Hopefully my last post on this particular topic for a while

[bobquasit]

Another Yahoo post.

Subject: PROOF Bush stole the election

Here's perfect and unanswerable PROOF that Bush stole the election, all wrapped up in a neat little package:

First, the Virtual Voting Booth. It contains the impartial results of a statewide recount of Florida's 2000 Presidential election votes. You can pick what standards you like (for example, would you accept "hanging chads"? Overvotes? The decision of two out of three ballot judges, or only those in which all three agree?) and see who would have won.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections2000/recount/yourvote.html

Here's the second half of the puzzle: Title IX, Ch. 101.5614 of Florida state law. It REQUIRES that all votes in which the voter's intent is clear be counted. That includes overvotes. For those who don't feel up to surfing over there, here's an excerpt:

Title IX, Ch. 101.5614

If any paper ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot be counted properly by the automatic tabulating equipment, the ballot shall be counted manually at the counting center by the canvassing board. The totals for all such ballots or ballot cards counted manually shall be added to the totals for the several precincts or election districts. No vote shall be declared invalid or void if there is a clear indication of the intent of the voter as determined by the canvassing board. After duplicating a ballot, the defective ballot shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose, and the duplicate ballot shall be tallied with the other ballots for that precinct.

As you'll see, if overvotes are counted (as - it's worth repeating - the law REQUIRES) Gore wins in virtually every scenario (in fact, George W. would have to push for partially-detached chads to be counted in order to have a chance).

Not to mention the thousands of African-Americans who were illegally denied the right to vote based on a false set of reports from a Texas-based company that already had strong ties to George W. Bush.

American democracy was mugged that day, and it's still in the intensive care unit. I hope it pulls through.

I realize that anyone who reads this journal (you know, I really prefer "journal" to "blog") has already heard me talk about this stuff over and over and over and over. So I'll try to hold off on the topic here until I come up with something new.

Comments

[charibdis.livejournal.com]

If it helps any, Peter, I agree with you. The democratic system was mugged, but far from starting to recover, ever since then the Republicans have been taking advantage of that to kick it when it's down.

I also like journal better then blog. Blog sounds like someone tossing their cookies, while journal sounds like something educated and dignified.

Okay, you've successfully cracked me up...

[bobquasit.livejournal.com]

Good one, charibdis. You're right, "blog" does sound like a puke-noise. I envision an overweight Viking making that sound after a wild night of grotesquely excessive overeating and drinking. :D

I almost typed your real name instead of "charibdis". I hope I haven't made that mistake before!

Re: Okay, you've successfully cracked me up...

[charibdis.livejournal.com]

I don't think you have. You've been very good about that stuff.

If I have time during packing tomorrow, and you don't mind, I will call to wish your son a happy birthday.

Re: Okay, you've successfully cracked me up...

[bobquasit.livejournal.com]

Of course I don't mind! Although he's been a little bit difficult about the phone today. He's called me four times this morning, but as soon as I pick up and say "Hello?" he apparently drops the phone and runs away, giggling and saying "NO NO NO!". :D

Too right

[(Anonymous)]

It is my solid conviction that democracy simply doesn't work. There are too many idiots around to prevent the system from collapsing. It is only a matter of time until some radical group of powermongering wackos get the hold of the important places and turn democracy into an oligarkia. The Bush junta is the purest example of this kind of progress. The main requirement for democracy to work would be that the people guard. Right now most people just don't care to pay attention.