I would like to hear from the esteemed readers thier thoughts on electronic voting and how it relates to the upcoming elections. Diebold is reasonably suspect here and it is undeniable that Reps will be needing some help come vote day. Perhaps there are strong movements afoot to check any illegal activies, or at minimum monitor election functioning???
If the elections were held tomorrow and the Reps won, who among you would think that there was vote manipulation? Many....I'd bet large! If that happened, it would be too late. America would be hoodwinked again and continue the backward slide down the slope of history.

At least Chertoff got one thing right.

Gorgeous animal, Grey Ghost. We had one when I was growing up, named Buddy. He was loveable and loved us all, but he was crazy! Ran all over the neighborhood, got the neighbor's basset all worked up, and even broke him loose a few times, to play!

beautiful dog. and judging from previous photos you've posted, very much loved and waaaayyyy spoiled. lol.

but, for the best doggy photos, tbogg's thursday basset blogging can't be beat.

www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/0505metrumsfeld.html

Everyone who heard/saw news this evening is aware of the exchange between Rumsfeld and former CIA analyst Ray McGovern when Rumsfeld spoke here in Atlanta today--about as directly "in your face" as anyone has had the opportunity to be with Rumsfeld. I believe McGovern actually lives in NYC or DC. I am assuming this confrontation was well planned in advance. Does anybody know anything about that?

Linda

I feel safer already (woof, woof).

Linda..is the exchange between McGovern and Rumsfeld anywhere to be found...the article doesn't go into it.

Ariz. Posse to Arrest Illegal Immigrants
By AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press Writer Thu May 4, 6:49 PM ET
PHOENIX - A posse of 100 volunteers and sheriff's deputies will patrol the Phoenix area and arrest any illegal immigrants, the county sheriff said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The group likely will be deployed across parts of Maricopa County by the weekend, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday.

Volunteers will be drawn from the department's 3,000-member posse, whose members are trained and are often former deputies.

"It's important to send the message out to stay in Mexico and don't come roaming around here hoping you're going to get amnesty," said Arpaio, who in years past gained notoriety for putting inmates on chain gangs and issuing them striped uniforms and pink underwear.

Arpaio's deputies have already arrested about 120 illegal immigrants using a new state smuggling law.

"We're going to arrest any illegal who violates this new law," he said. "I'm not going to turn these people over to federal authorities so they can have a free ride back to Mexico. I'll give them a free ride into the county jail."

Under the law — as interpreted by the Maricopa County attorney — illegal immigrants can be arrested and prosecuted for conspiracy to smuggle themselves into the country. The law's authors have said they intended it to be used to prosecute smugglers, not the immigrants being smuggled.

Lawyers for nearly 50 undocumented immigrants charged with conspiracy to commit human smuggling have filed motions to have the charges dismissed.

A Los Angeles attorney brought into the case last week by the Mexican Consul General's Office in Phoenix plans to file another motion claiming Maricopa County Attorney officials are violating state and federal law because it's the federal government's job to control illegal immigration.

Both motions are to be argued in county court on May 23.

Linda and Caroll:

CNN has video of the Rumsfeld/McGovern dust-up;also the thinkprogress blog has a link and discusses it.

great pic Steve;thought of you watching the rerun on Cspan today of John Bolton getting nicely wacked by Waxman,etc....what is up with Rep.Shey? Is he a Neocon also??

Carroll >"Linda..is the exchange between McGovern and Rumsfeld anywhere to be found..."

Crooks & Liars has a CNN clip

"Everyday reality now is a complete fiction, manufactured by the media landscape and we operate inside it." - JG Ballard

Go to http://www.blackboxvoting.org.
I would like to hear from the esteemed readers thier thoughts on electronic voting and how it relates to the upcoming elections. Diebold is reasonably suspect here and it is undeniable that Reps will be needing some help come vote day. Perhaps there are strong movements afoot to check any illegal activies, or at minimum monitor election functioning???
If the elections were held tomorrow and the Reps won, who among you would think that there was vote manipulation? Many....I'd bet large! If that happened, it would be too late. America would be hoodwinked again and continue the backward slide down the slope of history.

Posted by snookered

Go to http://www.blackboxvoting.org

Bev Harris is a true American hero. Thats why you will never see her mentioned on sites such as this, she is actually DOING something to oppose these sons of bitches, and that means she does not get to experience the seductive tittilation of actually rubbing elbows with them.An "insider" that calls attention to the CRIMES of this administration will not be an "insider" for very long.

Electronic Voting is tough. On one hand, electonic voting, or onlinr voting, would likely increase the number of people who participate in the electoral process. I also think electronic voting is much more vulnerable, so I have to argue that from a technology standpoint, we are not there.

As for elections in general, why don't we just do the right thing and have a bi-partisan committee watch over elections, give both parties the power of subpoena, just in case.

I know there is a lot to work out, but that is my short answer.

Bolton Refuses To Answer Kucinich’s Questions About US Troops In Iran

States That US Is Prepared To Act With or Without The UN

By Doug Gordon

05/03/06 "ICH" -- -- Despite numerous public reports stating that US troops are currently conducting operations within Iran, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) refused to answer repeated questions by Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) about US troops in Iran, today at a House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.

Kucinich, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee, repeatedly questioned Ambassador Bolton on the effect that US troops operating within Iran will have on diplomatic negotiations already underway, including those at the UN.

Recently, Seymour Hersh reported in The New Yorker magazine that US troops are already operating in Iran. Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner (Ret.) has made similar statements on CNN. In addition, Vincent Cannistraro, a former CIA counter-terrorism chief, told the Guardian newspaper that special forces are operating within Iran identifying targets and aiding dissident groups.

While Ambassador Bolton refused to answer questions about US troops in Iran, Ambassador Bolton did state that the US was prepared to move against Iran, with or without the UN Security Council.

“I find it hard to believe that the United States Ambassador to the United Nations does not know about ongoing military activity in one of the world’s most volatile regions, and in a country at the heart of current debate before the UN,” stated Kucinich after the hearing. “Congress has a Constitutional role to play in providing checks and balances of this Administration. Ambassador’s Bolton testimony today, and his refusal to answer even the most basic questions about Iran, is just another example of this Administration’s contempt of Congress.”

“This Administration has set our nation on the path to war against Iran,” continued Kucinich. “It has done so without consulting the Congress, and without proper Congressional oversight. Today’s hearing could have been an important moment to educate the public and the Congress about this Administration’s policy towards Iran, and the role US military is already playing in implementing that policy. Unfortunately, Ambassador Bolton’s stonewalling prevent this from happening.”

“This Administration has set our nation on a very dangerous path with Iran. Congress must intervene before this Administration begins a wider, and far more dangerous war in the Middle East,” concluded Kucinich.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article12933.htm

Carroll,

It was covered in almost its entirety on CNN on Anderson Cooper Thursday night, and he also had an interview with McGovern who was one of the earliest of former CIA analysts to oppose the war, probably has been retired a number of years--perhaps last in CIA when Bush Senior was President. It broke a bit late to make Friday a.m. papers. But it's such a good interchange that I'm sure it will be on television news a lot.
McGovern wasn't there by chance, and he nailed Rummy by quoting him exactly from previous public statements and then asking if he had been lying or misled or what. And McGovern was able to follow up with several questions--probably was only a couple of minutes of interchange--but very remarkable because this has never happened before that I can recall.

Several women with banners interrupted Rumsfeld and were ejected. McGovern was not ejected, sat down in audience again, and stayed to the end.

Linda

Linda

Because I live in New Orleans, and am constantly reminded how easily it is for some people to lie and to keep breathing life into all things corrupt...I can never trust electronic voting, ever.

An effing shame, if you ask me.

I think there are going to be huge questions in the near future--Under guise of "war on terror" we are undertaking a world-wide agression for control of the planet's natural resources. Oil is not the only problem, there is water, copper, and all the other metals. There is climate change.
If there is a change of government in 2006-2008 will the goal be the same but by other methods?
Will there be an effort to seek agreement by diplomacy or will it continue to be the law of the jungle? Will the US population adopt a third world work-force mentality or will there be a revolt?
Some of the people Steve is seeing in Portugal think long and hard about Grand Strategy beyond the theme of their meeting.
I hope Steve gives a detailed report.

www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-rumsfeld5may05,1,5081178.story?coll=la-news-a_section

LA Times has the best coverage/summary of Rumsfeld in Atlanta and tells how McGovern got a ticket to the event. It also report on the lone man one person who was not taken away and just stood silently with his back to the podium through the entire presentation. Also note in one of the transcripts, they did not get McGovern's words right as he said "non sequitor."

Linda

I find it fascinating that people are surprised (shocked?) that this McGovern guy wasn't kicked out for simply asking a question. It's stunning that with this Admin., simply posing a question to a leader can get you escorted out of a speech, and everyone now just sorta expects it.

Think about that...McGovern should be feel lucky he wasn't booted/arrested for mearly asking a question. That illustrates just how corrupt and isolated this bunch of clowns really are...

Punchy -- McGovern *was* almost dragged from the room. At one point, Rumsfeld says something like "just a second, let him stay," and you hear McGovern say (off-camera) "This is America" in a tone that sounded like a combination of incredulity and despair.

The image of well-coiffed, middle-aged ladies ripping lettered pieces of cloth from the protestors' hands was truly disgusting, I must say. I regret to admit that there are times when the tactics of the French Revolution become understandable.

We have a grand strategy? That is a relief. Looks a lot like fits and starts to me.

http://legalfoibles.blogspot.com/2006/05/go-read-digby.html

All:

The McGovern exchange was indeed refreshing and a VERY positive development. I think these types of direct confrontations with the perpetrators need to be engineered at every opportunity over the months leading us to the mid-terms and beyond. Recall that this is the bunch that believes that if they simply repeat a lie enough times, over a long enough period of time, it becomes the perceived "truth." That veil of stupidity and outrageous cynicism needs to be confronted and pierced at every opportunity. Rumsfeld should have to answer questions like that at EVERY press confrerence and public appearance. Cheney should not be allowed to be within earshot of a reporter or anyone else in public without hearing "there really wasn't any connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam BEFORE you invaded Iraq, but there is now. Were you lying about it then, or were you misled?" Ditto Bush. They simply must not be allowed to "shape" reality their way any longer. The public is finally ready to hear the dissenters and what is joyfully remarkable is how ridiculously unprepared the perps are to deal with these types of confrontations with the truth.

--Alan.

Electronic Voting and Internet Voting are two different things. Electronic Voting, if done correctly, could have eliminated the problems that occurred in the last presidential election.
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theblogclub.net: http://www.theblogclub.net
bloglogs.net: http://www.bloglogs.net
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This book could be huge. Check out this review from a conservative blogger:

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/05/buy_this_book_c.html

And that's why for all his great effort and service to America, Ervin was asked to resign by the Bush Administration after the Prez won re-election. Sad but true for the Bush regime: If you do your job as Inspector General, you need to go. Especially at Homeland Security where Mediocrity America rises to the top at warp speed.

Steve:

Hope you're enjoying Lisbon. Can''t wait for you to return and weigh in on this one. TPM has some interesting musings re: the Goss resignation. Guess your letter writing really got to the guy! Or, maybe he or his staff are connected to the "Hooker-Gate" scandal?! Health problems? What is the REAL reason for this abrupt change?

--Alan.

I think the best way to put the electronic voting machines in the dustbin is for eveyone to vote by absentee ballot in protest. By doing so, you can 1. make sure your name has not been removed from the voter registration list
2. avoid police road blocks in your neighborhood
3. get help with translation if you don't speak English well
4. not have to take time off work or get a babysitter
5. not need a ride to the polls
6. most importantly, have a paper trail by making a notarizeed copy of your ballot and mail it in certified

On other matters, I've been pacing the floor ever since reading one of Steve's posts, with an excerpt from James Risen's book, State of War, in which he says that the ENTIRE undercover CIA operation on WMD's in Iran was outed and put out of commission in Iran by a "computer glitch". Was that "glitch" before or after Plame was outed? What proof do we have that it was in fact a "glitch'? Who was responsible and what action was taken against the person responsible? I do not believe it was a glitch. I think it was a purge of experts who can refute Busholini and Darth with credible evidence. I've been calling different Senators and no one seems to have heard about this "glitch". Surprise, surprise.

Thanks to Nancy, daCascadian and Linda for directions to the Rummy-McGovern exchange....good for McGovern!

Since this is an open thread and I have had too much coffee this morning I am going to go off on another subject that is making my blood boil.

In one of my ME news alerts this am was an article on the latest UN Report on Palestine.

As most keeping up with the ME and the Isr/Pal stitutation are aware, the US congress has two "Palestine Anti-Terrorism" bills pending. The bills strip all aid to Palestine due to the election of Hamas and allow only food and medical aid to be administered by NGO's. Althought the "NGO's" to handle this are not named in the bill. And further suspends all aid should "certification" of how the funds are spent not suit congress. You can guess as to what most of the other stipulations of the bill are and the reasons for them.

Quoted from the news article from JP regarding the UN Report:

"The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories will likely worsen in the coming months if Israel and the International Community continue the policy of withholding funding from the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, a report released Sunday by the United Nations said.

The report came a day after it emerged that financial institutions world-wide were instructed" by the United States
not to transfer funds to the PA. The American directive meant that alternative funding, promised to the PA from Arab states may not be able to reach its destination."

Now in case it isn't clear what the US has done re Palestine aid, here is what it means...Under US law, any foreign bank that refuses to cooperate with the United States in cutting off funding to Hamas, which is essentially Palestine, could have its US assets frozen and its access to US financial markets denied.

Russia had 10 million ready to go Palestine, as well as France and a dozen Arab countries including Jordon to fund the staggering Palestine goverment and prevent a slide into total chaos and social breakdown.

However French President Chirac appears to be close to pressuring the WB to channel the aid funds thru them to the Palestinian Authority. let's hope he suceeds.

It appear that almost every country in the world understands that propping up Palestine or Hamas, and aiding them in establishing a goverment and organizing commerce and social underpinnings is imperative to birthing a real and peaceful state out of Palestine and it is now or never. If anyone knows there is a precedent for turning terrorist into political players instead of terrorist it should be Israel, since the two main forces on the ground within Israel at it's creation were the Stern and Irgun gang, both considered terrorist gangs by Britian where they operated before immigrating to Israel. Some former members of these gangs are today in the Israeli goverment.

What I want to say about Pal/Isr events today is that my country is aiding and abetting...no, make that "directly participating" in a slow motion genocide of another population, the Palestines, for no reason that I can see other than our goverments total craven corruption by Israeli influences or zionist influences or fanatics or whatever you would like to call them. No sane person is going to believe we are doing this because Hamas or the PLO is a "terrorist" threat to the US. No sane person is going to believe that the US congressional "Palestine Anti-Terrorism" bill is because Israel can't protect itself from Hamas. Every sane person will see this as another log on the bonfire of Arab resentment of the US strongarming their world for the benefit of Israel. No decent person will be able to understand the US "forbiding" the rest of the world from offering aid and democratic organizational help to a people whose best army is rag tag stone throwing teenagers and hopeless sucide bombers.

The game afoot is so obvious, so public, so hypocritical, so henious that many American minds
can't see it because we still can't believe, even after a "premptive war" that our country is capable of things like this...and to the best of my knowledge we have never before as a country actually "offically" faciltated an actual "possible" genocide despite our other little contemps around the world.

The entire goal of Israel and the US congress in all this latest is to reduce Palestine to total chaos, destroy every faucet of their already fragile society and dismantle anything Hamas has done in the way of social services to date and prevent any type of organized government from emerging so that Israel can "assume control" and act independently to "settle" a final status of who gets what in Palestine to their favor...something they would not be able to do if they had to actually negotiate with Palestines even under the wing of the US. This is the end game of the game that has been played for decades by Israel.

Plain and simple...I have never seen anything like it. I would never in a million years have believed this country or goverment capable of such a thing. This is more than the "sanctions" we have put on other countries restricting items they can and can not trade in, this is total "collective punishment" of an entire population by depriving them of everything but the minimun basics of existance, if that, and keeping them in constant "uncertainty" if they will even have the minimun necessities of life. Guarented to create the "desperation" in the Palestines and the "tiredness of the problem conflict" in the internatonal community the Israeli crave in order to announce they are acting "independently" to "settle" the borders and resources and terms of the peace....all of which will of course be in their favor.

I don't need any more proof of AIPAC control of our foreign policy than this, it is too simple to compare what congress says about "human rights" in other countries like Iraq and Iran who we want to overthrow for the sake of "human rights" to what they are actually doing to the "human rights" of this particular country. Can anyone tell me who this benefits? This sure as hell doen't benefit America in any way..in fact in harms us in the ME and worldwide. So why are we doing this?..the only answer is that congress is so totally corrupted by special interest they have not even a speck of ethics or morality left.

Now for the people who try to say that those of us who are so focused on this particular issue do so only because we are anti-semitics and hate Israel...Wrong...people who have paid attention and know what is going on are so" focused" on this issue because it is "the most Blatant Example" in my times and yours, of our government officially and publicly and thru congressional action actively abusing the "human rights of a population." ..that we are not at war with...and who have no way on God's earth of being a threat to us. This issue is right up there with Iraq and Iran for me because it is evidence of our goverment assuming our acceptance of such moral rot that it is not even disguised under the excuse of "protecting" America.

Congress is sick,sick,sick and while we are finally becoming outraged at the Iraq war some people don't seem to grasp yet the importance of what the Palestine example shows about us, what our goverment has become and what this means for America.

This is my final straw, we need a premptive war all right, right here, before we let them go any further.

Oakley is thinking: "What a great stone tree to pee at..."

I feel more safe with the dog in charge than with Bush!!!

Kathleen,
Absentee voting could also save on gas. Maybe vote for an absentee president next term.

Great post Carroll. But behind all the words are starving little kids. And our leaders are the ones starving them. And I believe we haven't seen but the tip of the iceberg. Bush is going to make Hitler look like a back alley thug by the time he is finally stopped.The dead will count in the millions, possibly billions.

Have you checked out that cowardly mewling AIPAC whore's, Harry Reid's, new blogsite????

Heres a typical thread.....

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Bolton was just on TV declaiming that "everyone" agrees that Iran should not have etc. That must mean that Bolton has not yet fallen out with his own opinion.

I wish Bolton, Bush, Cheney, Gonzalez, Rice & Rumsfeld would wake up dead.

Hey Pissed off

Re: Harry Reid's thread

how typical!...I just got my 100th e mail from Boxer asking me to vote on who they should support in state elections..hah!

As if they really listen!..piss upon them.