Rough copy of the speech I asked for your help with

[WilliamPitt]

Help requested here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=137978&mesg_id=137978

Rough speech:

There are people out there who think we are crazy, who think we are bitter-enders, sore losermen, conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters. We just cannot accept the outcome of a truly legitimate American election, and we are flailing about like pathetic boated fish trying to change what cannot be changed.

Hm. I wonder why.

On Friday December 10 two certified volunteers for the Ohio Recount team assigned to Greene County were in process recording voting information from minority precincts in Greene County, and were stopped mid-count by a surprise order from Secretary of State Blackwell’s office. The Director Board of Elections stated that “all voter records for the state of Ohio were “locked-down,” and now they are not considered public records.”

The volunteers were working with voter printouts received directly from Carole Garman, Director, Greene County Board of Elections. Joan Quinn and Eve Roberson, retired attorney and election official respectively, were hand-copying voter discrepancies from precinct voting books on behalf of the presidential candidates Mr. Cobb (Green) and Mr. Badnarik (Libertarian), both of whom had legitimately requested the recount.

One of the goals of the recount was to determine how many minority voters were unable to vote or denied voting at the polls. Upon requesting copies of precinct records from predominantly minority precincts, Ms. Garman contacted Secretary of State Blackwell’s office and spoke to Pat Wolfe, Election Administrator. Ms. Wolfe told Ms. Garman to assert that all voter records for the State of Ohio were “locked down” and that they are “not considered public records.”

Quinn and Roberson asked specifically for the legal authority authorizing Mr. Blackwell to “lock down” public records. Garman stated that it was the Secretary of State’s decision. Ohio statute requires the Directors of Boards of Election to comply with public requests for inspection and copying of public election records. As the volunteer team continued recording information from the precinct records in question, Garman entered the room and stated she was withdrawing permission to inspect or copy any voting records at the Board of Elections. Garman then physically removed the precinct book from Ms. Roberson’s hands. They later requested the records again from Garman’s office, which was again denied.

Ohio Revised Code Title XXXV Elections, Sec. 3503.26 that requires all election records to be made available for public inspection and copying. ORC Sec. 3599.161 makes it a crime for any employee of the Board of Elections to knowingly prevent or prohibit any person from inspecting the public records filed in the office of the Board of Elections. Finally, ORC Sec. 3599.42 clearly states: “A violation of any provision of Title XXXV (35) of the Revised Code constitutes a prima facie case of election fraud within the purview of such Title.”

So there’s that. But then there’s this. On election night, Warren County Ohio commissioners ordered a complete security lockdown at the County Administration Building, citing a homeland security threat. No one seems to have a good explanation for why the lockdown happened. The lockdown apparently was done at the recommendation of Frank Young, the county's emergency services director, who said he got information from an FBI agent during a conversation about general Election Day threats that made him think Warren County could be a terrorism target. According to one source, the county was ranked 10 on a 1-to-10 threat scale.

Young declined to identify the agent he said gave him the warning, and the FBI said they never issued any such warning and never had any reason to suspect a specific threat against Warren County. The only warning anyone else recalls was a general caution issued across the country earlier this year by federal homeland security officials that there was a potential for terrorist strikes in the days leading up to the elections. Nobody but the officials in Warren County felt the need to lock all the doors, refuse to let the press or other observers in to witness the vote counting, and generally treat the county building as if it were the Pentagon itself.

So there’s that. But then there’s this. Most of you are aware, I am sure, of the hearing held by Representative John Conyers last week in Washington. Can we take a moment for a cheer for Mr. Conyers for having the courage of his convictions. The process towards that hearing began with the letter from Rep. John Conyers to Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell. In that letter, Conyers described a long series of irregularities in the Ohio Presidential election that amounted to an accusation of fraud. The letter was the basis for the hearing, and made sure to invite Blackwell to participate. It is worth noting that Blackwell did not show up.

The hearing itself was a showcase for both fact and passion. The witnesses, the Representatives before them, and the crowd that filled the room lit the place up with a concerned electricity. Some believed the irregularities and outright fraud which marred the Ohio vote require immediate redress, a successful completion of which could come to overthrow the results of last month's election. Others saw the hearings as a gift to their children and the future, a means to ensure that any and all elections to come will not suffer the kind of nonsense that afflicted both November of 2004 and November of 2000.

The hearing took place in a unique moment in our history. Election fraud and voter disenfranchisement are not new in our history, but have been as much a part of the process as campaign buttons and baby-kissing. The fact that the electorate’s voting habits are becoming more clearly drawn, and the fact that so many were watching like hawks after Florida in 2000, means that the standard-issue fraud which has always existed now has a bright light shining upon it, and means the new kinds of fraud involving electronic machines and computer tabulators are likewise suffering intense scrutiny. In this moment, that bright light means the problems, both new and old, can be and must be addressed, repaired, and purged from our democratic process.

Why, then, in this historic moment that benefits all Americans regardless of party, is the Ohio GOP thwarting all attempts at reform, thwarting attempts at even airing problems? You see, the Ohio GOP got wind of Conyers’ intention to hold a hearing tomorrow in Columbus, at the City Hall, in the chambers of the City Council. The Ohio GOP has denied all requests for a room to hold this hearing. Conyers is going anyway, along with all his people, and will have their hearing on the damn City Hall steps if they have to. But it is telling indeed that they are refusing, flatly refusing, to allow the public the opportunity to hear of the problems that threaten the very basis of participatory democracy.

There are people out there who think we are crazy, who think we are bitter-enders, sore losermen, conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters. We just cannot accept the outcome of a truly legitimate American election, and we are flailing about like pathetic boated fish trying to change what cannot be changed. But the Ohio Secretary of State is brazenly breaking the law by denying public access to public records. The terrorism bugaboo was thrown in the way of those who wished to observe the counting process in Warren County, though nobody seems to know who tossed out the warning nor why terrorists would want to blow something up in southwestern Ohio. And now, legitimate hearings on these issues are being thwarted.

If demanding answers to these questions, along with all the other questions that have arisen – more than 30,000 reports of voting irregularities and fraud all across the country, including thousands of reports of malfunctioning electronic touch-screen voting machines, plus the disenfranchisement of as many as a million minority voters, and the startling reality that virtually every single ‘malfunction’ or error favored George W. Bush – if demanding answers to these questions makes me crazy, then damn it, bring on the boys with the butterfly nets, because I am completely out of my mind.

Hell, even the centrist shrinking violets at the DNC are apparently joining the crazy wacko club. The Democrats used their weekly radio address just yesterday to focus on ensuring accurate ballot counts and elections free of voter intimidation. Donna Brazile, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute, said efforts supporting election recounts and investigations into allegations of fraud are aimed at making sure that every vote counts, no matter who wins, and that voters are free of harassment when casting their ballots.

"America's story is one of expanding opportunity and suffrage, and one of our fundamental principles is that every eligible citizen is entitled to cast his or her vote and have that vote counted," Brazile said. "We owe it to the students of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, who waited up to 10 hours to vote," she said. "We owe it to thousands of Ohio voters who wonder whether their votes were counted with the use of new electronic voting machines, and we owe it to countless other Americans. There is no place in our democracy for faulty voting equipment, long lines at the polls, untrained poll workers and any forms of chads. As a nation, we should not rest until our elections are free from the problems of elections past and until all Americans can cast their ballots on Election Day fully confident that their votes have been counted." Unquote.

As ever, they’re talking about it while we are out here trying to do something about it. I don’t see John Kerry here. Doesn’t he live right around the block?

I’d like to get back to the Conyers hearing last week for a moment, and focus on the presence of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and his son, at that event. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. made the point that we must have a standardized national voting process and take the matter out of the hands of individual states, which can keep the process "separate and unequal." We must have a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote. How can people argue that the right to own a gun is implicitly stated in the constitution, and then turn around and say it is acceptable to have the right to vote only be ‘implicit’ in the constitution?

It was this last point, made over and over again by Reverend Jackson, that drew the most applause from the audience and attention from the Congressmen. In demanding a constitutional amendment cementing the simple right to vote, Jackson spoke of the long line that reached from Selma, Alabama to Ohio, and into this room. "This is not about who won or lost," he said. "This is about participating in democracy. The 2004 election is not past-tense. We are not whining. It is time to take this struggle to the streets and fully legitimize this struggle." Well, here we are, Reverend. Here we are.

The importance of the presence of Reverend Jackson was described best by Cliff Arnebeck. "If you look at who was here," said Arnebeck, "you had leaders from the generally white political reform movement, and leaders from the black civil rights movement. This is a powerful coalition. We are not talking about one group having dominance over the other, but a real partnership of the traditional political reform community with the traditional civil rights community, and Reverend Jackson is the one that proposed it, has initiated the organization of it."

At the end of the day, the hearing was a beginning, a chance for those fighting this fight to look upon one another and know they are not alone. Rep. Conyers and his fellow Congressmen are to be commended for putting the process in motion. The most striking moment came when the hearing ended, and all of the people assembled began embracing one another. They had made their voices heard, they knew they were not alone, and it smelled like vindication in there when all was said and done.

The hearing was a beginning. There will be more, especially in Ohio. The lawsuits will continue. Rep. Conyers intimated that he might object to the seating of the Ohio Electors when the certification process begins. The protests will continue to grow across the country. Perhaps, if we can follow through and accomplish the cleansing of our democratic process, we will look back on that day in room 2237 of the Rayburn House Office Building and know that yet another popular movement towards achieving that more perfect union began there, in that time, and in that place.

On this day, this very day four years ago, a man was anointed President of the United States by the Supreme Court who did not win that office. There are many reasons why this happened, so many that I am not going to bother explaining all of them. At the end of the day, the main reason why this happened is straightforward and clear: George W. Bush gained his office because we did not count all of the votes that were cast, and the mainstream media smiled their way through all the reports of voting irregularities and fraud. Every study that came out after that election stated flatly that, had all the votes been counted, George W. Bush would be peddling his papers in West Texas, the war in Iraq would still be a neoconservative pipe dream, and perhaps two towers would still be casting their long shadows over the island of Manhattan.

We did not count all the votes in 2000, and we are on the edge of making the same mistake once again. Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell is doing everything he can to make sure the votes in his state are not being counted. Yet the fight continues. Jon Bonifaz and Cliff Arnebeck will be filing their suit to demand a recount tomorrow, armed with statistical analyses of vote fraud, exit polls, and armed further with subpoenas for forensic examinations of the voting machines.

I asked Bonifaz about his suit at the Conyers hearing. He said: “The main focus is that we want a full recount of all votes cast in Ohio for President in the 2004 election. While that recount will continue past the time of the Electoral College meeting on December 13th, we will insist that it be completed in a timely manner, and by January 6th, when that recount is completed, there may in fact be a different set of Electors. I can't say for sure whether that will happen, but a recount is important to ensure the proper counting of every vote.”

If you want to help Bonifaz, go to DefendTheRecount.org and join the legal defense fund. While you are at it, call or write Representative Conyers and support him in his stated desire to object to the seating of the Ohio electors if that recount is still in process. Join with Common Cause and demand the recusal of Secretary of State Blackwell from any process that involves a recount, and alert the media to his brownshirt and blatantly illegal actions in Greene County. Join the coalition being formed by Conyers and Jackson. Donate to the organization that brought us all here today – you will find out how shortly. I also strongly, strongly recommend that you join the forums at DemocraticUnderground.com and seek out the specific forum called 2004 Election Results and Discussion. 90% of what I have learned about this last election was given to me by the remarkable researchers and activists in that place. Arm yourself with the facts.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.” It appears all to evident today that the government of this nation is afraid of its people, afraid of the truth. This is nothing new. Alexis De Toqueville observed long ago that, “The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colors breaking through.”

We are seeing those colors breaking through today in the privatization of the vote, in the denial of access to the results of that vote, and in the complete blackout by the mainstream news media of the simple fact that this is happening. Yet here we stand, and here we will remain. I support the effort to pass a constitutional amendment establishing the explicit right to vote in this country. A federal right to vote would bolster the National Voter Registration Act that prescribes standards for voter registration activities, prohibits voter intimidation and gives the attorney general powers to intervene where voter irregularities occur. You may groan at that last bit, remember ing who sits in the AG chair today, and who will sit there when Ashcroft is gone, but this is a fight for the future, and we will clean that house one day and seat an attorney general who is not insane. A federal right to vote makes all of the things we have seen happening since the November election a matter of constitutional law. Diebold would be exposed by this. Blackwell would be exposed by this. The truth would be exposed by this.

Let it be written. Let it be done. I can think of nothing more important than the defense of our right to vote, I can think of nothing more important than the demand that all votes be counted, and I can think of nothing more important than the fight to cleanse our system of the brigands who would steal from us these basic, essential democratic requirements. I can think of no coherent argument against enshrining our right to vote within the sacred document that defines us as a nation.

We stand upon the precipice of history. What we do now defines our future. Thank you for being here, thank you for standing up, thank you for your patriotism. Thank you.

[proud patriot]

1. looks good Will

the only thing I can suggest to add is something like this :
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=141632#top

Just the idea that this is not a partisan issue .

[WilliamPitt]

4. I added this section to the speech after reading that:

"This is not a partisan political issue. I do not know what the party registration is of the woman going through chemotherapy who fainted in line while waiting to vote. She left the line without voting because the line was too long, because there were not enough machines at her polling place. I do not know the party registration of the single mom who would have gotten fired from her job had she stood in that long line to vote. What about the man who was in the hospital and did not receive his absentee ballot, so he stood in that line with an IV in his arm. I have no idea who these people would of voted for. I couldn’t care less. These people, and millions more besides, were disenfranchised in this last election. This is intolerable. Period."

Thank you, pp. Well damned said.

[proud patriot]

10. Thanks Will

It's an honor to of helped.

[teach1st]

11. Great job!

I have no idea who these people would of voted for.

would have

[Carolab]

46. Actually, the proper construction is

I have no idea for whom these people would have voted.

[Carolab]

48. I am struggling with the phrase

accept a legitimate election

I would say instead that they don't understand why we won't accept an illegitimate election.

[WilliamPitt]

73. It's irony

You'd hear the difference spoken aloud.

[dzika]

2. great job!

Thank you very much for sharing!

[sandnsea]

3. Votes belong to the Voters

Not a political party or even a candidate. A vote is the currency of democracy, each one must be counted.

[Griffy]

14. Perhaps little more cronological?... and a message...

Like... "I KNOW somethings wrong with this election when".... and say it 6 or 7 times... people will remeber at least that. Perhaps a message from you... so itwill have the true passion you, and all of us have in this matter!

[sandnsea]

41. I thought Will did that

I was just adding a little dit to that might help change the tempo of this issue, help it to become nonpartisan. I read that somewhere else and thought it was the exact point. The votes belong to the voters, they're OURS and each one is as precious as any dollar bill. Bush wants to talk about political capital, well OUR political capital is our vote. It ought to be the passion of the entire debacle. It's about OUR votes, they belong to us, not any candidate or political party.

[Griffy]

68. not really... good speach.. but ppl will hear many speechs..

repeat a message, like "i have a dream".. it was said many times in the speech.. gives each seperate idea a common thread and the whole speech a common idea.. oh.. and practice it in the mirror!

[cornermouse]

5. Not to be critical or anything,

but are you sure you want to spend as much time as you did on

"There are people out there who think we are crazy, who think we are bitter-enders, sore losermen, conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters. We just cannot accept the outcome of a truly legitimate American election, and we are flailing about like pathetic boated fish trying to change what cannot be changed."?

I'm thinking that stating it twice could turn it into a negative reinforcement rather than the point that you want to make. Other than that I like it.

[texpatriot2004]

8. I disagree, I think it is a good lead into the issues that follow

I think it ties the fact that we have reason to doubt based on the behavior of the officials. I would leave it as it is.

[cornermouse]

21. Yes, but you're looking at it from a partisan/democratic

point of view. I would hope that people hear this are not just the democrats. Bush operates in an echo chamber. I would hope that the democrats would not do the same.

[Duer 157099]

24. i agree with this point

I would not even use the derogatory terms that they have used against us, as that gives credibility and power to the terms themselves; even though I know that your motivation is to dis-empower the words by using them yourself. I fear it rather just reinforces them.

Please avoid using those words (tin-foil hatters, etc -- I also really dislike when Olbermann uses these).

Also, not sure I would choose to use the word "insane" in describing the AG.

Hope you take this as constructive criticism, as it is intended.

I otherwise like the flavor of the speech!

[Greybnk48]

31. agree...suggestion?

First and foremost, thank you for your hard work! I agree with cornermouse. My suggestion...Begin with "We have been accused of being..." end sentence one with "the correct label for us is American Patriots (or some other positive label like "concerned citizens"). edit sentence two to read "We, as American Patriots (etc.), just cannot accept the outcome of an obviously illegitimate election in our country now or ever."

Whatever positive label you chose for us, punch it throughout your speech so that it's remebered.

My two cents--I won't be offended if you don;t agree.

[Malikshah]

37. Agreed-- we must stop giving them their ammunition

We must make our own.

Mention it once in the beginning-- and then REPLACE the soundbite with..

30,000 voter problems
stopping the count of votes (not even the frikkin recount)

Questions of

What are they afraid of? What are they hiding?

Show the world that they are scared that the Truth will come Out... :)

[sepia_steel]

38. I agree

I would ask that this part is only stated once. I like the way it is used in the 2nd place you put it. I would suggest leaving it off of the beginning - it has more momentum in the 2nd spot.

And, like many others, I believe that Kerry's prominence in this cause would only cause a media circus and cause opposers to shut their ears to us. They tried to destroy Gore in 2000 when he got involved. If we want to keep this non-partisan and make sure they know that this is not about who won, I think the sentence you use to 'call Kerry out' should be left out.

Other than that I think it's brilliant - there's my 2 cents. Thank you for speaking for us!!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. excellent!! just a little cleanup....

I'll be tuned in for the final version!!!

top and 12th paragraph - repeated on purpose? (bitter-enders, sore losermen, conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters.. etc)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

17. Linked this to the discussion about the lockdown...

everybody was wanting to know if it was true!

[Niche]

7. Well written William! Very nice.

[malaise]

22. Ukraine

Very nice but I think you need to briefly mention Ukraine and exit polls.

[ramblin_dave]

9. Has any major media source confirmed that Greene County

locked down the voter records on Blackwell's order?

[goclark]

15. Waiting for MSM to speak for the country they live in

instead of the Ukraine!

Since when did we fall in love with the Ukraine?

What about this country?!

[Quakerfriend]

Great piece Will!

I would rec'd dropping the words crazy and tinfoil. They just don't apply given the gravity of the situation, and I feel it just feeds into the medias angle on things.

I would also make it a point to help people listening to this to understand the extraordinary conflict of interest that exists btw. the Co.s owning the machines, the Republican party, SoS Blackwell co-chair for B/C etc.

Thanks for your wonderful efforts on our behalf!!

[KittyWampus]

12. Problem: Bush Inaugurated Cuz Not All LEGAL Votes Were Counted

"George W. Bush gained his office because we did not count all of the votes that were cast"

I'd add the word "LEGAL" cuz so many people were bamboozled by theh GOP and Media's spin about chads etc.

Legal- just one little word that means so much when you supposedly live in a country that believes in the Rule of Law.

[RaulVB]

13. Not to be critical either, but...

Mr. Pitt, with all what we know for a fact today, we should not be giving any tipe of air to those who dare to question the truth.

We were never "crazy" or wrong.

And, wes, we will fight to the bitter end.

Thanks for your brave efforts.

[Chili]

16. great speech!

...this part especially:

"Let it be written. Let it be done. I can think of nothing more important than the defense of our right to vote, I can think of nothing more important than the demand that all votes be counted, and I can think of nothing more important than the fight to cleanse our system of the brigands who would steal from us these basic, essential democratic requirements. I can think of no coherent argument against enshrining our right to vote within the sacred document that defines us as a nation."

I can think of NOTHING more important. The right to govern ourselves is the very definition of democracy.

[Dogmudgeon]

34. Gotta disagree ("Let it be written ...")

A lot of people can identify that as dialog from The Ten Commandments. It even sounded pretty annoying there, with Yul Brynner strutting around commanding, "so let it be written ... so let it be done!"

But overall, that is one great speech.

--p!

[Blue Gardener]

18. Excellent Will!

You certainly have a gift with words.

[bobbieinok]

19. decision to lock-down Warren Co made at the end of Oct.....this claim

was made on DU in the last few days......maybe someone here has it bookmarked.......that it was decided before election is spooky

also on DU: claim that Warren Co should have had large numbers for Kerry and was last or one of last OH counties to report vote......implication was that the lock-down gave important (for Kerry) county time to 'deal with' the votes

[Im with Rosey]

33. I am also wondering

is there any truth to the report of same building being unlocked overnight? Possible removal of evidence covered by "break-in"? Maybe a good thing to follow up on.

[berni_mccoy]

20. Some comments

One
The following excerpt:

"How can people argue that the right to own a gun is implicitly stated in the constitution, and then turn around and say it is acceptable to have the right to vote only be ‘implicit’ in the constitution? "

Isn't the right to own a gun explicitly stated in the constitution. I think that's what you were intending.

Two

The following excerpt:
"As ever, they’re talking about it while we are out here trying to do something about it. I don’t see John Kerry here. Doesn’t he live right around the block?"

Doesn't make sense to me. John Kerry lives in MA, so I'm missnig the point on 'right-around-the-block' I grew up in Ohio and live in NH and it's a long way home (12 hour drive to NE OH).

I also think it's a devisive comment that I recommend removing. We need to show incredible unity, even if some members of the party are extremely absent.

Three

Along with the second-to-last paragraph, I feel you need a stronger call to action. We must not consider this election valid until the issues are resolved, lest an illegitimate president is put into office again. Not stopping to analyze the discrepencies will destroy the American people's faith in our system. American citizens all together, regardless of party, should be concerned. This isn't about who won/lost. It's about preservation of democracy. CALL ON all the senators to do what's right for America. If the GOP senators believe Bush really won, they have nothing to fear in working with Democrats. It is their resistance that gives us serious pause to the validity of this election. And Democrats should not fear political repurcussions for supporting such action, for they would be doing what is in the best interest for all America, not just their candidate. If no fraud is found and Bush's win is validated then all of America can trust that our representatives, black, white, democratic or republican will actually be serving their best interest. If fraud is found, then it will be a testimony to the patriotism for those who found it and a call for extreme reform in our system.

Finally
Thank you Mr. Pitt. You are a true patriot.

[nofurylike]

23. it's great! one thing:

"As ever, they’re talking about it while we are out here trying to do something about it. I don’t see John Kerry here. Doesn’t he live right around the block?"

i don't think that belongs in there. and the line about Kerry, is way unnecessary, imho. it is your personal grievance.

the paragraph is intensely divisive, but more, the line about Kerry is unneeded while off the backs of us who are keeping faith and staying positive.

eat the right, not our own.

please, please do not put that line in about Kerry. please!! please!! please!!!!! it is a tiny piece and removing it leaves the entire excellent speech intact.

i will beg again tomorrow, as i stand there listening to you, so proud of you.

thank you, again, for ALL you do!


peace and resistance!!

[Amaryllis]

39. I agree, leave out the part about Kerry

We don't know what he is doing behind the scenes. We do know if he'd stepped in earlier he would have been Gored, and Rove would have sent in his thugs, we would have had a repeat of FLorida 2000 with the mob scenes with the repubs doing all they could to physically impede any recount or legal efforts, and we may never have got as far as we have. I know lots of people have already alluded to this, but he is not one to quit. Remember this?
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/093004A.shtml
He went ahead with his invesigation of the BCCI when even those in his own party told him to stop; that it was political suicide to continue.

And then there's this, which I'm sure most of you have read.
http://www.moderateindependent.com/v2i21election.htm
Think Kerry Is Not Involved In This Fight? Think Again.
I know there are reasons why it would have been good for him to be overtly involved in this fight, but there are many good reason for him to be covert. Maybe time will prove this is just wishful thinking for those of us who feel this way, but I am choosing to remain positive about him for now.

As far as the DNC, that is a completely different story. If I see one more analysis of why we lost and how we need to reinvent the Democratic party...aaaaarrrrghhhhhh

[nofurylike]

59. how moving to read those again, Amaryllis. thank you!! n/t

[Vodid]

25. speech suggestion...

In the third to the last paragraph, I wouldn't call the AG "insane". Use either a more specific term or a weaker term. Using "insane" does not enhance your own credibility. Possible alternatives..."partisan", "ideologue", "rogue"...I don't know...you're the wordsmith! Also, I agree with others...you shouldn't use the first paragraph phrase twice.

[EuroObserver]

26. Nicely put

Will you let us know if, when and how a definitive version may be sent on to selected media contacts?

[thjay]

27. This is about democracy

You need to start with that. It is the true heart of this issue.

Also, assuming you hope to reach a non-partisan group with this speech I would suggest taking out the part about what we may have avoided if the true winner in 2000 was inaugurated. It is OK to state that * did not win in 2000. Many people still do not know this truth or refuse to believe it, but don't go on about *'s awful record. Unfortunately many people will stop listening after those comments and they will think this is just about being sore losers.

Thanks for asking. Your awesome.

[mulethree]

28. Sing it!

Grammar here? in the process of recording?
"assigned to Greene County were in process recording"

Nothing on long lines or their inducement?

I think it's great.

I would go over it once more with the eye of a songwriter.
Perhaps using bold and italics to denote emphasized and questioning tones of voice. Using some extra punctuation or paragraph breaks to denote pauses longer than a period.

So theres that ..... But then theres this!


Break a leg!

[KaryninMiami]

29. Thank you for reminding me (again) that I am not crazy.

What an exciting opportunity to be able to say these brilliant and important words out loud, to an audience tomorrow! You are amazing and this is terrific. You need to start giving this speech around the country and we need to support finding ways to have this happen.


(Wish you could have been with me at Thanksgiving with my family when it was made clear that they did not want to hear any more talk about that "election stuff" because it was time for me admit that Bush won and move on. Thank goodness there was plenty of wine)

[davidlynch]

30. Will You're A Great Writer (Always Have Been)

Great, the focus is just right.

[Broken Acorn]

32. Overall, great job!

To add to your tin-foil correlation I would also use the following.

Show the parallels to the Ukraine (although it sounds like you don't want to go that route) and throw in the Mitofsky server going down with Kerry up and then losing 4% to Bush 2.5 hours later, but only a few more respondents added to the exit poll. That is definitely a smoking gun.

http://www.breakfornews.com/articles/WashPost-A23580-2004Nov3.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23580-2004Nov3.html

[Quakerfriend]

35. Yes, Broken Acorn

Those two comments are very important.

Perhaps, Will, you could add 2 or 3 quotes from Senators Luger, Hagel and C. Powell and BUsh himself. They all spoke out against the fraud in the Ukraine. And, all also emphasized the value of exit polls in demonstrating fraud.

[hootinholler]

36. Please look here Will.

At this thread.

A slight conflict with your speech with what I got from my conversation with one of the workers is that they weren't counting, they were gathering names of voter no-shows, it's in the thread.

I have to run, will check back later.

-Hoot

[SnoopDog]

40. Will, better make sure about your 2nd paragraph...

I am not sure the 'records lock-down' has been verified.


Thank you, thank you for your dedication!



edit - it's the 2nd paragraph

[mulethree]

42. Try this

a yahoo search on "Poll books are public record"

There was a July 2002 editorial in the tribunechronicle about
Blackwell and the Trumbull county BOE denying access to poll books
Claiming that during a recount they are required to secure the records
and, evidently securing them requires denying access to them.

The tribunechronicle no longer has the article online
BUT
from the yahoo search, you can select "Cached" and read a copy of the article thats stored in yahoo.

[SnoopDog]

47. Thank you muletree, but...

that was from July 30, 2002. There are threads stating this happened Friday - it would be nice to see more evidence proving it!

[Amaryllis]

43. Great, but please be specific about action steps to take

Thanks, Will. I am new to DU but have been following your writing and the e-voting and voter suppression issues long before the election and knew this thing was going to be stolen again.

I'd like to see very specific action steps recommended in your speech, particularly what exactly we should be asking our senators and reps to do. Right now I and a lot of others are not certain about what exactly we should be asking them, other than to support Conyers, support the recount in any way they can, and investigate this election! We want to know what we should be asking them to do NOW to try to save THIS election, not what should be done in the future to fix our elections. Those of us who don't live in OH especially need to know what we should be asking our senators and reps to do.

Do we need to be asking them to contest the electoral college vote until the recounts are finished? Can only senators and reps in states with recounts in progress do this?

[WritersBlock]

44. A minor point of wording...

The sentence that reads:
"On this day, this very day four years ago, a man was anointed President of the United States by the Supreme Court who did not win that office."

How about?:
On this day, this very day four years ago, a man who did not win that office was anointed President of the United States by the Supreme Court.

Also, I agree that the Kerry statement doesn't quite fit. For that matter, would it possibly be better to leave out the criticism of the DNC altogether (for now), so that the speech is concerned strictly with the priority of assuring the legitimacy of this - and future - election(s)?


(And actually, I love the AG reference, but those who recommend taking it out probably have a very valid point.) :evilgrin:

Having said all that, Mr Pitt, that is one helluva speech. I feel honored to be "among" so many true patriots as are on this forum.

[bigmonkey]

45. I'd like to second nixing the litany of epithets.

I've been reading Lakoff, and I think it cements those notions in the reader's mind. One could, instead, focus directly on what the problem is, like:

Some people refuse to believe there has been serious election fraud in Ohio. Not only did it occur, it's still occurring.
Kenneth Blackwell's office continued its efforts to thwart the people's will just this last Friday, by updating their vote suppression techniques to add new recount-suppression techniques. They evidently think, like we do, that the vote isn't over - until the recount is suppressed.


Just can't help suggesting this, but you're a better writer than I am. Thanks for all your efforts.

[Carolab]

49. Also, please identify

Cliff Arnebeck and Jon Bonifaz--provide their affiliations

[Sydnie]

50. Can't wait to hear it live tomorrow on the Common! n/t

[senegal1]

51. Some comments

First thank you for all you have done to date and please please keep it up! That being said I have to mention that I think your speech needs some work. First it is written as a journal article rather than a speech. It will be difficult for people listening to remember your key points. There are few good sound bites or repeated phrases to drive the point home. There are too many points which complicate and clutter rather than build and clairify. It will be diffcult to read with a good cadence and the sentences are too long. They are like written sentences not like spoken sentences. Nevertheless, good luck and THANKS for all you do! -- just remember that anything you say can and will be used againist you :)!

[keepthemhonest]

52. great speech. where ,when are you giving the speech?

Tomorrow? Ohio?

[rockedthevoteinMA]

53. I think he's speaking in Boston

That means I get to hear it live! :)

[Snivi Yllom]

54. one point re: 2000 election

Making the claim every study showed Gore won Florida is incorrect. On the contrary the media consortium that analyzed the ballots found Bush won, with Gore possibly winning in less likely scenarios where rejected ballots were scrutinized for voter intent. The NY Times has excellent coverage and analysis of this.

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/politics/recount/

Study of Disputed Florida Ballots Finds Justices Did Not Cast the Deciding Vote
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/12/politics/12VOTE.html

Who Won Florida? The Answer Emerges, but Surely Not the Final Word
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/12/politics/recount/12ASSE.html

[bobbieinok]

67. what I recall ...yes every way but one showed GORE won, not Bush

[lizzieforkerry]

55. My only comment is on Warren County

They did allow some observers in but the press were only allowed in the lobby of the building. They did not invoke the color code system to warn citizens of the county of the increase risk. They did not inform the Board of Education of the increase risk even with two elementay schools within 300 yards of the BoElections, with two precincts voting there or warn poll workers to look out for anything unusual. They allowed anyone (including me!) into the Board of Election offices earlier in the day without question. The only precaution that was taken against this level 10 threat was to keep the press out of view of the counting. Just wanted to let you know this, not that I am expecting you to incorporate it in your speech, but if anyone asks you for more details...

Also...Gore got 28% of the vote in this county after pulling out 6 weeks ahead of the election. He hadn't spent much here before that either. Gore did not phone bank, canvass or GOTV. Kerry had three HQ with 1000 volunteers, the biggest Democratic Campaign in the history of this county (phone banking, canvassing, bonfires, house parties, barnstorms, GOTV, signs, bumperstickers, corner rallies, festival booths) and got 28% of the vote.

[milkyway]

56. I think you should mention that most voting machine companies have

strong ties to the republican party, and some also have connections to military contractors and fundamentalists. It seems that the same interests that are behind the voting machine companies are the same interests that bush represents.

Here's a thread of mine on this:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=98730

And here's Lynn Landes' excellent site with a lot of info on the companies:
http://www.ecotalk.org/VotingMachineCompanies.htm#Other

I know this is late to be bringing up a new topic. Sorry I missed your earlier thread. The private control of vote counting is at the heart of the demand for a Constitutional amendment affirming the right to vote. Voting should be run like the postal service--a non-partisan, national agency should run elections, with the same voting equipment for all Americans.

[Blue State Blues]

57. It catches fire at the end ...

... and it's excellent overall, but my gut impression (if you're interested in the opinion of a longtime lurker with a low post count) was that it started a little slow.

Like many who have posted, I think you should avoid the phrases such as "tin-foil hat" and "sore-loserman."

Instead of repeating those ideas (and reinforcing them), perhaps you could work to neutralize the tactic by moving from the idea of name calling as a way to marginalize those who make allegations to the need to focus on the evidence that supports the allegations (not this wording, of course, but this progression of ideas perhaps):

... There are people out there who try to dismiss us by calling us names {and don't say the names, instead respond to the tactic of name calling}. They try to dismiss us because they refuse to consider our allegations. But this isn't about us. This is about our democratic process. And the evidence is mounting to show that a crime against that democratic process was committed on November 2nd 2004. ...

Thank you for everything you have done. You are a true Patriot.

[AntiFascist]

58. This might be off the wall...

but "taxation without representation" really strikes a chord with me even though it may sound partisan. If America legitimately voted to continue an illegal war indefinitely then I would have to live with it, but the fact that I have to pay a lot of taxes for an agenda that I am vehemently opposed to (PNAC), just for the benefit of a minority of voters who may have stolen the election makes me almost want to bear arms.

[cry baby]

60. In paragraph 17 or so where you are talking about the Conyers

Hearing (or the getting back to), did you mean to use the word "implicit" in the last question regarding the right to vote in the constitution? Jesse Jackson, Jr. used the word "construed" or maybe "implied". The gun ownership is explicit and the right to vote is construed or implied. Or maybe you meant that gun ownership is "explicit" and the right to vote is implicit.

Whatever, thanks for your work, hope you're not too nervous!

edited for content and spelling

[senegal1]

62. Ok here's a suggestion for the first part...*******************

There are people out there who think we are crazy. They think we are bitter-enders and sore losers, they think we are conspiracy theorists and tin foil hatters. “Get over it”, they say. To them I say – Get On With It! Get on with the recount! Get on with moving our great country forward – stop stonewalling the right of people to know that their vote counted. Today I would like to tell you a true story – a story of obstructionism, a story which on the face of it gives evidence of voting fraud according to Ohio Law Title 35 Section 3599.42.

On Friday Dec 10 two old ladies with the Ohio Recount Team were in Greene County, Ohio checking voter printouts which they received directly from The Greene County Board of Elections Director, Carole Garman. They were hand-copying voter discrepancies from precinct voting books on behalf of Presidential Candidates Cobb and Badnarik. When the little old ladies requested copies of precinct records from predominantly minority precincts, Ms. Garman called Secretary of State Blackwell’s office. The Election Administrator of Blackwell’s office told Ms. Garman to deny access to the records. That might have been the end of it right there, however those two little old ladies were in reality Joan Quinn a retired attorney and Eve Roberson, an election official, both certified volunteers for the Ohio Recount Team. Asking for the specific legal authority authorizing Mr. Blackwell to “lock down” the public records, Ms. Garman stated that it was the Secretary of State’s decision. Nevermind that Ohio law requires the Board of Election Directors to comply with public requests for inspection and copying of public election records. Nevermind that Ohio law makes it a crime for any employee of the Board of Election to knowingly prevent any person from inspecting the public records filed in the office of the Board of Election. And never mind that Ohio law clearly states that a violation of any provision of the law cited above constitutes on the face of it a case of election fraud. I am paraphrasing here. Nevermind all of that when Ms. Garman actually withdrew permission to inspect or copy any voting records and physically took the precinct book from Ms. Roberson’s hands.

Well guess what? I Mind.

No, I haven’t moved on yet because I believe that everyone who stood in line for eight hours should have been able to vote. I don’t know if the woman undergoing chemotherapy who fainted while waiting to vote and finally left was Republican or Democrat but I believe she should have been able to vote. I do not know if the man who stood in line with an IV in his arm because he did not get his absentee ballot was Republican or Democrat but I believe he should have been able to vote. And I don’t know if the single mother who would have gotten fired if she stood in line for eight hours to vote is Republican or Democrat but I believe she should have been able to vote. These people and millions more were disenfranchised in this election and guess what? I mind and so do they!

**************
Anyway that would be my take on the first part of your speech. Shorter, less detail, more umh, some cadence, sometime to remain in the minds of the listener and to provide a sound bite or two for radio. More importantly however is that you give the speech you feel comfortable with and that expresses your point of view... Good Luck!

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

61. Couple of thoughts...

The speech should start, not with an indictment of your own viewpoint, but with a matter-of-fact statement detailing why there should be investigations/recounts. (For instance, the exitpoll-actualtally difference, innumerable complaints from actual voters.) As is, your beginning is both defensive and not very inclusive, in terms of drawing in the audience attention (sorry! :-().

I like your last two (mini)paragraphs very much! Esp the penultimate one...however the last sentence in that paragraph "I can think of no coherent argument against..." just sounds too verbose (and actually a little pompous :)) You can probably frame it in the positive sense rather than in the negative, something like "Once and for all, we have to enshrine our right to vote in the sacred document..."

[prairierose]

63. Looks good Will...

go get 'em

:bounce:

[sunnystarr]

64. Great job Will :) I agree with many of the suggestions and I'm

sure you'll tweak it to perfection. My only comment is that when referring to MSM, I would give some well deserved credit to Keith Olbermann, the only one on cable to have the courage to bring this to the American people as a serious, credible, investigation.

[slipslidingaway]

65. First post here so a timid

suggestion on starting with the reason why everyone should care about this issue, maybe something along these lines.


Many of us were lucky enough to grow up during a time when the United States was looked upon as the country of free speech and equal rights for all.

What made this possible were the many voices in the past who were not afraid to speak out when an injustice had been served, people not only spoke loudly, they spoke quietly, yet effectively with their vote. The ability to have our voices heard through our actions on Election Day stands at the core of our democracy.


Thanks and good luck today.

[proudbluestater]

66. This will make an excellent speech, BRAVO!

It's amazing to capture all the highlights in a short message, right?

If you're interested, the GAO reports 67,000 complaints were brought forward for investigation. At this point, this is the only arm of the government I have even an ounce of faith in.

Good luck!

[Helga Scow Stern]

69. Thank you for posting this ahead of time.

And please let us know how it all went.

[EuroObserver]

70. I've sent this text to some contacts in UK and Spain

"first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Ghandi
..

Speech on Election Fraud and Voter Disenfranchisement prepared by a Democratic Underground (internet working group) team: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x142237#142462

On Friday Dec 10 two old ladies with the Ohio Recount Team were in Greene County, Ohio checking voter printouts which they received directly from The Greene County Board of Elections Director, Carole Garman. They were hand-copying voter discrepancies from precinct voting books on behalf of Presidential Candidates Cobb and Badnarik. When the little old ladies requested copies of precinct records from predominantly minority precincts, Ms. Garman called Secretary of State Blackwell's office. The Election Administrator of Blackwell's office told Ms. Garman to deny access to the records.

That might have been the end of it right there. However, those two little old ladies were in reality Joan Quinn, a retired attorney, and Eve Roberson, an election official, both certified volunteers for the Ohio Recount Team. Asking for the specific legal authority authorizing Mr. Blackwell to "lock down" the public records, Ms. Garman stated that it was the Secretary of State's decision. Nevermind that Ohio law requires the Board of Election Directors to comply with public requests for inspection and copying of public election records. Nevermind that Ohio law makes it a crime for any employee of the Board of Election to knowingly prevent any person from inspecting the public records filed in the office of the Board of Election. And never mind that Ohio law clearly states that a violation of any provision of the law cited above constitutes on the face of it a case of election fraud. I am paraphrasing here. Nevermind all of that when Ms. Garman actually withdrew permission to inspect or copy any voting records and physically took the precinct book from Ms. Roberson's hands.

Well guess what? I Mind.

No, that's right, I haven't moved on yet. I haven't moved on because I believe that all those people who had to but couldn't stand in line for up to eight hours should have been able to vote... I don't know if the woman undergoing chemotherapy who fainted while waiting to vote and finally left was Republican or Democrat but I believe she should have been able to vote. I do not know whether the man who stood in line with an IV in his arm because he did not get his absentee ballot was Republican or Democrat but I believe he should have been able to vote. And I don't know whether the single mother who would have gotten fired if she stood in line for eight hours to vote is Republican or Democrat but I believe she should have been able to vote. These people and millions more were *disenfranchised* in this election and guess what? I mind and so do they!

So there's that. But then there's this. On election night, Warren County Ohio commissioners ordered a complete security lockdown at the County Administration Building, citing a homeland security threat. No one seems to have a good explanation for why the lockdown happened. The lockdown apparently was done at the recommendation of Frank Young, the county's emergency services director, who said he got information from an FBI agent during a conversation about general Election Day threats that made him think Warren County could be a terrorism target. According to one source, the county was ranked 10 on a 1-to-10 threat scale.

Young declined to identify the agent he said gave him the warning, and the FBI said they never issued any such warning and never had any reason to suspect a specific threat against Warren County. The only warning anyone else recalls was a general caution issued across the country earlier this year by federal homeland security officials that there was a potential for terrorist strikes in the days leading up to the elections. Nobody but the officials in Warren County felt the need to lock all the doors, refuse to let the press or other observers in to witness the vote counting, and generally treat the county building as if it were the Pentagon itself -- in response to a threat that would seem strangely focused on the counting process itself while leaving other periods and surrounding buildings including schools both uninformed and undefended.

So there's that. But then there's this. Most of you are aware, I am sure, of the hearing held by Representative John Conyers last week in Washington. Can we take a moment for a cheer for Mr. Conyers for having the courage of his convictions. The process towards that hearing began with the letter from Rep. John Conyers to Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell. In that letter, Conyers described a long series of irregularities in the Ohio Presidential election that amounted to an accusation of fraud. The letter was the basis for the hearing, and made sure to invite Blackwell to participate. It is worth noting that Blackwell did not show up.

The hearing took place in a unique moment in our history. Election fraud and voter disenfranchisement are not new in our history, but have been as much a part of the process as campaign buttons and baby-kissing. The fact that the electorate's voting habits are becoming more clearly drawn, and the fact that so many were watching like hawks after Florida in 2000, means that the standard-issue fraud which has always existed now has a bright light shining upon it, and means the new kinds of fraud involving electronic machines and computer tabulators are likewise suffering intense scrutiny. In this moment, that bright light means the problems, both new and old, can be and must be addressed, repaired, and purged from our democratic process.

Why, then, in this historic moment that benefits all Americans regardless of party, is the Ohio GOP thwarting all attempts at reform, thwarting attempts at even airing problems, going so far as to attempt to illegaly thwart a legitimately requested recount? You see, the Ohio GOP got wind of Conyers' intention to hold a hearing tomorrow (Mon 13) in Columbus, at the City Hall, in the chambers of the City Council. The Ohio GOP has denied all requests for a room to hold this hearing. Conyers is going anyway, along with all his people, and will have their hearing on the damn City Hall steps if they have to. But it is telling indeed that they are refusing, flatly refusing, to allow the public the opportunity to hear of the problems that threaten the very basis of participatory democracy.

"America's story is one of expanding opportunity and suffrage, and one of our fundamental principles is that every eligible citizen is entitled to cast his or her vote and have that vote counted," Donna Brazile, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute, said at the hearing. "We owe it to the students of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, who waited up to 10 hours to vote," she said. "We owe it to thousands of Ohio voters who wonder whether their votes were counted with the use of new electronic voting machines, and we owe it to countless other Americans. There is no place in our democracy for faulty voting equipment, long lines at the polls, untrained poll workers and any forms of chads. As a nation, we should not rest until our elections are free from the problems of elections past and until all Americans can cast their ballots on Election Day fully confident that their votes have been counted." Unquote.

President John F. Kennedy once said, "We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." It appears all too evident today that the government of this nation is afraid of its people, afraid of the truth. This is nothing new. Alexis De Toqueville observed long ago that, "The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colors breaking through."

We are seeing those colors breaking through today in the privatization of the vote, in the denial of access to the results of that vote, and in the complete blackout by the mainstream news media of the simple fact that this is happening. Yet here we stand, and here we will remain.

I can think of nothing more important than the defense of our right to vote, I can think of nothing more important than the demand that all votes be counted, and I can think of nothing more important than the fight to cleanse our system of the brigands who would steal from us these basic, essential democratic requirements. I can think of no coherent argument against enshrining our right to vote within the sacred document that defines us as a nation.

We stand upon the precipice of history. What we do now defines our future. Thank you for being here, thank you for standing up, thank you for your patriotism. Thank you.

[Donailin]

71. Thanks, Will

Especially for this:


"As ever, they’re talking about it while we are out here trying to do something about it. I don’t see John Kerry here. Doesn’t he live right around the block?"

Better than nothing, I guess. . . <g>


-Danielle

[spooked]

72. Will this speech be given indoors or out? Because...

what we REALLY need is a Powerpoint presentation!
Think about it, what REALLY convinced all of us were those columns of numbers that just didn't add up.

[farmbo]

74. Maybe a blurb about Shelby county discarding Nov 2 results...

http://www.labournet.net/other/0412/electn1.html

Among other things, a letter from Shelby County election officials dated December 2 confirmed that the county discarded “tabulator test deck reports” from the November 2 vote count “to reduce paperwork and confusion with official results. ” As this county’s response is the first of 88 to come from Freedom of Information Act filings, it seems likely other controversial practices could surface. Moreover, new computer tabulation errors - first reported locally after Election Day - have resurfaced, and are of a magnitude suggesting Bush’s margin over Kerry–-now 118, 775 votes or 2 percent of the total votes cast in the state, according to Blackwell–-could easily have been manipulated.
<snip>

Would slip in nicely after the Warren County info.

Good luck.

[dzika]

75. Good Luck and Great Job!

You don't need luck but I wanted to let you know that even though I can't be there, I will certainly be thinking about you. I hope someone will make an audio or video recording to share with DU!

[spooked]

76. The English major in me worked on the first half

but stopped there...then realized your speech is today...not sure if this is too late.

GOOD LUCK!!!
***********************

There are people out there who think we are crazy, who believe we are bitter-enders, sore losermen, conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters... That we just cannot accept the outcome of a supposedly legitimate American election...

Hm. I wonder why.

On Friday December 10 two certified volunteers for the Ohio Recount team assigned to Greene County were in the process of recording voting information from minority precincts in Greene County, but were stopped mid-count by a surprise order from Secretary of State Blackwell’s office. The Director of the Board of Elections stated that “all voter records for the state of Ohio were “locked-down,” and were not considered "public records.”

The volunteers had been working with voter printouts received directly from Carole Garman, Director, Greene County Board of Elections. Joan Quinn and Eve Roberson, retired attorney and election official respectively, were hand-copying voter discrepancies from precinct voting books on behalf of the presidential candidates Mr. Cobb (Green) and Mr. Badnarik (Libertarian), both of whom had legitimately requested the recount. One of the goals of the recount was to determine how many minority voters were unable to vote or were denied the right to vote at the polls.

As the volunteer team continued recording information from the precinct records in question, Garman entered the room and stated she was withdrawing permission to inspect or copy any voting records at the Board of Elections. Garman then physically removed the precinct book from Ms. Roberson’s hands. They later requested the records again from Garman’s office, which was again denied.

(deleted part of paragraph and moved one sentence to above paragraph; moved part of another sentence up here)

Quinn and Roberson wanted to know,-- what specifically gave Mr Blackwell the legal authority to “lock down” public records. Garman stated simply, that it was the Secretary of State’s decision. We know otherwise. Ohio statute requires Ohio Revised Code Title XXXV Elections, Sec. 3503.26 requires the Directors of Boards of Election to comply with public requests for inspection and copying of public election records. In addition, ORC Sec. 3599.161 makes it a crime for any employee of the Board of Elections to knowingly prevent or prohibit any person from inspecting the public records filed in the office of the Board of Elections. Finally, ORC Sec. 3599.42 clearly states: “A violation of any provision of Title XXXV (35) of the Revised Code constitutes a prima facie case of election fraud within the purview of such Title.”

Curiously, voter record "Lock-down" actually started the night of the election. On election night, Warren County Ohio commissioners ordered a complete security lockdown at the County Administration Building, citing a homeland security threat. That meant the press and observers were forbidden from entering the building while the votes were being counted. No one seems to have a good explanation for why the lockdown happened. The lockdown apparently was done at the recommendation of Frank Young, the county's emergency services director, who said he got information from an FBI agent during a conversation about general Election Day threats. This made him think Warren County could be a terrorism target. According to one source, the county threat was ranked a 10 on a 1-to-10 threat scale.

The Emergency Services Director declined to identify the agent he said gave him the warning, and the FBI said they never issued any such warning and never had any reason to suspect a specific threat against Warren County. The curious thing is that even though there was a general caution issued across the country earlier this year by federal homeland security officials of the potential for terrorist strikes in the days leading up to the elections, only Warren County officials felt the need to lock all the doors, refuse to let the press or other observers in to witness the vote counting, and generally treat the county building as if it were the Pentagon itself.

Most of you are aware, I am sure, of the hearing held by Representative John Conyers last week in Washington. Can we take a moment for a cheer for Mr. Conyers for having the courage of his convictions and to represent the scores of us who have been disenfranchised . The process towards that momentous hearing began with a letter from Rep. John Conyers to Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell. In that letter, Conyers described a long series of irregularities in the Ohio Presidential election that amounted to an accusation of fraud. The letter was the basis for the hearing, and Congressman Conyers made it a point to invite Blackwell to participate. It is worth noting that Blackwell did not show up.

The hearing itself was a showcase for both fact and passion. The witnesses, the Representatives before them, and the crowd that filled the room lit the place up with a concerned electricity. Some believe (put in present tense) the irregularities and outright fraud which marred the Ohio vote require immediate redress, a successful completion of which could very likely overthrow the results of last month's election. Many also saw the hearings as a gift to their children and the future of democracy, a means to ensure that any and all elections to come will not suffer the kind of irregularities that afflicted both November of 2004 and November of 2000.


Election fraud and voter disenfranchisement are not new in our history, but have been as much a part of the process as campaign buttons and baby-kissing. The fact that the electorate’s voting habits are becoming more clearly drawn, and the fact that so many were watching like hawks after Florida in 2000, means that the standard-issue fraud which has always existed now has a bright light shining upon it. And now that probing light of scrutiny is also illuminating problems with new voting methods and fraud involving electronic machines and computer tabulators. At this moment, that bright light means the problems, both new and old, can be and must be addressed, repaired, and purged from our democratic process.

[cilla4progress]

77. "Transparency"

There's a word I continue to find missing in your speech here, and in much of the election fraud debate: transparency. I think this is so strange, since it became a kind of buzz-word over the past few years, particularly in regards to the governing & elections of OTHER countries.

I think it has to be a byword of the campaign to fix America's election process. I think it will be tough, if not impossible, to have error-free elections ever, given the magnitude, etc. But I only ask that the process - vote, recount, financing - all parts - be transparent. So that we the citizen voters can evaluate for ourselves based on truth and facts what is going on.

[BeFree]

78. The Liberty Bell Rings Again

That sound, that Bell of Liberty being rung, is the only explanation for causing the rush that went through my body as I read your words, Will.

Ring that Bell louder, as only you can do, my compatriot. Ring it loud enough for the whole world to hear.

[ClassWarrior]

79. Best wishes and lots of positive energy today, Will.

Let us know how it went.

NGU.

[johan helge]

80. Perhaps Jimmy Carter?

From http://www.notthistimegeorge.org/framer.cfm?liid=593&hl=0:

"Former President Jimmy Carter - a veteran international elections monitor - pointed out that the Nov. 2 election in the U.S. would not have passed his certification in a Third World country."

E-voting without a paper trail? I'd like to see someone suggest this in my home country Norway! That someone would have trouble being taken seriously ever again.

[electropop]

81. Is this speech for the Conyers forum?

If so, he's going to limit you to one paragraph, and that first paragraph is not good.

[Peace Patriot]

82. Tell the story of Election Day!

I hope it's not too late (I had to do my day job the last 3 days, and didn't see this until just now).

A LOT OF AMERICANS--and especially a lot of Kerry voters--don't have a clue what's going on, or what happened on Election Day.

They need to be told--simply, directly--WHAT HAPPENED.

--Kerry in dead heat or ahead in polls, then Kerry winning in Exit Polls, after boffo peoples' movment to reg voters & GOTV

--everybody feeling he was going to win, then BOOM, late in the evening, it's over and BUSH won. huh?

--what happened? unknown to everyone, TV networks had started feeding Republican-controlled electronic "results" into the Exit Poll data, hiding big Kerry numbers, and making it seem like Bush was winning Exit polls

--also unknown to many Americans--WHO OWNS the electronic tabulator source code, etc.

THEN

--people think we're crazies, tinfoil hatters, can't "get over it," etc.

Here's why we are not crazy:

1. IMPOSSIBLE difference between Exit Polls and official tallies

2. WHO it is who has control of the official tallies

2. Unbelievable, disgusting violations of Voting Rights Act by OH Republican election officials, continuing to this day...

THENCE to your beginning and the rest of your text.

I agree with "spooked" above, what really got us all into this was the discrepancies in the Exit Polls. It told us that Bush Inc. stole the WHOLE election, not just OH, and that there was a CHANCE to overturn the election.

That's what FIRST interests people--the chance to overturn.

Secondarily (more important in the end), the right to vote.

Once people understand what happened--have their hut feeling confirmed that something was very wrong with this election, that Bush should not be president--then they want to know WHAT the case amounts to NOW, to get Bush out. What are the chances? Then, if not, what can we do?

Start with the drama, Election Night, Nov. 2. (People wept over it, weeks later. It hit them hard. Tell it!)

OH's current lawbreaking is PART of that drama--but that's not where it started.