Newsweek technology columnist puts positive spin on BBV audits...

[SleepingDragon]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6595385/site/newsweek/

Steven Levi writes:

Four More Years to Finally Get It Right

In the new devices, a voter has no way of proving that his or her choice is reported in the final tally

<snip>

It would be easy to dismiss this bunch as a society of paranoids. Indeed, their complaints seem beyond the pale when key e-voting critics claim that despite some problems, there's no evidence that the outcome was affected. Anyway, at this point, even pictures of Karl Rove personally hacking Diebold machines wouldn't budge the incumbent from the White House. Is it time for these folks to shut up already?

To the contrary, their curmudgeonry serves an important purpose. The nature of the ATM-style voting terminals used by a third of the country in 2004—and set to increase over the next few cycles—doesn't merely invite controversy. It makes doubt a permanent part of the process. The problem is that the new devices have no way of proving to the voter that his or her choice is reported in the final tally. Researchers have demonstrated that the machines themselves are not foolproof—and, worse, are potentially susceptible to vote-stealing schemes.

<snip>

Of course, verification is only one component of voting reform. Why is it that the companies that make the machines are run by executives who favor one party over another? For that matter, why is it that the so-called referees of the process are often partisan politicians themselves? When tackling the problems of provisional ballots, supplying precincts with sufficient voting machines and handling recounts, wouldn't it make sense to have neutral parties in charge?

After the 2000 debacle, one might have expected that our leaders would move mountains to make the next election an exemplary one. The fact that we cannot convince the doubters proves otherwise. Don't call them paranoid, but recognize their passion for fairly run, accurately tabulated elections. If only their zeal were more contagious.


This hits the right tone. Keep up the zeal, it will catch on.

[Carolab]

1. See that?

"This hits the right tone. Keep up the zeal, it will catch on."

DON'T LET THE BASTARDS STOP YOU.

[Clark2008]

5. Amen

I work in the tech sector, so the minute I tell co-workers that the GEMS tabulator runs on a Windows OS, I get their attention. They all know how easily hacked Windows can be. That turns it from "sour grapes" to "maybe she's got a point."

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Well and truly said.

:thumbsup:

[Straight Shooter]

3. Who will ask: Why no voter outrage until bush came onto national scene?

Ever since that moral leper showed up, America has suffered one plague after another. Division, doubt, outrage, terrorist attack, war, erosion of liberty. We can all pinpoint in time when it began: George W. Bush in 2000.

The man is a global pariah, he is an albatross around America's neck. I am glad to see noteworthy articles addressing the tainted election, but will they ever address the real cause of our problems, the root of all this evil?

[Blue in the face]

6. LMAO, moral leper!

Great thread.

I'm seeing a gradual change in tone in the MSM, we're moving in the right direction (for the first time in four years)!

[TruthIsAll]

4. How come he didn't write about BBV BEFORE the election?

Newsweek finally sees there is a problem.

Sorry. Too little. Too late.

We've been screaming about this for three years.

Now they listen.

[Patsy Stone]

7. I read it yesterday

I sent him a short thank you e-mail of encouragement and he responded with a nice e-mail in return. He may be friendly. Perhaps a short note of encouragement, but we may not want to scare him off...

[vanboggie]

16. I just sent him a short thanks as well

It's good to encourage anyone in a position to get the facts out to the mainstream. Good article.

[Wordie]

8. Excellent!!! eom

[anamandujano]

9. from the article

"You would think that some means of verifiability (like a paper printout that can be saved and used in a recount) would be a minimal requirement. Yet legislation that would have mandated such protections in 2004 was bottled up in Congress." --by the repukes. Anyone think there's any chance now?

--go Jessie go--

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. I really am glad to see it's finally sinking in.

But, I agree with TIA's post above (#4). Why in the hell is it taking so long to get anything done about it? It's not a new issue, it's not even difficult to understand.

Having said said that, I do plan on writing him and thanking him for the tone of the article.

[Patsy Stone]

11. My guess

He's just doing his part for his cause.

It's in Newsweek. That's, like, in dentists' offices and airports. Reaalllly, Oprah-like Mainstream.

[GetTheRightVote]

12. Patsy Stone has hit on a real plus - offices

Thank you for pointing that out to us Patsy.
Any news is good news, as more reporters see more stories they will feel left out and want to join the party of reporting on election 2004, but will also look deeper for new facts to spread, hum......

[Wordie]

13. Kick

[RaulVB]

14. Kick

[RaulVB]

15. Kick

[renate]

17. kick

[Chasing Dreams]

18. kick