Diebold demands that HBO cancel documentary on voting machines

[deadparrot]

Diebold Inc. insisted that cable network HBO cancel a documentary that questions the integrity of its voting machines, calling the program inaccurate and unfair.

The program, "Hacking Democracy," is scheduled to debut Thursday, five days before the 2006 U.S. midterm elections. The film claims that Diebold voting machines aren't tamper-proof and can be manipulated to change voting results.

"Hacking Democracy" is "replete with material examples of inaccurate reporting," Diebold Election System President David Byrd said in a letter to HBO President and Chief Executive Chris Albrecht posted on Diebold's Web site. Short of pulling the film, Monday's letter asks for disclaimers to be aired and for HBO to post Diebold's response on its Web site.

According to Byrd's letter, inaccuracies in the film include the assertion that Diebold, whose election systems unit is based in Allen, Texas, tabulated more than 40 percent of the votes cast in the 2000 presidential election.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/290653_diebold01.html?source=mypi

[greeneyedboy]

1. i'd love to see them try to prove the documentary wrong.

[philosophie_en_rose]

2. Seriously, Diebold. Isn't undermining the foundations of democracy enough?

:shrug:

[Demobrat]

3. Damn I hope that sees the light of day.

Then I really WILL start to have hope again. Maybe ...

[tblue]

14. Countermeasure: Let's all write HBO & tell them we can't wait to see it. Here's the link:

http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=Documentaries&questiontype=documentaries

[Judi Lynn]

22. Thank you for that address. Feeling much better already after writing. n/t

[goclark]

25. Done nt

[dubykc]

34. Done

[primavera]

36. Done n/t

[roody]

37. Did so.

And told them I do not have cable or watch much tv but have asked a friend to record the show for me. Said if there were more quality programs I would consider getting cable.

[pinkpops]

4. HBO could always claim it is a docudrama like the 9/11 thing on ABC...

[54anickel]

8. I was thinking about the same thing, but I couldn't remember which

TV "thangie" it was all about that time. I was having a brain fart. :silly:
Thanks, I was pounding my head trying to remember.

[stillcool]

5. No way....

it's on tomorrow night...a little late to throw a hissy fit. They probably couldn't do anything 'legally', because it's all true...:rofl:

[Skip Intro]

6. Haven't seen it, but surely HBO asked reps from liebold for their side.

I'm guessing they declined.

[CountAllVotes]

7. an outpouring of sympathy for poor ol' Diebold

May you RIP. :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[texpatriot2004]

9. Glad to be the 5th to K&R this thread nt

[MadMaddie]

10. By Diebold protesting much too loudly they will push more

people to see the documentry.....

[Ouabache]

11. Diebold election systems unit is based in Allen, Texas

That says it all. All the Diebold proprietary shenanigans happen deep in the heart of Texass on election night...
Apologies to Texas DUers, I know you try.

[JudyM]

12. It'd be great if they found witnesses or documents from within the company.

Otherwise it could be brushed off as tinfoilhat speculation. It's still so hard to fathom the lack of MSM interest in Robert Kenedy's Rolling Stone article on this.

[robinlynne]

13. Good. scream diebold scream! More people will watch!

[NYCGirl]

15. HBO has already said NO, it will NOT CANCEL. I posted it this morning.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2538888&mesg_id=2538888

[keopeli]

16. Fine. Publish your code and subject your machines to independent scrutiny and testing

Until then, Diebold's words are just words and they're falling on deaf ears.

[buddysmellgood]

17. Gosh! Sounds like Diebold would like a Fairness Doctrine.

[nicknameless]

18. Effing up as always, diebold mistook the HBO documentary for a different one.

From:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2534789

“Diebold Fumbles Attempt to Stop HBO Airing of 'Hacking Democracy!
In Hilarious Statement, Company Claims Documentary — Which They Haven't Seen — Has Facts Wrong…But They're Referring to a Completely Different Documentary!”

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

19. Kick...

...late night kickarooni...

[oasis]

20. Election theft enablers should be exposed. (n/t)

[SKKY]

21. How telling when they cry foul over such trivial facts as the number...

...of votes tabulated, not the fact that some of this countries elite security experts have said these machines
are in fact about as secure as a 13 year old boy in Neverland.

[WePurrsevere]

23. We don't have satellite but I would love to see this & I'll bet my DH, the

retired tech who worked for a MAJOR competitor to Liebold for over 15 yrs would as well. He knows they LIE... over a decade ago the company he worked for (and has retired from) had a voting machine WITH paper trail capabilities, DH said it wasn't that far a stretch from their ATMs. Unfortunately it was before it's time, few if any sold, and the project was scrapped.

Hopefully HBO will put it out on DVD. It sounds like it might be worth paying a bit to see. :)

[Eurobabe]

24. Hey DIEBOLD, Go CHENEY Yourself!

n/t

[goforit]

26. Let it rip!

[MountainLaurel]

29. My thoughts exactly

:applause:

[antonialee839]

27. Whaaaa, we steal elections fair and square.

How unfair of HBO to suggest otherwise.

[demo dutch]

33. How it is that other countries scrap E-voting!! and we don't or even take it seriously!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/30/ireland_evote/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/12/08/uk_not_ready_for_evoting/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/31/dutch_votingmachines_inadequate/

[Blue_Tires]

38. thanks for the links

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

28. Perhaps an ABC-style disclaimer will calm them

They can call it a historical drama and all will be forgiven.

[Hugin]

30. Yeah, it's a docudrama.

*fingers crossed behind back*

[demo dutch]

31. If HBO gives in -- I give up!! USA is now listed 44rd on World Press Freedom Index

[zonkers]

32. Ha, this is rich.

[stepnw1f]

35. Corporations That Seek to Destroy Democracy Should Be Shut Down!!!!