Linda_K
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posted on July 3, 2004 12:32:26 AM new
US lawmakers request UN observers for November 2 presidential election
Fri Jul 2, 2:22 AM ET
Add Politics - AFP to My Yahoo!
WASHINGTON (AFP) -
Several members of the House of Representatives have requested the United Nations (news - web sites) to send observers to monitor the November 2 US presidential election to avoid a contentious vote like in 2000, when the outcome was decided by Florida.
Recalling the long, drawn out process in the southern state, nine lawmakers, including four blacks and one Hispanic, sent a letter Thursday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan asking that the international body "ensure free and fair elections in America, "according to a statement issued by Florida representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, who spearheaded the effort.
"As lawmakers, we must assure the people of America that our nation will not experience the nightmare of the 2000 presidential election," she said in the letter.
"This is the first step in making sure that history does not repeat itself," she added after requesting that the UN "deploy election observers across the United States" to monitor the November, 2004 election.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1521&u=/afp/20040702/pl_afp/us_vote_congress_040702062257&printer=1
Re-elect President Bush!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Jul 3, 2004 12:36 AM ]
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bigpeepa
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posted on July 3, 2004 04:52:30 AM new
Linda_K, Just in case readers don't click on your link to the report, below is what's missing in your post.
The lawmakers said in the letter that in a report released in June 2001, the US Commission on Civil Rights "found that the electoral process in Florida resulted in the denial of the right to vote for countless persons."
The bipartisan commission, they stressed, determined "that the 'disenfranchisement of Florida's voters fell most harshly on the shoulders of black voters' and in poor counties." Both groups vote predominantly Democratic in US elections.
The commission also concluded, the lawmakers added, that "despite promised nationwide reforms (of the voting system) ... adequate steps have not been taken to ensure that a similar situation will not arise in 2004 that arose in 2000."
Thirty-six days after the November 7, 2000 presidential election, after several state court interventions and vote recounts in numerous Florida counties, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Republican George W. Bush, awarding him all of Florida's 25 electoral votes.
The ruling tipped the balance against Democratic contender and then vice president Al Gore (news - web sites), who with 267 electoral votes lost to Bush's 271, only one more than the minimum 270 needed to clinch the presidential election.
AMERICAN NEEDS TO OUTSOURCE THE BUSH GOVERNMENT BEFORE THIS KIND OF STUFF HAPPENDS AGAIN AND ITS TO LATE.
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cblev65252
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:00:36 AM new
bigpeepa
You beat me to it! However, there has to be another solution. Calling in the U.N. sounds as though there is no one group in this country that could do the same thing. After four years, they still have not fixed the system. We are still using punch cards here in Cleveland. I can tell you from experience, these cards can be confusing especially to first time voters and the elderly. They don't always line up right and the holes sit side-by-side. It's far too easy to punch the wrong one. Hopefully, people will more carefully punch those cards now.
I'd agree that the election needs to be monitored. But, I don't know as I can agree that the U.N. should be the one to do it. Maybe we should do as they do in the UK. Paper and pencil!
Cheryl
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:29:55 AM new
Absolutely Wonderful!
Thank you Bigpeepa for including some important points.
But please, if you're serious about election reform and fair voting practices...call or email your congressperson and tell them to fight against the use of electronic voting machines. These have proven to be subject to horrible errors that are not traceable. The president of Diebolt(makers of the machines)has publicly said he can hand Bush Ohio.
Cheryl is right...how about just a pencil and paper with large print and a simple format.
Oh, and then count ALL the votes.
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bigpeepa
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:37:28 AM new
Cheryl, Yes you are right this problem should have been fixed by now. I see no reason why this country can't have a uniform voting system with a paper trail backup.
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Helenjw
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:42:13 AM new
Thanks Bigpeepa for posting the selectively omitted information. With Linda's c&p, it's important to read what's 'not' bolded, consider the source and as you did, read the entire article.
It's possible that the group is attempting to draw attention to the problem and making a powerful statement by requesting U.N. surveilance of American elections. Isn't it a sad state of affairs that our country has come to this embarrassing point. The Bush administration should be overwhelminingly defeated in November.
Then there is the question of the reliability of Diebold voting machines as crowfarm suggested. We had a problem with those machines in Maryland.
Helen
[ edited by Helenjw on Jul 3, 2004 05:43 AM ]
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bigpeepa
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:46:14 AM new
crowfarm, I forgot about the Diebolt guy and he is a big time republican Bush supporter. Thanks for reminding me and everyone else.
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Twelvepole
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:51:37 AM new
This is GARBAGE! and it figures the left would support this... the UN can't function as it is and you want them to monitor OUR elections...
This won't be allowed...
US has more pride than that.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND... 
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:52:25 AM new
Well, I have to thank Helen for the correct spelling...no wonder I couldn't find anything.
But I just did a search with correct spelling and got loads of information.
However, I've been hearing for months how weak this system of voting is...how teenage hackers can crack the system in a matter of minutes, how it can be programed to place your vote for the OPPOSITE candidate you actually voted for, how there is no traceability.......
I'm sorry but if electronic voting is used...democracy is dead in America.
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:54:57 AM new
"The bipartisan commission"
Sorry, twelve.
And I'll be proud of America when it has HONEST elections.
[ edited by crowfarm on Jul 3, 2004 05:57 AM ]
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bigpeepa
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posted on July 3, 2004 05:59:12 AM new
Helenjw, I am sure some people could call both Linda_K and me old farts but thanks to Linda_K, I learned something new. I never knew that a woman could PASS MORE GAS than a man. Enjoy the weekend all.
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:03:24 AM new
bigpeepa, thanks for my "good morning"laugh!
I'm awake now!
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cblev65252
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:03:35 AM new
twelve
Where did anyone here say they'd like the UN to monitor the election? I don't think anyone here wants that. However, we do want a fair election. Are you against that? Why? Afraid Bush's people won't be able to pull a fast one this time around?
Cheryl
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Twelvepole
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:18:41 AM new
Wasn't talking about the commission crowfarm...posters on this board...
Afraid? Not hardly, the ones acting afraid are the people who are sponsoring this madness...
Only in your mind do you see that Florida did not have a "fair" election, I don't see it that way...
Even if Gore had won, I wouldn't of seen it as an unfair election, the process worked and President Bush won... that is why that process is in place... it seems like liberals are the ones living in the past and do not understand the future.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:29:19 AM new
No, twelve, the unfair election in Florida is not just in my mind.....it's been in all the news...don't you read or listen to anything ? What a preposterous statement!
And, yes, we're afraid....afraid it could happen again.
And I think it's a strong point that the commission that started the idea of the UN coming in is bi-partisan.
Where is the logic that liberals are "living in the past"?
If a mistake is made is it sane to just keep repeating it? You see, we should LEARN(that dirty word) from our mistakes and anyone who doesn't know that "mistakes" were made in Florida is living in a dream.
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Twelvepole
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:52:09 AM new
Learn what? That the Electoral college still works?
That the election process still works? Yes I know that... why don't you?
The majority of Americans will not allow this to happen... and by pressuring their reps, it will be stopped.
I for one despise the UN... worthless org. they have no place in our elections and I for one will spat on any I see at a voting place.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
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Twelvepole
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posted on July 3, 2004 06:58:11 AM new
I would like everyone to see how quick the liberals are to give up american processes in favor of outsiders... this is unbelieveable... Do you people have no pride?
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
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Helenjw
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posted on July 3, 2004 07:13:17 AM new
Twelvepole, Of course you can't see that it's the corrupt Bush administration that makes mention of such surveilance necessary? Only one word we agree on...our situation in this country has evolved to an UNBELIEVABLE status under the miserable leadership of your annointed president.
Helen
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 07:28:15 AM new
Pride cometh before a fall. Unquestioning "pride" is stupid.
No, I have no pride in how our last election was conducted...it was shameful!
I wonder why the strong negative reaction from the neo-cons??????????
If our elections are so fair and honest why NOT have observers of any kind.....it would prove we have nothing to hide.
Aren't we "teaching democracy" to Iraq.....why not let observers come here and observe democracy in action!
The U.S. is always so happy to jump into some other countries business why are you afraid for other countries to see ours???
Who said having observers would "give up american processes in favor of outsiders" ???
NO one asked anyone to give up anything? Where did you get THAT??
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Twelvepole
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posted on July 3, 2004 07:34:46 AM new
Unblieveable is right... thank you Linda...
What part of unamerican don't you understand... our processes work just fine... we DO NOT need or want the UN meddling...
as I have said this will never happen, the american people will not let it happen...
Do you understand the difference between monitor and observe? You who want to learn look those words up...
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 07:44:18 AM new
Monitor...observe...what's the difference if you have nothing to hide???
Aren't you PROUD of our American system of voting?
If you're PROUD of something why should you be ashamed to let anyone see it?????
Wouldn't you want the whole world to see our superior procedures?
Is America a secret society where we have to hide our procedures?
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maggiemuggins
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posted on July 3, 2004 08:01:22 AM new
HEAR YE!! HEAR YE!!
Unlike those who are just now coming to the realization that Men and Women are EQUAL under the Laws of our Country!
Let me reiterate...........
Women have always been more than capable of passing as much or more gas than our Male counterparts!
So, please don't be insulted Linda_K, by bigpeepa's post..
Stand Proudly and let it Fly in the Face of those Doubters!!! LOL Maggie
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 08:30:26 AM new
So funny, Maggie, but don't worry, linda has never had a problem blowing off gas!
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neroter12
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posted on July 3, 2004 09:43:58 AM new
Wake up Maggie....
What does reiterate mean?????????
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blairwitch
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posted on July 3, 2004 09:51:23 AM new
We have paper and pencil here in rural PA, and there are never any problems. I think having someone at each polling place will cut out alot of wacky stuff that took place in florida and elsewhere.
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crowfarm
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:05:19 AM new
Ya, Maggie, say that again.
Blairwitch, yes, a paper and a pencil works every time....why switch to electronics that can be messed with (with no trace of the messing)?
The only people who would prefer this must want access to your vote.
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neroter12
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:17:26 AM new
LOL>>>crowfarm!
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maggiemuggins
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:36:04 AM new
Sorry Nero... In my enthusiasm to reiterate my previous post..again and again.. I may have gassed myself into unconsciousness!
Maggie :0)
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cblev65252
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posted on July 3, 2004 10:41:30 AM new
the process worked and President Bush won... that is why that process is in place... it seems like liberals are the ones living in the past and do not understand the future.
How can you say "it worked"? When there is even one vote left uncounted, it DID NOT work. A lot of votes were left uncounted in the 2000 election. It was a farce and a scam. No one will ever know who really won that election, except those who orchestrated the fiasco.
Cheryl
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ebayauctionguy
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posted on July 3, 2004 02:05:42 PM new
Several members of the House of Representatives have requested the United Nations (news - web sites) to send observers to monitor the November 2 US presidential election
Just goes to show how much liberals hate this country. Maybe we should make a trade with Europe: We send them our liberals and they send us their conservatives.
"I voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
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