quick question

[KaliTracy]

As I've been drafting letters tonight, including yet another one to Kenneth Blackwell, I realized that he is responsible for signing things and making decisions about new businesses. My DH started a business this year -- in your opinion, how likely would my actions/statements come back to maybe cause a problem with this? He's not a LLC or anything. My name, per se, isn't on the actual filing of the business, though of course our last name and address are shared. Should I self-censor and not pursue telling K. Blackwell a piece of my mind? any thoughts would be appreciated....

[Pam-Moby]

1. I think

I would be very cautious. Thats just my opinion.

[Merlot]

2. Don't worry about it

The idea of censoring yourself is worse than worrying about any repercussions.

[KaliTracy]

4. well, that's my immediate thought -- though in the last few years

I've self-censored more than I ever have in my life....

[Merlot]

7. I know what you mean

I find myself wondering about things that I never thought about before. Should I have that bumper sticker on my car? Will they take me away because I don't have a job? Is that helicopter black?

[KaliTracy]

13. i work in a place that is ALL Republican. The two other Dems

left. I didn't put a kerry sticker on my car until the last few weeks.... I took it off too. I hated doing that. I have a Fascism Sucks button in the bottom of my purse....

but on the outside I have a button that says "I read banned books" and another one that says "PEACE also takes courage."

[cyn2]

3. yeah, why risk it.

[frankly_fedup2]

5. I agree. Protect yourself first. (nt)

[Merlot]

9. Because if we don't speak up now things will get worse!

that's why!

[KaliTracy]

12. merlot, I agree. I really do -- and I think I'm going to err

on the side of sticking up for Democracy.... if we are blacklisted, we are blacklisted.....

[Merlot]

14. If you ever get black listed

Remember that we have a Blue List too, and will support you!

[KaliTracy]

24. awww

thank you!


(I love this place! *smile*):toast:

[KaliTracy]

6. my letter

I didn't include the data here (since a lot of it has been posted before) and one other thing -- I've mainly stuck to machine disparity in this particular letter.

Dear Mr. Blackwell:

I am still concerned with the non-compliant stance that you have chosen to take regarding Representative Conyers’ Questions to you regarding the Ohio Presidential Election. I’ve written both you and Governor Taft on issues surrounding this election. I received a letter December 24th that Governor Taft sent on the 13th of December telling me that he had forwarded my concerns to you (though I am sure you received your own copy before that). In this letter he states in this forward that he asked you that my "concern be reviewed and addressed as promptly and thoroughly as possible." I have yet to hear anything from you, in person, or in a statement in the media, that tells me that you are aware of, or are trying to address the concerns of the people of Ohio that you represent.

In fact, I am taken aback when I've heard you on radio shows, such as Tavis Smiley, stating how good our election went and that there wasn't any problems. As you know, there were many problems in specific districts regarding long lines, and people who were told they were in the wrong precinct line and made to stand in another line (even though they were in the same building), making them wait another 2-3 hours, for those that could. And, for those that couldn’t, they lost their chance to vote. http://460design.net/ohio/

I, living in West Chester, in Butler County, had no lines whatsoever. As you know the demographics here are a little different than the ones where a majority of the long lines occurred. Even though Mason, which is similar in demographics, and is in Warren County, had long lines, they were nowhere near the types of lines experienced in other counties that tended to be different than the upper-middle-class-mostly-Caucasian areas in Butler and Warren Counties.

I know that in anticipation of using e-voting machines you were said to have merged precincts, expecting a faster voting process, and that, even after some counties, like Lucas County piloted them in the primary, there wasn't a change to these machines. More interestingly, you and your Board of Elections never changed the Precincts back to their original status, or at least re-thought their make-up – especially as more and more new voter registrations came in. Ironic, how someone who gets paid to be responsible for the election process can't seem to make sure that there is equitable voting -- all it takes is a little math to realize that throughout a whole 8 hr day, if five minutes are allocated per voter approximately 96 people could vote on ONE machine; if the polls were open 10 hours that would be 120 voters per machine.

I'm sure that if this math problem was put on the Ohio Proficiency Test any eighth grader could figure this out. So why couldn't you and your Board of Elections Directors?

People were disenfranchised in Ohio, Mr. Blackwell, which is against the law. We are supposed to have fair and equitable elections, and this did not happen in Ohio. You were on watch when this occurred. I was angry before, just knowing of people who stood out in the rain for hours, but I am angrier now that I’ve found the following information (see below). You see, it wasn’t just this year that precincts were merged or deleted. Since you have been Secretary of State in 1998, there have been over 1,769 precincts lost/merged, while we have gained 878,427 new voters.

From 1980 to 1996 Presidential Elections there has been an average of 72.86% voter turnout (with 1996 being under 70%). From 2000, to 2004 there has been an average of 67.75% voter turnout, with 2000 being closer to 60% than the average 70% for elections in the last 20 years. But ironically, we have lost hundreds of precincts between 2000 and 2004. For weeks prior to the 2004 election the media was warning us about “long lines.” Why? Why is it that machines that were supposed to be distributed in Franklin county never made it? Why is it that more Democratic areas were Merged than Republican? (On one 1-2 mile strip in my neighborhood in West Chester, a very Republican demographic, I estimated at least 23 machines.) What was the voter to machine ratio in suburbs such as mine compared to the areas that had problems?

These issues must be addressed. If there is nothing of merit in the allegations, then there should be no problem in answering the Questions that Representative Conyers presented to you. I, and thousands of other Ohioans are waiting.

Kind Regards…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Merlot]

8. This is a well written letter!

Really. But does anyone besides a low-level lacky even read it?

[KaliTracy]

19. I don't know

:shrug:

Taft (or his lacky) sent me a response to something I sent a couple of weeks ago.... if you cc enough people, they have to keep it on file *grin*

[insane_cratic_gal]

15. YAY Kali

you go girl.

bring up the 149 cut in Summit, 104 cut in Mahoning.
55 in Montgomery. 52 in Lucas, 39 in Erie, 69 in Cuyahoga
two lesser. 2 in Belmont 10 in Trumbull.

Tell him to stick that in his election box and smoke it.

you can't justify cutting 480 (Kerry counties alone) precincts in the biggest election of the year and only adding (Dem counties) 35.

[liberalla]

17. It's an excellent letter,

It would be a shame not to send it. I hope you did.

[seabeyond]

10. i have thought twice writing my senators, rep and state senators

for exactly that reason. a couple know my husband and his business and this being a big "small" town mentality, i cant afford to lose business for husband. i have to walk carefully

[KaliTracy]

11. yeah... it just occurred to me...

I'm so fired up about reclaiming our frigging democracy....

ok... i need to think about this.

[seabeyond]

27. i sent emails

i just talked as a republican and a christian, and what "our" party was doing in the name of morality and i was opposed to that. we have to be a better people for the sake of our children.

[Senator]

16. 2 Thoughts...

...first, profits/business/capitalism/careerism is the "real" religion of this species of fascists. As such, they are reluctant to go down that road of attack.

Second, their most common underlying personality trait is cowardice. Which means they are happy to engage in any crime/treason as long as they have the official protection their office affords them.

But even as an official, a directed attack at someone's livelihood opens them up to personal liability (and in civil court, likely with a jury of real people). This is because an unwarranted attack on one business is a potential attack on all businesses. And sadly, business and corporate rights are much more protected in this country than individual citizen rights.

That said, we've all got to live with our own decisions.

PS. If it's not been done, DH may want to look into the protection of personal assets that incorporating provides.

[KaliTracy]

18. thanks.... my personal decision is to forge ahead

he's out of town at the moment, I'll have to talk to him in the morning, but really, I think he'll agree...I'm usually the more cautious one when it comes to this business. lol

yeah, we've talked about incorporating -- not doing enough business at the time (laser engraving, but just about 6 months old) --

[No Exit]

20. I'm a newbie, but I'm asking a favor

If you do write the letter, and if you perceive ANY action which looks retaliatory coming from the state government of Ohio, would you PLEASE be sure and communicate that to all the people here, and to all the people on any other websites you post on, and to every newspaper, etc., that you can think of?

If such a thing were to be done to you/your husband, I would hope that it would grow into a major scandal from which Blackwell and his party could NEVER recover.

As a postscript, I always had the impression that a state's Sec. of State's office was in charge of registering corporations. You said your husband's business was not an LLC. Well, if it is not any type of corporation, I don't see how the Secretary of State's office would really have the business on its radar. Why not call a (Ohio) lawyer of your choice, describe the business, and ask if it would in any way be affected by any specific action by the Sec. of State? They wouldn't know (or need to know) why you were asking.

[KaliTracy]

22. He had to register with the SOS ... Blackwell signed this

I may be over thinking the situation.... but DH neglected to pay quarterly taxes, so we have to clear that up -- but that's not through the SOS office anymore.... it's late, I might be thinking too much. And yes -- if Anything DID come of it, you can bet your sweet bippy I'd record it. Thanks for the suggestions.

[No Exit]

34. You're welcome, and in that case

your family business is apparently on the Secretary of State's radar... and after reading all this about Blackwell, my own opinion is that he is so dirty, he would probably take retaliatory measures IF negative letters even matter to him. (Apparently they don't--look at how he ignores everyone!) However, he does have a staff who handles his work, so he himself, and his political supporters, still may never make the connection btw your letter and the business.

It's sad: if this apprehension isn't a chilling of your right to free speech, I don't know what is. I mean, all you were going to do was write a frikkin' letter, for heaven's sake.

[missouri dem 2]

21. My wife lost a job to her bumper stickers.

She had been hired as the office manager for a small firm and was let go because she had Liberal bumper stickers on our car. Bottom line, rather not work for right wing reactionaries. There are lots of opportunities out there,

[KaliTracy]

23. it saddens me to hear this!

I was more concerned with being able to do my job, not exactly losing it (I'm currently a tech writer, and need the cooperation of the people I work with in order to complete my projects).

I heard of a woman getting fired after being told to take off her Kerry stickers, and refusing. She was given one last chance, and she refused again and they dismissed her. Kerry got wind of it and hired her during his campaign... of course, I don't know where that leaves her now....

Fascism Sucks!

[missouri dem 2]

25. No big deal. She would not have been happy working with assholes.

Life is too short to subject yourself to a reactionary work environment.
I visited with a good friend tonight who is a business manager for a group of doctors. He has not had a raise in 5 years. Stuck in the reality of compassionate conservatism.

[KaliTracy]

26. i was in a similar place (no raise over 3 yrs) -- our product

is directly related to airlines and airports, too (directly effected by 9/11) -- we were told earlier this year we were going on a progit sharing plan -- no more raises for anyone..... but .... i couldn't make it on my base, (no where near what Tech/manual/proposal writers make) -- and told my direct manager so. Scared them, I guess -- they surprised me. I'm half-heartedly looking for something better suited to me, which will take a while given the market, but I'll not have to walk out of the door in protest, either....

[lonestarnot]

30. Did you broadcast the name of this employer?

[BlackVelvet04]

28. Giving someone a piece of your mind

usually only accomplishes leaving you less of a mind. :-)

Seriously, blackwell will probably never see the letter and would just write you off as a looney if you let him have it.

As hard as it might be sometimes I have found that toning things down and finding at least one positive thing to say (well, with blackwell that might be impossible) usually keeps the reader reading and accomplishes more.

I live in a rural area in a red state but managed to find a job in a non-profit organization where almost every employee is a liberal. The board who governs us are made up of mostly conservative senior citizens but we don't have to deal with them on a daily basis. It sure is nice to have coworkers who are likeminded.

I like to tweek my conservative family members by wearing a little silver peace symbol....makes them crazy. My brother-in-law retaliated one day by wearing a t-shirt with a confederate flag (thus making him look like a redneck) and I refused to acknowledge the t-shirt which made him crazier. Sometimes subtly works best.

[lonestarnot]

29. Not legal advise but if I were you, your letter doesn't mean shit to this

asshole. Save a stamp, lawyers going to expose his ass. They are getting paid. Letter isn't a Rosa Parks. Don't cause yourself to be in the middle of a mess, there are other avenues for you to vent rather than be on the losing end of a wooden nickle.

[roseBudd]

31. I personally think writing to Blackwell is a waste. Better use of time

would include writing a 400 word Your Voices column for the Cincinnati Enquirer (contact Ray Cooklis [e-mail] to submit ideas or final column)

Contacting Howard Wilkinson [e-mail] with juicy tidbits that do not endanger further evidence gathering.

Call and or fax retired Judge Nathaniel Jones and ask for his help.
1700 PNC Center 201 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202
[phone] Fax [phone]
http://www.jtbf.org/article_iii_judges/jones_n.htm
http://www.nathanieljones.com/

Several weeks ago I ran into a local civil rights figure (Cincinnati) and I asked him if civil rights figure retired Judge Nasthaniel Jones could put pressure on Blackwell to recuse himself. He said no. He said Blackwell is motivated by power. He also said today's generation needed to care about their disenfranchisement at the hands of the GOP. He said something to the effect, that his generation had already paid their dues and we could not expect all these men and women who are over 60 to do the heavy lifting.

From a PR stand point we need to get press on the issue of the ugly racist minority voter suppression issue, and we need minorities to spearhead this issue. Perhaps students at Central State University in Greene County could stage something that would garner press coverage. Katrina and Joan may have some contacts. Perhaps the leadership behind African Americans for Kerry can arrange for something that will garner press attention.

[KaliTracy]

32. actually, it's from these letters (to actual people) that I craft letters

for media. So, I'll be sure to send one to Wilkinson, and not include him on my general blast. thanks!

[roseBudd]

33. Wilkinson is a reporter, Ray Cooklis is the editor who decides what

Your Voices 400 word columns get published. A Your Voices column would have the greatest effect. Getting Judge Nate Jones to write a guest editorial would be huge. Guaranteed to be published just like retired Judge Black's op ed on why he was voting for Kerry.

[Not a Sheep]

35. Quick answer...

I would find it very hard to believe that it would somehow come back on you. Honestly, I don't think Blackwell cares about a letter from someone who means nothing to him and I don't think he would ever personally read it anyway.

That being said, I guess if it makes you feel better, do it. But you might be better off writing someone who is fighting on your side.