Wish me well DU; I will be doing election protection work in Ohio this Tuesday and I just found ....

[Botany]

.... out that I will have my very own "Tea Bagger" working in the same location as me.



It will be a very long day for that person because I will make sure that the law is followed and
nobody outside of a poll worker can talk to or challenge a voter. End of story.

I will not touch and or speak to Mr. Bagger but he will be my "special friend."

BTW can I take a moment to thank DU .... you people saved my life after seeing "it"
w/own eyes and hearing "it" with my own ears in 2004 in Ohio.

[niyad]

1. above all, be safe. will you have a video camera, or at least a cell phone camera on you?

[Botany]

8. Count on it!

And major help is one call away.

[PavePusher]

41. Ummm... historically speaking, that's really not the right picture to post.

[LiberalFighter]

54. If it is Waterloo it is just a matter of how it is used.

Show it to the teabagger and just tell him that is his group.

[pangaia]

80. Isn't that the Charge of the Light Brigade?

I sure hope not. :&gt )

[PavePusher]

86. Yes, it is.

D'oh!

[VWolf]

84. Nah, for the baggers you need

The Judean People's Front, Crack Suicide Squad!!!!

[Sekhmets Daughter]

109. The Charge of the Light Brigade!

I love history and history buffs

[heaven05]

98. yeah

but this is the 'charge of the light brigade'. we all know how that ended.

[Jake2413]

101. Thank you.....

It is a very good thing that you are doing

[Sedona]

2. Good luck and THANK YOU!

[codjh9]

3. Thank you for working at the polls, especially in OH.

[Tumbulu]

4. Yes, THANK YOU!!!!!! nt

[redwitch]

5. Ugh! Poll watching too.

I hope I don't have a tea bagger counterpart. But I will have the chief of police on speed dial, just in case. Good luck Botany!

[garthranzz]

34. Thank you, also!

[we can do it]

139. Thanks to you to and good luck.

They've switched me from poll watching to canvassing.

[Cha]

6. You have your work cut out for you..Good Luck, Botany! And Thank YOU!

[No Vested Interest]

7. Good plan

It sounds as though have a good handle on the situation.
Just be very professional and remember you are representing all Ohioans who want a fair election.
Best to you.
(I'm also in Ohio.)

[icarusxat]

108. remember

you are representing all that is good for everyone in the country...

[longship]

9. That's right. You can observe only.

Your tea bagger "friend", too.

Of course, of you observe a violation, you can still leave the polling place to make a call to the party legal team.

Make sure you have paper and pencil, preferably sharp. Take good notes.

[Chichiri]

10. I am doing EP in Minnesota.

Hope I can keep myself as restrained as you.

[garthranzz]

36. Thanks to another DUer!

[Ninga]

122. Great!

[Cirque du So-What]

11. I'm reminded of the classic childhood taunt

'I'm NOT touching you!', 'I'm not TOUCHING you!', ad infinitum

[progressivebydesign]

12. the GREAT thing is that the ScrewTheVote people have no real training or experience..

they will be working with seasoned poll observers and workers. Should be interesting.. best of luck. Glad you'll be there to keep any eye on the idiot.

[Botany]

16. this will be my 5th time

2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and now 2012.

[progressivebydesign]

57. that's pretty awesome! It will be his first, ya know. nt

[blondie58]

105. very impressive!

Thank you, Botany!

[louis-t]

95. Yes, but they have a 'booklet' full of misinformation.

[sheshe2]

13. Thank you for watching our back!

[Thekaspervote]

14. Thank you thank you thank you!!

[alittlelark]

15. Use big words when speaking to it.

I have yet to find one that does not get flustered/mad.

[elleng]

17. Have a great day, Botany; will surely think of you

as I do similar work in Virginia, but not 'inside' the polls, an 'outsider' as not registered to vote in VA.

Don't know who, if anyone, will be with or near me, but will be in Harrisonburg, where that creepy repug guy dumped bags of voter registration documents, so I expect I'll get to explain and help voters with the Provisional process.

Expect to be back 'here,' at DU, after 9 at least to report on something, like how many voted in 'my' precinct, fwiw.

[garthranzz]

38. And thanks be to ye!

[bleever]

60. Can't tell you how much I'd like to see Cantor dislodged

from his place between the teeth of democracy.

The very best of luck to you.

[roody]

18. Wishing you well and thank you.

[gkhouston]

19. Knock 'em dead, Botany.

Um, not really. I wouldn't suggest anything more offensive than imperfect personal hygiene.

[bongbong]

20. Things to say to him

What was Willard's position on abortion again?

What was Willard's position on FEMA again?

What was Willard's position on _______ again?

For preparation, make sure you have the quote/date when Flip-Flopper announced a Liberal slant on each policy, and throw it back in the idiot's face. With a smartphone you can even have a video of Flip-Flopper flip-flopping.

[Botany]

21. I can not or will not talk to that person

n/t

[world wide wally]

22. Just keep singing "I'm so in love with you" by Al Green.. maybe he'll just leave

[ellisonz]

44. Bah

hahahha

[octoberlib]

23. Thank you!!!

[moobu2]

24. I've done that before and it's pretty easy

Last edited Mon Nov 5, 2012, 01:29 AM - Edit history (1)

and very fulfilling. I thought.

[laserhaas]

25. Thanks for the good work and BE Careful out there

Numbers are the difference

especially when it comes to safety

[lunasun]

26. Just remember your new friend probably can not spell too well or think hard

Remain calm and carry on no matter what the boob tries at the poll place and they will try I bet
maybe it will make for a good posting next day after Obama takes Ohio
Thanks for the EP

[DesertRat]

27. Get plenty of sleep Mon. night and best wishes to you!!

[jerseyjack]

28. Google your state election laws. Print the ones that tell who can be at polls.

Be prepared to show them to the Teabaggers and the cops.

[WinstonSmith4740]

29. Thank you...

and have fun. Tea-baggers are still fighting the "old Democrats". You know, the ones that smiled and said, "well OK", and didn't really know what was happening. They are really not ready for today's Democratic fighter like yourself who will go armed with knowledge and guts, and who will NOT let them get away with the shit they've been getting away with for wa-a-a-y too long. Go for it!

[Overseas]

30. K&R. Thank you for your work!

[pnwmom]

31. Thank you for your hard work and good luck!

[garthranzz]

32. Thank you!

From all of us!!!

[Divine Discontent]

33. we need one in every county :) thanks!

[lexw]

35. Do it!!! Thx!!!

[LP2K12]

37. Thank you

for your work!

[zwyziec]

39. Where at?

I'm originally from Cleveland then Mentor where the President spoke yesterday.

Where will you be stationed and could you please update us at DU on what happens there?

It's kind of an obsession with me and DU!

Thank you

[Mira]

40. You are my hero = that's a fact n/t

[onestepforward]

42. Best wishes and Thank You!

[rasberry]

43. True the Vote will be at Clinton Heights Lutheran Church

in Columbus. Did you get that location?

[radhika]

45. Thanks for doing this - good luck n/t

[denvine]

46. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sincerely, your work is very much appreciated. I hope it goes smoothly.

[still_one]

47. Thank-you

[MADem]

48. If your phone can record audio and video and you can email those files to yourself,

well, just keep that in mind...! You never know when you might need a permanent record..!

[amborin]

49. thank you, Botany!

[mecherosegarden]

50. Thank you !

[SaveAmerica]

51. Wish we could clone you to counter the 'Screw the Vote' Crew

I was thinking yesterday that it's a shame they are this fired up to cheat. Thanks for taking care of that tea bagger!!!

[CoffeeCat]

52. Botany, you have a special place in my heart...

...because these tea bagger poll watchers are an affront to democracy. They are amped up on Glenn Beck and they have been led to believe that if a minority is in a polling place then they are probably committing a crime.

As another poster said, they aren't used to Dems standing up to their shenanigans. You are proof that this is simply not the case. We will be watching them.

In my swing state, they are calling for attorneys to be poll watchers. I know that this effort is connected high in our state government and is most likely a response to all of the a republican suppression that has taken place; and will most likely take place on election night. Also, our Republican Secretary of State has threatened U.N. poll watchers with arrest if they are here in our state.

I believe this gathering of attorneys to watch the polls is to counter any suppressive efforts of these over zealous tea bags.

We are ready this time with countermeasures.

One last thought I'll leave with you. I think of these tea bag monitors as over zealous, misguided hall monitors--much like Spongebob was when Mrs Puff reluctantly made Spongebob the hall monitor. Of course, he took things way too seriously and was bloated with self importance and Spongebob made a fool of himself. That's what these tea bags are. We should not fear them or overstate their importance. They have no authority to talk to voters, so they are powerless, but they are like Spongebob. Very misguided and amped up on how official they think they are! So we must be prepared for possible nonsense.

Thank you Botany for your efforts, time and patience! You rock!!

[Actionman]

53. My best to you

You will be fine and what you will notice is without the puppet strings these people are scared and don't know what to do... Just like Romney.

Thank you!

[busterbrown]

55. Can I buy you a drink at your favorite joint when you get home?

I'll give the bartender my credit card # have a second one too.

[leanforward]

56. Poll watcher

First, I have voted. Second, my hat is off to you. Thank you. Who's got your back? Again, this voter suppression c### has got to go. To me it is gross mismanagement. But if you're driving a car, it would be called negligent?

Again Thank you Sir/Ma'am

I would like to hear your after action report.

[bench scientist]

58. Thanks for all your hard work on our behalf, Botany !

[mikus1957]

59. Good luck. You have more patience with them than I would have.

Something has to be done to keep elections honest. Every election it gets worse.
Lines can go faster if people get online and read the ballots first. Write down their selections then go vote. I heard Florida has 10 pages in their ballots. if they all read it online before they left, take notes on their selections. They can get through the ballots faster. IF everyone did it!
Go to google search key in sample ballot for your country & state. It is this easy!

[bleever]

61. Give 'em a nice big

bay-air hug, an tell them we all say "hey".

[Botany]

62. I have gone to the woods and studied what needs to be done

[Democat]

63. Good luck

And thank you!

[eridani]

64. You are a real hero!

After 2004, never again!

[AverageJoe90]

65. Good luck, friend.

We'll be standing by your side in case something happens.

[Ivywoods55]

66. Thanks Botany and be safe!

I am here in Ohio also, we need all the good people we can get to watch over these folks who will be trying to "take" our state over to the dark side and help Mitt win---good and honest folks like you will make sure that things are done right and with accuracy, while having a little fun with the "teabagger" at the same time!

[union_maid]

67. You are a hero

Seriously, there can't be anything more important for a person to do in this election. Thank you to you and to everyone who is doing this kind of work.

[lonestarnot]

68. Don't open your mouth too wide!

[TomClash]

69. You may need teabag repellent!

I hear a thermos of hot coffee does the trick!

[Granny M]

70. Thanks, Botany.

I feel better knowing you're going to be there.

[avebury]

71. Good Luck! I hope that you will

come back and report on your experience afterwards.

[graywarrior]

72. Walking the walk!

[stillcool]

73. Thank you Botany..

hope you have a great day, and Mr. T. Bagger stays out of your way!

[onecent]

74. You go Botany....I feel better JUST knowing YOU are there. Thank you. n/t

[Stargazer09]

75. Good luck

And THANK YOU!

[a la izquierda]

76. Good luck.

I don't expect any problems at my polling place in Licking County, but I'll be ready for them should they arise.

[California Expat]

77. thank you and have fun!

[beac]

78. Hurrah for you, Botany!

[LiberalLovinLug]

112. LOL

Haven't seen that one!

[beac]

132. Found it right here on DU, source of all wonderful things! :) n/t

[KevTucky]

79. Talk shit to him or her.

Tell her we don't have to cheat to win Ohio. And be sure to tell them to enjoy the next four years brought to you by President Obama.

[Tutonic]

81. Forward!

Obama/Biden

[LongTomH]

82. Once more into the breech, Dear Friend

And, good on ya', Mate!

[UCmeNdc]

83. Thank You, and the best of Luck!

[UndahCovah]

85. I believe its illegal to use a videorecorder/cameraphone within 100 yds of a polling place

Is that correct?

[jcgoldie]

87. Go get em botany!

Our democracy is in the hands of volunteers like you.

[Plucketeer]

88. Sounds like an interesting day

I hope it doesn't turn too confrontational twixt you and the bagger, but you'll be the one with the White Hat for sure.

[Botany]

91. count on it!

n/t

[Doodler71]

89. Thank you, Good Luck & Stay out of Jail :)

[southernyankeebelle]

90. Good Luck. I'm so worried people will leave because the lines will be to long. I'm sure you

will do a great job. Let us know when you get back how it was. I bet it will be exciting.

[Botany]

92. The lines will not be long @ the precincts because .....

... we have ways to help move things along.

[southernyankeebelle]

97. Sounds great. Maybe you could help give lessons on how to move lines LOL. Good luck.

[femrap]

93. I feel better

knowing that you're going to be working the polls.

It is going to be much more difficult for Rove and his boyz to steal this one. We're smarter and hopefully NOT NICE like we were the last time.

I worked the Recount in Hamilton Cty in 2004 and remember a fellow Dem saying, "It's true, we're just too damn nice."

For about 2 months after that, I kept saying, "Nice is over."

A hint: use words with 3 syllables....this will confuse the Bagger and keep 'your special friend' confused.

Good luck...and if this election takes a few days to count all the ballots, so be it. If I have to stand outside Husted's office for hours with a sign that says, "Husted has to unzip to count to 21," I will.

Good luck!

[David Zephyr]

94. Thank you so much.

You are on the front line, Botany. Gratitude from California to you.

[wtmusic]

96. Good luck. Keep an open mind about Mr. Bagger.

Mr. Bagger may have more in common with you than you think, and being pleasant with him/her puts the adversarial burden on someone else's shoulders.

[sevenseas]

99. Thank you from two Georgia voters.

One reminder- be sure you only speak to the teabagger using four-word sentences, since that is all they can absorb at one time.

[Pachamama]

100. Botany - I was there with you in 2004 physically - This year I cant actually be there, but will be

....in spirit....

We both know what you are facing....it may even be harder than the ice rain in 2004 and the GOP "challengers" as people stood in long lines and would find they werent on the rolls and were forced to vote provisionally.

I dont know what your spiritual beliefs are, but if you have ever meditated you will be familiar with this perhaps: when you see the "Tea Bagger" or any of the people who are there as part of the groups being sent out by the Tea Party and "True the Vote", remember they dont understand....visualize a figure eight (infinity sign) and have it with a blue light go clockwise around them, counter clockwise around you. Do this as often as you feel the need, but ideally once at least for 20 loops. I promise you, you will not only feel better, you will feel stronger and in many ways will neutralize what these people are consciously or unconsciously trying to do to the election tomorrow.

This is a technique that was taught to me and if you try it will smile later. And I and so many others will be there with you.

[libdem4life]

102. Idea. Take the photo of Christie and Obama shaking hands and working together.

Shake his/her hand, smile, thank them for their selfless volunteer service, then show them the photo and ask which one they'd like to be...as you'll be the other. If these guys can do it, so can we. It's just for one day. You never now what you might learn in the process...both of you.

And if s/he doesn't want to be civil, well then do the very worst thing possible to drive them further nuts...be nice and polite and treat him/her with total respect. They'll hate it.

(also loosely based on Obama's brilliance ... Please proceed, Governor.)

Thank you for serving, and Good Luck!!!

[Maeve]

103. I suspect it won't be as bad as you fear

Based on my 5 years or so as an election worker here in Ohio--it's calmer than it might seem, if you listen to the media!

Hoping I'm right (I don't want any hassles tomorrow, either!), thanking you for your assistance and here's to a good day for us both!

[sweetapogee]

104. for many years

since 1990 I have been a poll challenger and or party observer. This in 2 states (NJ and PA), two different districts. Not that I'm an expert but on average I would say 1 challenge per election is average. It is in fact a long, long day. Main thing is to keep track of who is voting so that those who have not voted will get a phone call urging them to get to the polls. It is my experience that there is little time to communicate with anyone at the polls. The work is tedious and when the polls close all you want to do is go out and get a drunk.

The "fun" part for me is not the party bickering between the poll observers, there is little time for that and both districts I have experience in do not allow any communication with the voters or political conversation inside the polling place. The thing actually requires a certain degree of discipline on the part of the watcher. Sad to say, the only time things got exciting ended up with my fellow democratic observer getting arrested for causing a disturbance. That was interesting to say the least!

Getting back to the "fun" and interesting things, that would be the stories people come up with especially when they are not in their district but want to vote at your location anyway. I'm not sure that this is a party thing, hard to know for sure but it seems that people can get quite creative with their "let me vote here" stories.

I'm sure you will have stories to tell if this is your first time it is time well spent. Good luck!

[cally]

106. Thank You!!!! and others doing this critical task

I'm honored to know people like you are helping to protect the vote. I live in California and we just go to the polls and call those who haven't voted. Not at all the same as the critical task you are doing.

[efhmc]

107. Best of luck. Keep them honest.

That will be hard to do but we are counting on you.

[greenmutha]

110. Yay Botany!

And great big KOEB bayair hugs to you!

[archiemo]

111. Good luck to you! Let us know how it goes!!!

[RedCloud]

113. May the Great Spirit guide you in your day of good deeds!

[-LOKI -BAD FOR YA]

114. thanks, be safe n\t

[hootinholler]

115. Perhaps you can hum "Me and My Shadow"

I'm sure you can find other ways to enhance your day as well.

[savalez]

116. Be tough! We've got your back.

[bvar22]

117. Tell him that The Rapture is happening RIGHT FUCKING NOW,

...and that jebus is only taking the good Christians who are assembled in the nearest WalMart parking lot.

[struggle4progress]

118. +

[valerief]

119. Congrats! I have a feeling the Tea Bagger will exhaust you. nt

[blm]

120. (( full day for me tonight and tomorrow, too ))

.

[Ninga]

121. Good luck Botany. My assignment is in Cleveland, only I haven't received

any info on if a bagger will be working with me.

I am going out tonight to buy donuts to take with me. Hopefully, it will be a regular day at the polls.

[AtomicKitten]

123. Don't forget to wear a cup.

[drm604]

124. Thank You!

Hopefully it will be a very uneventful day. If not, maybe you can come back and tell us some stories.

[dchill]

125. K & R.

And thank you, Botany.

[avaistheone1]

126. Good on you for doing this.

k&r

[Duval]

128. Thank you for helping in Ohio.

But, I think I most like your enthusiasm! Gee, being "nice" while working alongside a "Tea Bagger" would be a serious challenge for me! It's nice to know our poll sites will be protected.

[W T F]

129. Find out where he lives and pull the ignition wires on his car tonight so he can't get to the polls

It's called suppressing suppression.

[OldRedneck]

130. Take with you:

-- Bullshit detector with extra batteries
-- Water
-- Snacks
-- Big stick

And when you first speak to him, start by asking him: "Were you born with your head up your ass, or, did you stick it up there recently?" That'll start the conversation off on the right foot. Never give 'em an equal chance.

[gademocrat7]

131. Thank you, so much Botany

Please be careful.

[Melissa G]

133. Love and best wishes, Bots!

[Mister Ed]

134. If the Teabaggers can slow_things_dowwwwnn...they win!

That's the hell of it. They'd love to go into Democratic neighborhoods and stop people from voting by challenging them. But they'll be just as happy to stop people from voting by slowing things down to the point that the lines become impossible and voters are forced to give up.

[Coyotl]

135. Take some dajeerling and paper cups, keep asking, "Tea?"

Have fun!

[The Doctor.]

136. May your serenity and bemusement

Drive him into paroxysms.

Good Luck!

[hue]

137. Take our love with You!! Can't wait to hear how this turns out!!

[we can do it]

138. You should be getting to bed pretty soon then, do you start at 6am?

I am sure you will do a great job. Where are you working?

[myrna minx]

140. Thank you so much and best of luck to you.

[Sailingdiver]

141. Thank you. Best of luck. Enjoy!

Most importantly think of all the good you're providing.

[War Pigs]

142. Where can I help

Hi Botany I would love to help out I work at the Ford Cleveland Engine Plant as a pipefitter and live in the Massillon area. Working until 6 am then back in at 10 pm but would love to lend a hand. Also a 6 year Navy Boiler Technician so I know how to make sure people play nice lol

[Divine Discontent]

145. I hope he writes you back, but if not,

I think anyone can go like I did in 2004 and volunteer to poll watch at a precinct. If you're staying a 100 feet away and just watching for anything out of the ordinary, like someone coming out upset because they said they couldn't vote, then you could call the 800-311-VOTE for them and put them in touch with someone who can help, or if you're inside, and check in with the election folks as a "citizen" there on your own desire to watch the proceedings, you could see anything that's questionable and ask the election officials about it, or call the 800 #. I also, in other years, have just grabbed signs and chosen a busy corner to remind people to vote - many kinda forget about it with life's activities, but if someone is waving a Pres. Obama or Sen. Brown sign at them, they're likely to think about taking a few minutes to drop into their precinct and voting.

Thanks for your service! My bro is an HVAC guy in the Navy Reserves, and you guys keep things working!



GO OBAMA!

[War Pigs]

149. Thanks Divine Discontent love the name!

The 2003 Iraq War and treatment of Kerry by these nasty people fundamentally changed how I viewed some of my fellow citizens forever and these past 4 years have only reinforced that. I saw 24 countries ( multiple ports in some) and learned a trade that landed me my dream job so I put a lot in and got 10x that back!! The people you meet are from every walk of life and background and just buckle down and make it all go, just an awesome experience.

I think maybe I'll go down to the county dem HQ and just make myself available, I can sleep when I'm dead I've been told lol

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

143. I admire you. I'm not sure I have the capacity to spend an hour, much less, a day, with a bagger

without losing my cool. Or, maybe, my lunch.

[Divine Discontent]

146. my bagger was so smarmy when I started the day with him years back, but when he eventually

was faced with the fact that I, too, was a Christian, and espoused plenty of Jesus principles in my commentary with him, he seemed taken aback that I was a progressive. I can only pray I educated him on being open-minded, accepting others as they wish to live their life, and that society is responsible to take care of each other, and that's what Jesus taught. Problem is, once these people start listening to hate radio again, or watching Faux Noise, the get brainwashed all over.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

150. Do the other Christians know you're spreading those liberal lies about Jesus? You should be

careful who overhears you!

[tavalon]

144. You could give him the urban dictionary's definition of teabagging

Let him suck on that all day.

[RBInMaine]

147. You poor thing. All day with a Bagger? GOOD LUCK !

[Lifelong Protester]

148. Thank you!