The Bush Plan to manipulate the military votes....

[kentuck]

You just know this is in the works. Every GI, even those in Iraq and Afghanistan, will receive a ballot from their commanding oficers with the instructions that they would like for them to vote. (Not too subtle pressure) I will bet a dollar to a donut that this is happening as we speak. They need votes and they know it and are looking at all avenues to attaining those votes. The military, they think, are open to suggestion.

[bryant69]

1. Suggestions that they vote or

suggestions that they vote for a specific candidate? I have to say I'm pretty cool with the idea that they would provide ballots to the troops and ask them to vote. On the other hand pressure to vote for President Bush, well that would be pretty far out of line.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[fdr_hst_fan]

2. Not ALL the military-

I understand there are SOME military out there that are thoroughly disgusted with what's going on.

[Jivenwail]

3. And you would be right

[Granite]

7. This military guy sure seem pretty disgusted

with the whole lying cabal:

"I don’t have any idea of what we’re trying to do out here. I don’t know what the (goal) is, and I don’t think our commanders do either," he said. "I feel deceived personally. I don’t trust anything (Defense Secretary Donald) Rumsfeld says, and I think (Deputy Defense Secretary Paul) Wolfowitz is even dirtier."

There's lots more where that came from in this article. These troops, at least, are pretty pissed off.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/07212004/world/27910.htm

[cmf]

8. I agree with you

People would be surprised at the number who are totally fed up with what's going on.

[kentuck]

9. But will they vote ??

Or just sit it out?

[kentuck]

4. The military, by definition, are malleable and open to suggestion....

It would not be too difficult to suggest they vote for Bush...or else.

[gatorboy]

5. Yeah what they need to do is with that ballot,

give them their new orders to stay in Iraq for another 2 years, I'd really like to see how they vote after that...

[kentuck]

6. No problem....we put the Kerry votes over here in File 13....

to be disposed of....:)

[White Feather]

10. Many Officers are Pretty Upset....

with the Bushies.

Rumsfeld forced about half a dozen senior generals into retirement, some at their previous ranks (less pay) back in 2002. And the Military surely knows it is being misused, and treated like shit. And the tradition is such that officers are not going to suggest that their people vote one way or the other. Lots of military people are apolitical also.

The only time absentee balloting came up in my case, I was sitting a peat bog in Denmark. I think my lieutanant told me that absentee ballots would be provided, but he generally didn't know much what he was doing. But I understand that they have to provided from your home state. It would hard for the Bushies to coordinate that without being found out.

Walt

[Arianrhod]

11. All the officers can do

is provide the paperwork for obtaining an absentee ballot, answer any questions you might have, and advise on how to get your vote in on time. All the rest is done by the state.

[Arianrhod]

12. Every Army unit has a Voting Officer

whose job it is to provide forms, advice, and encouragement to vote. And since it's an extra duty added onto their already hectic day, that's pretty much all they ever do. I was never pressured to vote one way or another, and I served under Clinton.

[Arianrhod]

13. The people we need to be worried about

are the jerk-off Republicans harassing people in the polling places.

[BrotherBuzz]

14. Soldiers can't vote if they don't register!

Commanding officers don't just hand out ballots. Soldiers have to register with their counties in their home state and request an absentee ballet through the mail in order to vote. Tell friends and familes of troops and remind them to get started - time is short!