Is Bev Harris the only game in town? If so, why?

[republicansareevil]

This is not related to the Olbermann issue.

But it has long bothered me that blackboxvoting.org seems to be the only game in town as far as verified voting issues are concerned. I'm not blaming Bev Harris for that. Her group has obviously been very successful at making people aware of the issues and making people aware of blackboxvoting.org. But I think monopolies are a bad thing even when they are in the nonprofit sector. This is too big an issue for one person or one group. Are there other organized groups out there that are doing the same kind of work? Do any DUers belong to these groups? If so, I'd like to hear about them. I mean, I'd like to volunteer time and money toward the effort, but I'd like to have options, not a Hobson's choice of Bev Harris or nothing.

I don't want this to turn into a debate on the integrity of Bev Harris. I don't have enough information to judge her, although she does seem to attract controversy. Still, I think there is plenty of room for others to participate, and it's always a good thing when we have multiple voices speaking out. I guess the next logical question is: why don't I start a group myself (assuming there aren't already good ones that exist)? I know, it's like people who complain there are no good candidates but don't consider running for office themselves. Well, simply put, I don't think I have the skills or expertise to put together such an organization, even if I had the time and inclination. I don't have a strong technical background, I'm not extraverted, I don't have any organizational experience, and I already have a full-time job. I think there are a lot of DUers who COULD put together some sort of organization, however. Especially since there are many who don't trust Bev Harris' tactics or motivations.

I also think that some established groups like MoveOn or AmericaComingTogether could form a focus group or task force (not sure the correct terminology) to work on BBV issues. Or even, heaven forbid, the Democratic Party could get off it's butt and do something, although I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. shhh why don't you get the ball rolling locally

Here in San Diego, VOTERR is holding a rally in front of the Union Trib on Thursday, so what are you doing?

[crispini]

3. Here's a thought.

Serve on your county's election board:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x104789

[republicansareevil]

5. I have been working locally.

I've tried to educate everyone I know about the issue. I've also written to my representatives, the media, etc. -- the usual methods. Working individually and locally is fine, but that doesn't change the fact that we need solid, national groups working on this. And I think it's better to have more than just one option.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. start organizing a LOCAL group

You need to have poll observers next election, just for starters

[republicansareevil]

14. I'm in Ohio. We had poll observers.

I wasn't one, but I volunteered in other ways. Mostly GOTV.

[papau]

2. BEV owns the issue - but verified voting and many others are in the

battle, including the Democratic Party folks.

[americanstranger]

4. Bev OWNS the issue??

(Stranger bangs head on desk.)

-as

[Ducks In A Row]

20. maybe in the sense of very effective and getting results

[papau]

26. exactly - no other name is as tightly associated to BBV - not even

our CA friend at verified voting

[AmyCrat]

6. She's not the only game in town...

Keith Olbermann

Greg Palast

MoveOnPAC

Jesse Jackson

Ralph Nader

Cobb

Petition: www.petitiononline.com/uselect/petition.html

www.ElectionSquad.org

www.VerifiedVoting.com

www.BlackBoxVoting.COM

www.RecountOhio.org

Jeff Fisher

Start your own local movement!

Add to the list!

[republicansareevil]

9. thanks! verifiedvoting.com looks interesting.

Anyone have any opinions on them? Are they related to David Dill? How do they differ from blackboxvoting.org?

[demobabe]

11. Yes, David Dill started it...

They are reputable, organized, and have a good reputation. David Dill is wonderful! They have all their legal disclosures and information on the site; they're really up front about everything.

[republicansareevil]

12. Was there some sort of disagreement between Dill & Bev Harris?

I seem to remember reading something about that, but I can't remember the specifics. Or maybe I'm confused.

[symbolman]

15. Okay

http://www.buzzflash.com

Look for the film ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION.

thanks.

[Eloriel]

23. More:

www.helpamericarecount.org

www.ballotintegrity.org/

www.AuditTheVote.org


And there really are many others, individuals AND groups, working to make a difference.

[papau]

27. very true - thanks for posting the links

:-)

[Broken Acorn]

7. If she was the only game, she has lost credibility

by not releasing the supposed dumpster videos.

Too busy to update her website (with all those donations) but can find time to talk to DU's all day and post here whenever people question if she's legit.

Funny how things like that work out.

Go JJ & Glibs!

[pleiku52cab]

8. The problem I have with Bev

was ably pointed out by Keith Olbermann on his site bloggerman.com. That last episode looks to the 'multitudes' like tin-foiling and grandstanding. I just wish she would accept Keith's' invitation to appear on his show, and present at least some of the facts she has accumulated. I'm sure the repugs know all about her efforts and what facts she has so far collected, so going on national TV with at least some of her material could only help to wake up the majority of the population that scoffs at the word FRAUD.

[pleiku52cab]

21. P.S.

Just read Bev's reply on her site - two sides to every story I guess, but I am still uncomfortable with the tin foil impression that her latest actions have surely left in the minds of many people.

[Walt Starr]

29. Newest response on Bloggerman is interesting

Bev will never be on NBC after this latest stunt.

[symbolman]

10. There's a little movie called "Electile Dysfunction"

My Site - Takebackthemedia.com has created a film (DVD) about electronic voting called "Electile Dysfunction" - now a Premium at Buzzflash.com

http://www.buzzflash.com/premiums/04/11/pre04073.html and we would be honored if folks looked at our Press Releases there and maybe buy our film (DVD)

You'll find all the information about our work and the film at that web address.

If you are concerned about BlackBoxVoting.org's Bev Harris - her lack of hard data, evidence and/or frat stunts that may threaten the credibility of the entire electronic voting investigation movement of which we are a part then feel free to buy our movie - over a year in the making.

We won't withhold footage from you, plenty of links about the Movie at Buzzflash.

A Little Bit about US:

Takebackthemedia.com received 100 million hits in it's first year, and we were one of 14 Finalists out of over 1600 entries in MoveOn.org's "Bush in 30 Seconds" contest not long ago.

Our entry - ARMY OF ONE (a non partisan look at Bush's treatment of the troops and veterans) was not the winner but was shown the very next night nationwide when I was interviewed on the Joe Scarborough show on MSNBC. (My second time on his show - I have been on the O'Reilly show, and Lou Dobbs on CNN as well)

Joe Scarborough loved our ad supporting the troops and was very cordial (I was shocked). The very same ad was shown 3000 times on cable television in New Hampshire during the primaries as well.

You can view my interview with him on MSNBC(which includes our MoveOn entry) at this URL: http://66.230.230.110/radio/sym-1-13.rm

(It's a Realmedia file and will play even if it appears to give an error as RealMedia is a wonky program - keep clicking)

I've created many NEW "monty pythonish" animations to add to a solid mix of the incredible and the very credible as electronic voting is a really dry subject and we feel it's important to entertain while educating.

Here is a link to one of the more zany works included: http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/12/con04525.html and with more info on the DVD.


The people we interviewed include: Theresa LePore, and her sidekick, Karen
Jerome Gray, Alabama Democratic Conference
Reverand Tommy Waites
Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman (The template for voter theft was created here - 6500 voted REVERSED in the dark of night, with poll workers, media, etc Barred from the courthouse)
Congressman Robert Wexler, Florida
Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Georgia
Senator Barbara Boxer
Kevin Shelley, California Secretary of State
Larry Flynt
Greg Palast, Investigative Journalist, BBC and UK Guardian
William Rivers Pitt, Truthout.org and Book Author
Lida Rodriguez-Taseff, Chair, Miami-Dade Election Reform Coalition
Courtenay Strickland, ACLU Florida, Voting Rights Project Director
Jim Hightower
Dr. Aviel Rubin, Johns Hopkins University, Technical Director, Information Security Institute
Dr. David Dill, Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
Adam Putnam, Congressman (FL)
Jim Adler, CEO, Vote Here Inc.
Danny Schechter, MediaChannel.org
Don Waller, Take Back The Media
Ian Williams, The Nation Magazine
Owner and Publisher, The Nation Magazine
Janeane Garofalo, Air America Radio, Actress, Comedienne
Congressman Clay,as well as other electronic voting professionals, academics, journalists, and just plain folks.

But our film covers more than just electronic voting.

We also discuss the problem with voting rights in America, like the inherent racism in the distribution of voting machines.

We also show the live harassment of voters, trickery, the Media changing exit poll information on the fly, etc - all documented and vetted.

No tin foil, only friendly stunts.

Our film ends with a call to action and we invite everyone to join us in petitioning our representatives in Washington for a Constitutional Amendment enforcing a Federal Right to vote, and have votes counted - much like Jesse Jackson mentioned on one of Keith Olbermann's recent shows.

Please have a look, and help support us - we're just trying to get the word out, help Buzzflash, and make some of our money back.

I'm pretty sure you won't be disapointed with out work, the animations alone make it kick, they are a lot of fun.. or so I've been told.

I want to thank each and every one of you for all the inspiration you've been to me - when I went on TV you were all there with advice - you've all been at the forefront of every true progressive advance and you should be proud of yourselves.

All the best,

Symbolman

[republicansareevil]

16. thanks!

:hi:

[pauldp]

17. Check out the alliance for democracy

www.thealliancefordemocracy.org /

The Chair Cliff Arnebeck was on CSPAN today talking about fraud and a suit they are filing tomorrow seeking to overturn the election.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=104274&mesg_id=104274

Arnebeck rocks! He's our Robot for Truth and Democracy!

[Ducks In A Row]

19. here's the link to the cspan page with the link to view the segment

http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=Current_Event&Code=Vote_2004&ShowVidNum=9&Rot_Cat_CD=Vote_2004&Rot_HT=&Rot_WD=&ShowVidDays=15&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=720

[republicansareevil]

22. thanks!

[Ducks In A Row]

18. Nothing stopping anyone else from doing this

but so far no takers.

[symbolman]

24. Oh there are takers

We haven't even started our media blitz for our movie ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION..

I'm perfectly capable of speaking on this subject and I have good repoire with the media..

well, except when Joe Scarborough threatened to shut down my microphone..

[proudbluestater]

25. She is not the only game in town at all

The Green and Libertarians are the ones filing suit in Ohio tomorrow.

She became the one who stepped up to the plate first. She's written the book on Blackbox voting and even demonstrated how easily the machines can be hacked before the election.

As we sat here wringing our hands, she stepped up to the plate and immediately took action. But she does not OWN the issue. Anybody else interested in organizing can surely do so at any time. The more the merrier I think.

[papau]

28. Well said :-)

:-)