Conyers:Why Ohio's 2004 Election is Still Important: VRA Collapses

[cal04]

(snip)
We had very lively discussion about what went wrong in Ohio, and the degree to which malfeasance or human error denied so many people the right to vote. Mr. Todd, of course, would have us believe that Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell ran an exemplary election.

When Mr. Todd spoke about voter fraud, I was happy to have before me a copy of a letter, purportedly from the Lake County Board of Elections, sent to targeted newly registered voters explaining that many voter registrations from the NAACP or the Kerry campaign were unlawful. Recipients were directed to the sheriff's office. This scheme to intimidate and discourage people from going to the polls is known as "caging" and it is illegal.

Unfortunately, I have to report that the Republicans have decided to pull the bipartisan Voting Rights Act from the floor today. This was legislation that received support from the Senate and House leadership from both parties. Regrettably, however, we learned today that the Republican Party is having second thoughts about its commitment to this bipartisan agreement.

Failure to pass a renewal of the Voting Rights Act means we will have to be especially vigilant in our fight against Republican dirty tricks on election day. We will vigorously fight against voter suppression and other efforts to keep Democrats away from the polls. America and the Democratic Party need your help too. Get involved in your community. Contact your local Party office and volunteer to be a poll watcher or a precinct captain for the November elections. Your help can make a difference.

more
http://www.conyersblog.us/default.htm

[IndyOp]

1. If the VRA does not pass we lose ability to enforce laws that prevent

disenfranchisement. I knew this battle was coming. I was suprised at their stealth technique - reauthorize with amendments to "no longer punish states that discriminated against Blacks in ancient history" - but I am not surprised that this Congress will not renew the VRA.

Another reason why we MUST turn Congress blue in November...

:grr:

[BayCityProgressive]

2. ANCIENT HISTORY!?!?!?

MANY OF THESE STATES DIDN'T EVEN TAKE RACIST LAWS OFF THE BOOKS UNTIL THE LAST 5 YRS!!! THIS IS A FUCKING OUTRAGE!!!!!!

[Selatius]

3. Martin Luther King died for that piece of legislation and more

I think we owe it to him and everybody who fought for civil rights for all to not let the Republicans take away this hard-won victory against bigotry and hate.

[Tigress DEM]

21. MLK had a DREAM... but the US is livin' the NIGHTMARE

I agree with you 100%.

[OKNancy]

4. It's not dead.. delayed

House delays renewal of Voting Rights Act
WASHINGTON - House Republican leaders on Wednesday postponed a vote on renewing the 1965 Voting Rights Act after GOP lawmakers complained it unfairly singles out nine Southern states for federal oversight.

"We have time to address their concerns," Republican leaders said in a joint statement. "Therefore, the House Republican Leadership will offer members the time needed to evaluate the legislation."

It was unclear whether the legislation would come up this year. The temporary provisions don't expire until 2007, but leaders of both parties had hoped to pass the act and use it to further their prospects in the fall's midterm elections.

The statement said the GOP leaders are committed to renewing the law "as soon as possible."

[annabanana]

5. k&r. . . . . n/t

[MissWaverly]

6. support the right to vote for every American

let's never take our eyes off the dream of every american to have a government of the people,
all of the people, by the people, all of the people and for the people, all of the people

[Tigress DEM]

23. TAKE ACTION on JUNE 27TH..... TWO BIrds with ONE Stone...

BRING POSTERS ABOUT THIS ELECTION FRAUD/VOTERS RIGHTS ISSUE TO THE PROTEST. Support a conscientious objector and remind people that the means to getting out of this mess depends on the US ability to hold HONEST ELECTIONS.

I have to work that day, but I think I will have to find a street corner to stand on with my sign and/or find a candlelight vigil that night to attend.


http://www.unitedforpeace.org
http://www.ThankYouLt.org
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/96/27

Support First Military Officer to Refuse Iraq Deployment


TAKE ACTION on JUNE 27TH IN SUPPORT OF LT. EHREN WATADA

U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada is the first commissioned officer to publicly pledge to refuse deployment to the unlawful Iraq war and occupation.

A showdown with the military is imminent, with his scheduled deployment coming any day now. Supporters nationwide are mounting a national day of action on Tuesday, June 27 to draw attention to his case, highlight the illegality of the Iraq War, and demand that Lt. Watada be given an honorable discharge and no court martial.

In a public statement on June 7, Lt. Watada declared, "It is my conclusion as an officer of the Armed Forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law. Although I have tried to resign out of protest, I am forced to participate in a war that is manifestly illegal. As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order."

For more information and resources, to sign a support petition, and to sign up for updates on Lt. Watada's case, visit http://www.ThankYouLt.org .

[Imalittleteapot]

7. K&R

[BayCityProgressive]

9. "delay" means "reform"

and "reform" means gut...when it comes to Republicans.

[gully]

8. Frankly if THIS doesn't demonstrate a need to elect Democrats I don't

know what the F does?!

[Tigress DEM]

22. yep

[pauldp]

10. K&R n/t

[Old and In the Way]

11. TRhe Republican Syndicate doesn't want to assure honest elections?

Color me surprised. K/R

[librechik]

17. Of course they do--just as long as certain Southern States are exempt

they have their own traditions, see? And effin around black people is one of the oldest and proudest.
It was wrong to discrimnate against Southern States in that way. It's not fair to make them "special cases" as far as voter rights are concerned, just because they are know to disenfranchize them. The law has to be reformed in such a way as to not single out the offenders.

I know, it's just what they are saying.

[WCGreen]

12. Here is a link to an article about the whole corrupt Ohio GOP....

Written by the attorney who took the Ohio GOP to court....

http://clevelandcurrent.com/

[Tigress DEM]

24. Doesn't go to the article, just the site. FYI

I would be interested in the article if you have the full url.

[WCGreen]

26. It's the top article....

[Joanne98]

13. This may be a trick to protect the e-voting machines.......

I smell a rat.

[IndyOp]

15. It is always appropriate to smell rat when the GOP is near...

But, failing to reauthorize the VRA is in keeping with the first punch of the GOP strategy: reduce the voting populace, especially people who tend to vote Dem.

The second punch - after suppressing the vote - is to stuff the ballot box, rig the election, pre-punch voting cards, rig software, and hack the central tabulators.

What, specifically, were you thinking about the VRA and protecting the voting machines?

[cal04]

14. Conyers on NPR's Open Source yesterday to talk About the Ohio Elections

I'll Be On NPR's Open Source Tonight to Talk About the Ohio Elections

Just wanted to drop everyone a quick note that I will be on NPR Radio's Program Open Source at 7pm EST tonight to talk about the Ohio elections. Mark Crispin Miller will be joining me along with a couple other guests. Here is the link describing the show

http://www.radioopensource.org/steal-this-election

[bananas]

16. This will affect 2006, 2008, 2010, ....

They are going to do whatever it takes to maintain a lock on their power.

[autorank]

18. Mr. Hugh Bris has finally arrived! This is insanity...

Many of us remember this. To mess with it calls attention to it.

This OPENS THE DOOR FOR ALL VOTING RIGHTS COMPLAINTS.

Note Deans comments on machines being unreliable yesterday.

It's all coming together for a perfect storm - Iraq; domestic spying/privacy outrages; voting
rights; and Republican arrogance.

Hugh, meet the neocons.

Neocons, this is Hugh

[New Earth]

19. election fraud

not...........
voter fraud :cry:

Don't tell me I have to write John Conyers now :wtf:

[Amaryllis]

20. k and r

[Wilms]

25. K&R n/t

[autorank]

27. Do something about it...make calls NOW...

Go here for Congressional number: www.electionfraudnews.com

Calls are much better than email now so do those first.

[Vidar]

28. K&R fo Conyers.