Recount finished -Amendment 2 FAILED in Alabama (segregation stays in law)

[underpants]

http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=1261

Dec 1 - An Alabama amendment to repeal racist language from the state’s constitution is undergoing a recount after it failed to pass by a very small margin during the November 2 election.


Proponents of the measure said that it was merely a formality to update Alabama’s constitution and bring it in line with federal laws. The amendment would remove from the constitution phrases such as, "Separate schools shall be provided for white and colored children, and no child of either race shall be permitted to attend a school of the other race."


Nevertheless, the amendment lost by a margin of 1,850 votes, a small enough percentage to automatically trigger a recount. However, since there are no reports of irregularities, most observers do not expect a recount to change the outcome.

LOCAL ALABAMA PAPER
http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/articles/2004/12/02/news/930news.txt
Amendment 2 still dangles in the balance. The measure to remove segregationist language from the state constitution, which thus far appears to have failed, demanded an automatic recount.

A 2003 Alabama state law requires that voting margins one-half of a percentage point or lower be strictly re-evaluated to assure accuracy.

November 2 general election results on the measure indicate that 691,300 voters said "no" to Amendment 2, while 689,450 opted "yes."

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. Oh for Pete's Sake!

[Killarney]

2. So, over 50% of the state wanted to keep the language?

that is sickening.

[underpants]

9. Yes'm they show 'nuff do

Hello ALabama it is the 21st century!!!

[LizW]

10. No

691,300 Alabamians voted to keep the language. There are 4.5 million people in Alabama. Stop blaming us all for this.

How would all of you like it if people in other countries called you an idiot bigoted imperialist for electing George Bush?

[underpants]

12. That is a good point

I apologize for my condescending post above yours. Still this is pretty embarassing.

[LizW]

13. Thanks

It is absolutely horribly embarrassing. It piles more outrage and frustration and helplessness on top of everything else that has happened starting on Nov. 2. I guess that's why I'm so touchy about it.

I feel like I'm screaming to the rest of the world, "I"M NOT LIKE THAT! I'M A GOOD PERSON, DAMMIT!

[Carolab]

3. How is this being recounted?

Did they use e-voting? Will it be machine recounted or hand recounted? Anyone know?

[underpants]

8. Not sure-I hadn't heard much on it so I checked it out

A week or so ago I could have sworn that it was sure to pass (get rid of the language) but apparently not. From election night there were reports that there would be a recount which in an of itself is shocking....okay not THAT shocking.

[Walt Starr]

4. That explains a lot about the red states

Again, I maintain my boycott of anything red state related.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. I'm with you-if they want to live in a Christian Talliban racist utopia

let them. I hope the poor progressives stuck in those states emigrate to the reality-based states.

[Imperialism Inc.]

6. You've got to be kidding.

From the first article it appears that people were concerned that removing the language would no longer allow the state to deny an education to its residents. Well, that makes sense then. It would just be terrible if they could no longer stop kids from getting all that fancy learning. :eyes:

[underpants]

7. Exactly but I think that is an excuse

Do you really think that most people voted over that issue or the "Let's keep them down/show them who is boss/screw the 21st century and Hollywood" thing?

[funkybutt]

11. a LOT of dems in AL don't vote

it's ridiculous but true. They feel that since it's such a red state, their vote won't count anyway.

1850 votes is NOT very many at all! The people to blame for this measure not passing are those who didn't bother to vote. An amendment like that could have been used as GOTV motivation and SHOULD have created a record turnout.

[Guarionex]

14. Secession please

I want to leave the Red States...thank you very much...let them live on their redneck fascism..