Greg Abbott Threatens To Arrest U.N. Elections Observers

[ashling]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/24/greg-abbott-texas-un-elections_n_2010081.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Greg Abbott, the Republican Attorney General of Texas, issued a stern warning this week to members of a United Nations-affiliated delegation expected to be on hand to monitor voting at polling places around the country on Election Day.

In a letter to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, a body created by U.N. charter and responsible for helping to ensure the integrity of elections, among other tasks, Abbott warned the diplomatic poll-watchers that their involvement in U.S. elections could have strong legal repercussions.

"It may be a criminal offense for OSCE's representatives to maintain a presence within 100 feet of a polling place's entrance," he writes. "Failure to comply with these requirements could subject the OSCE's representatives to criminal prosecution for violating state law." Such a restriction makes election monitoring highly difficult.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When I start to post what I think about Abbott my blood pressure reaches dangerous levels, so I will just let you comment.

[barnabas63]

1. Please....proceed!

Oh that's rich. Yes, Texas, I think you should do that.

[Flashmann]

2. Wouldn't these Elections Observers

Be under some sort of Federal protection??...

[Gothmog]

8. Yes

That is why the election observers are complaining to Sec. of State Clinton. These workers are doing this observations pursuant to some treaties and as such are protected by the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. I would not be so sure...

Unless they are given the equivalent of diplomatic immunity, they are subject to arrest. Even with immunity they can be prevented from being in proscribed areas. While I doubt the Texas AG will push the issue, a local official could and the observer(s) involved be sidelined.

Is the State or Justice going to give every observer an LEO escort?

[Gothmog]

11. No grounds for arrest if observation is pursuant to treaty

The grounds that Greg wants to use is that these observers do not meet the criterion to be poll watchers under Texas law and Greg is right as to Texas law. However, treaties and federal law preempts Texas law here. A treaty is the supreme law of the land under Article VI of the US Constitution and if an UN observer is acting pursuant to a treaty, then that treaty preempts Texas law.

The DOJ has sent election monitors to Dallas and Harris Counties under the Voting Rights Act and other federal laws. These federal election monitors are also violating Texas law in that they do not meet the criterion to be poll watchers. However, Greg is not planning on arresting these Federal monitors because Federal law is supreme in this area.

[aquart]

3. Gosh, he's third world.

[budkin]

4. Biggest a-hole in the state behind Perry

And good luck with that

[gadgets505]

5. I Wrote This Little Love Note to Abbott

Mr. Abbott,

I just want to take a moment to comment about your threat to arrest U.N. election observers by quoting the line in "Blazing Saddles" that says, "you are the LEADING ASSHOLE IN THE STATE!"

It's alright, I suppose, for Screw The Vote to be there and try to intimidate voters, but it's not alright for a group to be there protecting voters' rights - wow, ya'll run a real banana republic down there in stinky ole Texas!

(I actually did email this to him, do you think the Texas Rangers will come looking for me?)

[sinkingfeeling]

6. And here's the UN's reply....

International vote monitors warn Texas: Don't mess with us

http://news.yahoo.com/international-vote-monitors-warn-texas-dont-mess-us-002639277.html

"The threat of criminal sanctions against OSCE/ODIHR observers is unacceptable," Janez Lenarcic, director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) monitoring arm, said in a statement.

"The United States, like all countries in the OSCE, has an obligation to invite ODIHR observers to observe its elections."

Lenarcic had shared his "grave concern" about the threat of Texas prosecutions with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the OSCE said.

***********************************
Maybe, this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and Texas will secede!

[Gothmog]

7. Greg Abbott has no right to arrest these observers

To the extent that these observers are relying on a treaty, then Article VI of the US Constitution controls. Greg should also consider arresting the federal election monitors who are in Dallas and Harris counties now for early voting. That would be fun to watch

[sonias]

9. Abbott is taking "Grammstanding" to a new level

Honestly this guy could out huckster Sarah Palin.

Republican elected officials embarrassing us nationally once again.

[NoPasaran]

12. Greg Abbott is laying the groundwork for his challenge to Perry in 2014

"I'm the guy who stood up to the UN when they wanted to force Texas to let illegal aliens vote.

"I'm Greg Abbott, and I approve this pandering."