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althecat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 07:32 PM
Original message
SCOOP: Paul Lehto (Landshark) To head Busby-Bilbray Recount Effort in CA
FROM: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00403.htm

Lehto Selected For Election Challenge


To head Busby-Bilbray Recount Effort in California's
50th Congressional District

By Michael Collins (Du's Autorank)

Special for "Scoop Independent News"
Washington, DC


Noted attorney and clean election advocate Paul Lehto was selected as counsel for an upcoming election contest related to the Busby-Bilbray special election in California's 50th Congressional district. The 50th is located in San Diego County with the upscale community of Rancho Santa Fe, CA at its center.

Background on the 50th Cong. Dist. Race. This seat for the U.S. House of Representatives was vacated when long term U.S. Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham was forced to resign after a series of scandals. Cunningham, a former pilot and decorated war veteran, was caught in the midst of a larger scandal involving payoffs in the million dollar range by major defense contractors. He resigned in shame, and is now serving a criminal sentence.

A party primary was held on April 11, 2006 resulting in Republican Brian Bilbray and Democrat Francine Busby facing off in the special election for the seat held on June 6, 2006. The campaign was intense and unusually close given the history of the district. Political observers in California note that the district was designed to be Republican in perpetuity.

Despite the strong tilt towards Republican outcomes, the race was highly competitive from the start and drew national attention. Turnout was over 40%, good for a special election. Republican Bilbray was reported to have prevailed by elections officials with 78,341 to Busby's 71,146.


No sooner had the votes been counted than a massive irregularity was uncovered. Election workers in the 50th had taken voting machines home with them overnight, days and weeks prior to the election. The Registrar of Voters sent the machines home for these “overnights” on nothing more than a signature. This was uncovered by local election reform advocates and investigated in depth by election reform advocate and information provider Brad Friedman of BradBlog.Com. Friedman's in depth reporting has been a key element in keeping the 50th district election problems in public focus.

As a result of this and many other facts and irregularities, citizens and activists will file a formal complaint in the San Diego Superior Court. This follows a citizen-voter’s request for a hand count under the recount provision of the California Elections Code. In her letter, Jacobson wrote: "Because of the multiplicity of ways to tamper with votes, and Mr. Haas's consequent ignoring of the vulnerabilities and security mitigation requirements, both state and federal certification of the machines were invalidated and rendered null."

Lehto Takes the Case

Paul Lehto was approached over the weekend and accepted the role of counsel in this case. He will work with local counsel. Paul Lehto is a business law and consumer fraud attorney from an Everett, Washington. He is a retired governor of the Washington State Bar Association and was voted "Rising Star" in 2003 and 2004 by Washington State Law and Politics magazine.

In 2004, Lehto was one of the thousands of lawyers monitoring the presidential election. This experience led him to major activity as an election reform advocate. He conducted a highly regarded study on the unusual 2004 election result patterns in Snohomish County Washington, (just north of Seattle). The study serves as a blueprint for evaluating election fraud. Steven Freeman, PhD , of the University of Pennsylvania describes it as one of the best natural studies of election irregularities in his book Was the 2004 Presidential Election Stolen? and also thanked Lehto for his shedding light on the entire area of electronic voting.

As a result of his experience in the 2004 election, Lehto became the plaintiff in a ground breaking law suit against voting machine manufacturer, Sequoia, which controls about 30% of the U.S. market. Lehto and co-plaintiff John Wells sought to void the purchase contract for the Sequoia electronic voting machines. The approach focused on the illegality of secret vote counting in democracy, and the inconsistency between “secret” (computerized) voting and the conduct of legitimate democratic elections.

This lawsuit attracted local and national attention and helped create a political issue over electronic voting in the county. The political climate changed. With public focus also on voting systems because of the election contest in the governor’s race, Sequoia ended up losing its touch screen business in Snohomish County when the County Council voted to abandon touch screen voting machines in favor of mail-in balloting similar to Oregon’s statewide system. Although the County and Sequoia argue that this made the lawsuit moot, the lawsuit continues on appeal, seeking a refund of the county’s money.

Lehto is also counsel in a case of major election fraud in Whitley County, Kentucky. Retained by citizens to assist local counsel in late June, 2006 in order to address an array of apparently fraudulent activities on the electronic voting machines, Lehto continues to assist local counsel Lee Gilbert in that ongoing case.

Award winning Tribune Media Syndicate columnist Robert Koehler has featured Lehto in two of his columns on election reform. In one, he quotes Lehto on touch screen voting: "With DREs (direct-recording electronic, touch screen voting machines), the voter never sees the legal ballot in the first place, nor do even the election officials. The magic numbers just pop out of the DRE." A representative sample of Lehto’s writing for general audiences regarding elections and electronic voting appeared recently in Real Change News .

Lehto was also the subject of a major “Scoop” Independent News article, Secret Vote Counting Crammed Down the Throat of Democracy by this author. A documented exchange between Lehto and federal Elections Assistance Commissioner Martinez made clear that very little thought was given to the rights of citizens to observe vote taking and counting; and thus for citizens to be assured that election results actually reflect the public vote.

Lehto appears on radio and television shows, writes for various publications, and addresses concerned audiences in his work on election reform and ending the process of secret unverifiable voting on electronic voting machines, in both their touch screen and optical scan varieties.

***END***


FROM: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00403.htm
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JAYJDF Donating Member (322 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 07:48 PM
Response to Original message
1. Good news this is. Just when things were looking darker
and darker. If allowed to do his job unimpeded, we already have a good idea of the outcome. Could this be appealed by the SC?
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Land Shark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:40 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. Both sides have the right of appeal, it's on a very accelerated basis
10 days to appeal, the appeal then heard in record time of ten days in a california appellate court. After the first appeal, and further appeals are discretionary and have to be approved by the courts in question.
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:55 PM
Response to Reply #3
12. Don't Tread on Me, indeed!
Fuck you, King George.
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:01 PM
Response to Reply #12
16. blm, I really like your attitude.
...and the horse you rode in on!

That's the fighting spirit. We're all in this together. Time to throw the bums out!!!

As kpete as quoted Dean whenever he says it, get rid of the lousy machines, you can't
trust them. We want paper just like the English and Canadian voters get -- counted in
public.

That's what it's all about FREE, FAIR OPEN ELECTIONS.

And we want the damn crooks to stop disenfranchising black people, Latinos, Native Americans...

NOW!

No fucking Voter ID's either. It's the epitome of racism and discrimination against the poor.

Knock off the lies, distortions and additional calumny...WE ARE WATCHING THE WATCHERS and we don't
like what we see.
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:05 PM
Response to Reply #16
18. Election fraud is a RACE CRIME, first and foremost
Edited on Tue Jul-25-06 09:11 PM by autorank
New Mexico Law Suit Delves Inside Voting Machines
Thursday, 3 November 2005, 12:30 pm
Article: Michael Collins
"Scoop" Independent News
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00067.htm

The problem of vote switching, losing your vote based on the type of machine you use and, perhaps, your ethnic identity and location, is troubling in a nation where universal access to voting was once thought to be the political gold standard. In this case, the more things change, the more they seem to come undone.

The Help America Vote Act was heralded as the solution to the problems that emerged in the Florida 2000 presidential contest. Hanging chads and endless recounts of flawed punch card ballots would never occur again, we were promised.

In point of fact, the real scandal of Florida 2000 was not the hanging chads; it was the racially based "felon purge" conducted by Secretary of State Katherine Harris' office. This resulted in the denial of voting rights to 57,000 black Floridians, Floridians who had committed no crime but were wrongly identified as felons. That "purge" was a race crime, denying one ethnic group its right to vote.



The problems in New Mexico represent the automated version of ethnically based voter disenfranchisement. Now, instead of tens of thousands losing their rights all at once, the votes are being denied to tens of thousands of minority voters, one precinct at a time.
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:13 PM
Response to Reply #18
20. Yes, but the Supreme Court jumped all over that Equal Protection issue
in Bush v. Gore!

Right? Oh...yeah...they fuckin' ignored it, focusing instead on whether there might be small differentials in ballot standards between counties...

Thanks, SCROTUS (Supreme Court Republicans of Their United States).
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mod mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:21 PM
Response to Reply #18
27. It was the misallocation of machines in low income Af Am precincts in OH
that made me an election reform activist. It was blatant and so appalling. I had canvassed in precincts where voters waited 5 hours to cast their vote. I knew the intent of these voters as did the gop so what did they do send less machines (and less reliable machines) than in the primary. DESPICABLE!

Hope everyone has the opportunity to see the film American Blackout.
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:21 PM
Response to Reply #16
28. Well then, here's a treat for you and LandShark
Edited on Tue Jul-25-06 09:22 PM by blm
Don't Tread on Me

In some old dusty attic
Undisturbed for many years
There lies a tattered banner
That is stained with blood and tears
By men who knew that freedom
Must be fought for by the free
And died to save a ragged flag
That said Don't Tread on Me

Don't Tread on Me
I'm a rattlesnake with
Diamonds down my back
When other men retreat
That's just the time that I attack
Because a dream that's worth defending
Is a dream that's bound to be
A ragged flag that said
Don't Tread on Me

Two hundred years of glory
And the glory's just begun
We may have lost some battles
But these colors never run
We drew the line at Valley Forge
We held at Bunker Hill
The cannon smoke is lifting
I can see that banner still

Don't Tread on me
I'm a mountain lion
And courage is my name
I tamed a wild country
But I'm wild just the same
And from that rocky Boston harbor
To the California Sea
A ragged flag that said
Don't Tread on Me

This nation isn't what we've done
It's what we've got to do
Remember that United States
Can only start with you
We better be recalling
What this country's all about
And rally round that ragged flag
And hear the people shout
Don't Tread on Me
I'm a grizzly bear
That's not afraid to bite
I don't look for trouble
But when trouble comes I fight
Because my daddy taught me freedom
Has no lifetime guarantee
A ragged flag that said
Don't Tread on Me

The winds of change are blowing
And they're sure to shake this land
We stood all we can take
And now it's time to take a stand
Let's tell the men who make the laws
In Washington D.C.
Unfurl again
That ragged flag that said
Don't Tread on Me

Don't Tread on me
I'm an eagle
Who is clawing at the sky
I want that banner waving up
Where eagles dare to fly
And blazing in the sunlight
So that friend and foe can see
A ragged flag that said
Don't Tread on Me

Don't Tread on us
We're Americans
And we were born to lead
Our skin is every color
And our faith is every creed
We are 300 million people
But on one thing we agree
A ragged flag that said
Don't Tread on Me

Michael O'Donoghue
© 1983 Least Loved Music, BMI
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:24 PM
Response to Reply #28
30. There's our anthem, right there.
Edited on Tue Jul-25-06 09:25 PM by bleever

Gave me goosebumps. blm: :yourock:


ed: no such thing as "gooseblumps".
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:29 PM
Response to Reply #30
33. If we all started flying the Gadsden Flag it would send the same message
to Bush that Ben Franklin and his buddies had for England - FUCK YOU, KING GEORGE!
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:51 PM
Response to Reply #33
37. Image:
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 10:38 PM
Response to Reply #37
40. So that's what Land Shark has on his Avatar. I thought it was this...
Care Bear Stare!!!
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 11:41 PM
Response to Reply #40
43. Okay, freaky thought:
What if they're really the same thing!?!

Or perhaps they embody the yin/yang of passively aggressive and aggressively passive?


I know, I know: Grasshopper, go sweep the temple steps.
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 02:09 AM
Response to Reply #43
48. Now that you're done with the steps....
...You're right, and these are two sides of LS...snake (from that Badger Badger toon) and this wonderful, coloro coordinated with his avatar Care Bear...mix them up, alternate them, they are
his essence...
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stellanoir Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 02:08 AM
Response to Reply #40
47. a care bear. . .?
I mean. . . "rilly"

Go for it Land Shark !!!

K & R'ed but not for the care bear.

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Land Shark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 12:42 PM
Response to Reply #28
62. Posted, on the wall, CA 50 C.D. "war room" San Diego, CA 7/26/06 n/t
Thanks!
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mod mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:40 PM
Response to Original message
2. This is excellent news for CA! Let's hope for a favorable judge. Diebold
stock dropped 46% hmmh...wonder if Landshark's feisty manner has anything to do with this ;)

GO GET THEM PAUL!
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emlev Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:41 PM
Response to Original message
4. kick!
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:42 PM
Response to Original message
5. Looking forward to following this very much; a key battle
between now and the fall elections.

LandShark:

:patriot:
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FogerRox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:45 PM
Response to Original message
6. Glad to rec #5 for ya buddy, to the greatest it goes
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TayTay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:46 PM
Response to Original message
7. Good news!
I'm glad to hear that you are on this cae and helping to follow through on what happened in the CA 50 race.

I agree: :patriot:
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Straight Shooter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:47 PM
Response to Original message
8. The amazing Landshark.
:woohoo:
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babylonsister Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:51 PM
Response to Original message
9. Thank you, Landshark, for fighting for all of us!
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robinlynne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:54 PM
Response to Original message
10. I am so excited that our own Landshark is now our attorney!
I really think this case is important. Every election protection case in the country, (and in other countries..GO MEXICO!) is of course important. But I know California is going to be a major battleground this year. This is the year for a return to real elections, or else.... And stopping them now is the only way to stop them in november.
Thank-you for your help Landshark!
I know the registrar decided to delete all the memory cards. Landshark, when you have time, can you give us an update on that?
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:54 PM
Response to Original message
11. A Democrat from DU Defending a Democrat!!! Kick Ass Land Shark

After all, we're here because we are

DEMOCRATS!



How good is this, one of us representing one of us in the biggest election fraud case going right
now.

Good for Land Shark.
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Patsy Stone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:58 PM
Response to Original message
13. Wonderful news, Paul!
Thanks for watching out for our fair elections! :patriot:
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garybeck Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:59 PM
Response to Original message
14. who is that knocking at the door?
Edited on Tue Jul-25-06 09:00 PM by garybeck

can't think of a better person to represent the people on this issue.

can't think of a better person to represent the people on this issue.

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Nothing Without Hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:25 PM
Response to Reply #14
31. Great photos! We don't often SEE our Land Shark!
One look at him at birth, and everyone KNEW what his career choice would have to be. :rofl:
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mod mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:31 PM
Response to Reply #14
34. Don't forget * warned about animal/human hybrids in the SOTU. He must
have been warned about Landshark!

I kinda like it here on Gen Discuss (Silence of the Lambs? or maybe they punched out for the day)
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:40 PM
Response to Reply #34
36. LOL.
Twice! :)
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katinmn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 08:59 PM
Response to Original message
15. Congrats, Landshark! Well done, autorank! Thanks allthecat!
Mucho Gracias to BradBlog!

Amazing all this talent together in one DU post. :yourock:
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GuvWurld Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:05 PM
Response to Original message
17. Big story, great news!
Thanks, Scoop, for letting the world know we haven't given up.
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Peace Patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:07 PM
Response to Original message
19. Patriot Award to Landshark! One of the best and the brightest--and most
courageous! Thank you, Landshark, from the depths of my fervent patriot's heart! And to all the San Diego activists! And to Bradblog! And to all those who will NEVER FORGET!

Keep the pressure on! And let's get this Absentee Ballot protest going! You want to freak out corrupt election officials? Get people to BOYCOTT THE MACHINES! It's easy in California! Dump paper on 'em--MOUNTAINS of AB votes--and let their expensive, shiny, new, election theft machines gather dust! Ha! We can do it! We're going to win it!
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:16 PM
Response to Reply #19
23. I'm a permanent absentee voter in CA. I highly endorse this idea.
Not using those damn DREs anymore.
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BeFree Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:14 PM
Response to Original message
21. It has been a pleasure
Over in the DU Election Reform Forum, the discussion of this "Threat to Democracy" has been taking place for years now, and Paul has been a voice of encouragement, wisdom, and fortitude as we citizens worked together to uncover facts, align forces, and put forward the case detailing the danger.

I remain as convinced as ever that the danger is real. With Paul's help, and many others too numerous to mention, we have come to a point where all our efforts have begun to show results. This case Paul is about to undertake is evidence of our strength.

There are many in the ER forum who have made great strides in the battle, a battle in which the members who, at first, were belittled, called names, and casually dismissed as "Conspiracy Theorists".

Well, they don't say any of that anymore.

Go now Paul, knowing we are with you, you speak for us. You will be our voice in this court as our battle goes up to the next level. I hope that every DUer who reads this thread will, at the very least, offer to be alongside of you in spirit.

Our case is one that ultimately will determine whether our democracy survives. Many a person has shed blood for this democracy, but if we are successful in this matter of defeating this newest threat, many will not have to shed blood for it this time, and for this simple matter of protecting our votes from private control.
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Kip Humphrey Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:15 PM
Response to Original message
22. Do-do, Do do, Do do...Candygram.... Die-Bold repairman...
Election Integity Enforcer.... LANDSHARK!!!
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Me. Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:18 PM
Response to Original message
24. Fantastic News Autorank
A monumental effort! So important.

*shadow government*
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rumpel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:18 PM
Response to Original message
25. CA-50 is now in good hands.
Thank you Landshark.

:woohoo:
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Land Shark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:21 PM
Response to Original message
26. Thanks everyone, just in case u missed, here's the first artillery shots
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Nothing Without Hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:23 PM
Response to Original message
29. K & R for one of my heroes - go get 'em, Land Shark!!!! n/t
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Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:28 PM
Response to Original message
32. RE-count RE-count RE-count
Kick some RW ASS.

The legal equivalent of zip guns and switch blabes and bicycle chains.
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emlev Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 10:27 PM
Response to Reply #32
39. Can't re-count until you first count, can't refrigerate
until you first frigerate.

What?

Can't repeat

until you first peat.

Remember that.
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 12:35 AM
Response to Reply #39
45. Can't remember
til you member?

I can respect that.
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mod mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 09:40 PM
Response to Original message
35. PR: Famed Election Attorney Paul Lehto Selected for Election Challenge
just received (love: FAMED!):

Famed Election Attorney Paul Lehto Selected For Election Challenge
To head Contentious Busby-Bilbray Recount Effort in California's
50th Congressional District


Noted attorney and clean election advocate Paul Lehto was selected as
counsel for an upcoming election contest related to the Busby-Bilbray
special election in California's 50th Congressional district. The 50th is
located in San Diego County with the upscale community of Rancho Santa Fe,
CA at its center.

Background on the 50th Cong. Dist. Race. This seat for the U.S. House of
Representatives was vacated when long term U.S. Representative Randy "Duke"
Cunningham was forced to resign after a series of scandals. Cunningham, a
former pilot and decorated war veteran, was caught in the midst of a larger
scandal involving payoffs in the million dollar range by major defense
contractors. He resigned in shame, and is now serving a criminal sentence.

A party primary was held on April 11, 2006 resulting in Republican Brian
Bilbray and Democrat Francine Busby facing off in the special election for
the seat held on June 6, 2006. The campaign was intense and unusually
close given the history of the district. Political observers in California
note that the district was designed to be Republican in perpetuity.

Despite the strong tilt towards Republican outcomes, the race was highly
competitive from the start and drew national attention. Turnout was over
40%, high for a special HYPERLINK "http://tinyurl.com/hqem6" \nelection.
Republican Bilbray was reported to have prevailed by elections officials
with 78,341 to Busby's 71,146.

Questions were raised during and immediately after the election by local
citizens and election reform advocates, and these problems were covered in
depth by election reform advocate and noted blogger Brad Friedman of
HYPERLINK "http://www.bradblog.com/" \nBradBlog.Com Local advocates and
HYPERLINK "http://www.bradblog.com/?cat=2" \nFriedman's in depth reporting
uncovered a startling fact. The Registrar of Voters sent the voting
machines home on “sleepovers” with election workers days and weeks prior to
the election on nothing more than a signature.

As a result of this and many other facts and irregularities, citizens and
activists, will file a HYPERLINK "http://www.bradblog.com/?page_id=3039"
\nformal complaint in the San Diego Superior Court. This follows a
citizen-voter’s request for a hand count under the recount provision of the
California Elections Code. In her letter, Jacobson wrote: "Because of the
multiplicity of ways to tamper with votes, and Mr. Haas's consequent
ignoring of the vulnerabilities and security mitigation requirements, both
state and federal certification of the machines were invalidated and
rendered null."
Lehto Takes the Case

Paul Lehto was approached over the weekend and accepted the role of counsel
in this case. He will work with local counsel. Paul Lehto is a business law
and consumer fraud attorney from an Everett, Washington. He is a retired
governor of the Washington State Bar Association and was voted "Rising Star"
in 2003 and 2004 by Washington State Law and Politics magazine.

In 2004, Lehto was one of the thousands of lawyers monitoring the
presidential election. This experience led him to major activity as an
election reform advocate. He conducted a highly regarded study on the
unusual 2004 election result patterns in Snohomish County Washington, (just
north of Seattle). HYPERLINK
"http://www.votersunite.org/info/SnohomishElectionFraudInvestigation.pdf"http://br /].votersunite.org/info/SnohomishElectionFraudInvestigation.pdf The study
serves as a blueprint model for evaluating election fraud. Although it
focuses mostly on one of the closest governor’s races in the Nation’s
history, HYPERLINK "http://www.appliedresearch.us/sf/epdiscrep.htm"
\nSteven Freeman, PhD , of the University of Pennsylvania says it represents
one of the best natural studies of election irregularities in his book,
HYPERLINK "http://www.electionintegrity.org/book" \nWas the 2004
Presidential Election Stolen? for shedding light on electronic voting as
a whole.

Following his observations, the lawyer became the plaintiff in a ground
breaking law suit against voting machine manufacturer, Sequoia, which
controls about 30% of the U.S. market. Lehto and co-plaintiff John Wells
sought to void the purchase contract for the Sequoia electronic voting
machines. The approach focused on the illegality of secret vote counting
in democracy, and the inconsistency between "secret" (computerized) voting
and the conduct of legitimate democratic elections. HYPERLINK
"http://www.votersunite.org/info/lehtolawsuit.asp"http://votersunite.org/info/l
ehtolawsuit.asp

This lawsuit attracted local and national attention and helped create a
political issue over electronic voting in the county. The political climate
changed, and with public focus also on voting systems because of the
election contest in the governor’s race, Sequoia ended up losing its touch
screen business in Snohomish County when the County Council voted to abandon
touch screen voting machines in favor of mail-in balloting similar to
Oregon’s statewide system. Although the County and Sequoia argue this made
the lawsuit moot, the lawsuit continues on appeal, seeking a refund of the
county’s money.

Lehto is also counsel in a case of major election fraud in Whitley County,
Kentucky. Retained by citizens to assist local counsel in late June, 2006
in order to address an array of apparently fraudulent activities on the
electronic voting machines, Lehto continues to assist local counsel Lee
Gilbert in that ongoing case.

Award winning Tribune Media Syndicate columnist Robert Koehler has HYPERLINK
"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-koehler/faithbased-voting_b_18132.html
" \nfeatured Lehto
in two of his columns on election reform. In one, he quotes Lehto touch
screen voting: "With DREs (direct-recording electronic, or touch-screen,
voting machines), the voter never sees the legal ballot in the first place,
nor do even election officials. The magic numbers just pop out of the DRE."
(Direct Recording Electronic voting machine) A representative sample of
Lehto’s writing for general audiences regarding elections and electronic
voting appeared recently in Real Change News. HYPERLINK
"http://www.realchangenews.org/2006/2006_05_31/jessejames.html"http://www.re
alchangenews.org/2006/2006_05_31/jessejames.html

Lehto appears on radio and television shows, writes for various
publications, and addresses concerned HYPERLINK
"http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00003.htm#1" \naudiences in his work
on election reform and ending the process of secret unverifiable voting on
electronic voting machines, in both their touch screen and optical scan
varieties.


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understandinglife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 10:02 PM
Response to Original message
38. Most excellent.



Not One Line Of Software Between A Voter And A Valid Election.
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dweller Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 10:44 PM
Response to Original message
41. give me back my vote!
:kick:

Rec!

dp
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JimDandy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 11:18 PM
Response to Original message
42. K n R
Glad you're on the case Land Shark. That's what the CA-50 case needed -- some serious shark teeth in it.
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Canuckistanian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-25-06 11:46 PM
Response to Original message
44. Sic 'em, Land Shark!


K&R!
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LunaC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 01:49 AM
Response to Original message
46. Be afraid, San Diego - Be very afraid!
The Vote Patrol is after your ass and your Repug Reign may soon be at an end! Yippee-tie-oh-tie-ay!
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Land Shark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 03:15 AM
Response to Original message
49. Thanks much everyone! Just returned from a late night meeting
for the CA 50th C.D. and it's great to see this traffic here.
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kerrygoddess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 03:57 AM
Response to Reply #49
50. Way to go landshark!
Keep us posted!
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #49
67. We're your hometown, and we're cheering for you because you're doing
it for us, the citizens.
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DemReadingDU Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 05:36 AM
Response to Original message
51. Great news! Thank you Land Shark!
K&R
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H2O Man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 05:40 AM
Response to Original message
52. Great!
Very impressive!
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banana republican Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 05:44 AM
Response to Original message
53. Who is Real Change?
REAL CHANGE NEWSPAPER
Real Change is Seattle's weekly activist publication with an ear to the street. Real Change readers are educated, socially-concerned, and loyal. Our publication is sold by Seattle's homeless, and helps them earn the money they need to get ahead. Each month, more than 200 different vendors are out selling our paper throughout the Seattle area. Real Change is a hand up, not a handout.
Our publication strives to create fairness, opportunity and community by covering issues that socially conscious people want to know about, from topics surrounding poor and homelessness, to stories about labor, the environment, public health and civil liberties (to name a few).
After ten years, Real Change News went weekly (from bimonthly) in Feb. 2005, and carries a paid circulation of 12,000 per issue. Our vendors pay 35 cents a copy for their papers, which are then sold on the street for a dollar donation.

http://www.realchangenews.org/about.html
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reprehensor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 05:55 AM
Response to Original message
54. Let the good times roll.
Tear 'em a new one, Paul.
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 02:31 PM
Response to Reply #54
63. Aptly stated sir! Keep up your fine work too! n/t
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Hubert Flottz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 06:35 AM
Response to Original message
55. America needs to make it tough on those who would tamper...
with the will of the people, at election time.

Anyone caught tampering with the outcome of an election, in any fashion, should get life in prison at the very least.

Zero tolerance, for any unpatriotic pig who would willfully cheat the taxpayer and veteran, out of his or her right to vote as an equal to any other American RICH, or POOR.

Not only have they tread on us, they have been walking all over us, For FAR TOO LONG! They have kicked us in the teeth!

People like Harris, should have to run the gauntlet in places like Miami Dade county, IMHO. Give the disenfranchised veterans in Florida willow switches and let them get some pay back. Let the election thieves feel the will of the people on their backs!

GOOOOOOOOOO...carcharodon carharias...take a bite out of crime.
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Hubert Flottz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 07:28 AM
Response to Reply #55
57. K&R
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Hubert Flottz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #55
59. one more
:kick:
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dusty64 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 06:44 AM
Response to Original message
56. Excellent!
Wishing you success for the sake of whats left of our freedoms. Keep us informed as much as you are able.
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mod mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 08:23 AM
Response to Original message
58. kick
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 11:52 AM
Response to Original message
60. Excellent!
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Squeech Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 11:55 AM
Response to Original message
61. Kick
and recommended.
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Joe for Clark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 05:24 PM
Response to Original message
64. Thanks, Paul!!
I think - they did cheat and they do so now. But they can't win, either. There are too many us for them to handle. Thank you again Paul, - man - run for congress, you got my vote!!

You are taking on a brave and noble fight here. I do understyand that. Maybe some of us are too quiet, but we are with you!

You go Paul!!!

Joe
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freedomfries Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #64
65. THanks for taking that on landshark!
:yourock:
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Time for change Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 07:36 PM
Response to Original message
66. Congratulations Land Shark
Go out there and kick some ass:yourock:
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FogerRox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 08:26 PM
Response to Original message
68. Why I do stuff
Ya never know when something you do, ends up great, in a way, that what makes it worth doing. I'll wait and see how Paul does. With Luck we'll all celabrate.
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Penndems Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-26-06 08:39 PM
Response to Original message
69. Thank you for all of your hard work, Landshark!
Go get 'em, Tiger . . . uh . . . Shark! :hi: :patriot:
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Kurovski Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-27-06 10:12 AM
Response to Original message
70. Thank you Paul, thank you autorank.
:hug::thumbsup:
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Land Shark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-27-06 06:46 PM
Response to Original message
71. the press release here correctly describes the "election contest"
rather than using the term "recount"
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FogerRox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-27-06 08:10 PM
Response to Original message
72. Kickinthurs. 9pm
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autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:51 AM
Response to Reply #72
73. I kick your kick and raise you one...
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FogerRox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 10:00 AM
Response to Reply #73
74. yeah.... take that

KIcK

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