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01/03/2005: "My Kids Need Meat"
We really need to talk about the Ohio recount - because nobody else is.
Last month the dynamic duo of Michael Badnarik and David Cobb (from this
day forward to be known as "Baaadman and Cobbin") managed to scrape
together (through donations) the $113,600 needed to enable a recount of
Presidential votes in the sort-of-Midwestern-sort -of-Southern-sort-of-
Industrial Northern state of Ohio.
The recount has been completed and winner, by over 100,000 votes is George
"Mission Accomplished" Bush. Or maybe not…
According to David Cobb who garnered a whopping 186 votes in Ohio and at
least one that I know of in Pennsylvania:
One of the most significant problems with the recount was that few of
Ohio's 88 counties randomly selected sample precincts for the recount as
is required by Ohio law. Other problems with the recount included a lack
of security for the ballots and voting machines - including allegations
of interference with voting machines by representatives of the Diebold
and Triad corporations - and the refusal of some counties to do a full
hand recount when required by law to do so.
So Cobb is calling for a recount of the recount.
Fans of Ohio voting hilarity can read more here. By the way, in Franklin
County, Bush somehow managed to get more votes (4,258) than the actual
number of voters who cast ballots (628).
For me, the most interesting aspect of the Ohio recount has been the
incredible hostile (i.e. rabid) reactions from the states voting officials.
I mean, we all expected Diebold and Triad to be total dicks, but check out
this comment from Ross County Board of Elections Director Nancy Bell:
"I'm just really thoroughly disgusted with the whole thing. I resent our
honesty and integrity being questioned."
It's a statewide recount, Einstein. No one is singling you out, so
shut the Hell up and do your fucking job…and get me a Rueben sandwich -
stat!
In the interest of fairness, I should point out that the folks over at
Counterpunch have a different take on all of this.
We also need to talk about Alberto Gonzales. Since it's extremely unlikely
that the Democrats are going to grow spines and balls between now
and his confirmation hearing, he's a lock to be our next Attorney General
- despite the fact that he has stated that terrorism is "a new kind of war"
that rendered portions of the Geneva Conventions "quaint."
Yes, he really said "quaint": thereby placing rules about not kicking
prisoners in the balls on the same level as New England Bed and Breakfasts.
While I (along with many other primates) feel that Alberto Gonzales isn't
fit to stand guard over a dung heap let alone our civil libeties, I do feel
that he is perfect for the job of the first RATYHTL recurring charter of
2005 - The "'My kids need meat' guy".
Here's a link that Dean sent me to a guy who I think does this blogging
stuff much better than I do.
spodia - heap of ashes
If the above word looks like ippojshit to you,
then you need to go here
and download the SPIONIC font for either MAC or PC. Dude.
eum - him
