Conyers posts diary at kos on: "..Election Reform Commission: Outrageous"

[tommcintyre]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/18/172326/897

This is his third diary there so far. Conyers really is a "cutting-edge" representative of the people. Can you imagine if he were President, and you could post a comment on his latest proposal/statement, etc? This is true "representational" government. He is truly a politician of the future!

So far, there are 262 comments. <When I finish this, I will post a comment there, linking back to this thread.>

------------

Baker-Carter Election Reform Hearing: Outrageous
by Congressman John Conyers


Mon Apr 18th, 2005 at 14:23:25 PDT

http://www.conyersblog.us/archives/00000063.htm

The first meeting of the Baker-Carter election commission was disappointing and, at times, outrageous and tainted with racially-charged innuendo. Let me make absolutely clear that I greatly admire former President Jimmy Carter and believe he was insightful and on-target throughout the hearing. However, given the incredible lack of balance and profound lack of good faith demonstrated by some of Carter's fellow commissioners and many of the witnesses at this hearing, at times he seemed to be a very lonely voice of sanity.

The remarks of Mr. James Baker, III, which were echoed by a number of right wing political operatives called as witnesses, seemed to have a singular purpose of spreading hoaxes and conspiracy theories about ineligible Democratic voters being allowed to cast votes. The remedy was cleverly repeated like a broken record, "photo ID, photo ID, photo ID." Right wing pundit John Fund was called as an "expert" witness by the hearing and offered racially charged proposals with racially charged rhetoric.



Diaries :: Congressman John Conyers's diary :: :: Trackback ::

The substance of the testimony alleging "voter fraud" was a fraud itself. One panel on "access and integrity" inexplicably included two partisan Republican political operatives, Colleen McAndrews (most recently a leader in the successful campaign to recall former California Governor Gray Davis and described as a "behind the scenes force in Republican politics for years") and John Fund (of the notoriously far-right Wall Street Journal editorial page). Fund's Wall Street Journal Editorial Page once promoted bizarre claims that then-First Lady Hillary Clinton had participated in a cover-up involving the death of former White House Counsel Vince Foster. Today, his hoax appears to have shifted to claims of "voter fraud"(though I am sure he would say Senator Clinton is responsible for that, as well). The remedy, per Fund and McAndrews, - restrictions on provisional ballots and new voter identification requirements.

At the outset, Mr. Fund laid bare the nasty, racial underbelly of these proposals. The right-wing has been long engaged in tactics to suppress minority votes, but rarely lets slip about such tactics, as Fund did today. In a discussion about provisional ballots, Mr. Fund said that Congress should allow precinct workers to determine whether a provisional ballot should count because they would know who "looks as if they belong in the neighborhood." Wonder what he meant by that?
<snip>
Permalink | 262 comments | Post A Comment
<more>

[redqueen]

1. This is wonderful.

Recommended!

[tommcintyre]

2. My post there:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/18/172326/897#263

Thanks for being a "cutting edge" Rep

of the people. This is true "representational" government. You are truly a politician of the future!

I have posted a link to this thread in the: Democratic Underground 2004 Election Results and Discussion Forum. We have multiple threads on the Baker-Carter Election Reform Hearing, and many other election fraud and reform related issues.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Thanks again for all your hard work, and for keeping the flame of Democracy alive.

[ailsagirl]

3. Can't say it enough... Conyers is magnificent!! n/t

[FreepFryer]

4. Love that last comment post about 'intent', above yours...

"What do you infer about the 'intent' of Ohio '04? (none / 0)

Rep. Conyers:

Does the behavior of this 'commission' tell you anything about the 'motive' behind the massive, widespread irregularities that your 102-page report so clearly details?

The report by your staff detailed the means, and the opportunity, behind dozens of high-profile incidents of suspicious activity and discrepant results.

Does your complete exclusion from the committee, whether as a participant or in testimony, tell you anything about the missing 'motive' for the crime?

Can we finally call this coup d'etat a coup d'etat?"

[tommcintyre]

5. Yep.. it's time we make a stand.

It's been said that mountains can be moved with a clear goal and deadline (and a plan of action).

Deadline: The June 30th hearing

Goal:
- Conyers has a "seat at the table" (on the commission)
- Baker and Munro step down for conflict of interest reasons
- Election fraud investigators (Freeman, other USCV PH d's, Arnebeck, etc.) are called as panelists to give public testimony

If they will not comply, we urge Carter, Dashele, etc. to resign and reconvene a truly bipartisan commission.

How we do this is up to us. The clock is ticking.

[rumpel]

11. Sounds good! Let's not forget Mr. Curtis. In fairness we should be able to

recommend representation for the repubs.

who?

[tommcintyre]

13. Curtis is a great idea...

but I have a feeling if we recommend repubs for the commission, it will be seen as an effort by the left to bias it in our favor.

I think they have a pretty good idea who is really acceptable. Ford was no big problem, was he? But Baker had to be among the worst possible choices, especially considering his role in the 2000 election coup.

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. Yes, he is fully convinced and he is not mincing words. A true hero n/t

[Amaryllis]

6. The man is a visionary. Thinking outside the box is what it will take

to win this battle, and he does that big time. He is a true hero.

[GettysbergII]

7. Let's help Conyers amplify his message

I'm sending the link and text to everybody I know and every listserv I'm a member of with a brief message asking them to do the same.

[LatePeriduct]

8. DeForrest Soaries resigns....

http://beta.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050422/ap_on_go_ot/el...


James Baker III next?

[Bill Bored]

9. This is huge story LP.

Why not start a new thread on this?

[Bill Bored]

10. Here's an idea:

If MM didn't take election fraud seriously in 2004, I know just the man who can convince him! Why don't we ask Conyers to call Michael Moore?

[tommcintyre]

12. Excellent idea! MM said he was looking for "ideas on next move"

A leter from Conyers is likely to carry more weight. This is what we need is ideas like this, and then appropriate action! Let me know if you need any help on this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Bill Bored]

17. Well, the only help would be for someone to write to Conyers

on his blog or elsewhere, and explain the situation.
I'm sure he'd be willing to contact MM.
Anyone out there from the great state of MI?

I'm kind of busy with NY and with some other stuff at the moment, but with all the energy in this forum, I trust someone will drop JC a line, without bombarding him of course!

Any volunteers?

[Nothing Without Hope]

15. Meanwhile, the Rethugs are busy trying to pass NEW LAWS to make election

fraud and voter suppression easier for them in coming elections We need to be looking forward at the same time we're watching our backs and working to expose past frauds.

For example, here's an important thread on a Texas bill - it needs more attention and must be defeated. Just imagine the fun the fraudsters and dirty tricks goons would have with THIS! From DeLay's own state - and the outnumbered Dems there are trying to fight it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Thread title: "The “Keep Texans from Voting” Act"

(So far, this thread has gotten minimal attention)

[feelthebreeze]

16. kick