counts, Kerry was projected to win with a 100-vote margin in the electoral college, which would surely have been matched by congressional results), this country's election will still go down in history as having been stolen.

  Folks are already talking about revving up for 2006 and the fight to take back the Senate... BUT WHAT IF, BY THE ACTUAL VOTE TALLY, WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN IT BACK... and never know because the vote fraud was so subtle in most cases?

  Think about it: the Ohio results may be only the tip of the iceberg.

  The question is: will we ever know?  

  Or: will we know in time?
  

  by Black Maned Pensator on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:35:54 PM PDT

•  GOT A REPLY!!! This is CNN right?

  FROM: [e-mail]

  Q: Why isn't this story being covered?

  http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellltr12204.pdf

  A: we are covering it tonight... stay tuned...

  WRITE LETTERS PEOPLE - IT WORKS!!!!
  

  by JKU on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:36:59 PM PDT

  •  Have to say that the House dems are kicking butt!

    They'll obviously be facing a whole lot of opposition, but I love that they're hitting this issue full force, not some half-ass job.

    by pointsoflight on Fri Dec 03, 2004 at 03:47:39 PM PDT