Guilty in Appalachian Election Fraud Scheme (Dems)

[Land Shark]

Stuff can happen in elections, you know?

<http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=3684606>

"Former Appalachia Parks and Recreation Director Owen Anderson "Dude" Sharrett Jr. proclaimed his guilt in a scheme to defraud voters and steal the 2004 town elections and named as his co-conspirators a group of people who included his wife, two sons, an aunt, the town's former mayor, and Don Estridge, the former mail carrier being tried on charges he handed absentee ballots over to the conspirators."

[davidinalameda]

1. yes and?

:shrug:

we all know that there are crooks in both parties

I don't think this guy represents any Democrat that I know

[JimDandy]

5. Election integrity is not about

Democrats or Republicans. It's about Democracy.

The talking points about this news are that: (1.)not only was this a conspiracy, but a large number of people were involved in it; (2.) nearly all of the conspirators had positions of trust in the community; and (3.)a presidential election didn't even need to be on the line...just the jobs of the conspirators.

How many times have we heard the naysayers state that it would be nearly impossible to steal an election because (1.) it would take a conspiracy to do it; or (2.)that we should "trust" persons in positions of power with our elections; or (3.)no one would take such a risk for "small-time" races or ballot issues.

This one story knocked out three naysayer points.

[Land Shark]

8. Good points, JimDandy! nt

[davidinalameda]

10. you missed my point

this is nothing new

people have been stealing elections since day one

there have been many conspiracies to steal, buy, cheat and whatever else in regards to elections

I'm originally from West Virginia where the Democratic machines used to do this all the time

I'm jaded when it comes to these things

[Land Shark]

12. Ok, so you say you're jaded, but at least there's an answer

to the question "do you at DU *only* talk about something if it's R fraud?" Answer: no. R's are just a lot better at wholesale stuff.

[rman]

2. When will Republicans proclaim their guilt

in stealing national elections?

[Land Shark]

9. Soon? I hope. ; ) nt

[Bill McBlueState]

3. Your headline is misleading

In using the word "Appalachian," your headline leads people to conclude that this story is about election fraud in the large multi-state area known as Appalachia. Any such scheme would certainly hold national importance. In fact, Dude Sharret only held a minor position in the government of Appalachia, Virginia, a town of less than 2000 inhabitants. Why would anyone beyond that town's borders care?

You should edit your headline to more clearly reflect the highly local scale of the story.

[Nictuku]

4. I'm glad you reported it

We have to be open and honest about election dishonesty, in whatever shape it comes. While this is nothing on the scale of what I'm certain has been done by the right-wingers over the past several years, it is important to name fraud when you see it, regardless of who is behind it.

There is no other way that we can bring the attention of the american public to fraud-ridden elections unless we are honest.

Election Dysfunction and Fraud should be a non-partisan issue, it should concern everyone.

If the party I favor loses fairly and squarely, I can accept that. It is the fraud that makes it such a bitter pill to swallow. And anyone, I mean anyone, committing fraud in our elections should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[Kurovski]

6. Anti-Democracy Democrats. Lock 'em up.

Why can't they move this fast on Blackwell's conniving, criminal ass?

[Land Shark]

7. Whatever resistance there is to this story here, the same's true and more

on the other side of the political aisle. I just throw out this story without particular comment or recommendation. I think the urge to cheat in elections is a human one, not a Dem or Rep one. Some are better than others, though, at this cheating.

[blm]

11. And some have taken it to a NATIONAL level and rigged machines all over

the country.