Comments on: Freedom Is On The Moonwalk http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk I'm full of tinier media! Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:40:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Multi Medium » The Multi Medium Manifesto http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk#comment-5731 Multi Medium » The Multi Medium Manifesto Sat, 27 Jan 2007 21:10:01 +0000 http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk/#comment-5731 [...] 1.2. The Democrats should push loudly for election reform, stressing the democracy (”Everyone should have the right to vote”) and legitimacy aspects (”Americans need to know that their votes count, and that our leaders are fairly elected”). Force the Republicans to defend the indefensible. [...] [...] 1.2. The Democrats should push loudly for election reform, stressing the democracy (”Everyone should have the right to vote”) and legitimacy aspects (”Americans need to know that their votes count, and that our leaders are fairly elected”). Force the Republicans to defend the indefensible. [...]

]]> By: Multi Medium » They Get E-Mails http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk#comment-5653 Multi Medium » They Get E-Mails Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:08:28 +0000 http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk/#comment-5653 [...] Swim/Hope at Deep Confusion has a lengthy post up about the importance of electoral reform, which is a subject near and dear to my heart. The Democratic party has frustrated and infuriated me with its complacent passivity about election reform; yeah, I’m sort of dimly aware that they’re working on it behind the scenes, but where’s the urgency? Where’s the passion? Why aren’t they making a big deal about this and forcing the Republicans to defend their antidemocratic position? [...] [...] Swim/Hope at Deep Confusion has a lengthy post up about the importance of electoral reform, which is a subject near and dear to my heart. The Democratic party has frustrated and infuriated me with its complacent passivity about election reform; yeah, I’m sort of dimly aware that they’re working on it behind the scenes, but where’s the urgency? Where’s the passion? Why aren’t they making a big deal about this and forcing the Republicans to defend their antidemocratic position? [...]

]]> By: Multi Medium » Apparently Some Congresscritters Get It http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk#comment-5615 Multi Medium » Apparently Some Congresscritters Get It Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:19:57 +0000 http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk/#comment-5615 [...] Well. Based on today’s E.J. Dionne column, it looks like Rush Holt may be reading my blog. I do not pretend to know how large a threat [electronic vote tampering] is. I do know that it’s a threat to democracy when so many Americans doubt that their votes will be recorded accurately. And I also know that smart, computer-savvy people are concerned about these machines. [...] [...] Well. Based on today’s E.J. Dionne column, it looks like Rush Holt may be reading my blog. I do not pretend to know how large a threat [electronic vote tampering] is. I do know that it’s a threat to democracy when so many Americans doubt that their votes will be recorded accurately. And I also know that smart, computer-savvy people are concerned about these machines. [...]

]]> By: Eli http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk#comment-1288 Eli Fri, 05 Aug 2005 23:39:00 +0000 http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk/#comment-1288 I have no problem at all with optical scan ballots; I don't even mind touchscreen voting *if* it has a paper trail. I'm all in favor of being able to count votes quickly. BUT, it *must* be possible to recount the votes by hand at any time; in fact, I'd like to see exit poll discrepancies as one of the triggers for hand recounts. Bottom line, though: Paperless electronic voting that can't be hand-counted is an *invitation* to fraud, because it's so damn easy to get away with it. I think the Republicans would think twice about trying to rig electronic voting if they thought there was any chance they could get busted at it. I'd like to think that would permanently destroy their credibility, but they shrug off credibility-destroying fiascoes on an almost daily basis. I have no problem at all with optical scan ballots; I don’t even mind touchscreen voting *if* it has a paper trail. I’m all in favor of being able to count votes quickly.

BUT, it *must* be possible to recount the votes by hand at any time; in fact, I’d like to see exit poll discrepancies as one of the triggers for hand recounts.

Bottom line, though: Paperless electronic voting that can’t be hand-counted is an *invitation* to fraud, because it’s so damn easy to get away with it. I think the Republicans would think twice about trying to rig electronic voting if they thought there was any chance they could get busted at it. I’d like to think that would permanently destroy their credibility, but they shrug off credibility-destroying fiascoes on an almost daily basis.

]]> By: Ol' Froth http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk#comment-1287 Ol' Froth Fri, 05 Aug 2005 20:17:00 +0000 http://multi-medium.net/2005/08/05/freedom-is-on-the-moonwalk/#comment-1287 Good post, Eli, that is an issue we should push. I can't see how anyone can argue against having a verifiable paper trail. That said, high-speed vote counting, which is what push-button, optical scanning, and yes, punch cards are all about, benefits only one group, and it is not the people: It is the MEDIA, who love high speed ballot counting, because it lends drama to election night, and is usually concluded by the time most of us go to bed. Pre-packaged for a consumer audiance! Good post, Eli, that is an issue we should push. I can’t see how anyone can argue against having a verifiable paper trail. That said, high-speed vote counting, which is what push-button, optical scanning, and yes, punch cards are all about, benefits only one group, and it is not the people: It is the MEDIA, who love high speed ballot counting, because it lends drama to election night, and is usually concluded by the time most of us go to bed. Pre-packaged for a consumer audiance!

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