BBV: Diebold question

[PVnRT]

This is not necessarily a question about the company itself, more of a philosophical one.

My bank's ATM machines around here, I noticed the other day (or just made not of for the first time, since Diebold had not registered before all this mess came up) that they are made by Diebold.

Now, when I use these ATM machines, a funny thing happens. I get a receipt, showing how much I withdrew from my checking account. And I've never had an error with those.

So why, then, would it be so difficult for them to do the same with their electronic voting machines?

[BadGimp]

1. Stop asking questions you!

[Kelvin Mace]

2. Diebold will tell you

They are just delivering what their customers (election officials) ask for, and they weren't asked for it.

This is a disingenuous remark.

The election officials were told by Diebold (and others) "this gets rid of that pesky paper problem. No paper ballots, no chads, no butterfly ballots, etc". The election officials bought into this line for a number of reasons including:

1) Ignorance
2) Naiveness
3) Contempt for the electorate

#3 is a lot more than people know. I have talked to a number of county election honchos and they think voters are stupid and that they know what's best and the voters should just shut up.

David Allen
Publisher, CEO, Janitor
Plan Nine Publishing
http://www.plan9.org

[punpirate]

3. Worth mentioning that the #1...

... which David describes is a primary reason why they are so damned defensive when questioned about paper ballot issues and #3 is the reason why they want to dispose of paper. In their collective mind, paper is a major inconvenience (voters being messy in that regard).

Another reason (evidenced by Diebold's internal comments about "sticking it to Maryland" if they wanted a printer for paper ballots) is cost. To Diebold, it's one more component to warrantee and service, and to the election officials, who've been told the machines eliminate the need for paper, it's an unnecessary cost.

Cheers.

[shooga]

4. answer:

1) corruption in software or the programme itself.

2) hacking.

3) no paper trail. Florida, of course, has already stated that their machines will not be generating paper trails/receipts. as antiquated as they are, at least the old punchcards, machine-lever type machines leave a physical trail which can be recorded and monitored by both sides.


http://www.fudgereport.net

[shooga]

5. forgot the MOST IMPORTANT reason:

oh and 4) DIEBOLD are big contributors to Bush family. CEO was heard

saying to Bush, "... I look forward to delivering the election to you, Mr. Bush..."

[SaddenedDem]

6. EVERY Diebold product produces a receipt

With the SINGLE exception of electronic voting machines.

[dmr]

7. And, that not only sucks, it's very telling n/t

[Misinformed01]

8. I can't imagine WHY

n/t