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Dear BuzzFlash,
Tom DeLay's Ego Has Finally Exploded.
- Jim
* * *
Lloyd Grove, Reliable Source, The Washington Post, May 15, 2003 [LINK]
House Majority Leader Tom "The Hammer" DeLay is a tobacco-chewing, meat-eating Texas Republican who likes to drink red wine and smoke cigars.
We're told that during a recent dinner with about 30 political supporters at a downtown Washington steak house, DeLay walked out on his guests before dessert when the manager told him he could eat and drink but not puff.
The dinner was organized by the leader's daughter and campaign manager, Danielle DeLay Ferro, as a fundraiser for Armpac, Delay's political action committee, at Ruth's Chris Steak House on Ninth Street NW. But because the restaurant leases space in a building owned by a federal agency -- in this case, the Smithsonian Institution -- the law forbids smoking. The prohibition is posted on numerous signs inside and outside the restaurant.
But after the main course, DeLay went into "hammer" mode, trying to compel manager Tom Khandker to flout federal regulations and lift the ban. We hear the conversation went something like this:
Khandker: "I'm sorry, sir, but this is a federal building, and it's against the law of the federal government."
DeLay: "I am the federal government."
But Khandker stood his ground, and DeLay and several cigar-chomping compatriots left for the smoke-filled Caucus Room before the cheesecake course.
Yesterday, Khandker declined to comment, and DeLay spokesman Stuart Roy told us that what his boss really said was, "I'm with the federal government."
Actually, if French weren't a forbidden language among House Republicans these days, DeLay could have honored the grand tradition of snuff-loving Louis XIV by announcing: "L'etat c'est moi." (The state is me.)
Subj: Federal Legislation Introduced by Representative Rush Holt
Friends of democracy and peace,
Please read, take action and forward information below on legislation requiring voter-verifiable paper trail. Also check out David Dill's website. He's organizing opposition to paperless electronic voting machines by technologists, especially computer science researchers, and has written a resolution and would like to recruit endorsements.
Truly, there is NO point in discussing candidates for reelection without SERIOUS provisions to restore the integrity of elections. In fact, strong support for voter-verifiable paper trail AND openness to expose current state of sham elections in U.S. MUST BE A MINIMUM EXPECTATION in JUDGING the AUTHENTICITY of ANY candidate for election to public office--especially the presidency. THIS MUST BE A BASE REQUIREMENT (along with stands to restore free press, condemn "personhood" of corporations, and war mongering/profiteering). Otherwise, regardless a candidate's particular ideology, or what he or she SAYS, all MEANS NOTHING. Without taking strong stands FOR these basic improvements in our society, there can be no democracy, thus, candidates words and actions should be considered more of the same ol' TACTICAL "wheel spinning" which has masked the spread of fascism in our nation and world.
This legislative process, when it goes through, also must be CAREFULLY MONITORED based on prior experience of what BOUGHT legislators are bought to do. (i.e., prior to elections 2002, new legislation that was supposed to have improved elections actually made it easier for big money to RIG). Thus, we must be prepared and on the watch for ILLEGAL maneuvers to DUPE citizens and further RIG elections. And the key word here that must be emphasized is ILLEGAL. ANY actions taken to STEAL the government from its citizens are TREASON, and this must be emphasized. Legislators, lawyers, public officials MUST BE INFORMED that people are ONTO THEM, and the tactics used in last decade to SILENTLY overthrow our federal democratic government. These are crimes and those responsible must be held accountable.
Democracy must be given back to the people. Americans MUST KNOW their elections are currently total SHAMS, that they do NOT have free press, that plutocrats scheme to rob middle classes of any wealth. The world must know this as well because these SHAM methods are likely to be exported--and probably have in many cases--to key strategic areas in which the "new world [DIS]order] cabal, aka military industrial complex, have been part of covert operations.
Best wishes,
TS
* * *
Voter Verification Newsletter -- Vol 1, Number 3
David L. Dill (elections@chicory.stanford.edu)
May 22, 2003
The Resolution on Electronic Voting
This statement is intended be a message from technologists to the rest of the public, the gist of which is: Do not be seduced by the apparent convenience of "touch-screen voting" machines, or the "gee whiz" factor that accompanies flashy new technology. Using these machines is tantamount to handing complete control of vote counting to a private company, with no independent checks or audits. These machines represent a serious threat to democracy. Much better alternatives are available for upgrading voting equipment.
Federal Legislation Introduced!
Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey has introduced a bill requiring a voter-verifiable paper trail. http://holt.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=5996
Rep. Rush Holt Introduces Legislation to Require All Voting Machines To Produce A Voter-Verified Paper Trail
Washington, DC –Rep. Rush Holt today responded to the growing chorus of concern from election reform specialists and computer security experts about the integrity of future elections by introducing reform legislation, The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2003. The measure would require all voting machines to produce an actual paper record by 2004 that voters can view to check the accuracy of their votes and that election officials can use to verify votes in the event of a computer malfunction, hacking, or other irregularity. Experts often refer to this paper record as a “voter-verified paper trail.”
“We cannot afford nor can we permit another major assault on the integrity of the American electoral process,”said Rep. Rush Holt. “Imagine it’s Election Day 2004. You enter your local polling place and go to cast your vote on a brand new “touch screen”voting machine. The screen says your vote has been counted. As you exit the voting booth, however, you begin to wonder. How do I know if the machine actually recorded my vote? The fact is, you don’t.”
Subj: Iran
Dear Buzz,
In other administrations, this might provoke astounded outrage. In this administration, it's SOP. Officials actually suggest backing the eldest son of the Shah to run Iran. And this sabre-rattling to test the waters of public opinion, like with Syria before we quickly backed down...just how stupid does Bush and co. think we are? Very, apparently...
http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2824845
--- Tom Fry/Konchog Norbu
RE: The Saga of Private Lynch
Dear Buzz,
It's fascinating that, two days after a BBC journalism article appeared in U.S. papers hinting that the 'rescue' of Pvt. Lynch may have been one big photo-op, we get a big fat orange alert...(or was it puce?) I remember watching the news coverage and thinking, I didn't know it was U.S. practice to send a camera crew on rescue missions...
I'm not a fireman but I know a smokescreen when I see one.
Ticked in California
Subj: Why do you publish this crap?
Oh, really. This is news? Why not publish a story about how some democrats plan on voting for the shrub as well?
I love BuzzFlash and read it almost daily, but your blind support for the democrats (who lose on one issue after another and are to wimpy to win an election, much less wield power) is really disheartening.
Real political change is only going to occur in the U.S. if progressives realize that the democrats are no different from the repuglicans and finally abandon the party that has been picking their pockets and then ignoring them for years.
Jason Smith
Subj: My eyes continue to roll
Dear Buzz,
I'm a-hunchin' that neither the US media--nor the public--will run with this bait. Ahem:
Pre-war, Bush said that in order to avoid war, Hussein "has been told to disarm. For the sake of peace he must completely disarm."
[LINK]
Post-war, in explaining why no WMDs have been found, his buddy Rumsfeld said, "It's...possible that they decided that they would destroy [weapons of mass destruction] prior to a conflict."
[LINK]
In other words, if Bushco don't like you, you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't. Screw logic.
And Americans continue to swallow. At least as long as it doesn't affect them.
Now can America see why the rest of the world is frustrated with Americans? Didn't think so.
What's it gonna take?
A Canadian BuzzFlash reader.
Subj: Why the Hasty Demand for Patience?
Dear BuzzFlash,
Yesterday Sec. Rumsfeld stated that the American public must be patient as the forces search for wmd in Iraq. Okay, if that's the case, why wasn't the administration patient while the inspectors searched for wmd in Iraq previous to our invasion of Iraq? Kinda ironic that when the professionals were doing their job over there, there wasn't enough time to continue searching but now there is a group of people, who knows who they are, but we trust their search more than we trusted the professional inspectors. Could it be that the longer the inspectors were searching the more apparent it was becoming that there were NO wmd at all? And the longer their search came up empty the less likely the American public would be apt to support the war? In other words, did we rush into this "war" because the longer we waited, the less reason we would have to justify our action and our cause? Sort of like denying an accused a trial and executing him because you know you don't have the evidence to legally convict him. Our new national motto may soon be a spin off of the famous line from "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre". With a few changes it might read, "Evidence? We ain't got no evidence. We don't need no evidence. I don't have to show you any stinking evidence!" The administration says, we don't need no stinking evidence, we don't need no stinking rules, we don't need no stinking national alliances or global treaties.
Well we say, we don't need this stinking administration.
reference: "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges!"
--Gold Hat, as played by Alfonso Bedoya
"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948)
pissed off patricia
Subj: Holt Legislation
Dear BuzzFlash,
I completely agree with what Cathy said in the May 27, 2003 mailbag (Subject: IMPORTANT LEGISLATION) at http://www.BuzzFlash.com/mailbag/03/05/27.html. As soon as I found out about Rep. Holt's bill, thanks to the heads-up from BuzzFlash, I rushed on over to his website and wrote him a letter of support. It is vitally important that everyone let Rep. Holt and their own Representatives know that they support this bill, with no loopholes or divisive amendments attached, but just as Rep. Holt intended it. Below is the text of the letter which I emailed to him. I also sent an email to my Representative in Congress requesting that he sign on as a cosponsor of the bill and support Rep. Holt on this.
--
Dear Congressman Holt,
I hope you are interested in hearing from even those people who are not constituents of yours. I wish to express my appreciation for your introduction of a bill in the House which would require a voter-verified paper trail for each vote cast in the election cycle. I believe that, had this system been in use in 2000, our leadership might now have a different face.
It has always been my belief that a verifiable paper trail is essential to guarantee fair and honest elections and protect the democratic integrity of our republic. Frankly, I'm amazed that there has not been a greater outcry from the public and the press for such a system. Without this auditable trail, the integrity of our elections is little more than an exercise in faith in the companies which produce the machines. To place such faith would be both foolish and, sooner or later, fatal to democracy.
Without this paper trail, the subversion of the election process becomes too much of an enticement for special interests. When a voter can no longer go into the booth and come out assured that his/her vote was recorded properly, and is verifiable, then the democratic process has already been subverted, be it intentionally or not.
I look forward to the passage of your bill and it's signing into law. I expect that your opposition will use the excuse of lack of money to fund such an overhaul, but where the excuse is laid that verifiably honest and fair elections cannot be afforded, so too will be found and exposed those who wish to subvert the elections and must be confronted. No greater or more basic a need to be funded will one find in the interests of the world's greatest democracy than that which ensures the democratic process. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and I wish you well in your work. I will request that my own representative in Congress, Ed Whitfield, sign on to your bill.
Sincerely,
Joe from Kentucky
Subj: Computers threaten accountability of voting system
Dear friend,
Today, there is a new and real threat to voters, this time coming from touchscreen voting machines with no paper trails and the computerized purges of voter rolls.
I just joined Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King III and investigative reporter Greg Palast in signing a petition protesting the Florida-tion of the 2004 election.
It only took me a few seconds to sign it and I'm hoping you'll sign it, too. For more information and to sign the petition click here:
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/petition.cfm?itemid=14993
P.S. Please forward this message to anyone that you know who might be interested
Sincerely,
Eric Smith
P.S. I urge you to fight this tooth and nail!
Subj: How to Contact the FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
To Contact the Commissioners via E-mail:
Chairman Michael K. Powell: mpowell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: kabernat@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: mcopps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: kjmweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: jadelste@fcc.gov
United States Postal Service First-Class Mail, Express Mail & Priority Mail
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Telephone
1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC) Voice: toll-free
1-888-835-5322 (1-888-TELL FCC) TTY: toll-free
(202) 418-2555 TTY: toll
(202) 418-0710 FAX
(202) 418-2830 FAX on Demand
(202) 418-1440 Elections & political candidate matters
FCC Phone Directory
The Republicans:
Powell Michael K (202) 418-1000
Abernathy Kathleen (202) 418-2400
Martin Kevin (202) 418-2100
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