READER COMMENTS ON
"Executive Director of National Election Reform Commission Goes Ballistic at BRAD BLOG!"
(175 Responses so far...)
COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
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Dazy
said on 4/19/2005 @ 10:27 pm PT...
wow...what a dick...
way to stick to it Brad!!
COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 4/19/2005 @ 10:39 pm PT...
OOooooh.... he sounds very nervous about who won the election. This is great! we are a significant threat. I can't believe he had this dialogue with you, Brad. Very, very good. Something's happening.
COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 4/19/2005 @ 10:44 pm PT...
Totally REPUGNANT. So he choked on the question "how do you know the Republicans won?" No answer. I've got no answer either. Can't be proved. Unauditable machines can't be audited. No way to prove it. Hmmm - does he get it?
COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
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PetGoat
said on 4/19/2005 @ 10:53 pm PT...
Way to go, Brad.
James Baker started the litigation in Florida on November 11,
2000. So don't let anyone tell you the Democrats started the
litigation. Baker filed first. See Vanity Fair, October 2004, p. 317.
Also see this CBS news transcript, where Baker makes an
extremely misleading statement that some might interpret to
say the Dems filed first.
http://www.cbsnews.com/s...olitics/main248886.shtml
COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
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Emily
said on 4/19/2005 @ 10:53 pm PT...
Way to go! You told him and I emailed him too! I think something is happening too. Especially since he didn't say who won. Definite sign there! Thank you for your work!
COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:00 pm PT...
How many thousands of emails were sent?? Wow!
COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
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thedeanpeople
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:07 pm PT...
Please note the huge "tell" in the good doctor's ranting.
The 51%
This is what they're terrified about. They remember the treason of 2000 and its aftermath. Here's a summary:
After the BushvGore edict, roughly 15% of the public considered election not to have been "fair and square." Just like this time, those of us who refused to "get over it" were ridiculed and ignored.
But the truth is like a force of nature and after a few books and the continued work of a vocal minority the number continued to rise until that 15% began to near that magical 51%. It was at that point that the coalition of groups, led by democrats.com, thought they now had the political support to begin to act more directly.
It was decided that the first step would be to start a movement to impeach the Felonious Five. A D.C. media event was planned to announce the launching of the effort.
Sadly, the press conference was planned for the morning of 9-11-01. (cue ominous music)
The truth of this second stolen election/treason has the same power to convince the nation that "their (p)resident's a crook." In fact this time it was powerful enough to convince a US Senator to stand up and object.
That event shocked the DC/Media Analstocracy.
COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
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pleiku69
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:13 pm PT...
Maybe six or seven of us should send our own choice comments via snail mail to:
Dr. Robert A. Pastor
c/o American University
Center of Democracy and Election Management
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8026
And let the president of American University know what this champion of democracy had to say about who is and who isn't in charge of the democratic process:
Benjamin Ladner
President, American University
president@american.edu
PS. This crap is priceless:
About the Center
The Center for Democracy and Election Management (CDEM) at American University was established in September 2002 to educate and train undergraduate and graduate students and mid-career professionals in the management of elections and best democratic practices. Our teaching and research programs are organized around three subjects: (1) the management and conduct of elections throughout the world; (2) cross-regional comparison of democratic institutions; and (3) election-mediation as an instrument for resolving civil conflict.
Since its establishment, CDEM has pursued the goal of becoming a nexus for education, training, policy development, and scholarly research on topics relating to democracy and elections. The Center is integrated with the research and training facilities of American University’s School of International Service and School of Public Affairs, both of which enjoy a long tradition of public service education. CDEM’s priority focus is to prepare students who are interested in democracy-related careers, and professionals who are engaged in democracy work, by providing a focused, sophisticated educational background not available elsewhere.
The Center also benefits from its associations with the policy, governmental, and diplomatic institutions of our nation’s capital. In addition to being an educational and research center, we also seek to bring our academic expertise to contemporary policy discussions and influence the practice of promoting and protecting democracy.
COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:14 pm PT...
Great job Brad! I hope you'll excuse me if I ask who this little tinhorn autocrat is anyway? Who appointed him, what are his credentials (besides the ubiquitous "Dr.", Dr. of what?), where in the Repug "Matrix" battery network did they unplug him from to throw him into this position? I nominate Torqued to write one of the "6 or 7" letters to be mass produced and sent to this guy.
COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:19 pm PT...
Well, I"ve not sent that email yet.. now I think I will and specifically mention that this is my FIRST (and only) .. so he can sleep better knowing it's now 7 or 8, not 6 or 7
what a moron.. didn't answer any questions, then didn't respond to his own question..
"What a wicked web we weave, when first we practice to deceive"..
COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:21 pm PT...
But maybe I'll put a sentence or two together and send it to Herr Doctor as well. Don't want him to get bored hearing "the same message over and over again".
COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
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Pat
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:36 pm PT...
James Baker must have an e-mail address at his law firm in Houston, Baker Botts? He should be made aware of helpful feedback from the public as well.
COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:38 pm PT...
Ok - a little research turned up the unexpected for me re: Pastor
Sorry about this link - it's just that they did a lot of research & provided links:
Back in October 2004,Pastor, a registered Democrat, endorsed John Kerry for President, and is on record saying, "Four more years of President Bush could irrevocably stain the image and the influence of The United States in the world."
================
Returned Peace Corps for Kerry/Edwards
Statement by Robert A. Pastor: October 6, 2004
I have traveled in many parts of the world in the last few years. I don't recall a time when so many friendly people told me that they don't like the United States anymore. If the evidence was merely anecdotal, one could dismiss it, but last August, the University of Maryland did a global survey of nearly 35,000 people in 35 nations. The results showed that the world is beginning to change the way it looks at the US because of President Bush. Asked about Bush’s foreign policy, a majority or plurality in 30 countries said it made them feel "worse" about the United States.
On average, and in every region of the world, 53% said Bush's policies made them dislike the U.S., while 19% said it made them feel better - a ratio of nearly 3:1. Of our two closest neighbors and largest trading partners, Canadians said that if they could vote, 61% would vote against Bush, and 16% in favor. 80% of Mexicans oppose Bush.
Let me stress this is not chronic or knee-jerk anti-Americanism. This is due to President George W. Bush, and you can see that in the polls of two very close friends over a brief period. In 1999, 83% of the British people had a favorable view of the U.S.; that is only 48% today. In Germany, in 1999, 78% were positive to the US; 38% today.
Our friends are distressed with President Bush's arrogance and unilateralism. Today, they can distinguish between Bush and the U.S., but four more years of President Bush could irrevocably stain the image and the influence of the United States in the world. And if that occurs, we will never again be safe - no matter how strong. That is why we who have served our country's pursuit of peace, decided to raise our voices for change. We cannot afford "four more years" by President Bush. It will be hard enough to contemplate four more months.
===========
*shrug* ??? I'm a little baffled at this point.
COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
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MG Raftery
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:39 pm PT...
My letter to the Pastor:
Stacking the election reform commission by excluding those who know the most about election fraud and the desperate need for real reform is an outrage, as was your shocking call to BradBlog. I had personally circulated links to the BradBlog cite and am quite certain you were not receiving e-mails from only "6 or 7" people. There are millons of Amerians who wish to see genuine electoral reform to get rid of unverifiable, partisan-owned voting machines and central tabulators, as well as partisan counting of votes.
As media chair of a major activist organization, I will be sure to publicize your intimidating tactics far and wide. The inclusion of James Baker on the commission is a slap in the face to those interested in honest elections and real reform.
Republicans' insistence on defending unjustifiable actions is becoming obvious to more and more Americans. I intend to print out the transcript of your call and suggest that activists pass it out in public, to inform the masses about the desperate measures some are resorting to to suppress our votes.
COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 4/19/2005 @ 11:58 pm PT...
My swift note to the man:
"For God's sake, Dr. Pastor, we are REAL, unentailed, COMMITTED people who are petitioning this "commission." Please give democracy a chance of surviving."
COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:00 am PT...
Newshounds have picked up the BradBlog V. Dr Pastor shouting match (that's the good Doctor shouting, this is!) link here.
I'm not yet officially a member of the "gang of 6 or 7".
COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:04 am PT...
Go Peg C.!! How fortunate you had that little problem the day you sent your email! I'm glad you mentioned it.
BTW, Pastor's bio shows that he was President of Common Cause of Georgia 2001-2002; Vice Pres. 1999-2000. On the National Governing Board of Common Cause 1998 to Present. & etc. (ugh - transcribing .pdf file - here's the link .
COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
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horkus
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:11 am PT...
Sent my email:
To Dr. Robert A. Pastor
Concerning the "fake" emails from Velvetrevolution.us . Well sir, they're not fake. I think you have us confused with the Parents Television Council that sends out fake complaints and emails.
Sir, you might be in denial about the mere possiblity that fraud may have occured during the 2004 elections and even in the previous 2002 Senate elections with touch screen voting. I understand. I was duped too. I was taken in by the Red state Blue state divide myself, and also of useless speeches by Democrats about how to take back congress and the Whitehouse in 2006 and 2008. Nobody likes being fooled, but I'm not above admitting it to myself. I hope you're not either.
I have no doubt in my mind that the story of vote machine fraud will break sooner or later. Maybe through relentless investigation or arising consciousness from inside knowledge (as with David Brock - Media Matters) . If and when this does happen, you will be remembered as part of the problem and not the solution. Your actions and response are on record. The liberal blogs have long memories and passionate investigative resources. Just ask Jeff Gannon (Jeff Guckert).
Regardless of whether fraud is found or not, the story of Clint Curtis continues to grow. The realities of the strong ties between voting machine companies and right wing organizations also continue to grow. As I have blogged to Rep. Conyers, am I supposed to believe that the people and organizations that supported Tom DeLay are above fraud with our voting machines?
Sincerely,
One of the six or seven
"fake" emailers
COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
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Bill Bored
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:19 am PT...
American University Center for Democracy & Election Management?
Well I'm all for the Democracy, but I think our elections are managed enough already! How about counting some VOTES (for a change)?
COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:23 am PT...
Peg C reg. comment #21:
Didn't you actually post a comment on some thread here or at VR regarding this incident when it occurred? I seem to vaguely recall you reporting the incident. If so, did you locate and include a link to the actual timed and dated comment when you sent your note to Pastor?
COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
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Diane
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:46 am PT...
Thank God you all are so eloquent in your writing. I swear, my writing skills didn't get beyond the 4th grade level.
My blood is still boiling after reading Brad's conversation with the good doctor. I spit out an email to Dr. Pastor before I read your blogging...not as good as what Ive' seen here..but I'm sure he'll get the point. I wish I'd read his bio first.
I faxed a copy to John Kerry as well. Maybe we should fax copies of our letters to all of our reps and the MSM.
COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
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Diane
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:46 am PT...
Thank God you all are so eloquent in your writing. I swear, my writing skills didn't get beyond the 4th grade level.
My blood is still boiling after reading Brad's conversation with the good doctor. I spit out an email to Dr. Pastor before I read your blogging...not as good as what Ive' seen here..but I'm sure he'll get the point. I wish I'd read his bio first.
I faxed a copy to John Kerry as well. Maybe we should fax copies of our letters to all of our reps and the MSM.
COMMENT #23 [Permalink]
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Diane
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:51 am PT...
Sorry for the double click on the submit.. Time for bed..
COMMENT #24 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 3:11 am PT...
See Robert Pastor on a 4/19/2005 C-Span interview (sorry, don't ahve link) in the recent video archives.
A caller called in about the exit polls. Pastor was totally dismissive of the critique of the exit polls. He was like (paraphrasing) "Well, the exit poll people admitted they made a mistake, and admitting a mistake is hard to do" and left it like that. The exit poll numbers were simply a mistake. I wish the caller had mentioned that the highest response rate was in R precincts and the lowest response rate was in D precincts, destroying the "shy R" theory. And also, only paper ballot precints had almost NO error, whereas the machines had 5-10% error.
COMMENT #25 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 3:16 am PT...
Pleiku69 #8
Snail mail is a GREAT idea. I think that usually has the most impact. Especially in this case, where Mr. Pastor thinks there are 6 or 7 of us with twitchy fingers! (for the record, I'm also one of the 6 or 7).
See post #8 above for the snail mail address of Mr. Pastor.
COMMENT #26 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 3:19 am PT...
Abbreviated conversation between Brad and Pastor:
Brad "I want the truth!"
Pastor "You can't handle the truth!"
Brad "No, really, I want the truth"
Pastor "Bite me!"
COMMENT #27 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 4/20/2005 @ 3:32 am PT...
That's how afraid they are of the blogosphere. It's the numbers. They know how massive it can get when we get mobilized. It shocks them all.
Diane #28... Sleep tight, Kid, knowing you have added to the 6 or 7.(4th grade level or not!)
COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 4:13 am PT...
Teresa #34,
It's OUR version of "shock and awe"!
COMMENT #29 [Permalink]
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Rob Kall
said on 4/20/2005 @ 4:21 am PT...
Here's an email I wrote to Dr. Pastor and the head of American university.
Dear Dr. Pastor,
It is an outrage that James Baker is on the commission. It makes the whole project appear to be a whitewash effort. It makes you look like a co-conspirator and collaborator in sabotaging democracy and makes your institution appear to be of questionable integrity and authenticity. That you would train others in different countries on how to manage elections, when it appears you are an accomplice in whitewashing the election problems in this country casts a very bad light on your work, your reputation, the people you train and American University.
Your role at the Carter Center gives me reason to believe that you are not as bad as one might speculate based on the composition of the commission. If you have an ounce of integrity, you will get James Baker off the Commission.
Brad Friedman reports that you believe that only a handful of people are responsible for the thousands of letters you’ve received. You are deluding your self. I have heard him on blogcall, a conference call that bloggers and internet publishers use to communicate breaking news, and on the Thom Hartmann talk radio show, which is syndicated in several dozen cities, on satellite radio and the internet. Brad is reaching hundreds of thousands if not millions of people, and frankly, your commission is looking very bad.
My website, www.OpEdNews.com reaches over 100,000 visitors each month. I published an article by David Swanson covering your commission.
Vote Fraud WhitehouseWash; The Half-Baked Baker Carter Commission By David Swanson
http://www.opednews.com/...vote_fraud_Whitewash.htm
Rather than minimizing the count of all the emails you are receiving, you should multiply them by a factor of 10 or 100, since not all the people who read or hear the negative news about your commission take the time to write.
It sounds that you have done a lot of good in your life, working with the Carter Center and as a consultant on international affairs. Don’t let your connection with this commission taint your life’s work or the American University’s reputation. Do the right thing. How can you possibly allow Baker, an instrumental figure in the 2000 election debacle in Florida, be a part of your commission. He should be testifying under oath, not being a part of it.
Robert Kall
www.OpEdNews.com
211 N. Sycamore St.
Newtown, PA 18940 215-504-1700, fax 215-860-5374
COMMENT #30 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 4:52 am PT...
COMMENT #31 [Permalink]
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Jeff J
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:01 am PT...
Thanks again Brad, for standing up against these phony people. I think the good doctor is going to have a rather full inbox and mailbag. Here's my entry:
Dear Dr. Pastor:
I am writing to respond to your phone call yesterday to Brad Friedman at BradBlog.com.
I am a regular reader of Mr. Friedman's column and am writing to assure you that the email I sent to you last week was genuine and heart felt. I am extremely concerned about our nation's electoral system. I am convinced that it is a very broken system and I see no other issue currently being addressed by our government as a higher priority.
I want to address some of the other things you said to Mr. Friedman on the phone yesterday:
-I am outraged that you consider my request/demand that James Baker be removed as Co-Chair of the National Election Reform Commission harassment. Anyone with a lick of common sense could see what a poor choice Mr. Baker would be considering how hard he worked in the 2000 election to make sure all the votes were not counted! If you want your Commission to have any credibility whatsoever, you must remove Mr. Baker from the Commission. I personally would like to see John Conyers replace him, or at least have a prominent role on the Commission. Mr. Conyers is more than qualified and is the one elected official I know of who is genuinely concerned about our electoral system and has worked tirelessly to invoke real change. I know he has requested a seat at the Commission yet so far has been denied any role. I think that's a shame.
-You seem to doubt that all the emails you received are from individual American citizens because they appeared to be the same email over and over again. I admit I took the easy route the other day when I sent you my email and did not add any comments on my own. I did this first because I agreed with the text as it was written, and secondly because I have a very busy schedule and it was convenient for me to use that text. I can't speak for any of the other (thousands from your comments to Brad) folks that sent you an email, but I assure you that I speak for myself when I say that I demand that my vote is counted in any election that I participate in.
-Mr. Friedman suggested to you that the people that sent you an email were real Americans that wanted their voices to be heard. To this you replied “Well, they're not going to be listened to.” I am appalled that the Executive Director of the National Election Reform Commission would say that you would not listen to what I have to say. If you really said that, then why are you even bothering to perform your duties? Then what is it exactly that your “Commission” is trying to do? This comment, perhaps more than anything you said yesterday gives credence to Mr. Friedman’s claims that your Commission is a sham.
-Mr. Friedman asked you who appointed the Commission members and you did not respond. I ask you myself, who did appoint the members of this Commission?
-For God knows what reason, you then asked Brad “Do you know who won the last election?” You go on to press him, repeating the question several times before finally saying “The Republicans won the Presidency! And both houses of Congress, the House and the Senate!” May I ask you sir, what is your point? If you ask me, this outburst coming from the Executive Director of the National Election Reform Commission says more than anything about the integrity and trustworthiness of your “Commission”. From where I sit, your comments should disqualify you from even participating in any credible election reform efforts, and cast a very dark shadow on the Commission you are Executive Director of.
I personally have zero confidence in our current electoral system and am convinced that the only reason “The Republicans won the Presidency! And both houses of Congress, the House and the Senate!” is because they stole the election. There’s ample evidence of it in Ohio and Florida where corrupt companies provided the computerized election systems that produced results that no one in their right minds would accept, much less certify. (Go to BlackBoxVoting.org for details.) Then there’s the reign of deceit of Kenneth Blackwell in Ohio, who came up with any scam he could think of to keep certain Americans off the voter roles and out of the voting booth. How can we allow the Chair of either major party to also have the position of Secretary of State, and expect them to supervise a fair and honest election? Then of course there’s the exit poles run by Edison/Mitofsky, and the spin they concocted of why their polls were so wrong. How have we become so hypocritical to insist on using exit poles to judge the veracity and honesty of election results in foreign countries yet dismiss the results right here at home?
Earth to Dr. Pastor: We Americans have lost all faith in our current electoral system and demand that sweeping changes and Federal laws be enacted to restore our confidence. I do not trust some Republican-owned company to count my vote accurately, and to expect us to accept this is ludicrous. I want a paper receipt when I walk away from the voting booth and I want to be able to verify that the candidate I selected is the one my vote was tallied for in the certified count. I want every American to have the right to vote and demand that his or her vote be counted!
I assure you that I am very real Dr. Pastor, and I meant every word of the email that I sent you last week, even though Brad Friedman wrote the text of it. I hope that you will reconsider your statement that you will not listen to what I have to say; otherwise you and your Commission will appear to be a weak attempt to convince Americans that Republicans really care about election reform. If you don't listen to me you have given me even more reason to believe that you don't really want anything to change in our election systems because after all, your party “won”.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you personally Dr. Pastor, and answer any questions you may have. I hope you will reconsider the things you said to Brad Friedman in your phone conversation yesterday and start taking your job seriously. I urge you to do the right thing and invite John Conyers to participate in your Commission, and again I advise you to remove James Baker as Co-Chair to give your commission some amount of credibility. If you really believe in what you're doing, then what I have to say as a voting American citizen should mean something to you.
Sincerely,
Jeff J.
COMMENT #32 [Permalink]
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dkazz
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:17 am PT...
Appalling! I agree with the previous comments about each of us sending our own personalized emails to Dr. Pastor. I've shared my outrage.
COMMENT #33 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:57 am PT...
re: JEFF J #38
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
COMMENT #34 [Permalink]
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Charles
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:10 am PT...
I just got my email from velvet revolution bounced because the VR site has been blocked. My solution: I cut and pasted the letter into my own email, and added a polite comment on the top about how I supported the contents of the letter and was upset that Dr. Pastor was unwilling to acknowledge my opinion. I also told him that unless the commission was reformulated in an open manner I would not accept the results of the commission regardless of their conclusions.
He ain't getting rid of me that easily!
COMMENT #35 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:11 am PT...
my two cents "6 or 7" worth
"Dear Mr. Pastor,
There are millions of people who are not satisfied with the insecure way elections are being done in this country. We are worse off than the Ukraine.
We resent the arrogant manner in which your commission is attempting to whitewash the true reality. To not even consider the issue of fraud would be denial to the max.
Studies have been conducted by experts who agree, both republican and democrat, that the election was extremely "fishy". It stinks.
Here are some links for your perusal:
http://www.exitpollz.org
http://www.blackboxvoting.org
Millions of us are aware of the voting reality and it is time that officials become aware that we are not buying the coverup."
[name]
COMMENT #36 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:20 am PT...
Hey Bejammin075 #35
.....did you mean to say "shocking whore"?
(I've temporarily posted Ann C. on my kids webpage, as I couldn't manage to upload it to this Blog, hope it doesn't give them nightmares!)
COMMENT #37 [Permalink]
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spoontheclown
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:34 am PT...
Dear Folks, Why don't we ask Jimmy Carter to talk to BradBlog? Ask him who appointed him to the commission? I believe a conversation with him will not degenerate into a shouting match. I am appalled that "Bob" behaved in such a defensive fashion that clearly shows he is having trouble dealing with the truth becoming known. Now, I really wish I had been one of the 6 or 7. I apologize for not doing my civic duty in support of the American People. I will not let it happen again.
COMMENT #38 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:43 am PT...
My paper letter:
Addressed to:
Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform
c/o AU Center for Democracy and Election Management
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW Suite 265
To Robert Pastor, or whomever it may concern at the Carter-Baker Commission,
Mr. Pastor received thousands of emails from concerned citizens (about the Carter-Baker Commission), and he believes they were sent by only 6 or 7 people. I am writing this letter in person to make sure that he and all of you know that there are thousands of very concerned citizens.
Representative John Conyers must be on the Commission. Mr. Conyers was one of the first and few elected leaders to respond to the thousands of incidents that happened in Ohio and elsewhere in the 2004 election. Mr. Conyers, his staff, and other members of the House Judiciary Committee held multiple hearings and compiled a 102-page report of hard evidence of real election problems and voter disenfranchisement. That Mr. Conyers is not among the 21 members of the Commission is unconscionable.
Mr. James A. Baker must not be on the Commission. Mr. Baker ensured that the votes in Florida 2000 were not counted. Everyone in the voting rights community is universally opposed to having a vote suppression expert like Mr. Baker on the commission. The credibility of the Commission is perhaps fatally damaged by his presence. Appointing Mr. Baker to the Commission is like appointing Al Capone to do banking reform, or appointing Dracula to reform the Red Cross!
I find it very disturbing that while no one in the established voting rights community had advanced knowledge of the Carter-Baker Commission’s creation, the group ACVR did. ACVR, as anyone can plainly see by reading their 31-page report, is a fraudulent voting rights group. ACVR is composed of top GOP lawyers and activists, while claiming to be non-partisan. ACVR was deceptive in concealing their partisan nature at the House Administrative Committee’s hearing on voting issues. ACVR completely avoids the topic of paperless electronic voting machines – which is the number one danger to our democracy. ACVR places the blame of all fraud on left-leaning groups, while not acknowledging any on the right. ACVR is hardly “non-partisan”. That ACVR endorsed the Carter-Baker Commission shortly after the Commission was announced also makes the Commission highly suspect.
I saw Mr. Pastor on C-Span on 4/19/2005 and was appalled at his statements on the 2004 exit polls. Mr. Pastor casually dismissed the critiques of the exit polls. Surely Mr. Pastor must know that the explanation that Edison/Mitofsky provided was very weak, and provided no evidence for the “chatty Democrat/shy Republican” theory. In fact, according to Edison/Mitofsky’s own data, Republican precincts had the highest response rate, while Democratic precincts had the lowest response rate, which doesn’t support Edison/Mitofsky’s theory at all! Also noteworthy about the 2004 exit polls was that there was no exit poll error with hand counted paper ballots, whereas there was 5-10% exit poll error with machines.
Furthermore, that there is anyone on the Commission who would advocate that we conduct elections without paper verification is absurd. What I see is a Commission filled with many who represent (some would say “shill for”) the voting machine industry and are opposed to paper verification.
So, just so you know, there are thousands of concerned citizens watching the activities of the Commission very closely. To be blunt, we have very good reasons to suspect the Commission was created to whitewash the 2004 election issues, and to make voting less transparent. For the record, I have no party affiliation.
Sincerely,
COMMENT #39 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:50 am PT...
#8
Thank you for posting Pastor's address...I re-post it
Dr. Robert A. Pastor
c/o American University
Center of Democracy and Election Management
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8026
because I believe actual letters will have a MUCH bigger impact. Picture a nice, gigantic pile of envelopes for the good 'doctor"!
Let's make that pile REALLY BIG, people!! A word of advice: please use spellcheck or dictionary.com or have some spelling-and-grammar-proficient person edit your letter if you're not good with words, so our letters don't read as if they were written by Dubya!
COMMENT #40 [Permalink]
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Miss Persistent
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:10 am PT...
Just sent a "unique" letter to Pastor. After reading his responses to Brad...and as an AU alumni...they can forget about getting any fundraising $ from me. I won't hesitate to mention the very specific reason for my decision next time they call for cash.
COMMENT #41 [Permalink]
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maxie
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:10 am PT...
I sent an email to the Carter Center 4/19/05 asking them to forward it to Jimmy Carter,in it I ask Mr. Carter to please either start a site for himself so we can blog with him or to come on and blog with us.If enough of us ask him,maby he will feel he has a responsibility to communicate with us.I will send an email to Dr. Pastor and to the University also.Lets keep working on this,we are moving!!
COMMENT #42 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:11 am PT...
I believe that events in the natural world are cyclic, including political events. So we are now climbing the mountain, Sisyphus-like*, with the boulder of creeping fascism on our shoulders, a long, slow, painful climb...but we WILL inevitably reach the top & drop that damn boulder, watching it morph into more & more truth-telling, whistle-blowing and the healing of our country's wounds as it rolls down the other side.
I forget that sometimes...and start to slide into despair.
Nothing stays the same, things are always changing. The tide will turn, maybe it is already turning. We cannot give up. Write those letters! Make it a deluge!
THANK YOU BRAD YOU'RE A GODDAMN HERO!!!
*From dictionary.com...
Sisyphus:
"A cruel king of Corinth condemned forever to roll a huge stone up a hill in Hades only to have it roll down again on nearing the top."
Myths are not subject to natural law! So our boulder will NOT roll as above...it will careen down the other side, hopefully knocking over a few lying sons-o-bitches on the way down, metaphorically speaking.
COMMENT #43 [Permalink]
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Im with Rosey
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:24 am PT...
Sent me email, just wonder how many have been sent. Hope there is a follow up phone conversation!
COMMENT #44 [Permalink]
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dzika
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:40 am PT...
I left a voice mail and sent an email directly to his address.
"6 or 7 people"... my ass
COMMENT #45 [Permalink]
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maxie
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:49 am PT...
Here is Baker's Houston Office-Baker Botts L.L.P. One Shell Plaza,910 Louisiana,Houston,Texas 77002,Phone# 713-229-1234 his Fax# 713-229-1522 Email-http://www.bakerbotts.com,he also has an office in Washington D.C.,it is The Warner 1299 Pennsylvania Ave N.W. #202-639-7700,someone else may want to check this information out,I am not to familiar with Baker,I am just a newly.
COMMENT #46 [Permalink]
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Rosencrantz
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:08 am PT...
The fact that he threw the "Republicans won the election so stop being a sore loser" comment in there...even after being told many times it's not about party politics....PROVES that he is there to protect the results from being questions.
If he was actually there to look at election problems, complaints, accountability, etc, he wouldn't be so eagre to attack, play partisan, and defend Republican rule.
COMMENT #47 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:17 am PT...
Here's Common Cause's Blog with a comment by Ed Davis on Baker/Carter Commission (halfway down the page)
and testimony by Common Cause President Chellie Pingree. Read for yourselves, but these guys are on our team!
Footnote: Dr Robert A. Pastor is on the National Governing Board of Common Cause.
COMMENT #48 [Permalink]
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Diane
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:19 am PT...
Teresa,Good morning ...Thanks for the pass. I am also one of the original "6 or people".
Benjamino, Jeff J.....WOW.. on your letters.
I sending hard copies of my letter to Am. University, all of the senators and as many congressman as I can. Why not get some religiuos leaders involved? Send a copy to the Riverside Church in N.Y..Unitarians and other progressives of faith?.. Teachers unions.... How about veterans groups against the war? They put their lives on the line for democracy...right? Get them to show up at the next commission meeting...in uniform.
Has Amy Goodman at Democracy Now been on this?
For that matter..maybe we should send out an SOS to the leaders of other countries.... or the UN via SNAIL MAIL and FAX.
Yes....Give them the Our Shock and Awe.
COMMENT #49 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:27 am PT...
Re: my #54 post
I should add that Dr Robert A. Pastor needs to take his roll as Board Member of Common Cause far more seriously!
COMMENT #50 [Permalink]
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Miss Persistent
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:38 am PT...
Given what Pastor said, and now knowing he's on the Board of Common Cause, I must question Common Cause...
COMMENT #51 [Permalink]
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Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:46 am PT...
COMMENT #52 [Permalink]
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molly
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:54 am PT...
Sent my email a few minutes ago. Haven't read this website in a week or so. Emails to other countries is a great idea. Folks in Belfast,M.E. sent a letter to the U.N. prior to the election asking for help. Just talked to a couple of Canadians a few days ago who couldn't believe the elections were stolen(as in surprised) and that I did not like Bush. Thanks Brad for your courage and stamina dealing with people like dr. pastor.
COMMENT #53 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:55 am PT...
WASHINGTON TIMES STORY
Some good unfiltered VR quotes here in The Washington Times - !nside the Beltway
Bipartisan?
"We wrote earlier about a newly impaneled bipartisan presidential election reform commission made up of the likes of former President Jimmy Carter, former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, both Democrats, and former White House Chief of Staff James A. Baker III, a Republican.
Now, an election-reform advocacy group wants Mr. Baker, who served under former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, removed as the commission's co-chairman before the panel gets busy on whatever reform it can accomplish.
Representing about 100 affiliated election-reform organizations, the Velvet Revolution considers Mr. Baker "a partisan political operative and Bush family loyalist" who "will irreconcilably sully the credibility of such a commission and render its findings completely suspect, wholly useless and, regrettably, without merit."
"Mr. Baker is, in fact, the architect behind the invidious scheme implemented to ensure that the votes of all Americans would not be counted in the unfortunate and undemocratic 2000 presidential election fiasco," says the group, referring to when the soon-to-be-inaugurated George W. Bush dispatched Mr. Baker to voter-challenged Florida."
COMMENT #54 [Permalink]
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Americana
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:16 am PT...
Alrighty then - sent the Velvet Revolution email, and then a personal one as well.
COMMENT #55 [Permalink]
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Potemkin
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:16 am PT...
Good job, Brad. Sent my email. Short and to the point...
COMMENT #56 [Permalink]
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Torqued
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:19 am PT...
Sent my email and it wasn't pretty...
COMMENT #57 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:19 am PT...
Re: Inside the Beltway
Bipartisan?
By John McCaslin ......
BACK TO THE FUTURE?
Check out the Washington Times article date of March 31, 2005. Is this the MSM's way of saying we should have jumped on the Electoral Fraud bandwagon earlier?
We can only hope!
COMMENT #58 [Permalink]
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Shadowtwinchaos
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:24 am PT...
Amazing !!!!!!!! The huge cajones on this guy saying that there are only a few people sending the same e-mail. I mean, first, you can check the validity of that very easily. Look at the different IP's. No one can have access to THAT many IP's. Secondly - how dare he say that we will not BE HEARD!! WE THE PEOPLE will NOT be denied our voice in our government! It is our constitutional RIGHT to control our government - the majority rules by law. And if he isn't willing to listen, then by the GODS we will make him listen or get him out!! It is not only our law given right, but our responsiblity to police our government and be active. I once thought that the biggest problem in American govt. was that the people weren't willing to stand up and have our voices heard. Now I find that even if we are willing to stand up and make our voices heard - THEY WON'T LISTEN!!! I don't care what this man Pastor has done in the past - he is not going to turn a deaf ear to our words. Okay, I'm off to send him and a few others personal e-mails so that they can feel the full weight of our message. We ARE the people. Hear our voices or be damned to face the consequences. We will not be ignored.
COMMENT #59 [Permalink]
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Alison
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:30 am PT...
I sent Dr. Pastor an email this morning.
Thanks again Brad you are an inspiration.
COMMENT #60 [Permalink]
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sojo
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:30 am PT...
Perhap a few of us (say 6 or 7) should also start sending them faxes too, I know they'll luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv that:)
COMMENT #61 [Permalink]
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Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:35 am PT...
Sorry, I was called away before I could write more than just 'Jesus'.
What I meant to say was:
Jesus Christ, the complete arrogance of that guy. The sheer effrontery. The legitimate concerns of citizens of the US "are not going to be listened to" by our shadowy secretly appointed 'commission'.
Kinda reminds me of the whole 9-11 Commission fiasco - I'm not saying I think like, Cheney did it or anything, but the callous manner in which legitimate concerns about gaping holes/contradictions in the official story were just brushed off as 'conspiracy'.
Guess these days anyone with the slightest interest in getting to the truth of any matter (unless its a Democrat's - which I am not - sex life) is a 'conspiracy theorist'. And the beauty of that argument is that when they refuse to supply information, more suspicions are raised, but 'they' just turn round and say "but there's no proof, you conspiracy nuts!"
Urg.
Anyway I would send him an email, but as I'm not a US citizen, he'd probably just use that to say "now you have foriegners emailing us too!"
COMMENT #62 [Permalink]
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David Schoen
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:38 am PT...
I just sent this "unique" message to the good Doctor (or is it the good Pastor?)
Thanks for being out front on this. I heard Brad on the Thom Hartmann show and it gave wings to the queasy feeling I had about Pastor after hearing him on Washington Journal.
Dear Dr. Pastor
Heard your appearance on c-span's Washington Journal the other day. I had an uncomfortable feeling about your position and the things that you were saying, particularly because it was the first time I had heard of your commission. I pay close attention to the news and politics and was surprised that such a commission could have been established so quietly and quickly.
Then you made quite a few points that indicted that you have no doubts arising from the conduct and outcome of the 2004 presidential election. You appear to have already drawn all your conclusions and are not at all concerned about:
1. The wide discrepancies in the exit polling data, the apparant statistical impossibility of such a discrepancy and the numerous plausible hypotheses that exlain the discrepancy a a result of fraud or tampering
2. The fact that the bulk of electronic voting machines come from one of three large firms, each with top managment publically supporting on political party. You obfuscated on this by stating that ther were at least "one hundred" voting machine companies.
3. The fact thet Senator Hegel from Nebraska was the CEO of the voting machine company that suppiled Nebraska with the machines used to elect him with a historically huge majority. A caller raised this issue and you artfully dodged it. I would expect that the executive director of a commission formed with the stated objective of raising the public confidence in the election system would be more than aware of this issue and not wish to ignore it. If fact I now believe that you hope that as few people as possible know about such things.
4. The fact that the computer software and results from such machines are considered proprietary and not aable to be inspected. There are state laws, such as in Nebraska, that prevent this. You raised the issue, but you offered no solution. I'm sure that you will come out in favor of "states rights" on this on as it is most convenient.
You seem to favor "appointed" election officials rather than "elected" officials. That hardly seems like a way to eliminate the existance or appearnce of partisan actors.
5. You didn't even have the decency to mention the disparity in servicing precincts. In Ohio, precincts that we likley to favor the party that the Secretary of State didn't belong to were grossly underresourced; leading to a much different voting experience and possibly many people giving up. If you have a minimum wage job and no union representation, you are unlikely able to stay away from the office for hours on end to be able to vote. A much different experience than popping into the local fabulous elementry school for ten minutes to vote on your way to the country club.
So my first introduction to you showed me many of your biases rught up front. Then I looked into things and saw James Baker as the head of the commission! And his law firm cronies. And active members of the Republican party. I'm sure you have heard from many others about their disappointment in this so I won't belabor the point. Just let me say that it it is a major lowpoint (and there have been many) in my feeling that anyone actually cares about America any longer. Putting the man most visibly responsible for the Bush effort to stop the counting of all votes in the 2000 election, the man who argued before the Supreme court that there was not actually a real need for all citizens to be represented in the State's choice of its electors, the state in question being led by the candidate's brother --- how can anyone think that was a way to create a commission that would satisfy the need for all Americans to have their confidence raised in the electoral process?
I fear you commission is nothing more than another administration/Republican party sham and smokescreen designed to defuse legitimate investigations into the actuial process and to short circuit meaningful reforms. The problems are all too real and a true investigation would be very damaging to the interests that created you commission.
How am I so sure? We pressed like hell to get the results of the election in Ukraine overturned. Why? The exit polls disagreed with the official results. The offending discrepancies wre of the same magnitude of the ones we had here.
We lead the world in many areas. I think opinion research and marketing intellegence is one of those. The large corporations know more about me than I do myself. The know what I am going to buy before I walk in the store. Trillions of dollars in cosumer revenue and billions of dollars in earnings depend on it. So you want me to believe that on this one day in November 2004 they just made a few mistakes.............
I don't know what plum or payoff you have been promised for this effort, but I hope you will make a bunch of money and be really happy. So rich and happy that you will be able to look back one day and decide that your place in the scheme to entrench the country into a one-party corporatist regime was worth it.
Respectfully
David Schoen
p.s You really shouldn't be so nasty to opinion leader and activists who are trying to do the same think that you are allegedly doing. I hope you see the delicious irony in the fact that the head of an election reform commission has suggested to a group of activists that their similar views means that they don't have to be listened to!
COMMENT #63 [Permalink]
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AU student
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:39 am PT...
When one of the reps. of Velvet Revolution protesting the Commission hearing is a convicted felon, that doesn't make the rest of you look credible, articulate or not. I'm an AU student who became curious when I saw the signs that were up, but when I heard of the backgrounds of some of the people protesting, and contrasted that with Dr. Pastor's CV, it was no contest to me who was more credible. If you want to be heard, you are going to have to make sure you have respectable people voicing your concerns.
COMMENT #64 [Permalink]
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Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:50 am PT...
"When one of the reps. of Velvet Revolution protesting the Commission hearing is a convicted felon, that doesn't make the rest of you look credible,"
I actually haven't been following VU all that much and I've no idea if what you say is true.
However, to use your own logic, what does this say about the Bush Administration when we have half the Iran-Contra brigade running around in the corridors of power?
Hmmm.
COMMENT #65 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:53 am PT...
Re: #69 David, another delicious irony of the Good Doctor's intemperate outburst is that Common Cause of which Dr Pastor is a Board Member, also has email "form letters" on their website for C C campaigns!
COMMENT #66 [Permalink]
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Nana
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:04 am PT...
AU student- whats your major, Intimidation 101?
Keep studying, honey. You have a lot to learn.
COMMENT #67 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:07 am PT...
Re: AU STUDENT #70
BradBlog relies upon FACTS!
Q1: Can you supply us with the name of the convicted felon?
Q2: Did Dr Robert Pastor put you up to this?
COMMENT #68 [Permalink]
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Jeff
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:07 am PT...
You go Brad! I sent two letters now. The first to the link you provided in the first place and now one to Dr. Pastor. Sad, but I notice that people don't even ask why the MSM isn't on this. I guess we have all given up on them. The velvet revolution is now truly a revolution for it seems we are truly forsaken by the press.
COMMENT #69 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:13 am PT...
JEFF did you see my #60
I know it's only a moonies rag, but it's sorta MSM!
COMMENT #70 [Permalink]
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Kansasblue
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:20 am PT...
I've read the theory that the commission's plan is to nationalize the elections. If you go to verifiedvoting.org you will see that there is some good state action to prevent fraud but lots of election groups. The theory is that the Feds will step in and force the states to adopt Fed standards and roll back some of the states new controls on the e machines. Reforms could include 'networking' the machines together, removing paper trails and putting control of the elction totally under Federal control.
COMMENT #71 [Permalink]
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GW Grad
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:22 am PT...
OOOOHHHH. Not impressed with his utter lack of civility or pragmatism. "They are not going to be listened to." If I'm wrong, I'll just talk louder--how Repukelickin of him. And he's got an academic e-mail addy! Doesn't speak very highly of American University. You'd think they were located in Texas or Carolina or something! I'd expect to see his kind more at Bob Jones U. than at American.
I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm completely not.
Who won the election? Indeed.
GO BRAD!!! Give 'em hell.
COMMENT #72 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:33 am PT...
AU Student #70,
While we're counting felonies, lets count the felonies of senior project managers/programmers at Diebold. One of them plead gulty to 23 counts of felony fraud. It must have been only the ones he was caught at. They have a whole nest of felons at Diebold. Does that help you understand our concerns?
COMMENT #73 [Permalink]
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Jessica
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:36 am PT...
Here's mine...
Dear Dr. Pastor,
I am writing to let you know that I would have been one of the "six or seven" people to write you with my concerns about the new "blue ribbon commission"--I'm sure you know which one I mean--but I ran into some technical difficulties.
The only reason I was not one of those "six or seven" is because I had some registration issues with my login at www.velvetrevolution.us (when you have a moment, you may want to check out that site). I tried to sort them out with Brad, but eventually I told him never mind, because he had MUCH more important work to do than to fix my technical problem (like fighting for the rights of True American Citizens who Truly want to be Heard by people like you).
So I respectfully ask that you now count me in on the Real Six or Seven people who are asking your commission to please, allow the citizens and the Real Voting Rights Groups to have a voice in your forum! And please, at the very least, invite Rep. John Conyers to sit on your commission and testify about the 102 pages of "irregularities" found, just in the state of Ohio!
If these things are not done, We the People will continue to see your commission as nothing but a sham to present the false impression of an investigation, recommend ludicrous "reforms" to the election process to the Congress, and thus shut down any future inquiries into the election fraud that has now occurred several times. And of course, if we are not heard through your commission, we will be heard through many other avenues we have available. So wouldn't it be better just to do it right the first time around?
Thank you very much, and I do appreciate your time.
COMMENT #74 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:45 am PT...
Poor Robert "No-one-elected-me-so-I'm-not-Brad's-bitch" Pastor.
The computer that holds his email must be smoking from the overload.
COMMENT #75 [Permalink]
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Diane
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:54 am PT...
I think we need to write or call into Air America Radio. We must utilize what little airtime we have to get the word out. Get Brad on Al Franken's show. Post "election" Al (and others) spent way too much time after the election discussing what Kerry and the Dems did wrong ( though I think Kerry screwed up big time..." If I knew then what I know now I would have voted the same way?"...puleeze) and very little time if any on election fraud.
Amy Goodman, Democracy Now...Where are you???
COMMENT #76 [Permalink]
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Beth
said on 4/20/2005 @ 10:57 am PT...
This is great!!!
Could the letter the the commission be shorter?
And for those of us on dial-up - your home page is slow loading, a little less graphics would be great.
But totally great work - i'm very proud to know about this site. And I agree, you are having an impact!!
Keep up the great work.
COMMENT #77 [Permalink]
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Rick
said on 4/20/2005 @ 11:33 am PT...
This amazing story should make its way over to Rawstory, Kos, and the others. Truly stunning.
..."you're not going to be heard" my ass.
COMMENT #78 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 4/20/2005 @ 11:33 am PT...
AU Student #70
Well, given that it's pretty easy to get a Felony (shoplifting something worth $250 I think is the limit) in this day and age, I don't think the statement "someone is a felon" matters much.
Not to mention, it's easy to "avoid a felony" when you're rich.. ask Laura Bush and her homicide with a vehicle while driving drunk.. it all went away, didn't it (I've not fully investigated that, it could be 'untrue'.. but then we'll just talk about Rush and his prescription drug habbit that was washed away, no felonies there, or the President and his little coke problem that got washed away.. no felony there!).
Having a Felony does not preclude you from voting, nor does it preclude you from owning a gun, nor does it preclude you from being intelligent enough to see this farce that our government is trying to make us swallow. Hell, I'm guessing you probably -don't- have a felony, but you are too stupid to accept/see the truth and buy into the whole "ohhhh! I can lable you 'bad' and ignore you!! woo! look at me! I'm cooooool, I'm smaaaaart.. I'm a RePUGNECON". Moron
And if you want to talk about "criminal" and "no credibility", you really do need to look at this administration and all the LIES they keep telling and told to get us to Iraq and kill off thousands of troops and a LOT more Iraqi civilians. You need to talk about DeLay and his being rebuked 3 times for ethics violations, and that he's under investigation AGAIN and this time they are looking at -criminal- violations, not just things that "look criminal but would be hard to prove so we'll drop it to ethical questionability".
What a moron.. has a Felony.. And people living in the streets stealing for food because rich fat-cats and corperate greed-mongers (and their republican whores) need them there to keep wages down, they deserve to get felony convictions if what they steal is "worth enough"? Felony is becomming WAY to widespread in it's use, and mostly to remove "petty criminals' " rights while rich people avoid getting felonies with high-paid lawyers.
Go crawl back under Dr. Pastor's desk and get back to doing what you do best...
COMMENT #79 [Permalink]
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Leslie
said on 4/20/2005 @ 11:35 am PT...
Wow... Dr. Pastor sure got defensive!
I sent him an email but used my own account instead of the Velvet Revolution page.
Good work Brad.
COMMENT #80 [Permalink]
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Onyx
said on 4/20/2005 @ 11:53 am PT...
I suggest supporters of Common Cause (there must be a ton of you here) contact CC, threaten to withold further support until they publish an expalination/appology from Dr. Pastor' regarding his postions and comment to BB. They might be able to force him to retract, appologize or at least explain how he didn't mean what he said and get him to commit to some appropriate action with the Election Reform Commission.
Its worth a try. I did it.
>BTW, Pastor's bio shows that he was President of Common Cause of Georgia 2001-2002; Vice Pres. 1999-2000. On the National Governing Board of Common Cause 1998 to Present. & etc. (ugh - transcribing .pdf file - here's the link .
COMMENT #81 [Permalink]
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Seattledem
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:02 pm PT...
Keep sending those cards, letters, and emails people. Lets get in their face and stay in their face.
I'm growing nostalgic for that democracy we used to all know and love.
COMMENT #82 [Permalink]
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alizaryn
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:03 pm PT...
Sent him an email, We'll see,
COMMENT #83 [Permalink]
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understandinglife
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:04 pm PT...
Called his office. Assured the young person whom answered that I was not a recording, not a robo-caller, and wanted Dr Pastor to know that he has zero credibility and his scam, sham, bling-bling "commission" has now been exposed as merely an extension of the fraudulent national election of 2004.
Peace.
http://www.missionnotaccomplished.us (a day to reflect on all the atrocities that the current, fradulent inhabitants of the White House have committed)
COMMENT #84 [Permalink]
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horkus
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:10 pm PT...
Comment #70 AU student
Hey, I'm curious as to who is the "convicted felon" is and what his/her role is. Does he/she play a major role in Velvet revolution? Or is merely helping out with mundane tasks (making copies etc..)
And what were the terms of the conviction? Rape, murder, armed robbery? Okay, those are big ones. Let Brad know who it is, I'm sure he'd make a responsible decision in the matter and disclose his reasons. Is the conviction more related to something like shoplifting or selling pot in college to dorm buddies? Those aren't convictions worthy of major persecution in my book.
Anyways, I think you're full of shit. If you had the name and crime, you would have mentioned it already.
I'll add you to the list of right wing nuts trying to come here and discredit our good deeds with false accusations and mistruths.
AU student, Chris Meyers, Genek, Manana, and some others I can't remember (Paul and Atty Jim don't count. They were boneheads). I give you props, it was cleverly done, but not enough to fool anyone here. Now run along and go back to grazing with the other sheep.
COMMENT #85 [Permalink]
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Miss Persistent
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:10 pm PT...
AU Student #70.
We will assume you are a Freshman, and perhaps too busy with finals to read up on these important issues. Forgiven. However, if you plan to graduate - ever - you will need to learn to think on your own two feet.
~AU Alum.
COMMENT #86 [Permalink]
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Peter Kofod
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:13 pm PT...
Hi all.
This is truly amazing. What a contempt for democracy... or what´s left of it, anyway.
I strongly urge EVERYBODY to send a mail to Mr. Pastor, explaining that you ARE a real person.
I strongly suggest that you keep it in NON-partisan terms, since what they would really like, is to dismiss all of our letters as "democratic propaganda".
(anyway, the 2 parties (excluding courageous individuals on both sides) are equally corrupt anyway)
Sincerely
Peter Kofod
COMMENT #87 [Permalink]
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George
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:13 pm PT...
To: rpastor@american.edu
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 3:05 PM
Subject: your yesterday's telephone call to Brad Friedman
Dear Professor Pastor,
You lost badly in your telephone exchange with Brad Friedman. Since I was not on the line during your conversation, my opinion is necessarily based solely on Brad's report (on BRADBLOG.COM). In the event that Brad substantially mis-reported the conversation (on BRADBLOG.COM), please feel free to ignore the rest of this email.
As a professor, I assume that you are much deeper than the exchange indicates and that you simply may not have been "as fast on your feet" as Brad. No problem. For what it may be worth, I am also no match for Brad.
I would like to offer you a private or, if you prefer, public email debate that would give each of us time to think before replying. We should be concise and each of us, before replying, should demonstrate an understanding of the other's point. My goal in this is to persuade you that (at least) two major elections have been stolen and, if I do persuade you, that you as publicly as possible (mainstream media would of course be ideal), make such a statement.
Sincerely,
P.S. I also was not one of the "6 or 7" emailers.
COMMENT #88 [Permalink]
...
Teresa
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:18 pm PT...
Kira #13
That IS odd. Wonder what's going on.
COMMENT #89 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:22 pm PT...
From: japentz
To: rpastor@american.edu
Subject: Voting Commission Harrassment Charges
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:19:21 +0000
Dear Mr. Pastor,
Since your email address is posted on your public webpage at the American University, Center for Democracy & Election Management site, I am sending you an email to assure you that I am NOT one of the the 6 or 7 people you believe is harassing you regarding James Baker sitting on the Voting Reform Commission.
I am in the information technology field and I know the problems and as a US Citizen and an independent, non party affiliated voter, I have the right to be concerned. I am also a member of several voting rights groups.
I have heard you believe only 6 or 7 people are sending emails, but I can assure you that this is not the case. Hundreds of thousands, if not MILLIONS are concerned about the voter fraud we believe occurred in 2000 and 2004.
I am simply writing to ease your mind that a mere handful of people are harassing you. We THE PEOPLE have rights. You all are supposed to govern BY the will of the people. Well, you are hearing our will.
Sincerely,
J. Pentz
Maryland, USA
COMMENT #90 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:31 pm PT...
Here's my letter to Pastor:
How dare you exercise such “harassing” tactics to try to thwart true democratic expressions! Your actions only serve to further demonstrate to all of us how unrepresentative and undemocratic your secretly seated commission really is.
Regarding the e-mails you received via Velvet Revolution that objected to Mr. Baker’s ludicrous inclusion as co-chair of your committee, I’m not sure which one of those “6 or 7” writers I was but I’d hazard to guess you will better appreciate the strength and numbers behind the Velvet Revolution and the democratic movement in the next few days. If that is “harassment” then prepare to be harassed. Maybe it will teach you something about how democracy really works since you are obviously clueless.
When all is said and done, people like Brad Friedman and movements like Velvet Revolution will be remembered as being among the true heroes in righting our democracy while the desperate band of Republican partisans trying to subvert and pervert the democratic process in their favor, along with abettors like you, will be swept by the wayside. I can’t wait to see it.
I’ve known democracy and you, sir are no representative of democracy.
COMMENT #91 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:33 pm PT...
Here's another "note" I sent:
"That petition from Velvet Revolution was signed, only once I might add, by individuals who are deeply concerned with the misdirection of the public consciousness of this country. I am a witness, inadvertently, to the honesty of the petition and its integrity as to numbers.
"When I first signed, the site was, apparently, overloaded, and my "Send" seemed to dissolve in cyberspace. So, some hours later, I resent. A message came up, informing me that I had already signed the petition and that, unlike other fraudulent endeavors, I could not submit or vote twice. Proof, Dr, Pastor, that your thousands CANNOT be "6 or 7." "
Please reconsider your stance and your commitment to morality. If you are worried about your immortal soul, meditate upon that.
COMMENT #92 [Permalink]
...
gar
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:36 pm PT...
I hate to ask this, but Brad, how do you know you were talking to Robert Pastor?
COMMENT #93 [Permalink]
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peterpont
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:47 pm PT...
Just emailed this mouth piece for the Bushies. I have asked for a reply-any bets on a reply?
Peter in Oregon-Home of the mailin ballot
COMMENT #94 [Permalink]
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Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:48 pm PT...
Savantster #85
"Having a Felony does not preclude you from voting"
Actually in some states it does. Such as Florida... and well I guess most on this site know that the issue of, ahem, 'felons' not voting in Florida is what started the whole sorry Bush debacle back in 2000.
COMMENT #95 [Permalink]
...
Kira
said on 4/20/2005 @ 12:57 pm PT...
Teresa #19
I'm still trying to make sense of this. Every day I receive an email from John Kerry or Barbara Boxer or numerous others asking me to sign an email letter - exactly the same way as the Velvet Revolution letter we sent to Dr. Pastor. Just tonight I signed one from Senator Ted Kennedy. This is not unusual at all these days. It seems very strange that Dr. Pastor doesn't know this.
At any rate, this statement from Brad's transcription of the phone call, makes me furious:
BB: Those are thousands of Americans who are trying to have their voice be heard!, Bob!...That's the only way they can be heard since they've been shut out of this commission entirely! People who have been working for months and years on the very thing your secret commission is supposedly working on!
RP: Well, they are not going to be listened to.
======================
Yea - we've been noticing that! That statement is just WRONG - especially coming from a registered Democrat who has spoken out on the terrible plight of our voting system.
Follow this Link to Democratic Underground post regarding Pastor. Quotes from Pastor:
Nov. 3, 2004 - 60 Minutes: "Counting The Vote" "We have a system that is so decentralized that it's dysfunctional," says Robert Pastor, a professor at American University, and an expert on elections. "Each county and municipality designs its own ballot. Each county has a different voting machine. Each county trains its poll workers differently. Each county has a different registration system. That's why it's so dysfunctional."
Pastor helps third world countries set up their elections, and he says most of them do it better than we do. "With regard to the administration of elections, the U.S. election system is one of the worst of 118 democracies in the world," says Pastor.
==============
Anybody got any idea what's going on here?
COMMENT #96 [Permalink]
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Dr. Alan H. Levinson
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:00 pm PT...
Just sent this letter to Pastor. I urge others to do the same!!
Dr. Robert A. Pastor, 4/20/05
Just wanted to let you know that I was one of the "6 or 7" people who sent a letter to Jimmy Carter and the commissioners regarding James A. Baker, III, who is co-chairing the Commission and about some of his cronies seated on this commission. Baker, of course, is the long-time Bush Family loyalist and Bush/Cheney trial law attorney. I, and many others here in NY, have serious concerns about issues of impartiality and fairness.
The construct of partiality or impartiality is based on impression, as well as many other factors. The impression here clearly leads one to consider partiality, as the connection to the Bush family is undeniable. The people picked to chair such committees should be those beyond reproach, and have no ties to either side. The thesaurus describes impartial as neutral, unbiased, objective, independent, unprejudiced, disinterested, open-minded, even-handed, nonaligned, balanced. In all fairness, do you think for a second that if Edward Kennedy was a co-chair with Mr. Carter, that you, Mr. Bush, or anyone from this administration would stand for it. I hope this statement alone brings the issue to light.
Fairness is not brought about by having opponents from either side of the aisle face each other, or watch each other for fault. Fairness is brought about by picking the individuals with the least to gain...then the appearance of inequity fades.
My name is Dr. Alan Levinson. I am not a dupe, and disavow attempts to make me less than patriotic simply because I believe a process is faulty.
Thank You!
COMMENT #97 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:05 pm PT...
Partridge #95
I understand that having a felony -can- cause you to lose your voting rights, in some places, in some cases. I don't think a "State" can prevent you from voting for a Federal Election if the Federal rules allow you to vote.. If a State can bar that, then it should be addressed as a serious issue. Federal Elections are -not- state elections and the states should not be able to modify or prevent anyone from voting that the Federal Government has decided has a voice.
Also, I don't know about Florida.. but some places (and I'd guess all, but perhaps not) have a list of what felonies do and don't remove certian rights. If you commit murder, for example, you aren't getting a gun. If you steal a car stereo worth 'the right amount of money', you can get a gun. A lot of places reduce it to "did you spend time in jail for your crime".. *shrug*
Anyway, that's a whole other discussion, and has NO merit on someone's credibility unless you are asking someone to "take my word for it".. that's not what's happening here, we're presenting facts. If you want to discount -facts- because you don't like the person presenting them, you have a -serious- problem (like racists and KKK members and Nazis and the like). Facts are facts, regardless who presents them.. AU Student clearly falls into the realm of hate-monger if he's willing to discount someone's displaying of facts simply because they have a criminal record.
COMMENT #98 [Permalink]
...
Vance
said on 4/20/2005 @ 1:38 pm PT...
Hey Brad, glad to see you're getting the attention your hard work has deserved.
I sent an nice email over to Mr. Bob today, emphasizing that I'm not one of the 6 or 7 people using the form letter.
Way to keep up the fight!
P.S. Nice to hear you stick with "Stuck in the Middle with You" as your theme on the Brad Show. I was starting to wonder when you'd ever get your own show.
COMMENT #99 [Permalink]
...
Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:13 pm PT...
#95 Savantster
"If you want to discount -facts- because you don't like the person presenting them, you have a -serious- problem (like racists and KKK members and Nazis and the like)."
Um, I really don't want to divert this thread - but are you comparing me to a Nazi?!?
I really really hope you are using 'you' in the abstract sense there - I mean I wasn't even arguing with the substance of your post, just pointing out that in Florida, you can't vote if you're a felon - and the manipulation of this absurdity by Jeb Bush/Katherine Harris and (iirc) Choicepoint, in 2000 led to the disenfranchisment of 10000's of legitimate (mostly black and democrat) voters. If you don't know about this story, I suggest you read the articles about it (and watch the BBC videos) on Greg Palast's website - its amazing stuff.
I never said that if someone's a felon 'you automatically shouldn't trust them'. Thats a ridiculous argument.
COMMENT #100 [Permalink]
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Ted
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:30 pm PT...
AU Student: I find your comments and innuendo deeply disturbing and I hope you have the decency to rethink what you have said.
Frankly, I could care less whether anyone associated with any of these groups is a convicted felon. By your standard, a man like Chuck Colson (once a Watergate conspirator, now a minister and advocate for prisoners' rights) should not be disregarded because he once served time.
I guess know it all little college students, living on mommy and daddy's credit cards, find it easy to render these kind of judgements of people who have made mistakes, and paid their debt to society and struggle to get their lives back.
How did you come to "hear about the backgrounds"?
That is disgusting and a smear and you should be ashamed of yourself. If someone in any position of responsibility shared this crap with you, they should be ashamed to.
Stick to substance, or shut your damn mouth.
COMMENT #101 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:37 pm PT...
Partridge #99 NONONONONO!! I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about AU Student at that point!!!
I'm VERY sorry if that got confused! You (Partridge) were commenting on the "felons voting" bit, which is not an issue at all (per what's being talked about now).. I was refering to AU Student's willingness to dismiss facts like those who fight for their cause 'in the face' of facts (like Nazis, KKK types, etc etc)..
I -never- meant to imply anything derogatory toward you (Partridge).. I do sincerly appologize for that becoming confused!
COMMENT #102 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:37 pm PT...
Jeff J #38- Great Letter as are so many others on this thread. I am incredibly pleased to see the number and diversity of responders on this thread. It makes me realize how many people are listening and getting the message. It is obviously not always easy to call people to action but Dr. Pastor appears to have unwittingly become the posterchild and unexpected inspiration to excite people to the kind of efforts that can achieve the real voting reform that his committee only gives lip service to. Thank you Dr. Pastor and thank you Brad.
In regards to AU poster #70. I wouldn't waste my time trying to respond to this individual. This is nothing but a low-brow hit and run tactic to smear and try to delegitamize a group that thousands of us are a part of regardless of any past activities of any individuals "member(s)" or "representative(s)" of this
group or movement. There are no membership requirements for a movement and no one person or group of persons can ultimately represent such a broadly based movement as Velvet Revolution or similar groups. This poster has no idea what VR is or who is or is not a voice for VR. Whether he/she was put up to this small-minded post or did it on his/her own, you can be certain that he/she will not be willing or capable of engaging in any kind of dialogue on the real issues.
COMMENT #103 [Permalink]
...
Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:38 pm PT...
Hmm, for reason the end got cut off my post :/
Take two:
#95 Savantster
"If you want to discount -facts- because you don't like the person presenting them, you have a -serious- problem (like racists and KKK members and Nazis and the like)."
Um, I really don't want to divert this thread - but are you comparing me to a Nazi?!?
I really really hope you are using 'you' in the abstract sense there - I mean I wasn't even arguing with the substance of your post, just pointing out that in Florida, you can't vote if you're a felon - and the manipulation of this absurdity by Jeb Bush/Katherine Harris and (iirc) Choicepoint, in 2000 led to the disenfranchisment of 10000's of legitimate (mostly black and democrat) voters. If you don't know about this story, I suggest you read the articles about it (and watch the BBC videos) on Greg Palast's website ( http://www.gregpalast.com ) - its an amazing story.
Anyway, I never said that just because someone is a felon you should automatically view them with suspicion. I think we're in agreement that that is a ridiculous arguement. :O
COMMENT #104 [Permalink]
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Partridge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:39 pm PT...
Do'h. guess there was no need for me to post a second a time.
/buys Savantster a drink
COMMENT #105 [Permalink]
...
Alex
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:41 pm PT...
COMMENT #106 [Permalink]
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Partirdge
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:51 pm PT...
Alex: I know not why you posted that email address. But two things, a) its the wrong email address (one too many t's in 'bottts') and b) its not the same James Baker. That belongs to James A. Baker IV, a laywer specialising in international business law. (website here ).
COMMENT #107 [Permalink]
...
Republicans are Fascists
said on 4/20/2005 @ 2:58 pm PT...
They're in complete panic mode. They were hoping to quietly start this fraud commision and then use it's name shortly there after as if it were a long stand reputable group. Thanks to Brad that is a totally impossible now.
Keep the emails up and let's come up with a way to take this to the next level.
Thanks Brad, wonderful news!
COMMENT #108 [Permalink]
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Bando Bling
said on 4/20/2005 @ 3:33 pm PT...
I too sent Dr. Pastor an email from my own account instead of the Velvet Revolution page. That will enlighten him that are more than 6-7 people emailing from the VP page. Baker should NOT be the co-chair when he is himself a part of the vote rigging scheme.
COMMENT #109 [Permalink]
...
Charlie L
said on 4/20/2005 @ 3:42 pm PT...
I wrote to him.
Here's what I wrote:
Dr. Pastor:
I am DISGUSTED by your behaviour and your attitude towards those Americans who wish to comment on the cover-up and obfuscation job you are doing on the problems with the 2004 Presidential election.
I intend to ask my congressman (David Wu) and my senator (Wyden) to investigate fully your stacked-deck and stilted little commission.
Yes, I realize that you totally control the house and senate and white house, so the chances of any real justice occurring in this situation are remote, but that will not stop me from trying.
Your CV and history wouldn't suggest it, but you are selling out the future of honest elections in the United States by your behaviour. To believe for even one moment that James Baker should co-chair such a group is pure folly, and given your intellect, I'm afraid I can't give you the benefit of the doubt on this. You are not stupid, and that makes the decisions you are making much worse --- it makes them evil.
You can not be allowed to continue to MOCK the American people who were so evilly disenfranchised in the 2004 Presidential Election. You disrespect our democracy and the people who have died to protect it.
Your slanted, cherry-picked, and highly dubious commission is setting out to BURY the truth, not solve the problems.
Shame, Dr. Pastor, shame.
Charlie Levenson
Portland, Oregon
COMMENT #110 [Permalink]
...
Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:07 pm PT...
I also sent Pastor an e-mail, and one to the president of American (sic) University.
It's frightening that people are paying $20,000 a year or more to send their kids to this temple of scholarship, only to study under a man who equates dissent with harassment. If there's one thing that separates the college campus from the Bush administration, at least in theory, it's that colleges welcome opposing points of view, while Bush considers dissent to be disloyal.
I wish we had the address of every parent of an American University student, so we could educate all of them at once.
COMMENT #111 [Permalink]
...
jen
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:12 pm PT...
Sent an email to Pastor and it seems to have gone through. I'm so curious to know how many of us actually wrote the thug! Here's my letter:
Mr. Pastor,
You have created a situation in which we the people are forced to email you individually since as a group we seem to have no validity in your view. We want to be heard but since you think acting as a group means there were only a few of us, we must open your eyes to the reality of our numbers. You should believe Brad Freidman when he tells you something. He is not a liar. He is a fighter and he is fighting FOR US. We have his back.
I'm sorry to let you know that there are more people than you would ever imagine who know that the election process in this once great country is a sham - that the 2000, 2002 and 2004 elections were hacked, rigged, yes, stolen.
I can provide you endless links from the many people who have spent countless hours, days, months and years figuring out how this was accomplished, but I feel it would be a waste of both our time since you would most likely not look at any of them.
Suffice it to say Mr. Pastor the gig is up. Despite the media's silence on this major issue, we KNOW, we saw it happen and yet our voices are not being heard. We all know about the on-the-ground tactics that were used from provisional ballots not being counted, to polling place locations being changed, to shortages of voting machines, to machines with no paper trails, to computer glitches that IN EVERY CASE SKEWED IN BUSH'S FAVOR, and the grand-daddy of them all, we witnessed A CHIMPANZEE HACK THE VOTE TABULATOR! Yes, we know that the machines that COUNT THE VOTES are easily manipulated and that the totals can be changed from a remote location.
Mr. Pastor, we know what's going on. The fact that you formed this bogus commission is not lost on us. We are sick of it and we are not going to take it laying down. You put someone with the integrity and honesty of President Carter up against James Baker??? Do you think we're stupid?
I have nothing but contempt and disrespect for you and your twisted ethics and morals. I seriously don't understand why you think lying, cheating and downright thuggery are the way to live life, but I hope that some day you will open your eyes and your heart and do the right thing. You know what you are doing is horribly wrong and you should just plain stop it. It's easy. Just stop, think and do what's right.
Jen
COMMENT #112 [Permalink]
...
Kira
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:29 pm PT...
Wow! You said it Jen #111!! APPLAUSE!
There are so many great and eloquent letters posted here. I'm just not able to muster up that kind of eloquence - but you guys ROCK!
I have a question - can anyone answer this:
Has Common Cause joined under the Velvet Revolution umbrella? I couldn't find their logo on VR's main page, but might have missed it.
Anyone know if they're with us?
COMMENT #113 [Permalink]
...
jen
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:40 pm PT...
Thanks Kira! You know I am not a writer but I get so inspired and motivated by reading what others post that at one point I just started writing and over time it becomes easier. It doesn't have to be long or detailed, short and to the point is often best - just to let them know we're out here and Brad has a literal army behind him!!
I did a "search" on the VR site and only got results that included the word "common" - as in a link to an article by Thom Hartmann on Common Dreams dot org. It doesn't seem they're officially connected but maybe someone else has more information on that.
COMMENT #114 [Permalink]
...
Rick
said on 4/20/2005 @ 5:49 pm PT...
Kira #112
That's a great question about Common Cause.
COMMENT #115 [Permalink]
...
Peggy
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:35 pm PT...
Excellent, excellent, Brad. When they lose it, you know you are doing things right. I love this report. I think it should be sent in its entirety BY E-MAIL, FAX, OR REGULAR MAIL to Dr. What'his'name and all the participants of the commission and all MSM. Excellent...RIGHT ON TARGET!
COMMENT #116 [Permalink]
...
Kira
said on 4/20/2005 @ 6:46 pm PT...
I've been reading the posts on DU - they're firing off emails to Pastor as well. I hope all the other represented groups (under VR) are joining in with great fervor!
COMMENT #117 [Permalink]
...
Kira
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:08 pm PT...
Hey - WooHoo!!! Found this posted at DU:
Link
"Just phoned Pastor's office. Office assistant told me they are receiving
too many emails and phone calls which are flooding their system. I was told I can only write a letter and send it "snail mail". I told her I did not want to wait for him to receive my letter since the commission is now underway. She still insisted I write a letter with my comments. Before she hung up, I got a comment out about Conyers knowing a lot about election fraud. Guess I better put it in writing!
I'm going to try a fax instead."
COMMENT #118 [Permalink]
...
Peggy
said on 4/20/2005 @ 7:38 pm PT...
I have now read all the above blogs. You are all sensational (except for AU student, who's way off topic). You bloggers represent the American way that is admired and respected - as opposed to the current Admininstration and those despicable individuals who have sold out "America the Great" for "America the Corrupt". Keep the letters going! God Bless you all.
COMMENT #119 [Permalink]
...
becky
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:00 pm PT...
Can I have permission to copy and paste that conversation to Keith Olbermann. Maybe he'll pick it up and report on it?
COMMENT #120 [Permalink]
...
valleygirl
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:49 pm PT...
re: #119
Try to think of someone else in the MSM to send the info to, like someone who hasn't gotten it wrong most of the time.... Olbermann's not your guy! Can't say who is, though... give it a year or so, and you can send it to Brad, at the MSM. PAX
COMMENT #121 [Permalink]
...
Stephen
said on 4/20/2005 @ 8:53 pm PT...
Wait, so you're pitching a bitchfest because Baker is on the commission, but have no problem with Carter (a man who has been highly critical of the Bush Administration) being on it? What a bunch of hypocrites you are.
COMMENT #122 [Permalink]
...
jpentz
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:38 pm PT...
I think faxing would be a great idea. I may do that tomorrow.
COMMENT #123 [Permalink]
...
Kira
said on 4/20/2005 @ 9:44 pm PT...
Hey JPENTZ! Glad you're here.
I wish I had fax capabilities. Email & Snail will have to do.
COMMENT #124 [Permalink]
...
method
said on 4/21/2005 @ 4:10 am PT...
AU Student #70..
Feeble attempts at smearing won't distract people from the facts of this case... we're more focussed than that. (it might work with the MSM but it doesn't work very well on blogs!!)
Felony or not... facts are facts... evidence is evidence. - And at that, I even have doubts about the importance of the alleged felony.
Smear campaigns just show that there's a reason for you to distract us from the evidence and facts we have.
---
To all the emailers/snailmailers/etc...
Don't forget to mention that John Conyers and his 102 pages of evidence of REAL vote fraud issues is being blocked out by the commission, in effect... denying Americans of due democratic process. (as well as the obvious Baker issue!!)
And... that this well-researched and thorough evidence is being blocked out in favour of 30 pages of partisan-produced, anecdotal crap that totally ignores the vote-fraud issues in Ohio.
The real evidence MUST be heard and publicised by the commission, otherwise... we MUST ensure it is seen for what it really is... a Republican scheme to control the vote and sweep the election fraud of 2004 under the rug.
Peace!!
COMMENT #125 [Permalink]
...
Jeff J
said on 4/21/2005 @ 4:38 am PT...
"Steve" said:
"Wait, so you're pitching a bitchfest because Baker is on the commission, but have no problem with Carter (a man who has been highly critical of the Bush Administration) being on it? What a bunch of hypocrites you are. "
Just so happens that President Carter has decades of experience dealing with election issues, Steve. He's presided over many elections at the request of citizens from around the globe when they believed the chances of election fraud were great. And you deem it inappropriate that he would be asked to look into election malfunctions here at home?
Baker, on the other hand, demonstrated his contempt for counting every vote during the 2000 Presidential debacle. This Commission is supposed to be a non-partisan effort to improve the voting process and ensure that every American voice is heard. Who's being hypocritical here?
But unfortunately, it appears the truth is that the National Election Reform Commission headed by Dr. Pastor is a sham anyway. They may as well have asked Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) to co-chair the commission for all the sincerity they’ve demonstrated.
That’s what this site is all about Steve. We are Americans that really are concerned about voting integrity and are not content to sit on our hands anymore and let criminal politicians and corporate interests run our country anymore. It’s about taking back our government from corrupt politicians that don’t give a damn about us ordinary citizens and restoring a true democracy. It’s obvious that it’s up to us to get the job done, as the mainstream media and our government at-large have abandoned us completely.
COMMENT #126 [Permalink]
...
Jeff J
said on 4/21/2005 @ 4:45 am PT...
Stephen (#121):
My apologies. I quoted you as "Steve"
Jeff J
COMMENT #127 [Permalink]
...
method
said on 4/21/2005 @ 5:01 am PT...
Re: #121..
Yes, Carter may have been highly critical of the Bush administration... but Carter didn't try to suppress votes being counted in 2000 (like Baker did!!!).
I don't recall Carter being the lead attorney on the campaign advisory board for any party in 2004 either??? (like Baker was - for Bush!!)
I don't recall any allegations of vote/vote-registration fraud being made against Carter in 2004 either. (need I mention Baker again???)
With Baker being on the commission... and with some of the complaints being against him... the commission itself is tainted with hypocrisy... yet, you call us hypocrites!!!
It seems you haven't processed the many reasons that justify kicking Baker off the commission and instead have posted an emotional knee-jerk reaction?!
This isn't about partisan politics, this is about removing someone involved in the same fraud that the commission they are part of, is supposed to be investigating.
COMMENT #128 [Permalink]
...
KestrelBrighteyes
said on 4/21/2005 @ 7:26 am PT...
Okay, email sent to Pastor, guess I'd better get the snail mail version going as well.
BTW, in case I've not said it lately - you people ROCK!
COMMENT #129 [Permalink]
...
Grizzly Bear Dancer
said on 4/21/2005 @ 10:19 am PT...
We the people suck!
We the people suck!
We the people suck!
We can't produce anyone better than you guys to run this police country and since you supposedly mirror the people, stand up for the people, and take an oath to protect the people.. we the people must really suck. So why don't you do this country a favor and get your buddy George W, Dick Cheney, Carl Rove, Condolezza Rice, Alberto Gonzalez, and all the rest of your unnamed Bushit Administration protecting us from terrorism in Iraq (and making America and this world a better place) by fighting some terrrorists on the front lines. Since US is occupying Iraq there are surely some that have gathered there. Now maybe I only have to be right 1 in 959,000 but I bet if you put a grinade in your mouth where your lying tongues rest, someone will shoot at you before you can shoot your mouths off again.
COMMENT #130 [Permalink]
...
Jose Chung
said on 4/21/2005 @ 10:44 am PT...
RP: It's the same message over and over again.
BB: They are welcome to add any text they like as a P.S., but would you feel better if we removed the text and let them write whatever they wanted?!
-------------------------------
(1) So you admit that the all the emails are the same!
(2) Sounds very spam-like to me.
(3) I'm supposed to take your word for it that these were thousands of concerned citizens sending individual messages? How do you know that?
P.S. Jimmy Carter was the worst president of the twentieth century.
COMMENT #131 [Permalink]
...
Savantster
said on 4/21/2005 @ 11:20 am PT...
Steven #121 --
It's been show MANY times how Baker, not Carter, was involved with "bad voting situtations".. We're not saying "remove Baker because he thinks shrubman is cool", we're saying "remove Baker because he's INTERFERED WITH COUNTING VOTES already, and has no credibility with his sincerity to 'make voting better' ".. You're an idiot if you can't see the difference.
Jose Chung #131
You too are a moron. Do you NOT know what the difference is between an "e-mail campaign" and "spam"? I'd guess not given your post.. SPAM is when someone SOLICITS you with unwanted ADVERTISEMENTS to buy things (usually something crappy or illegal).. Having the "same text" in an e-mail as someone else is NOT spam.. that's called a FORM LETTER. You can tell they are from different people by CHECKING THE ADDRESSES people put in as return addresses (since they are submitted through a given website, it looks like they all came from the same place.. which is why -any- reasonable person that wanted to test the veracity of the posts would try sending an e-mail to the 'person listed' as Brad pointed out). So, -yes-.. they were 'all the same', but each was sent by a unique person expressing their concerns.. it just so happens that the concern was presented in a FORM LETTER.
And no, you are -not- supposed to "take our word for it" that they weren't just 6 or 7 people spamming (in the alternate definition where something is repeatedly presented by ONE person), you are supposed to CHECK the identities of those signing the mails, verify "return addresses" provided by those sending emails. Though, to apease dim-witted folks like you, you can now see that a LOT of those people that "sent a copy of the form letter" also have now sent their OWN version of the complaint, from their OWN e-mail addresses.. and there seem to be many phone calls and snail-mails and faxes now too.
See, what idiots like you don't get is.. we -tried- to do this in an orderly fasion.. with minimal impact and disruption to Dr. Pastor to try and be respectful while letting him know our concernes. He decided to be a tool, like you, and forced people to use "not so respectful" avenues now. Form letters are COMMON in this day and age. You just have to be smarter than your keyboard to look up and see that they are 'signed' by different people, that's all.
Oh, and I don't care -what- your opinion of Carter's presidency was.. it's irrelavant.. he's never been accused of 'rigging elections' and so has no conflict of interest on the panel.. Your boy Baker can't say the same.
COMMENT #132 [Permalink]
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PDX Bill
said on 4/21/2005 @ 11:58 am PT...
I wasn't one of the elusive 6 or 7 either so I sent the following to Dr.? Pastor.
I feel very strongly about the validity of the 2000 election -The NYT showed Gore to be the 2000 winner in Florida in their 2001 news article, a fact that was buried many paragraphs down in the piece. I also believe that the 2002 election was rigged electronically - Georgia being one state that election polls did not match results and much ado about hacking or programming of election machines. The 2004 election was won by Kerry - you've seen the exit polls - and they've always been reliable. Diebold leaders support Bush and had stated that they would do everything in their power to deliver the votes to him. A programmer has passed a lie detector test stating that he provided programming to republicans for effecting the outcome of electronic machines. What are these factors supposed to mean other than rigging an election. Black box voting has shown in publicized demonstrations the ease of hacking the vote.
Your commission does not seem to want to address electronic voting machines and scanners and the simplicity in hacking these devices. Why not? Is the republican party afraid of a real election?
Democrats have absolutely no confidence in an election where electronic voting machines and scanners are used that do not furnish Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails and absolute protection of these machines from corporate control
This is about Democracy- An honest election - What else really matters in the scheme of things?
COMMENT #133 [Permalink]
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Diane
said on 4/21/2005 @ 12:22 pm PT...
Jose,
I rememeber reading a story about Eisenhowers anger at the German people who lived in villages near the the death camps, but who refused to acknowlege the purpose of the camps existance. In some cases the stench from death, decay, and incineration was so strong it would have been impossible for the villagers to support their claims if ignorance.
People like you remind me of those villagers.. The the death of our democracy is right in your face, yet you refuse to see it.
Diane
P.S.
I and my husband come from Republican families. His dad was and activist in the Republican business community in conservative O.C., Ca.. Years ago we could see the hate, greed, and faux, pious religiosity seeping into the party ... and refused to walk "lock step" over the cliff with the sheep.
Wake up! Smell the stench! You can do it too Jose!
Educate youself on who owns the media and
how information is controlled. Forget the left vs. right thing....follow the money.
COMMENT #134 [Permalink]
...
ewastud
said on 4/21/2005 @ 12:33 pm PT...
This is speculation, but I really believe that our infamous CIA covert operatives have turned to using their special skills to fixing our domestic elections, after having so much practice fixing those of foreign governments. "Dr. Pastor" might just be one of their moles and would explain his seemingly contradictory statements. Anyone know the background behind American University? That name is also suggestive of the kind of name the CIA would use for one of their fronts, like Air America, their proprietary airline. It also explains the hostility of our mainstream media to talk about election fraud, in the same way that "conspiracy" was anathema when speaking about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The connection of our MSM to the CIA (Operation Mockingbird) was documented by the Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein (Rolling Stone Magazine, 20th October, 1977).
COMMENT #135 [Permalink]
...
Paula Bushkoff
said on 4/21/2005 @ 12:33 pm PT...
This is the text of a letter I emailed to the executive director of the National Election Reform Commission:
My name is Paula Bushkoff from Massachusetts. I'm one of the many thousands of people who emailed you about the problem of having James Baker on your committee. I am writing to reassure you that many, maybe even a majority, of Americans are upset about the 2004 election and feel we cannot trust the results of software that we are not allowed to examine used to count our votes. Your contention that only 6 or 7 people are emailing you comes from our laziness when sending emails to you and others, not personalizing them. In the future I, for one, will personalize enough to let you know that each of us is a different American citizen trying to have our voices heard. Please attend to our concerns by removing Mr. Baker from your committee. Do it right now - by 5:00 pm this afternoon. Thank you!!!
I got the last part from the M Club - which I thought silly for the purposes they often used them for but for this one I thought it was a grand idea!
COMMENT #136 [Permalink]
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Jose Chung
said on 4/21/2005 @ 12:35 pm PT...
Oh, and I don't care -what- your opinion of Carter's presidency was.. it's irrelavant.. he's never been accused of 'rigging elections' and so has no conflict of interest on the panel..
____________________
Oh contraire, mi amigo. Jimmy Carter goes around the world observing obviously "rigged elections" and then predictably gives them his blessing.
Oh, by the way, Savantster, Did you know they named a nuclear submarine after Jimmy Carter. They call it the Chicken of the Sea and instead of a morale officer it has a malaise officer.
COMMENT #137 [Permalink]
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Jose Chung
said on 4/21/2005 @ 12:47 pm PT...
To Diane:
How dare you bring up the Nazi death camps! Talk about a trivialization of the holocaust!
COMMENT #138 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/21/2005 @ 1:00 pm PT...
Savanster #132 and Diane #134-
Great posts. I would add to Stephen (not "Steven") #121 and Jose #131 that, since one can still go to the Velvet Revolution website and send an e-mail to the Baker-Carter Commission, they might try the process themselves so that they can see what is involved- it's not just clicking a button. They can change their names if they want but they will have to use that name with its associated e-mail address consistently thereafter. In the optional text section they can say whatever they want, including that they do not support the e-mails text. Once they have done this, if they really want to see the difference between this single user process and some kind of e-mail generator or spam system, they should try to send a second e-mail from the same e-mail address and see what happens.
Steve (NOT the same person as Stephen or Steven!)
COMMENT #139 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/21/2005 @ 1:19 pm PT...
Jose-
You're arguments are misinformed at best. Talk about trying to trivialize an issue. The concerns addressed in this thread have nothing to do with support for Jimmy Carter. If you took the time to read the comments on this thread and on numerous other topic threads on this blog, you would find that MANY posters are not fans of Mr. Carter (although they make much more mature arguments against him than you do). He would not be the first choice of many of us to serve on this committee but to say that he brings the same kind of baggage and partisanship to the committe as Baker is absurd. In the final analysis, the issue is NOT about individuals per se, but whether this commission, as established (secretly) and as constituted, can address and produce the kind of reform in our voting system that is absolutely necessary. This is the concern being expressed here. This should also not be a partisan issue for anyone who truly wants fair and honest elections and to assure the people's trust in the electoral process, both being such critical factors in the most important democracy in the world.
COMMENT #140 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 4/21/2005 @ 1:48 pm PT...
I would add also.. If someone has a strong objection to Carter (for valid and provable reasons.. 'condoning a rigged election' counts, and someone posted that he did just that (though, not -rigged- it, just gave it an "ok").. if there are substantial pieces of evidence that Carter looks the other way in the face of 'bad elections'), then by all means.. remove him from the panel as well. Just because he's on the commision I have concernes (given what I"ve heard about his overseeing of other elections) about him too. We do NOT need a "ruber stamp" on some bullshit put out by the people trying to steal the elections. If Carter is part of the problem, remove him too.. by all means, SEND A LETTER to Pastor and express your issues (just be ready for him to cry at you about harassment).
I'm no fan of politicians given how they lend themselves to curruption and greed.
COMMENT #141 [Permalink]
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Azurea
said on 4/21/2005 @ 4:28 pm PT...
I sent this message to Robert Pastor:
White Wash is Red Flag
Mr. Pastor,
I just read Brad Blog's recounting of your telephone conversation. Your attitude belies your words. I believe that Republican partisans have created or co-opted this 'commission' as a white wash. By doing so you are compounding your problems, because more people will see this for what it is, and recognise that those of us who suspect that there was foul play on the part of Republican voting machine companies and Republican state election officials in order to ensure that more votes were counted for George W. Bush, were merely the first ones to figure it out.
COMMENT #142 [Permalink]
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CTPatriot
said on 4/21/2005 @ 5:26 pm PT...
Re: #124
I have also felt that the election thefts of 2000, 2002 and 2004 resembled CIA style manipulations. Knowing that poppy Bush was head of the CIA, and that he obviously had allies there, some of whom were purged from the CIA when he left the helm, and went on to work on his campaigns, etc., I'm wondering whether it was a conducted by ex-CIA personnel who are Bush loyalists.
The other thing I wonder about is whether the Dominionists were involved. My research indicates that they believe in the ends justifies means, and would not hesitate to steal elections if it meant the opportunity to remake America in their own image.
Re: AU Student and Jose
I'd lay 10-1 odds they are both freepers whose mission is, as always, to demonize, denigrate and disrupt.
COMMENT #143 [Permalink]
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Crede Calhoun
said on 4/21/2005 @ 6:45 pm PT...
Dear Dr. Pastor;
Baker was placed on the commission, and your organization is to weak to stand up to the Bush Administration for fear you might loose some funding, or some other implied threat. How can there be a worse choice, Baker is a poster child for Mr. Conflict of Interest of the Year. Can't you see that? The history of the party of dirty tricks and especially the history of this vindictive and ruthless Presidency is to threaten and intimidate and punish. What doid they threaten you with or reward you with? How was Baker chosen and by whom?
Please note President Bush's statement to Tim Russert in an interview where he said not that he would win the election, just that he would not loose. Exit polls are credible and a litmus test n other elections but not here, what a complete travesty and disgrace. We are the laughing stock of the world.
Hiding the truth is the forte of those who orchestrated the theft of our election through countless tactics and scams, principal of which is a paperless voting record (that is unable to be audited), insecure machines, and secret source codes, that are the property of companies not the people. How many more red flags can one corrupted, sunbverted, and broken election system send up? You sir are being used. Your commission has no credibility, and you Sir have but one chance to help the citizens of this country. May God have mercy upon your soul.
Best;
Crede Calhoun
COMMENT #144 [Permalink]
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Jose Chung
said on 4/21/2005 @ 11:06 pm PT...
I do know of a 2004 election that was stolen but it wasn't for the presidency.
A thousand illegal ballots from felons tilted the balance in the 2004 governor's race in the state of Washington.
COMMENT #145 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 4/22/2005 @ 1:22 am PT...
Jose (#144)-
Where'd you pull that number (1000) from? How about quoting or linking some references to your claims. Talk is cheap.
COMMENT #146 [Permalink]
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method
said on 4/22/2005 @ 4:16 am PT...
I'm guessing it's from a freeper article. Jose... have you any independant, non-partisan articles covering that issue or are you just spouting crap because when the votes were verified... you actually lost. (the same as if the rest of the votes were verified.. you'd have lost)
COMMENT #147 [Permalink]
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Shoeless Joe Stalin
said on 4/22/2005 @ 5:58 am PT...
I just counted. With Conyers, I make it nine people.
Yeehaaaa!
What kind of a neame is that? Dr. Pastor? What a dork! GJ Brad!~ Way to go!
COMMENT #148 [Permalink]
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SJS
said on 4/22/2005 @ 6:01 am PT...
Only a thousand, Hose Dung? I told those 6 or 7 cons to vote a 1000 times each! I want my money back!
COMMENT #149 [Permalink]
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SJS
said on 4/22/2005 @ 6:24 am PT...
"Oh, by the way, Savantster, Did you know they named a nuclear submarine after Jimmy Carter. They call it the Chicken of the Sea and instead of a morale officer it has a malaise officer."
Hose Dung, a white racist who hates Latin American and Asian immigrants, has bashed our troops, most of whom are immigrants, many not even citizens until their enlistments are up. Perhaps the "real men" at LGF or Freep will track him down and kill him, or kiss him. Probably both, and in that order.
COMMENT #150 [Permalink]
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Bejammin075
said on 4/22/2005 @ 10:04 am PT...
I doubt Hose Chung or AU student are the professional troll-types we've dealt with lately. Just misinformed people checking out Bradblog.
If Hose is concerned about fellons in the voting process, he should look at the fellons who wrote Diebold's software. 23 felonies for just 1 senior guy.
COMMENT #151 [Permalink]
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Jose Chung
said on 4/22/2005 @ 12:22 pm PT...
(I'm guessing it's from a freeper article. Jose... have you any independant, non-partisan articles covering that issue.)
The ACLU says the Washington state election was so screwed up they won't even take a position on it. What does that tell you?
Besides, you guys are supposed to be the experts on elections. I'm surprised you're not familiar with the case already. Or is the media hiding it from you?
(Or are you just spouting crap because when the votes were verified... you actually lost. (the same as if the rest of the votes were verified.. you'd have lost))
My sentiments exactly, Mr. Method, you guys lost in 2000 and 2004 fair and square and America won.
As for Diebold, you guys do know that something like 85% of their business is ATMS? For which I would like to commend them on an excellent job. From my own personal experience theirs are the most reliable on the market.
COMMENT #152 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 4/22/2005 @ 12:32 pm PT...
Re #144 -
Oh for God's sake!!! You need a life - or a lawyer.
COMMENT #153 [Permalink]
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Joses-a-dork
said on 4/22/2005 @ 1:39 pm PT...
America won? Is that what you call the mess this country is in right now? Our unsustainable spending habits, our crapping on the rest of the world, your defense of Diebold, for Christ's sake?! What a dip!
Dude, you're wasting your time on a website like this...reading your blather just makes me believe what I believe more strongly. And since you're not going to contribute anything substantive (other than speaking off-frigging-topic, criticizing an ex-President when you've done nothing of substance with your own pathetic life), perhaps you should consider using your time more effectively. Go back to irritating people who you think are your friends...and get outta here.
COMMENT #154 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 4/23/2005 @ 7:27 am PT...
#136
Jose,
It's AU contraire, sweetie.
COMMENT #155 [Permalink]
...
Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 4/23/2005 @ 8:15 am PT...
COMMENT #156 [Permalink]
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SJS
said on 4/23/2005 @ 8:56 am PT...
Really, Joan! Do you expect Jose Chung to parle francais? He is not Jose Ferrer, after all. Speaking of Diebold... isn't it odd they can provide a paper receipt for the banking machines, but not the voting machines? It's baffling to me, but then again... I'm not french either.
COMMENT #157 [Permalink]
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SJS
said on 4/23/2005 @ 9:02 am PT...
Update: Jose was tracked down and killed by Freepers. Not for 'dissing the troops, but because freepers are necrophiliacs and like to boink dead people. It's an act of love and mutual respect. Anyone else using the name Jose Chung is just an impostor, and a hard up guy looking for a freep date.
COMMENT #158 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 4/23/2005 @ 9:58 am PT...
SJS...hahahahahaa! "He is not Jose Ferrer, after all." Thanks for making me laugh!!
Sorry to hear of Jose's demise, tho. That was just creepy...! I don't wish him ill...I just wish he'd do a little research, is all.
Does anybody remember a cartoon on tv (this is going back a ways) about little guys who go around with milk bottles full of "sunshine"? And whenever they came across someone who talked evil nonsense, they would hit them over the head with a milk bottle & they would be transformed & filled with "sunshine". Maybe they just poured it over their heads, I don't remember.
Could we get some of those little guys & send them to the White House, you think?
COMMENT #159 [Permalink]
...
Jose Chung
said on 4/23/2005 @ 10:06 am PT...
Yes? And your analysis of the Washington state election?
I'm still waiting. Election reform is the topic, isn't it? Do I have that right? Please focus on the topic. Or do you guys only shoot from the hip? Why don't you live up to the standards you want to set for me? Obviously it's just a matter of time until I'm am banned from this forum. You guys are just not comfortable with free speech. As one of you said, you find it annoying.
Forever Yours, Jose Chung
COMMENT #160 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 4/23/2005 @ 1:21 pm PT...
Jose Chung #159 it is my recollection that the Washington State challenges were handled in court by non-party judges.
They were able to resolve the matter and the results were certified. What is your contention?
In Ohio, on the contrary, the judge who decided the challenge was also a defendant.
You see anything wrong with that picture?
BTW this is not a neocon blog so you can say what you want so long as you stay civil about it.
Welcome.
COMMENT #161 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 4/23/2005 @ 1:21 pm PT...
Jose Chung #159 it is my recollection that the Washington State challenges were handled in court by non-party judges.
They were able to resolve the matter and the results were certified. What is your contention?
In Ohio, on the contrary, the judge who decided the challenge was also a defendant.
You see anything wrong with that picture?
BTW this is not a neocon blog so you can say what you want so long as you stay civil about it.
Welcome.
COMMENT #162 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 4/23/2005 @ 1:27 pm PT...
sorry for the double post ...
COMMENT #163 [Permalink]
...
Juan Wang
said on 4/23/2005 @ 6:12 pm PT...
My family lives in Washington, and I just left there a few days ago. The felons-voting issue is being blown out of proportion by the right-wing, as ammo against the overwhelming, country-wide disenfranchisement/optical scanning scandal. It's like shooting at a nuke with a pea shooter! There are plenty of counterpoints in Washington, like the Sequoia voting machines controversy .......... but ....... big, fat, hairy deal!
I'd be glad to see a trade of the Washington governorship (just give Rossi The damned thing!) for a real vote count in Ohio/Florida/New Mexico/etc. - to hell with it, THE WHOLE DAMNED COUNTRY!
Carter had a relatively weak presidency, but George W. Bush isn't fit to smell Carter's butt. Warren Harding may have been as unqualified as Bush, but not nearly as much damage to the country occured under his watch, nor were the people behind the "prop" (Harding/Bush were/are props) nearly as dangerous to your basic freedoms.
I'm much more comfortable with a "convicted felon" on the VR, than I am about having this draft-dodging AWOL babbling moron, whose daddy buried a cocaine bust for him, in return for a year's public service. You want to talk credibility, start at the top, where it counts!
COMMENT #164 [Permalink]
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Bob Bilse
said on 4/23/2005 @ 6:18 pm PT...
It's OK, Dredd......It was worth saying twice.
COMMENT #165 [Permalink]
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Bob Bilse
said on 4/23/2005 @ 6:26 pm PT...
As I read all the entries above, there are puzzling conflicts with Mr. Pastor. He seems to be a bit of a mugwump, doesn't he (straddling the fence)?
Kind of like Keith Olbermann turned out to be.
COMMENT #166 [Permalink]
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Jose Chung
said on 4/24/2005 @ 8:49 am PT...
Dredd, I can't believe you said that with a straight face: "....you can say what you want so long as you stay civil about it."
Right. Someone who disgrees with you must watch his P's & Q's whereas your fellow travelers can belch the most hate-filled and profanity-ridden anti-intellectual meaningless garbage like the post by TERESA directly above me. Or is this blog really more like group therapy for sad sacs like her, not that I don't think she's a lovely lady, just a stupid one who feels impotent and unable to improve her lot in life so she lashes out. You should Judge her.
Anywho, I think we've seen the last of Jose Chung on this blog.
Have a nice day.
COMMENT #167 [Permalink]
...
teresa
said on 4/24/2005 @ 12:55 pm PT...
It's a fucking freak show. A house of horrors. How this sick shell of a man can be the president of the United States.
COMMENT #168 [Permalink]
...
Teresa
said on 4/24/2005 @ 2:01 pm PT...
COMMENT #169 [Permalink]
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teresa
said on 4/24/2005 @ 4:06 pm PT...
To all you wonderful citizens of Bradville:
This last exchange is a great thing. It's something I've been noticing lately that is increasing, and that is the right wing disillusionment and feeling of betrayal by George Bush. He is not the "man" they had hoped he was. He is being revealed for the fake he is, and it is unmistakable. The terrorist fighting macho is not cutting it. And these guys who invested their longings for power in this man are becoming disillusioned, sad, and defeated. The more they attack me in that childish personal way, the more hope I have. It does take a little bit of intestinal fortitude, but I learned the necessity for that from my junior high school warrior girl friend.
As I mentioned previously, Mike Malloy had a Bush supporter night and it was shocking how weak their support has become. It is a matter of time and we should be proud of ourselves that we have weathered this assault and are finding the strength and courage to continue. I don't see how we can fail.
Keep it up and I love you all. And don't hesitate to give me a hard time if you want to. It's all in the game.
COMMENT #170 [Permalink]
...
Juan Wang
said on 4/24/2005 @ 8:56 pm PT...
As I said, Washinton State doesn't compare. I just came from there, and the basic thing is, there is no way to know who these felons voted for, unless you took a show of hands. They're felons. Who knows what they'd tell you? They don't know whose votes to cancel. It's a cock-up because of its closeness, but doesn't begin to touch the vastness of the issues being touched upon here.
Trade the Washington governership for a paper re-vote of Ohio or Florida, straight-up. Clinging to Washington State as a counterpoint argument for the overwhelming disenfranchisement of minority voters taking place in America, the diabolical Diebold machine crookedness, and the YEI/Tom Feeney scandal....well, it's like spitting at a tsunami to slow it down.
The people here ARE angry. The problem is, everybody who votes SHOULD be, and they're not. If one is going to turn their noses up at these issues simply because the candidate they like has won, how much respect do they command? Not much.
COMMENT #171 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 4/25/2005 @ 4:42 am PT...
CTPatriot #142
The Dominionists are involved in the ownership of the voting machine companies used in 2004.
COMMENT #172 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 4/25/2005 @ 4:46 am PT...
Or its the Christian Reconstructionists. Don't know if they are together in this.
COMMENT #173 [Permalink]
...
Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 4/25/2005 @ 5:46 pm PT...
COMMENT #174 [Permalink]
...
Juan Wang
said on 4/25/2005 @ 11:15 pm PT...
COMMENT #175 [Permalink]
...
Mark
said on 5/5/2005 @ 8:35 am PT...
Here is an email I got back from Dr. pastor
Thank you for your recent comments about the need for election reform. The Commission on Federal Election Reform was established to achieve that goal.
Common Cause (www.commoncause.org) and the Election Protection Coalition (www.electionprotection2004.com) registered hundreds of thousands of complaints related to the 2004 presidential election. Public confidence in the electoral process is low, and reform is needed. This was underscored by a meeting convened by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and other groups in December 2004. I was invited to testify and remained for the entire day. The audience was deeply concerned about the state of the electoral process, and many advocated change.
After the hearing, I spoke with President Carter, who said he would favor establishing a panel to examine U.S. election reform. As you may know, he co-chaired a Commission with President Gerald Ford in 2001 that made recommendations that led to the Help American Vote Act (HAVA). I worked with both of them on that Commission and, indeed, worked with President Carter on election-monitoring projects for seventeen years at The Carter Center. As President Gerald Ford was not able to Co-Chair this panel, we consulted with Republican leaders who spoke with President Bush. They proposed former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III. President Carter has worked with Mr. Baker many times and is extremely pleased to work with him again. With such highly-respected Co-Chairs, we expect that Congress will take our recommendations seriously.
We solicited suggestions for other members of the Commission from a wide range of groups, and the Co-Chairs selected the members. It is comprised in roughly equal numbers among people who have served or were elected as Republicans and Democrats (though none are incumbents), and roughly one-third as non-partisan leaders. We understand the objections that some people have regarding individuals on the Commission, but we believe that the best way to promote real reform is to do so through a group that has broad credibility in Congress. You can read the bios of the members at www.american.edu/Carter-Baker. The Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University is organizing the Commission with the support of the Carnegie Corporation, the Ford Foundation, and the Knight Foundation.
Our current challenge is to look beyond the partisan perspectives and fashion proposals that address the problems in a practical, democratic, and effective manner. We would greatly appreciate your ideas as we carry out this work. Please send them to cdem@american.edu, or mail them to 3201 New Mexico Avenue, Suite 265, Washington, DC, 20016.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Pastor
Executive Director,
Commission on Federal Election Reform