Is this the opportunity we can all get behind?

[Kip Humphrey]

The Cartr-Baker faux Election Reform Commission holds their next (and last) hearing on June 30th at Rice University in Houston, Texas (the belly of the Beast, so to speak). Is this something we can and should use to bring the movement out of the closet? Here's a proposal to do just that:

1. A Counter-Commission Election Justice Hearing in Houston on June 29th followed by a mass demonstration (2) the next day when the Carter-Baker Selection Reform Commission meets at Rice University?

3. Start the weekend before with a series of working committees to prepare hearing reports covering:
Election Fraud investigative findings
Election litigation report
Election Suppression report
Electronic Voting report
Election Exit Polls analysis
Election Reform report
Restore Democracy Activism report

4. Follow up with an Activist conference (Friday & Saturday) to map out the movement's future steps.


Do you think we could get John Conyers & Barbara Boxer interested?

Do you think we could get the 100+ Election Justice activist organizations behind this?

Do you think we could get DFA, PDA, and Kucinich groups to band together to put this together?

Do you think we could pivot the movement around this and use the Carter-Baker commission hearing as a focal point?

Inquiring dissidents want to know...

[Kip Humphrey]

1. Apparently not...

[Peace Patriot]

21. Are you kidding? This is a FABULOUS idea! I will do everything I can...

...to help. And I've already got a $50 donation in my hot little hand, waiting for a committee to form!

[Wiley50]

2. Why You Ole SDS RabbleRowser!

I'll spout off about it with you!
( but, it's Sunday. Remember? )

Don't know how I'd get to Houston,
but I'll work on it.

I'll help kick this thread
until everybody gets back from church :)

[Land Shark]

4. worst a person can do: Rouse the "rabble"/awaken the People's slumber nt

[Amaryllis]

3. Brillilant, Kip.

[glitch]

5. I think it's a great idea - and I really want to see some videos dispersed

on the net afterward for everyone who can't attend. Or even just audios. Maybe C-span could be enticed, but I'd like to see every speaker.

The meetings themselves should be leveraged to spread the word, and the best way to do that without the corporate media is by bringing the meetings to the people via the net.

[Kip Humphrey]

6. Live webcasting would work - an indymedia folks interested?

[glitch]

8. That would be okay too, but just filming the conference and uploading it

to existing public servers would be simpler and just as effective, IMO. Because if they missed the webconference they could always hit the site later and download the mpg, or ram or mp3 or whatever and view it in their own time.

[Kip Humphrey]

7. Invite Carter, faux commission members, and staff to our hearings.

to hear the testimony. Make them part of our audience.

[Kip Humphrey]

9. Revised proposal, version 1.1:

The Carter-Baker faux Election Reform Commission holds their next (and last) open hearing on June 30th at Rice University in Houston, Texas (the belly of the Beast, so to speak). Is this something we can and should use to bring the movement out of the closet? Here's a proposal to do just that:

1. A Counter-Commission Election Justice Summit & 2-day hearing at the University of Houston on June 28-29th followed by a mass demonstration the next day when the Carter-Baker Selection Reform Commission meets at Rice University?

2. Start the weekend before with a series of working committees to prepare hearing reports covering:
Election fraud investigative findings
Election litigation report
Election suppression report
Electronic voting report
Election exit polls analysis
Election reform report
Restore Democracy activism report

3. Follow up with a June 30th action rallying at Rice University to attempt delivery of the Election Justice Hearing Report to the Carter-Baker hearing.


PRE-HEARING WORKING COMMITTEES SCHEDULE:
Saturday, June 25th - Monday, June 27th, 9:00AM - 5:00PM:
Investigative, litigation, election reform, election education, media, and activism committees meet to draft reports for the hearing.

PROPOSED HEARING AGENDA:
Day 1 - Tuesday, June 28th:
Morning session, 9:00AM - 11:30AM - 2004 election investigation: What went wrong in 2004?
2004 election failures, voter suppression, electronic voting irregularities
Afternoon session, 1:00PM - 4:00PM - Election investigative reports:
Digital voting & vote processing, exit poll analysis
Keynote Address & Q&A, 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Hearing Press Conference, 5:30PM - 6:00PM
Evening, 6:00PM - 11:00PM: Barbecue & musical entertainment

Day 2 - Wednesday, June 29th:
Morning Session, 9:00AM - 11:30AM: Solutions to broken elections
Reports on proposed and pending litigation, election reform legislation, and voter rights
Afternoon session, 1:00PM - 4:00PM: Election Justice Activism
Reports on being the media, how to spread the word, building the movement
Keynote address #2 & Q&A, 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Hearing Press Conference, 5:30PM - 6:00PM
Hearing reception, dinner & musical entertainment, 6:00PM - 11:00PM

JUNE 30th ACTION:
10:00AM - 2:00PM Meet at Rice University to attempt delivery of Election Justice Hearing Report to the Carter Baker Commission Hearing.
3:00PM - 6:00PM: Election Justice Planning Session: Where do we go from here?

POTENTIAL NOTABLE ATTENDEES:
To invite to testify or receive testimony:

POLITICS:
Barbara Boxer
Hillary Clinton
David Cobb
John Conyers
Jesse Jackson Sheila Jackson-Lee
John Kerry
Cynthia McKinney
Shirley Tubbs-Jones
Others?

MEDIA:
Pokey Anderson
Jim Hightower
Seymour Hirsch
Bob Koehler
Mike Malloy
Michael Moore
Keith Olberman
Greg Palast
Jon Stewart

Personal invitations issued to Carter-Baker commission members and staff to attend our hearings and hear the testimony.

LOGISTICS
Press Liaison
Communications Committee
University of Houston, Rice University and City of Houston Liaison
Entertainment (Food & Fun) Committee
Working Committees Logistics Committee
Hearing Logistics Committee
Housing & Transportation Logistics Committee
Presenters & Participants Selection & Invitation Committee

RESOURCES
Houston has the following very active organizations which are potential sources for volunteer staffing: DFA, PDA, Green Party, Kucinich group, Jim Hightower meetup group.

FUNDING
With over 100 activist organizations, if each contributes $50, we can readily raise $5,000 which I think I can match, giving us $10,000 to make this happen.


Do you think we could get the 100+ Election Justice activist organizations (notably e-USE and ProDemocracy) fully behind this?

Do you think we could pivot the movement around this and use the Carter-Baker commission hearing as a focal point to further public awareness?

Kip Humphrey
51 Capital March

[emlev]

15. Additions to your list

Politics:
Maxine Waters (D-CA)

Media:
Amy Goodman
Larry Bensky (Pacifica/KPFA)

Also:
-hip hop/rap musisians?
-does League of Pissed Off Voters still exist?
-reps of disability rights movement who understand dangers of e-voting

These are off the top of my head. Will keep thinking. Thanks for your persistence in getting our attention!

[Bill Bored]

10. Great Idea But Try to Get Some Real Heavyweights!

And not just those from the Dems or the Left!
Why not use whatever THEIR (the Barter Commission's) agenda items are and add your own.
This way, you counter everything they say (from both meetings) and can add your own fraud-related stuff too.

Here's who I think should participate in the meetings (the demonstration should be optional, of course but that would be nice too):

1. DeForest Soaries, who recently RESIGNED from the EAC! If the Barter Commission won't have him (and we should PUSH for them to BTW), then WE SHOULD try to get him on board.

2. What about the Carter Center itself? Since, per Raw Story, Jimmy is no longer involved with them, and, per Raw Story, the Center is not participating with the Commission, can they send someone to work with us???

3. John Conyers or someone he designates.

4. Boxer, Holt, Kerry, Heinz-Kerry, Cam Kerry, Kerry's son, daughter, or someone they designate.

5. Election Sciences Institute (VoteWatch), whose findings about Ohio will be public by then, I hope.

6. PDA, Kucinich, Jesse Jackson Sr. and/or Jr.

7. Anyone from the Congressional Black Caucus, Cynthia McKinney, the usual suspects.

8. Dem Judiciary Committee or House Admin or Senate Rules Committee members.

9. Chuck Herrin or some other well-meaning Republicans.

10. Jim Jeffords, Olympia Snow, Susan Collins?

11. Other "usual suspects" from CASE Ohio, etc.

12. Andy Stephenson, of course.

12. Badnarik

13. DFA if you can get them to pay ANY attention to this issue at all!!!!!!!!! (GOOD LUCK with THAT!)

14. Some REAL votin' machine scientists who have uncovered security flaws, decertified machines, and so on. Jones from IA for example. Shamos from PA for example.

15. Bob Koehler will want to attend I'm sure.

16. Someone from the DNC/Dean.

The aim should be to make this as credible as possible rather than just pure activism -- not that there's anything wrong with activism. Save the pure activism for the Demonstration Day. Keep your hearings evidence-based.

You have to have some people from the other side ideologically, who still care deeply about fair elections. Libertarians, for example, who can be either to the right or the left.

It would be great to find some real traditional conservatives, such as Christopher Hitchins, although I think he used to be a liberal or something? I'd love to get William F. Buckley to consider the possibility of election fraud though! :)

Can't just keep preaching to the choir, the converted, or the converted choir. Get it?

[Kip Humphrey]

11. Kick once for the movment

[starmaker]

12. kick

try to get rolling stone
nothing like getting on the cover

[Land Shark]

13. not a question of whether but of how where and when n.t

[Kip Humphrey]

14. How? Working together. When? Week of June 30th. Where? Houston TX.

[kster]

16. kick.n/t

[Kip Humphrey]

17. Version 1.2: PROPOSED: Citizen State of Elections Hearing in Houston

VERSION 1.2:

The 2nd Carter-Baker Faux Election Reform Hearing is scheduled for June 30th in Houston Texas at Rice University.

Is this something we can and should use to bring the Movement out of the closet? Here's a proposal to do just that:

1. A Citizens Commission Election Justice Summit & 2-day Hearing on the State of our Elections at the University of Houston on June 28-29th followed by a mass demonstration the next day when the Carter-Baker Selection Reform Commission meets at Rice University?

2. Start with a series of virtual on-line working committees to prepare hearing reports covering:
Election fraud investigative findings
Election litigation report
Election suppression report
Electronic voting report
Election exit polls analysis
Election reform report
Restore Democracy activism report

3. Follow up with a June 30th action rallying at Rice University to attempt delivery of the Election Justice Hearing Report to the Carter-Baker hearing.


PRE-HEARING WORKING COMMITTEES SCHEDULE:
Saturday, May 21st - Sunday, June 26th:
Investigative, litigation, election reform, election education, media, and activism committees meet virtually on-line to draft reports for the hearing. Committees

Monday, June 27th, 9:00AM to 5:00PM:
Committee participants meet in Houston to put finishing touches to their hearing reports and testimony.

PROPOSED HEARING AGENDA:
Day 1 - Tuesday, June 28th:
Morning session, 9:00AM - 11:30AM - 2004 election investigation: What went wrong in 2004?
2004 election failures, voter suppression, electronic voting irregularities
Afternoon session, 1:00PM - 4:00PM - Election investigative reports:
Digital voting & vote processing, exit poll analysis
Keynote Address & Q&A, 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Hearing Press Conference, 5:30PM - 6:00PM
Evening, 6:00PM - 11:00PM: Barbecue & musical entertainment

Day 2 - Wednesday, June 29th:
Morning Session, 9:00AM - 11:30AM: Solutions to broken elections
Reports on proposed and pending litigation, election reform legislation, and voter rights
Afternoon session, 1:00PM - 4:00PM: Election Justice Activism
Reports on being the media, how to spread the word, building the movement
Keynote address #2 & Q&A, 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Hearing Press Conference, 5:30PM - 6:00PM
Hearing reception, dinner & musical entertainment, 6:00PM - 11:00PM

JUNE 30th ACTION:
10:00AM - 2:00PM Rally at Rice University to attempt delivery of Election Justice Hearing Report to the Carter Baker Commission Hearing.
3:00PM - 6:00PM: Election Justice Planning Session: Where do we go from here?

POTENTIAL NOTABLE ATTENDEES:
To invite to testify or receive testimony:

POLITICS:
Barbara Boxer
Hillary Clinton
David Cobb
John Conyers
Jesse Jackson
Sheila Jackson-Lee
John Kerry
Cynthia McKinney
Shirley Tubbs-Jones
Maxine Waters
Others?

MEDIA:
Pokey Anderson
Bob Fitrakis
Brad Friedman
Amy Goodman
Jim Hightower
Seymour Hirsch
Bob Koehler
Mike Malloy
Michael Moore
Keith Olberman
Greg Palast
Jon Stewart
Others?

MOVEMENT:
Cliff Arnebeck
Dr. Lora Chamberlain
Clinton Curtis
Cathy Dobb
Lowell Finley
Ted Glick
Bev Harris
Chuck Herrin
Theresa Hommel
Phyllis Huster
Vicki Karp
Lynn Landes
Vicki Lovegren
David Lytel
Josh Mitteldorf
Gregory Moore
Rev. Bill Moss
Richard Hayes Phillips
Larry Quick
Jonathan Simon
Andy Stephenson
Warren Stewart
Susan Truitt
Bernard Windham
and many more... (sorry, I'm at work so am recalling names from memory and I know I've left a LOT of important people out!)

Personal invitations issued to Carter-Baker commission members and staff to attend our hearings and hear the testimony.

LOGISTICS
Press Liaison
Communications Committee
University of Houston, Rice University and City of Houston Liaison
Entertainment (Food & Fun) Committee
Working Committees Logistics Committee
Hearing Logistics Committee
Housing & Transportation Logistics Committee
Presenters & Participants Selection & Invitation Committee

RESOURCES
Houston has the following very active organizations which are potential sources for volunteer staffing: DFA, PDA, Green Party, Kucinich group, Jim Hightower meetup group.

FUNDING
With over 100 activist organizations, if each contributes $50, we can readily raise $5,000 which I think I can match, giving us $10,000 to make this happen.

QUESTIONS:
Is this something the Movement can come together and make happen?

Is the Carter-Baker Commission Hearing the right venue to leverage the movement around?

Is the timing right (is the Movement ready for this?)?

[Amaryllis]

18. kick

[Melissa G]

19. kick

[Kip Humphrey]

20. Kick - Just posted proposal on ProDemocracy e-list

[Peace Patriot]

22. Nomination to speaker's list: JIM LAMPLEY!!!!!!!!

See these posts. You will be VERY INSPIRED! He's a sports commentator! I'm not kidding. He is so right on about this issue--and his presence would take us a lo-o-o-ong way toward the mainstream:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=367632&mesg_id=367632

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x367897

One other thought on speakers: Tim Robbins. Very eloquent, heartfelt, patriotic. All the sports writers came to his defense when he got attacked by Bush Cartelists for opposing the Iraq invasion. Big on baseball. (Movie: "Bull Durham"--baseball fans' favorite--and a great movie.)

A third thought: We have got to smoke some Republicans who voted for Kerry out of their bunker--especially some who suspect their votes were stolen. Cliff Arnebeck might be helpful on this. I suspect there are A WHOLE LOT OF THEM.

Just keep telling yourself: We are the majority! We are the majority! We are the majority! Cuz it's the truth!

[Peace Patriot]

23. And yes, yes, yes on Jon Stewart! All he has to do is a blank stare!

That's ALL he has to do! "The Bush Cartel stole another election?" Lo-o-ong blank stare.

It's all over for Bush.

[PATRICK]

24. This was absolutely evident in 2004

Meanwhile in creeps the Waltz of the Suckers for HAVA II presumably, letting the GOP pre-empt and exploit the very need for reform to put more cheating in. It was obvious then 100% between Kerry's stubborn blindness and the marvelous legislating power of the HAVA Dems that it would essentially be a passive rerun of "bi-partisan" tomfoolery as occurred after 2000. The Dems for all Gore's struggles acquiesced to the lie, fell into second place in the bi-partisan game and were taken to the cleaners.

A massive coalition outside the party crust is needed exactly as you spell out and is LATE which is why Baker and company moved in. Conyers is late but moving. I think it should not be identified in a marginalized way at all but cannot include any would be Bakers either.

Eventually we will be getting 90% of the voting public choosing Dems or other parties and yet having their ballots tallied for the GOP. The audacious Internet voting scheme at least for all overseas and military ballots I believe is more likely than any accountability paper trail or real reform. Why? Because we do not exercise our power. They do. I believe all the effortsd and exposures by real reform advocates(not the establishment Dems) made them work a lot harder for the prize this time
and helped identify the patchwork cheating exposed by keeping paper trails alive.

[Kip Humphrey]

25. If we don't unite and organize in concert, we are sunk

We need to vet our case via peer review
We need to develop a common message
We need to build a coordinated effort
We need the tools to educate and inform the American public without MSM
We need people, money, organization, publicity, and political clout.

AND we need a strategy and accompanying tactics to thwart the theft of 2006 elections.

[Peace Patriot]

26. Keep this kicked! n/t

[Peace Patriot]

27. Please add Jim Lampley to the list of invitees! He is a must! n/t

[Peace Patriot]

28. Keep this kicked--not everybody has seen it! n/t