dqueue
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Sun Oct-31-04 08:26 PM
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A must read from Florida, courtesy Josh Marshall at tpm |
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I'm sure this is probably a dup, and most everyone has read it already, but... just in case... Still in Florida, a letter sent to Josh. This was one of the most moving, meaningful days of my life.
My job is to get people to the polls and, more importantly, to keep them there. Because they’re crazily jammed. Crazily. No one expected this turnout. For me, it’s been a deeply humbling, deeply gratifying experience. At today’s early vote in the College Hill district of East Tampa -- a heavily democratic, 90% African American community — we had 879 voters wait an average of five hours to cast their vote. People were there until four hours after they closed (as long as they’re in line by 5, they can vote).
Here’s what was so moving:
We hardly lost anyone. People stood outside for an hour, in the blazing sun, then inside for another four hours as the line snaked around the library, slowly inching forward. It made Disneyland look like speed-walking. Some waited 6 hours. To cast one vote. And EVERYBODY felt that it was crucial, that their vote was important, and that they were important.
And there were tons of first time voters. Tons....
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althecat
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Sun Oct-31-04 08:34 PM
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1. Nice story...But hell what is going to happen on Tuesday!!!! |
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But hell what is going to happen on Tuesday... if there are queues like this during early voting. Is there any explanation for why it is taking so long to vote?
al
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dqueue
(226 posts)
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Sun Oct-31-04 08:38 PM
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3. not via this letter... |
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not via this letter. Well, there is inference that some of the delay is purposeful... I don't know in what way, exactly. Too few voting booths/machines? Technical glitches? DDoS attacks against their wireless networks if they're a particular brand of e-voting system? I don't really know...
Maybe TSA can step in Tuesday to help manage the lines; they do a reasonable job at the airport, at least when I've traveled...
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Rose Siding
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Sun Oct-31-04 08:37 PM
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2. These reports are so moving that I'm only half-kidding when I say... |
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that if there's a line like this at my poll, I'll be tempted to sing We Shall Overcome. I can't help it; it keeps coming to mind as I see pics of lines filled with all sorts of people, and stories of record turnout.
I don't want to minimize any earlier battles or movements but We Shall Overcome Tuesda-a-a-a-ay
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LiberalAndProud
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Sun Oct-31-04 08:40 PM
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4. * has reminded us all that we must excercise our right to Vote if we hope |
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