Was It Hacked? (Orlando Weekly News)

[huckleberry]

By Alan Waldman
Published 11/18/04

Despite mainstream media attempts to kill the story, talk radio and the Internet are abuzz with suggestions that John Kerry was elected president on Nov. 2 – but Republican election officials made it difficult for millions of Democrats to vote while employees of four secretive, GOP-bankrolled corporations rigged electronic voting machines and then hacked central tabulating computers to steal the election for George W. Bush.

snip

A quartet of companies control the U.S. vote count. Diebold, ES&S, Sequoia and SAIC are all hard-wired into the Bush campaign and power structure. Diebold chief Walden O'Dell is a top Bush fund-raiser. According to "online anarchist community" Infoshop.org, "At Diebold, the election division is run by Bob Urosevich. Bob's brother, Todd, is a top executive at 'rival' ES&S. The brothers were originally staked by Howard Ahmanson, a member of the Council For National Policy, a right-wing steering group stacked with Bush true believers. Ahmanson is also one of the bagmen behind the extremist Christian Reconstruction Movement, which advocates the theocratic takeover of American democracy." Sequoia is owned by a partner member of the Carlyle Group, which is believed to have dictated foreign policy in both Bush administrations and has employed former President Bush for quite a while.

All early Tuesday indicators predicted a Kerry landslide. Zogby International (which predicted the 2000 outcome more accurately than any national pollster) did exit polling which predicted a 100-electoral vote triumph for Kerry. He saw Kerry winning crucial Ohio by 4 percent.

Princeton professor Sam Wang, whose meta-analysis had shown the election to be close in the week before the election, began coming up with dramatic numbers for Kerry in the day before and day of the election. At noon EST on Monday, Nov. 1, he predicted a Kerry win by a 108-vote margin.

more at -
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/Story.asp?ID=4688

[txindy]

1. Uh-oh! This Orlando paper didn't get the 'Keep this out of print' memo

Bummer. :evilgrin:

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. The OW is a tell-it-like it is weekly.

Unfortunately it doesn't get the readership it deserves. But it has the best information when it comes to ferreting out the real problems in the Orlando area.

[jsamuel]

2. Wow, nice!

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. it is starting to show in the small presses now

[txindy]

32. Exactly right. It's on TV in the secondary markets, too

Such as this station in Indiana: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=49590

We need to keep those folks updated on happenings reported here. Reward the ones who follow-thru as they have done.

[SomthingsGotaGive]

45. lol

Your link gave me an ActiveX warning

It said I needed to install the ActiveX controller: "Rovion viewer"

LoL

I quickly closed window

[txindy]

48. The link works fine for me, no warnings or pop-ups.

:shrug:

Here's the same link in another form:
http://tinyurl.com/5d776

[Clark2008]

34. The corporations may own many of

these smaller outlets, but they don't keep the reigns on them like the national media monsters.

The local papers are a source of greater trust amongst their readers AND they are responsible, directly, to their communities. Their ad revenue and circulation depend upon it, so they have to do the correct and just thing and report this calamity.

Long live the local newspaper! (Particularly, the independent ones!)

[noclonyofthechimp]

44. When the administration "UNREGULATED" THE FCC TO ALLOW

The buying of smaller media, i.e. TV and newspaper last year, I knew it was a direct move for censorship. This is what Sinclair has done. They own 60 some odd stations throughout the country and I guarantee they have them in lock-down because we all know they are huge Bush Campaign supporters. Look what happened with the lying story they where trying to air about Kerry a week before the election. I am sure you all remember the Petition that went through the Internet that was presented to the shareholders of Sinclair. We went to their funders and they threatened to sue them, that's why the story came out in a much "mousier" fashion. I am going to see what media Sinclair owns and that will probably answer why some of these stations, besides "FOX" of course are on lock-down. I don't believe he own MSNBC. I believe MSN does who is owned by Microsoft who we all know is owned by Bill Gates who probably doesn't take pressure from the Chimp!

I am curious to see now that Powell has stepped down if his son over at the FCC (Director) or whatever seat in senior management he holds, will start to let go some of the tight reins he has been forced to hold.

[KaryninMiami]

4. THIS IS A GREAT ARTICLE!

Keep this on top - it's one of the best, most organized, most factual, informational pieces I've read so far.

I am sending him a thank you note now.

[rodeodance]

6. Yes--good idea! to email him a thanks

[Zan_of_Texas]

5. Good to see -- but not 100% factual.

A quartet of companies control the U.S. vote count. Diebold, ES&S, Sequoia and SAIC

SAIC is an interesting company -- very well-connected defense contractor, but I wouldn't say it's one of the top four voting machine companies in the U.S.

In my estimation, that would be Hart InterCivic. Based in Austin, Texas, runs Austin, Houston, and a variety of other jurisdictions' elections.

Hart has as one of its funders long-time Bush crony Tom Hicks, who bought the Rangers baseball team from the Bush group (Bush came up with $14 million profit, IIRC). Hicks is also a big cheese at megamedia company Clear Channel.

[cyn2]

14. You should writer to the reporter...

Let him know your insight about the other company. He's done some pretty good research, and your help would only improve the coverage.

[goclark]

52. Absolutely this article is dynamite!

This is what we need so we need to make double sure we are supportive of this brave writer.

[IAMREALITY]

7. One of the Best

Articles I've seen printed in a newspaper yet....

....Now if only we can get the NYT to run it on the first page

[Pithy Cherub]

8. Are the real journalists

secretly organizing somewhere - maybe at KO's wireless undisclosed location. Wow! Best part is in it's right in Florida! Home of the Dumpster Dive Tournament!

[99Pancakes]

9. This is big

How can we in US allow a handful of Shrub-lovin' vote stealers to control most of the e-voting contraptions? Tell me it ain't so.

[txindy]

31. The same way we allowed them to build and control the machines

Every election official that agreed to put those elec. voting machines in his/her jurisidiction needs to be held accountable. Every last one of them. They bought traps created by rabid fundies.

[bmoney07]

10. Finally

Is this really happening?

Is the media really going to wake up and listen and do their JOBS?

:)

[vet 65 69]

12. how many names can you find

on this web site it scary to think they want to make all the laws and change the Constitution

http://www.seekgod.ca/cnporganizations.htm

[tandem5]

11. very nice! thanks n/t

[Rambis]

15. Gotta kick this one

:kick:

[RagingInMiami]

16. I was a newspaper reporter for almost seven years

before I quit out of frustration. This is one of the best articles I've ever read. Alan Waldman left no stone unturned. It was well-written, fully reported and balanced.
I mean, who the hell is going to explain that little detail about there being 237,522 more presidential votes in Florida than citizens who turned out to cast ballots.
If that doesn't trigger a federal investigation, we might as well give up hope right now.

[Hobbes199]

29. It was overflow from county absentee totals during even numbered years...

Oh wait, that was the excuse in OH.

[unpossibles]

38. ya know....

the overflow excuse doesn't sit right with me. Wouldn't the absentee people be registered, and therefore on the list already? So why would the number not already be represented?

Can someone explain this to me?

[Clark2008]

35. Me, too!

But for 12.

Got burned out - stayed at home with my son - had to go back to work due to a divorce and didn't even head back into the reporting profession as I watched it slide off into the craggy mire whilst I was raising my wee one.

Keith Olbermann gives me tremendous hope. His boss, Eric Sorenson, is a jewel and grew up in management on the REPORTING side, not the bean-counter side. This is why Keith is able to do his thing.

[Dancing_Dave]

17. E-mail this to everyone you know!!!

This is really such a great, clear summery, I sure wish I'd written it myself!

We should really do whatever we can to get this to people in the Kerry campaign, in alternative local papers, and so on. One thing this makes clear is that Democratic Party and indeed American Democracy itself cannot survive unless we end this massive fraud in privatized voting now! I don't know if we can get justice in the results of this election, that would be a very long shot from a legal point of view. But we can prosecute some of the guilty and stop the fraud before 2006!

[RagingInMiami]

18. The link to the article

is now unavailable. I wonder if they're getting so many hits nationwide that they can't handle it.

[joeunderdog]

26. More likely that the writer was hit.

It probably got yanked. Probably sent the editor to Guantanamo.

[scottxyz]

19. I can't open the link!

I can't get ANY page from The Orlando Weekly. Even went to google and tried to search to get to them from there, and couldn't get their main page either.

[Eloriel]

20. I'm getting the message, "Connection refused from"

the targeted link.

Too much traffic, I guess.

[Eric J in MN]

25. me neither (nt)

nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. How Long is it ? Did anyone save?

[Dancing_Dave]

28. Yes, I did!

Would you like me to mail it to you?

[rockedthevoteinMA]

30. could you pretty please mail it to me??

:)

[Dancing_Dave]

22. Their server is definately down

Were they hacked down or just overwhelmed by all the hits as word about the great piece got around?

Good thing I already sent the whole web page to a number of people!;-)

[scottxyz]

27. Looks like people are hungry for this kind of news

Maybe now some more media outlets might realize it's in their intere$t to carry this story??

[Lorien]

23. I'll go out and look for hardcopy

I'm in Orlando.

[tandem5]

24. I noticed the article was dated tomorrow 11/18...

so hopefully it will be out in hardcopy tomorrow.

[huckleberry]

33. kick - website is back up!!

[Nordic]

36. this needs to be posted everywhere

this is a really good article on this subject. Best one I've seen

[ValleyGirl]

37. Thanks!

That's a really good article, thanks for posting it!

[shelley806]

39. kick!

[jasmineblue]

40. Kick!!

I was just able to open the link. This is GREAT!

[vet 65 69]

41. yes the link

is back up. i posted this on CGCS not one reply only 10 read the post????

[SteppingRazor]

42. Along with writer Alan Weldman...

Major props to editor Bob Whitby for choosing to run this story in the first place. Bob's an old friend and, for the record, not the sort of guy who buys every anti-conservative story to come down the pipe. A very skeptical journalist, and a good God-fearin' family man.

[Vidar]

43. print media still somewhat independent

Remember all those papers that endorsed Kerry. Many are cowed by what happened to Dan Rather & the murder, theft and deceit we all know Bush is capable of. But there are a lot of gutsy reporters out there if they can sneak past the sell-out editors.

[progressivedancer]

46. WOW,

I'm glad that there are still good reporters/journalists out there. Most have sold out, if they can't help us we need to fan our own fire on this issue.

[rdmccur]

50. Be the media

That's what Bev Harris is telling us. We have to be the media. Spread the word anyway you know how.

[simply_the_best]

47. Alan Waldman's site

Here is Alan Waldman's site, for a longer version of his article:
http://frogblog.journalspace.com/

[LVdem]

49. I'm starting to get pissed all over again...

These bastards cannot get away with this.

I tried to get over the election, but I just cannot.

[Froggie68]

51. Thanks for the praise; here's more voter fraud info

I wrote this article and want to sincerely thank those of you who had nice things to say about it and me. A longer, more detailed version--recently updated with new developments--is available at my blog http://frogblog.journalspace.com/ I will be adding new information as I become aware of it. I believe that different versions of my voting fraud article will also be appearing soon in The Hartford Advocate, The (Western Mass.) Valley Advocate, the Washington Free Pages and the Oaxaca (Mexico) Times. I sent it to 200 papers here and abroad, but after a week, only five have responded. If you know an editor, please pass it on. I have also sent it to Kerry, Edwards, various senators and congresspersons, Michael Moore, MoveOn, the Democratic committee, Air America and others. I am open to good suggestions of other media to whom I can submit it. As you know, the commercial mainstream media has a lockdown against this story, although MSNBC's Keith Olbermann has dealt with it and various local newspapers have dealt with local horrors. The Nader recount in New Hampshire may produce results that will fuel serious recounts in Florida, New Mexico, Ohio and elsewhere. Black Box Voting has found a smoking gun in Volusia County: two sets of voting records. (I have recently become aware of two small errors in my original article and will be correcting them today on Frog Blog.)
Anyway, bless all of you who found this story credible and passed it on to others. If we act in large numbers, we may still prevent Bush from being inaugurated--long shot though that is. Kerry's concession speech has no legal value. Electors are scheduled to vote on Dec. 13. Until then, the battle continues.

[KaryninMiami]

53. Great Piece! I handed it out Sunday here at an event in S. Florida

I've also been emailing it to various friends, journalists, etc. Also I linked to it via a newsletter sent out to about 200 or so people on Sunday night. I'm wondering however, if you can do me (us)a favor. My experience so far is that although some people are interested, they do not seem to want to read through a through long, detailed articles. People just don't have the time or don't want to take the time. But, if something GRABS THEIR ATTENTION immediately, the often will find the time. So, what would be really helpful, is if you could create a concise version of your story- sort of in press release format, with bullet points for each of the most crucial and immediate facts. Plus a link to the actual story- either on the Orlando Weekly site or in another location where they can read through the entire piece. I'd be more then happy to send that to my media contacts and PR friends here in Florida and ask that they do the same. Naturally, put your contact info and name on it so you get the credit. I am just trying to do my best to get the word out in ways that people will stop, read and THINK.

Election Fraud is a huge story (as we all know). For many, it's too big to get their arms around so we have to gently inspire them to open the door and see what this is all about. Once they are in, many do tend to stay in and then want more info and to know what they can do, etc. But the difficult part (I am learning daily), is getting them to take that first step and consider the possibility.

[Froggie68]

56. reply to KaryninMiami

I don't think Democratic Underground allows me to respond to you, because it claims I haven't had enough posts. And I do not know your actual e mail address. If this third attempt reaches you, please e mail me directly at [e-mail] and I will send you one of the shorter versions of the article--or perhaps I'll create one for you in bullets, as you request.

[MarkusQ]

55. I beg to differ

Electors are scheduled to vote on Dec. 13. Until then, the battle continues.

I beg to differ. The battle continues until we have our democracy back.

--MarkusQ

[glitch]

57. Don't forget Thom Hartman at

http://www.thomhartmann.com/email.shtml

He's a writer as well as a radio show host. Also Robert McChesney at http://www.robertmcchesney.com/contact.html
He has a weekly radio show on media issues, he may want to interview you on the lockdown.

Thanks for the excellent article, and welcome to DU!

[newyawker99]

58. Hi Froggie68!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[progressoid]

54. That's a good one - I'm sending it to the Omaha World Herald

They won't do anything about it since they backed B* and ES&S is here but it'll make me feel better.