Sam Reed in chat with The Olympian, February 15, 2005
In fact, mail ballots seem to be a pretty secure way of voting because we have more control over the ballot when it gets back to the county courthouse, more so than at a polling place.Chris Vance in chat with The Olympian, March 16, 2005
With mail ballots, the only fallback you have is signature verification, and right now signature verification in this state is a flat-out joke.Who are you going to believe? Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 07, 2005 05:49 PM | Email This
At least when you vote in person at the polling place you have an opportunity to prove you are who you say you are.
And here's the clincher: when they're sitting there in the backrooms away from scrutiny, busily checking those signatures, they obviously have your name, so it's very simple to see what your party affilitation is. Let the implications of all that set in. Think about ballot measures and tax levy measures, not just major elections. There's room for lots of monkey business.
Posted by: jaybird on October 7, 2005 06:15 PM
Yeah, I guess you would.
Hahahahaha
There's something positively refreshing about a Democrat who is willing to forthrightly come out in favor of verifying obviously incorrect signatures.
With all the hypocrisy in the world, it's almost beautiful to see a Democrat publicly admit that he thinks it's OK to steal an election.
Bravo, Unkl Witz! Bravo!
Posted by: ScottM on October 7, 2005 08:02 PMAnd don't worry about soupy. He just can't think of anything intelligent to say.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 7, 2005 08:19 PMWe have unfinished business half-Witz.
You challenged me and I've called you on it. Now put up or STFU and go away...
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 7, 2005 08:22 PMBeyond that half-Witz has never intentionally uttered even a half-truth (don't think it's in his nature)
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 7, 2005 08:24 PMWhen I moved up here from California some years ago and registered to vote (1987), you could declare your party affiliation. I marked R because I had been active in politics in college and worked on campaigns for local Republicans. It was a very different group back in those days, far more moderate and progressive than now. Before the "religious right" took over.
Obviously I've drifted away ideologically (or vice versa). I find the party truly frightening now. Actually, I find both parties truly frightening. I don't have high hopes for the future of politics in this country. We seem to like it more as blood sport and entertainment than a way of promoting the commonweal.
But I'm glad you all find me amusing. I find you all far more amusing than the Horse's Ass crowd.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 7, 2005 08:35 PMIf there is any element of politics that runs counter to "promoting the commonweal" it is phoney snobs like you....
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 7, 2005 08:55 PMBut I have to admire you, in a strange way.
Most people, having had their utter ignorance of the electoral system exposed, would slink away and hide themselves from the laughter of the crowd, rather than continue to pretend that they have any business commenting on the electoral system.
I have no doubt that you will continue to expose yourself to ridicule to advance your belief that representative democracy should be destroyed.
Bravo.
Posted by: ScottM on October 7, 2005 10:31 PMHalf-witz makes sense with his assessment of politics as bloodsport for amusement - maybe the first time he has made it on this blog in his threads. But, since when do politicians care about the commonweal ?
This has become a selfish country, which is reflected in politics. The attitude in the US is looking somewhat like the decadence that was pervasive during the fall of the Roman Empire, which is disturbing to many, but not the leftist, liberal skallywags - who have a mental disturbance. The Horse's butt crowd is not amusing, mostly abrasive and immature - although I see that it has changed recently as the middle of the road and conservatives are as abundant as the lefties. What's the matter - are the leftists making themselves sick with their sicko logic - who echo the likes of Al Gore and Howard Dean ?
THE QUESTION SHOULD BE how do we fix this?
I don't give a flying leap what party you affiliate yourself with, or the political leaning of Sam Reed or Chris Vance, what I care about is that EVERY VOTE COUNTS, and that elections are conducted fairly and cleanly. That every legitimate vote is counted, and just as importantly no illegitimate vote is counted. And that the count is done accurately and that process is conducted openly and transparently.
Any recommendations?
My first is that we need a better voter authentication method. Perhaps a shared secret that you communicate to the registrar's office when you register, something that you will be asked to provide to verify you are who you say you are that can't be easily forged or guessed, basically a voter PIN code and that it be put INSIDE the ballot envelope, perhaps on the inside flap so that it's only visible when opened. That way you are not putting your signature on the outside of an envelope or any other forgeable information.
I guess I really don't see the problem with verifying signatures. How is it that all those banks can verify literally millions of signatures on all the paper checks written everyday? Because it's not that difficult, and frankly not that big of a deal when one slips through.
Now when and where did I ever say I hate Republicans? I don't hate them at all, or anyone else for that matter (well, maybe that guy who wouldn't let me merge on the freeway, and he did have a "Support Our Troops" sticker on the back).
You folks have a tendancy to attribute a lot of thoughts and emotions to me that simply are not there. I think you may be projecting your own feelings onto me.
At any rate, Sharky probably has the resources to verify whether I'm registered to vote in King County and whether one could declare a party affiliation in 1987. Have him look it up. I get the feeling he rather enjoys posting personal information about some of the participants on his blog.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 10:25 AMSuch things are now long gone.
Posted by: RIGHT WING WACKO on October 8, 2005 10:45 AMAnd the "my country right or wrong" crowd who are willing to wreck the economy to support the war in Iraq, even though it's initial justification and most of the subsequent reasons for being there have be thoroughly discredited, truly do scare me. It seems we've learned nothing from Vietnam.
Mark me down as an independent these days. I don't hate the R's, I just fall into that 60+% of the nation who feel they are taking us in the wrong direction.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 11:28 AMJust what the hell do you expect the Prez to do? Run from the war now, and prove, as Clinton seem to do in his tenor, that the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is a wussy, and the USA has lost the Grand Power it Used to be?
We run now unkl, we lose any ground we have gained. The terrorist will have a hey day..... Think about it!!!!
We need to act United, as in USA. We have to drop the Political suicide that BOTH parties have begun, or our nation will be a WUSSY.
Just my .02
Posted by: Chris on October 8, 2005 11:40 AMYour point is well taken. What to do now. If we admit the whole thing was a terrible mistake and withdraw, how do we convince the world we are a “Grand Power”? I have to admit I do not know.
I do know that all of the former Grand Powers were “Grand” only in there own minds.
“The concepts of reality held by the masterful people have customarily been stupid or solipsistic in retrospect. Nobody has been remarkably secure, the masters have often ceased to be masters quickly. There have been tremendous messes to be cleaned up, ravaged landscapes dotted by shattered Earthlings and their machines.
Stupid.”
Kurt Vonnegut “Excelsior! We’re Going to the Moon! Excelsior!”
My question is this: Are the people who got us into this mess the ones who can lead us out?
Well Unkl, you didnt quite get my point. WE, as a nation need to get it together, and then and only then, will this country become the Power it once was. You call the current War, a mess. I call it "About Time".
War's don't start over night, there was a long build up, and Bush cant be blamed for it ALL.
Posted by: Chris on October 8, 2005 12:31 PMThis war started when we unilaterally invaded Iraq, without provocation and without a Declaration of War. And it was literally overnight. George W Bush personally made the decision to start this war.
As far as your point goes: yeah, I guess I missed it. Run it by me one more time.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 12:41 PMThis was my point.....
Posted by: Chris on October 8, 2005 12:50 PMYou know my meaning. But if you need further explanation, "get it together" as in "UNITED".
You know, as in United States Of America. You know the country you apparently live in. The same country that is the "land of the free". The same country that has Service men/women in a war. The same country that should be SUPPORTING them. The same country that picked up the pieces after 9/11. That Country Unkl. The one that gives you the freedom to post on this blog freely without getting beheaded, for publicly ridiculing it's leader.
Posted by: Chris on October 8, 2005 01:27 PMIt almost sounds like you mean we shouldn't allow dissenting opinions about public policy such as whether to invade a foriegn country. Perhaps you might be more at home in a land where they do behead people for ridiculing its leader.
It seems that perhaps you didn't get my point: that unwaivering support for a bad cause can lead to catastrophic results.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 02:16 PMPretty much sums it up.
Liar.
Fraud.
Coward.
Make a bet and then run away from it, huh witz.
Follow through or STFU and go away.
Name the time & place and I'll be there.
It's so easy half-witz.
Have no no honor at all?
Are you a complete POS?
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 8, 2005 02:51 PMOh, and could we get beyond the name calling? It doesn't add much to the discussion.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 03:03 PMOr should be just resign ourselves to the fact that you're a spineless weasel (oops - there goes those names again!)
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 8, 2005 03:17 PMYou take alot for granted, including your freedom. Why don't you enlist in the Army and be all that you can be. Maybe you can convince some of the brave servicemen/women that they are fighting for a "bad cause can lead to catastrophic results" to go AWOL. I am sure you will be welcome.
Enough Said
Perhaps if you went back over some of my posts, you'd realize several other fallacies in your prior conclusions.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 06:28 PMIf you'll send me your real e-mail address, instead of the phony one you hide behind; and you can convince me you're over 21 (it's somewhat implausible given the adolescent nature of your posts), I will tell you where we can meet to settle our little bet.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 8, 2005 06:32 PMPlease note that I called you Sir which was out of respect, because I was taught to respect my elders under any circumstances.
You lost my respect Uncky....For being 54 years old, you sure don't act it. Grow up, and move. This country doesn't need Middle Aged people like you influencing our future generations. No wonder this country has gone to shit.....
Posted by: Chris on October 8, 2005 06:35 PMSo why didn't we declare war on Bosnia ? (Clinton's war)
Posted by: KS on October 8, 2005 07:34 PMYou tell me a date, a time and a place and I'll show up and settle up. Nothing short of that.
What are you afraid of? I already know where you live. If spamming you was a part of my gig, you'd know it.
So why don't you act your age, and put up or STFU?
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 8, 2005 11:04 PManyway, back to signature verificatons--i haven't heard of any convincing system--like perhaps computerized image matching of signature points and portions--that would give me faith in an all-mail system; it's just too open to games; until i see that matching, (rather than eyeballing) I will oppose mail voting; the comfy lure of mail-voting convenience has its risks; just like that old lover's lane phrase--"...sure...I have protection...don't worry"
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on October 9, 2005 12:04 AMThanks to both of you for getting back to the discussion and away from the name calling.
Why do I post on this site? It's because:
1. I'd rather have a discussion with folks who, for whatever reason, see things somewhat differently than I. We both may learn something.
2. With a few obvious exceptions, I find this group more intelligent and thoughtful than the H/A crowd.
I don't hate Republicans. Nor do I think KCE's problems are trivial. My message has been: Why are we arguing about how to arrange the deck chairs in King County, when the ship of state is sinking due to poor management at the national level.
Despite his pious and abrasive manner, Chris above does make a good point. We as a nation must 'get it together'. We must unite and say "stop the madness, end this war that is wrecking our economy and our national psyche."
Thanks for listening, even if you don't agree.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 9, 2005 08:40 AMhowever, it all begins on the local level; sure, there is work to do everywhere, but these local pol's. are impacting your life more substantially and much harder than any far off detached Roman Senate; and we don't have the fix problems sequentially--fix them in parallel; just be vigilant and try for change; that's why i keep it to SP topics if i can; that's why i also have little sympathy for public figures who want my trust and then abuse it as well as wasting my money with no results; i don't buy the "it's always there" give up argument; so was malaria and polio; should we stop trying?
Gotta disagree with you on this one Jimmy!
What sort of courage would you ascribe to posting one-liners on the Internet? Half-Witz is exactly the same as the kids who throw rocks at the passing cars - would you call that furthering the debate? (If so, in what way?!!) At his most "sincere" (Yea, I know it's a stretch!) half-Witz's declarations have shown only that he stands opposed to each & every step that Stefan has taken to oppose election fraud & corruption and has tried, in his pathetic way, to disparage and insult any who wants to work with Stefan. half-Witz has yet to offer a substantive opinion about anything! Perhaps you're attributing bravery to his constant attempts to hijack the threads to issues that he wants to talk about rather than the topics at hand?
half-Witz has hansomely earned whatever names he has accumulated.
Let's see him display that bravery and stand up for his own challenge - name a date, a time, and a place!
Until he does that, nothing else that he has to say counts for anything!
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 9, 2005 09:56 AMall these exhortations of "bravery" from a guy who is such a coward he has to use a fake e-mail address.
you bad man, you bad, you really bad......
Posted by: Unkl Witz on October 9, 2005 06:35 PMLet it be known that you won't stand true to your word. You're a coward, a liar, and a fraud.
I'm content with that....
critics are fine, except they are rarely called in to ACTUALLY FIX things; Stefan & others are walking the talk, not only pointing out faults; and you are right--Witz' alleged lack of concern for REAL voting reform says it all; funny thing, he is affected by lousy voting controls too, unless he likes the outcome;
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on October 10, 2005 05:54 AMUnkl...
You didnt get my point...and I am not a MAN, nor a hypocrite. I made no mention of Stopping the war, and by your twist of words, I see YOUR position Clearly now.
It's all about MONEY!!! National psyche ??? Do you really think this war has that much to do with our psyche??? As a nation our psyche had been "damaged" long before this war. We have been in a free fall for the past 20 years. Our National Psyche, is the result of a country that can't see past the colors of Red or Blue.
Posted by: Chris on October 10, 2005 06:59 AM
Point is, he did "get your point" - he's just playing stupid (is it really play?!) to be contrary for the sake of being contrary.
Posted by: alphabet soup on October 10, 2005 10:38 AMAs usual, he eagerly openeth his mouth wide . . . and contentedly inserteth his left clog.
Fitz, besides being a dumb a$$ self-rightous weasel, you are exposed as a proven coward and shameless liar with no point.
Thanks (once again) for the many chortles and guffaws. You are a doozie.