Conyers and Waxman cut zero 'slack' to those who disenfranchise

[understandinglife]

January 12, 2005

The Honorable David M. Walker
Comptroller General
U.S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20548

Dear Mr. Walker:

We are writing you today about the extraordinarily long time some Americans were made to wait simply to cast a ballot on election day, November 2, 2004.

According to news reports, it was not unusual on that day for American voters to stand in line at their polling places for several hours before finally reaching the voting booth. While it seems most Americans endured this wait where possible, it is clear that in some cases citizens left the polling places without having voted when personal responsibilities or health concerns made waiting exceedingly difficult. Press accounts of that day focused on the lines in some areas, particularly the cities and college towns of Ohio. However, it appears that these incidents were by no means limited to those areas. One nonpartisan voter assistance hotline collected nearly 1,400 reports of excessively long lines from 32 states, with significant numbers of reports coming from Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and other states.

In light of these incidents, we request a GAO investigation into the long lines and excessive waiting times experienced by voters in the 2004 election. Specifically, we ask that GAO:

1. Identify the voting jurisdictions in which voters experienced excessive waiting times and determine to what extent these waiting times involved minority, young, or first-time voters.

2. Assess the cause of these excessive waiting times, including whether they were related to problems with voter registration; voting machines and supplies; or local election officials, including poll workers.

3. Identify the significant issues that need to be addressed to reduce the waiting times in these jurisdictions.

Participating in elections is one of the most basic rights of Americans. Allowing long lines and other barriers to participation to persist threatens that right.

GAO staff should contact Nancy Scola to discuss additional details of this work and the time frame for completion.

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Rankning Minority Member
John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Minority Member

Thanks to Ray Beckerman for posting:
http://fairnessbybeckerman.blogspot.com/

"Bush Owns It: Let's Purge It" -- NOW!

[FloridaPat]

1. Where were these two guys - or the Democrats in general -

when 95,000 people were added to the felon list in Florida illegally? Greg Palast had the evidence that Jeb did it. 90% were Democrats and 45% were African Americans. They settled out of court and had the balls to not bother putting the people back on the voting lists until after the 2002 election. And they still had more trouble in 2004!

[understandinglife]

4. Meticulously gathering sufficient evidence to SLAM THE BUSHIT OUT OF...

....those who deserve it, would be my totally non-insider guess.

Sorta like what started happening today regarding all the lies about WMD's in Iraq.

We want a massive expurgation of not just dumb-butt shrub but the entire theocratic imperialist cabal and all their neocon and racist buddies.

That takes a bit of time and effort.

Are YOU ready to join the purge? That's the only question that each patriotic American needs to be ready to answer in the coming days, weeks.

Hope your answer is yes and you are ready to do whatever it takes.

Peace.

"Bush Owns It: Let's Purge It" -- NOW.

[FloridaPat]

6. What's the Purge?

[understandinglife]

12. Combination of indictments, impeachments, suits and elected replacements.

As part of the eventual legacy of "The Bush Opposition"

Good perspective was provided today by "Fly by night" in his "The Hopi Elders Speak" post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x282884

Peace.

"Bush Owns It: Let's Purge It"

[understandinglife]

13. Oh, and for the 'on what basis' question....

....Let's just say that if lying about adultery with a staff worker is grounds for impeachment, then lying to the American people and the US Congress followed by starting an illegal war in which countless numbers of innocent people are slaughtered and thousands of patriotic Americans are killed or disabled would seem to be more than adequate grounds for impeachment -- of both Bush and Cheney.

And, as to indictments, the persistent lying to the American people and suppressing information that would reveal the extent to which the President, Vice President and numerous members of the Executive Branch lied, would seem to be adequate grounds for indicting any member of the Executive Branch and the House and Senate responsible for suppressing the truth (for starters, information like the CIA inspector generals report on pre-9/11 intelligence that Pelosi tried to get released before 2 Nov 2004).

And, that still leaves the torture of prisoners of war and ......responsibility for all of which resides in the Executive Branch, at least.

Peace.

"When Did Bush Know?"

[understandinglife]

16. As to methodology....

....you will note that what I recommend are actions entirely within the law.

While I respect several of those who have used various forms of non-violent civil disobedience to bring attention to critical matters, all of the actions that I pursue (and have pursued in the past) have been within the law including supporting changing legislation, enacting Constitutional ammendments, and the like.

The severity of the crisis we now face will not, in my truly humble opinion, be resolved by anything that tilts toward violence or anarchy. In fact, that is just the excuse those whom we oppose are seeking to further suppress our Constitutional rights.


Peace.

"Bush Owns It: Let's Purge It"

[troubleinwinter]

18. I still want that report released!!!!!!

[ClassWarrior]

17. Sure, condemn them for not acting before, instead of commending them...

...for acting now. Foolish. And grudge-holding is not a Progressive value.

NGU.

[mattclearing]

2. That is a fantastic letter.

It is almost impossible to argue against.

Edit: Is that an LTTE? Cause it should be.

[IndyPriest]

3. Conyers: the energizer bunny

Glad he's on our side!

[whistle]

5. How will we know if the Honorable David M. Walker does...

...anything about this request or even if Mr Walker gives a shit? Although I appreciate that Representatives Waxman and Conyers have written and sent this letter on behalf of the American people who were injured by these egregious acts, it seems that lip service to these issues is getting nowhere. When the working people of this country were abused and mistreated and denied there rights as American citizens during the 1920's, 30's, 40's and even in the 1950's, they took action and took to the streets and forced the established authorities, corporate owners and thugs and racketeers to make change or get out of power. The people's patience is growing thin and the time for polite protocol is running out. Action and a show of unity and force is near at hand.

[me b zola]

7. Understandinglife does it ..again

Thanks for sharing the letter with us.

Didn't Fraudwell say weeks ago that he would cooperate with a GAO investigation as an excuse to not cooperate with Rep. Conyers? I could be mixing up the facts, so if I am wrong please feel free to correct me. In the meantime, I'm going use the new fraud investigation research engine, compliments of Dzka (sp) to see if I can find the quote.

If I am correct, then Rep Conyers is most definitely a shrewd man!
Yes, glad indeed that he is on our side.:pals:

http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/ohblackwellresp121404.pdf

on edit: This is the first link that I have successfully cut & paste!! It took me sooo long to locate the info, and then walk through the steps..but I am proud of meB-)

[understandinglife]

9. Excellent memory 'me b zola'; in fact, it was in Fraudwell's official...

....response (and even on legitimate stationary) to Congressman Conyers letter (of 2 Dec 2004 and signed by 12 members of the Committee):

Quotes:

"My office will scrupulously review and assist in any matters referred to us by the Government Accountability Office or the Department of Justice in relation to Ohio election activities. I appreciate the concerns raised by some members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary and the interest in reviewing election issues raised at the state level. However, I strongly believe that Congress has already designated the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Justice to review election activities and empowered them with the authority to thoroughly investigate any matters brought forward by Ohio citizens. My office continues to be available to participate as needed in that process.

Thank you again for your letter and I urge you as well to participate as necessary in any efforts directed to your committee by the Department of Justice or the Government Accountability Office, as authorized by Congress."

Here is a nice link that has the original letter from Congressman Conyers and fraudwell's response:

http://www.sunmt.org/ohiostonewall.html

"Bush Owns It: Let's Purge It"

[me b zola]

11. How do you do that so fast?

I saw that you had posted the link before I got mine up, but I need the practice so that I can swing with the best of you.:-)

Thanks for the follow-up,and once again for the post.

[understandinglife]

14. I just keep a file of the stuff handy and google like crazy ....

...as well!

Thanks, again, for noting those Fraudwell statements!

Peace.

"When Did Bush Know?"

[IndyOp]

8. Great news today about Conyers! Don't miss this

thread about Conyers contacting Fraudwell again:

"http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=282720&mesg_id=282720&page="

:kick:

[Vidar]

10. I'm so proud of Conyers--doesn't give up.

[bleever]

15. Thanks, UL. Katherine Blackwell must go down.

When did * know?

How long can they hide it?

NGU.