Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Happy Soapbox Day

I have a héadache today. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't have my double short lattë, or because I had to drive deep into Glendale. Could be both. And I haven't had any exciting news in the past couple days, or burning topics I want to address. When I refer to burning topics, I usually mean those topics that really only affect me. So today, because I can't think of anything me related--although notice the new, shorter line splitting the page--I've decided to address a couple political topics that are more thoroughly addressed on other sites.

I might be learning this a bit late, but it looks as if our past election might have been stolen as well. What does it mean to be a democracy when two elections in a row go to the politician with fewer votes? Makes you wonder how democratic the system is.

I know, this definitely sounds like the grumblings of a sore loser Democrat, but there's A LOT of circumstantial evidence. A lot. I started to read Representative Conyers report on voting abuse in Ohio and it looks as if 95% of the "errors" were in Bush's favor. It was just coincidence that precincts in Bush-friendly territory had plenty of voting machines and short lines, and that precincts in poor, urban areas saw huge lines and intimidation tactics.

It's hugely frustrating to learn the facts and find out that crooks are getting away with stealing our democracy.

Since I'm not a pundit I'll spare you further commentary. Anyone in Ohio reading this? Please hold your corrupt politicians accountable (rare coins, anyone?). I'd suggest how, but, like I said, I'm usually focused on myself and haven't done the requisite research to know about grassroots organizing, legal loopholes, etc.

Below you'll find links to articles that shed light on some whoppers that, for some strange reason, haven't energized the electorate to demand justice.

The first article is the most important one, and the rest are in no particular order. Anyone mad?


'American Idol' Scandal Stinks All Over
The Big Lie

Case for War Fixed

Was Bush just re-elected legitimately, or was voter suppression and machine malfunction or malfeasance used to manipulate election results?

What Are the Odds Ohio Election Errors Weren't Intentional?

Conyers Report on Ohio Election Fraud

8 comments:

Laura Swisher said...

Everyone knew Ohio would be a battleground state; it was leaning toward Kerry. So if you're a political operative that's nervous about the outcome, you might use your pals in the Republican party to create unprecedented policy anomalies in the voting process to benefit your candidate. Regardless of whether you support Bush or not, there were far too many irregularities to simply rely on one's belief or gut feeling without an actual investigation.

Also, thank you for your input.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

At some point our worst fears must be faced. It's how we deal with them when they reveal themselves is all that matters.

I can't say that I've handled the situation very well myself. I keep waiting for someone with authority to standup and get things back on a civilized track. I'm coming to the realization that if I don't do something constructive or inspiring to others, I can't expect things to change.

Funny, smart and a pretty smile.. a wonderful combination. Keep it going :)

Butternut said...

What is this "American Idol" you speak of?

I wouldn't be surprised that the election was stolen, again. In order for change to happen I would expect that, like most things of this nature, people need to start being sent to jail, sued, or publicly humiliated. I'm thinking wedgies or boobs popping out on TV. Either will do.

I used an absentee ballot so I avoided lines and could vote and research online at the same time. :)

Iraq was not a threat to the U.S. and Bush knew that well. There's footage of Colin Powell saying so in a press conference in March 2001. (See Fahrenheit 911). Iraq was a threat to our financial allies they bordered. Plus Iraq has oil which if we can partially control will give us a ‘metric buttload’ of power. It was yet another case of a dictator we helped in the past no longer playing ball with the U.S. so we wanted to remove him from power before he threatened our allies (Saudi's, Kuwait).

Let's see, who has the bomb right now? N. Korea, Pakistan, possibly Iran? Yeah, look at Bush mobilize that army. Oh wait, it’s totally overextended and we are now having problems getting people (poor people) to sign up for the military. It’s like Bush II: Electric Boogaloo.

I need to pee.

Robert said...

That is the problem with aligining yourself with a particular candidate. That person will let you down no matter what. They are only human. You have to look at the organizations supporting them(giving them the power) and decide do you believe what these groups believe. That is a diff between DEMS and REPS, the DEMS are a little more fragmented at this time and seem to have a huge number of small to medium special interest groups backing them. The REPS while still backed by special interest, are not as answerable to as many groups, just a few medium to large ones. It's not that you can't stand for a lot of things, but to get your message across to the public, you have to keep it simple. As for voting anomlies, they will always be there. It does not matter if it is a local, state, or national election. The important thing is to keep VOTEING! Eventually, the law of averages says you will get your message through at some point.

Patrick said...

Dubya's little nation-building operation in Iraq troubles me a lot more than the election itself. I voted for neither Bush nor Kerry, knowing full well the "war" would proceed no matter who won.

It never ceases to amaze me how desensitized Americans have all become regarding Iraq. It's killing, death, kidnapping, destruction every day. Where is the outrage?

Laura Swisher said...

Northside,
In point of fact, it's been proven that thousands upon thousands of would-be minority voters were scrubbed from the lists in Florida because the state supposedly wanted to get felons off the list. The government took people off the lists when their names didn't even match those of actual felons. Angel/Angela, what's the difference? The difference was enough votes to change the election.

As far as Ohio goes, I can't say if the fraud amounted to more than 100,000 votes or not. I can say that exit polls didn't match up with the final tally, and from what I understand, exit polls were leaning toward Kerry.

I don't care what side of the fence you're on, systemic suppression of our rights poisons our democracy. And the facts are there, both in Ohio and Florida.

And to the person who pointed out the election in Washington, my opinion is simply that elections should be fair. Period. It's not a Democratic vs. Republican debate.

theking004 said...

Even here in CA there are major differences in polling places. Richer communities have better polling places with much easier access. I had to drive past a polling place a block from my wonderful ghetto home in order to get to the small little church that was my voting place. Anytime we suppress peoples right to vote shows our lack of growth as a nation.

I also believe the same thing applies to American Idol :P It's all rigged lol Laura stop watching that show. There are still reruns of Good Times & What's Happening that you could be watching (also available on dvd)

These shows also would ease your pain of having a lame President (& Govenor)