Rush explained why Fl. isn't permitting a recount of BBV.

[spotbird]

It seems that there is some redundancy within the BBV machines when a vote is cast and counted, this is a feature that supposedly promotes security. In Florida the SOS has prohibited the use of the backup memory for use if a recount is necessary, it didn't make any sense to me until Rush explained it today.

The US Supreme Court's ostensible grounds for stopping the recount in 2000 was that if the recount were only permitted in a few counties, as Florida law required, equal protection would be denied to voters in the areas not recounted. Therefore, rather than adopting a uniform standard for recounts and requiring it statewide, the Supremes declared * the winner.

The Republicans plan to use this same reasoning this year to prevent recounts, but with a twist. Since the BBV votes can't be recounted for all practical purposes, there can't be a recount of any votes.

It will work too, the Supremes said not to use their reasoning as precedent in 2K but they likely aren't going to an about face.

[Rose Siding]

1. Prediction:

"Equal protection under the law" will enter the American lexicon with unprecedented fury.

[MsUnderstood]

2. And that is why electronic voting works for the republicans

No recount will be made possible anywhere because there is not paper trail on the computer. . .

If these BBV companies that contribute heavily to the republican party happen to change some votes along the way, it will never be known and our president will be selected by corporations instead of the people.

[spotbird]

4. But as I understand it there is a second or even a third record

of the votes cast within each machine. I don't know if that's true, but it seemed that way from the stories I've been reading.

This is obviously no substitute for a paper trail, but it is something and the Republicans are furiously fighting against even a review of the backup.

[Bandit]

10. This is why Exit Polling is essential in those areas that have

touch screen voting without paper backups or audit control.

[Boredtodeath]

13. Partially true

Three locations:

1. RAM - the vote is only there as long as the voter is at the booth. It's volatile memory which is changed with each use.

2. PCMCIA card - the new ballot box and equivalent to floppy disk storage.

3. Flash Memory - inside each DRE (touchscreen) a flash memory card retains the votes on the machine. The only problem is - the vendors don't give the elections officials any way to access this memory. Getting to it means physically putting your hands on every machine and removing the memory.

[wurzel]

5. That is why the "polls" insist Bush is ahead.

To make credible fixed and untestable electronic voting for Bush.

[Bandit]

9. I don't think they can override state law that demands recounts

It would be something if they once again decided to overrule state law on this matter. Most states, probably all states require recounts if results are undetermined or extremely close. I doubt even the supreme court would not try and rewrite all state laws in one fell swoop.

[gnofg]

3. real trouble with the vting machines

As much as everyone thinks of fraud, I maintain the real problem is the OS and the database. The Diebold machinws use MS dos for it's operating system and an access database. These two technologies are just plain bad.

[City Lights]

6. With all the stuff coming out about how easy it is to hack

these machines, why aren't pukes concerned about the possibility of a Dem hacker? What will happen if the results are so skewed that hacking is obvious?

[spotbird]

7. They must be pretty damn sure of their own ability to hack.

In Florida the machines are mostly in Republican precincts, aren't they?

[City Lights]

12. I don't know. I thought they replaced all the chad-producers

in South Florida with electronic ones, but I'm not sure.

[Rjnerd]

8. Redundancy == two sets of books...

The Diebold vote tally server software has a deliberately inserted "feature". Set a magic variable, and poof, the program keeps a separate tally for the printed report. (this is not the voting machine, but the central server that tallies voting machines, as well as the paper ballot scanners, etc)

This was found by examining a leaked copy of the source code. More details can be found at black box voting.

Diebold makes ATM's. They come with printers for audit trails as standard equipment. I doubt auditors and bank regulators would allow them to buy ones not so equipped. It is telling and surprising that they aren't even an option on the Diebold machines.

[aquart]

15. So the tally needs to be read and posted at the precinct FIRST?

Before forwarding to the central server? Is that even possible?

[aquart]

11. Let 'em try.

Let 'em twist slowly, slowly in the wind.

(For anyone who doesn't know the source of that quote, you are just too damn young.)

[HFishbine]

14. Rush is grievously wrong on one underlying fact

I heard some of this too, and Rush is building this argument around the erroneous assertion that in 2000, the Supremes set a precedent on this matter as it relates to the equal protection clause.

As a clarion example of Pill Boy's gross ignorance, the Supremes' decision clearly and unequivocally stated that the Bush v. Gore decision was NOT to be used as precedent - ever. They, for the first time in the history of the court, issued a decision that was to have no effect on any other cases. Rush is wrong.

[spotbird]

16. That's what they said, but will they

overrule themselves so quickly? If they did change so quickly they would have to admit that in 2K they ruled they way they did for the sole purpose of appointing chimp. We all know that, but the Supremes want plausible deniability.

Or am I wrong?

[HFishbine]

17. Very good question

I suspect they didn't expect to have to deal with their "this is not precedent" ruling ever again in their lifetimes. They may well find themselves in a pickle if this comes back to them this election.

[genius]

18. You can change the count results with a few strokes.

A recount will prove they are rigged and they don't want that.

[eurolefty]

19. my prediction

The Florida votes this time: Kerry 50%, Bush 60%

[spotbird]

20. I'm bookmarking this page.

For proof.