NYT: Suppressing Votes of My People in Florida!!!

[goclark]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/16/opinion/16herbert.html?ex=1093670388&ei=1&en=97724710b2813e25

August 16, 2004
OP-ED COLUMNIST
Suppress the Vote?
By BOB HERBERT

The big story out of Florida over the weekend was the tragic devastation caused by Hurricane Charley. But there's another story from Florida that deserves our attention.

State police officers have gone into the homes of elderly black voters in Orlando and interrogated them as part of an odd "investigation" that has frightened many voters, intimidated elderly volunteers and thrown a chill over efforts to get out the black vote in November.

Snip:The officers, from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which reports to Gov. Jeb Bush, say they are investigating allegations of voter fraud that came up during the Orlando mayoral election in March.

Officials refused to discuss details of the investigation, other than to say that absentee ballots are involved. They said they had no idea when the investigation might end,...

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

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goclark: I am so mad!!!!!
:mad: :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[4morewars]

1. I called Kerry's campaign HQ...

here in Michigan on this yesterday, I suggest you do the same, as Kerry said he will have lawyers on the ground in November, but apparently we need them there now. I also called my Congress Rep. and they are also looking into it. Go ahead , make some calls !!

[goclark]

3. Thanks, I 'll Make My Calls Now!!

If ev eryone can make at least one call that would help a lot.
This cuts to the heart of what this country is all about!!!!

[4morewars]

7. Excellent !!!!

I am going to make follow up calls today.

[Downtown Hound]

15. Thanks for the tip. I'm calling right now.

THIS IS BULLSHIT!!!! It's time for us to hit back and hit back HARD against these bastards!

[rogerashton]

2. The "long and ugly tradition"

is a violation of the terms on which Florida was readmitted to the union after the Civil War, and a clear violation of the constitution (amendments 14 and 15) as well as federal law.

In most contracts, if one side commits breach of contract, it loses the benefits it stands to gain under the contract -- as well as being liable for resulting damages. So Florida has, by its actions, forfiet its readmission to the union, and has no right to the status of a state of the American union.

OK, this is a crazy idea, but could there be a legal action to disallow Florida's electoral votes -- retroactively in 2000 as well as in 2004 -- on the grounds that, being not a state but an occupied territory, Florida has no rights to cast any?

And then there are the other 10 .....

[ItsMyParty]

4. I would like to think that since this is the NY Times that

as we speak the DNC, Senators and Reps from Florida, Kerry campaign and God are on this like flies on poop. If they are not, it's no use for anyone to go out in November and vote!!! They are all either with us and with us LOUDLY on this one, or they are against us. No more "let's not make waves" crap. And, while I'm at it, isn't it time they begin to tear the BBV to shreds instead of playing stupid------like I said, they are either with us or they are against us and maybe that's exactly the thing us rank and file need to be saying to them. Silence and stupidity is no longer an acceptable defense.

[buycitgo]

5. I heard Mike Malloy going ballistic over this

He read most, if not all, of the article last night

It was just about the most disgusting thing I've heard since these pricks have taken over, and you can be sure you won't hear about this anywhere else.

too many 'celeb' trials going on now for any real news to surface

[Kanary]

6. That number is 1-800-839-5276!!

Call those congresscritters, and give reference to this story.

Everytime I think my disgust at my country has plateaued, someone on DU shows me we still have more outrage to go.

Kanary

[goclark]

8. Thanks Du , please keep this kicked

I've got to leave to take my mom to the doctor's office.

[goclark]

20. My next call is to the NAACP

I want to know what their legal team is doing on this issue/

[UdoKier]

9. OUR People.

If they are civic-minded, patriotic Americans and democrats, they are OUR people. And yes, it's disgusting. It's typical, though.

Remember in 2002 when the repukes went to poor black areas of Louisiana and put up signs that said that if your utitilities and rent were in arrears, you could be arrested if you showed up at the polls! And Bush wonders why black people don't flock to the GOP!

I'm going to be helping drive folks to the polls, but I don't know if it will help so much, I live in the San Fran Bay Area...

[goclark]

10. You will help,even in SF

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. This makes me want to live in Florida for the month preceding

the election. Be there to get the elderly black to the polls...safely. Be there to DEFEND them against these fascist fucking pigs. Be there to let them know WE ARE WATCHING YOU. WE have to stop this BULLSHIT!!!! Like Bill Clinton said..."As long as we let them get away with this kind of thing, they will continue doing it." THEY MUST BE STOPPED! SO, how are we going to stop them, DUers????

:grr::nuke::grr::nuke::grr::nuke:

:grr::nuke::grr::nuke::grr::nuke:

:grr::nuke::grr::nuke::grr::nuke:

:grr::nuke::grr::nuke::grr::nuke:

:grr::nuke::grr::nuke::grr::nuke:

[iwantmycountryback]

12. Could be tough getting national media to cover it but

I just sent an e-mail to CNN about this, on the off chance that they'll even mention it. I already sent an e-mail about this to the Kerry campaign. Any other people you guys think would be good to contact about this? Howard Dean perhaps?

[Kanary]

13. Well, I guess CNN is OK, but what about the major networks, Nightline?

60 Minutes?

This begs for some investigative reporting... I don't see CNN in that role, but maybe you have had better experience with them.

A bunch of people doing LTTEs would help, too.

Kanary

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. Aaron Brown is the best bet for getting this dirty laundry aired.

No one else on CNN gives a shit if the repukes steal the election again, disenfranchise elderly black voters or the intimidation that goes with these "interrogations.". I'll email Aaron and see what happens. I usually never get a reply from him. My past email were usually reaming his behind for things he said or did to Wes Clark...not very nice. ;) I'll try the schmooze tact this time and see how it goes. :hi:

[bryant69]

14. Did a bit on this story on my blog

Mainly I think the problem is the secrecy. If they have a real item to investigate; they should be open about it with the people they are questioning and with the media. Instead they are hushing it up; making it look as scary as possible. If their goal is actually intimidation than secrecy is an effective tactic. if this is a legitimate investigation let them be upfront about what they are doing.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[AmerDem]

17. This is sad sick shit!

I so hope once Kerry gets in we can round up all these fascist bastards and put them thru the full course of the law!

[Moderator]

18. goclark

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.

DU Moderator

[goclark]

19. Thanks for the info

I'm really sorry.
Thanks for reminding me in such a nice way.
I was just so angry this morning I thought my head was going to explode.

[goclark]

21. Here is a better link ..

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0817-14.htm