Washington State ain't no Florida

[JT]

For those of you that keep up with this kind of thing this isn’t new news, but for those of you who don’t, here’s the scoop. The closest Gubernatorial contest in the history of the United States is going on right now in Washington State. So far there have been two hand recounts. During this time there has been several State Supreme Court resolutions forcing the recounts to include all valid ballots regardless of when they were discovered. During one challenge by Republican lawyer Harry Korrell, he argued “A recount should be a mere retabulation, and that it was too late for counties to go back and correct errors…counting those votes would cause irreparable harm.” The court questioned who it was that would be hurt and Justice Susan Owens replied “You’re looking at it from the point of view of the winner or the loser. Shouldn’t we be looking at it from the point of view of the voter?” (I say a hearty "Hell Ya!" to that statement)

That’s right, in Washington State every vote does count and will be counted; even if there must be a third hand recount. This is a victory for everyone who’s ever taken the time to fill out a ballot in any election. This is how it should be done. Florida could learn a lot from Washington State. This morning the second hand recount was validated and Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire has won the election by only 130 votes; barring the results of an inevitable court challenge from Republican Dino Rossi. Ironically, after the results of the first machine recount labled Rossi the victor by only 43 votes, Rossi called for Gregoire to "Do the decent thing, the honerable thing, and concede." Here’s a link to the AP story in yesterday and today’s paper.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/22/state1913EST7185.DTL
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/12/24/national0418EST0436.DTL

[Mezlo]

For those of you that keep up with this kind of thing this isn’t new news, but for those of you who don’t, here’s the scoop. The closest Gubernatorial contest in the history of the United States is going on right now in Washington State. So far there have been two hand recounts. During this time there has been several State Supreme Court resolutions forcing the recounts to include all valid ballots regardless of when they were discovered. During one challenge by Republican lawyer Harry Korrell, he argued “A recount should be a mere retabulation, and that it was too late for counties to go back and correct errors…counting those votes would cause irreparable harm.” The court questioned who it was that would be hurt and Justice Susan Owens replied “You’re looking at it from the point of view of the winner or the loser. Shouldn’t we be looking at it from the point of view of the voter?” (I say a hearty "Hell Ya!" to that statement)

That’s right, in Washington State every vote does count and will be counted; even if there must be a third hand recount. This is a victory for everyone who’s ever taken the time to fill out a ballot in any election. This is how it should be done. Florida could learn a lot from Washington State. This morning the second hand recount was validated and Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire has won the election by only 130 votes; barring the results of an inevitable court challenge from Republican Dino Rossi. Ironically, after the results of the first machine recount labled Rossi the victor by only 43 votes, Rossi called for Gregoire to "Do the decent thing, the honerable thing, and concede." Here’s a link to the AP story in yesterday and today’s paper.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/22/state1913EST7185.DTL
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/12/24/national0418EST0436.DTL
Jt,
Love the liberal slant. I actually live in Florida. It is amazing to me that the liberals always want to point to Florida and election fraud, and the like. The funny thing is the votes and polling districts that were in question in Florida were all ran by Democrats. When Democrats were responsible for getting it right they still couldn't seem to get it right, hence the election fiasco. The vote didn't go their way with the democrats running the show and the conservatives were still to blame. You guys are continuing to self destruct and you don't even know why. Wake up and smell the coffee. Your view point is no longer in the majority. Yeah I'm sure that it sucks to be you, but that is just the way it is. You can't continue to manipulate the truth anymore. There are too many places to get news and other view points (like here). Liberals need to focus on 2008. You just continue to hash over what is. My only concern now is if Hillary runs (and she most likely will) that she carries the womens vote just because she is a woman, not because she would make a good president. She is crafty but not presidential material. Condi Rice maybe, not even sure about that.

BTW actually like the political debate here. Always good to hear opposing sides without personal attacks.

[just4funnc]

Very well said Mezlo but there is still a few Flapping their wings like a chicken with its head cut off and can't accept the TRUTH.

[JT]

You guys missed the point entirely. The point is, every legitamate vote will be counted. Washington State has decided that every valid vote will be tallied and if there is no timely resolution, the current governor will remain in office until the issue is resolved. There is going to be at least one more hand recount before this election is over and it may go as far as a public revote. This election is far from over, but at least when it is, the person who takes office will be the legitimate victor. This is why it's a victory for everyone who has ever taken the time to vote; regardless of your party affiliation.

[Mezlo]

You guys missed the point entirely. The point is, every legitamate vote will be counted. Washington State has decided that every valid vote will be tallied and if there is no timely resolution, the current governor will remain in office until the issue is resolved. There is going to be at least one more hand recount before this election is over and it may go as far as a public revote. This election is far from over, but at least when it is, the person who takes office will be the legitimate victor. This is why it's a victory for everyone who has ever taken the time to vote; regardless of your party affiliation.
I understand what you are saying. However, with the right to vote comes the responsiblity to cast your vote correctly. The voting body has always been given the ballad before the election. It is your duty to make sure that you know how to cast your vote not only who to cast your vote for. Whether your polling place uses paper ballads or voting machines, you must educate yourself in how to use them. Most of the recounts are in trying to make sure that idiots that did not cast the ballad correctly are counted. As a responsible voter you need to be armmed with this knowledge of how to vote before you step into the booth. Just my opinion......

[kissmedave]

The US system are F*ck up It will take time to fix.
One thing most people not event vote, so no mater who win.
For me it is mater I always vote for my party.

[just4funnc]

LMAO Kissme Dave I am a Democrat and Voted for Bush if you vote a straight ticked you know nothing.
Moore says Bush failed to take charge.
>

Well, he was in charge, he didn't lose his head and scream in hysteria as democrats have continually been doing. Inside the school, unbeknownst to the stupid in this country, was a room already set up, in case of national emergency. This is done as a normal operating procedure. There are many photo's taken at the school, in this room, of Bush giving orders, and speaking with Cheney and Rice on secured phones.
Now, no democrat knows this because they are lax in investigating truth, as they don't care what the truth is.
The first plane hit, he was on the phone with Rice. They spoke of how terrible an accident it was.
Bush is back in room listening. When the thing is almost over, he is whispered to, he turns his head towards the students and scans the room. You can see in his eyes, he feels something is really wrong. He however let's the student reading, finish. He then thanks the students, and enters the other room once more. Rice tells him they believe we are under attack.
He announces in the school, what has just happened. Now, he could have grabbed the guy with the "football", and launched nuclear missles. At who??
This is what democrats scream about, he didn't immediately launch nukes at the entire world, or one baby formula factory.
He kept his head.
We were already on a war footing, the east coast defenses had been tracking the planes, and jets were already on the way, no presidential command is necessary.
All planes were ordered to land, it doesn't take a president to do that. Carriers were ordered to turn around and head back to the med. East coast forces were ordered to New York. Now, the reason why few fighter jets were available, is because bases had been closed, and forces moved to other bases. This wasn't the doing of Bush, but of previous dove administration folks.
When his plane left the ground, it didn't go to Washington, Cheney and Rice said they had another plane headed towards them, destination unknown.
Despite every effort to remove all "leaders" from Washington, it wasn't prudent to have both the pres. and vice pres, in the same location. Dennis Hastert was also relocated to a secure facility, because in the event of the deaths of both pres and vice pres, he would be the next in line.
Everything that was supposed to happen, happened exactly as it should have. Bill Clinton even said afterwards that it was handled extremely well.
So, whatever you libs have to say, we already know the facts. You can scream and make all the movies you wish to. You are going to be beaten again in november.
You pick your hero, I'll make my path behind the guy that has proven to ME that he has what it takes, not stories of some other guys medals, ribbons, whatever it was he claimed he threw away.

[Mezlo]

LMAO Kissme Dave I am a Democrat and Voted for Bush if you vote a straight ticked you know nothing.
Moore says Bush failed to take charge.
>

Well, he was in charge, he didn't lose his head and scream in hysteria as democrats have continually been doing. Inside the school, unbeknownst to the stupid in this country, was a room already set up, in case of national emergency. This is done as a normal operating procedure. There are many photo's taken at the school, in this room, of Bush giving orders, and speaking with Cheney and Rice on secured phones.
Now, no democrat knows this because they are lax in investigating truth, as they don't care what the truth is.
The first plane hit, he was on the phone with Rice. They spoke of how terrible an accident it was.
Bush is back in room listening. When the thing is almost over, he is whispered to, he turns his head towards the students and scans the room. You can see in his eyes, he feels something is really wrong. He however let's the student reading, finish. He then thanks the students, and enters the other room once more. Rice tells him they believe we are under attack.
He announces in the school, what has just happened. Now, he could have grabbed the guy with the "football", and launched nuclear missles. At who??
This is what democrats scream about, he didn't immediately launch nukes at the entire world, or one baby formula factory.
He kept his head.
We were already on a war footing, the east coast defenses had been tracking the planes, and jets were already on the way, no presidential command is necessary.
All planes were ordered to land, it doesn't take a president to do that. Carriers were ordered to turn around and head back to the med. East coast forces were ordered to New York. Now, the reason why few fighter jets were available, is because bases had been closed, and forces moved to other bases. This wasn't the doing of Bush, but of previous dove administration folks.
When his plane left the ground, it didn't go to Washington, Cheney and Rice said they had another plane headed towards them, destination unknown.
Despite every effort to remove all "leaders" from Washington, it wasn't prudent to have both the pres. and vice pres, in the same location. Dennis Hastert was also relocated to a secure facility, because in the event of the deaths of both pres and vice pres, he would be the next in line.
Everything that was supposed to happen, happened exactly as it should have. Bill Clinton even said afterwards that it was handled extremely well.
So, whatever you libs have to say, we already know the facts. You can scream and make all the movies you wish to. You are going to be beaten again in november.
You pick your hero, I'll make my path behind the guy that has proven to ME that he has what it takes, not stories of some other guys medals, ribbons, whatever it was he claimed he threw away.

Careful what you say just4funnc, you may be banned to the Zel Miller table at the next convention <grin>.

[kimmichael44]

I agree with your point JT...

In Washington (and Ohio) this time they really Counted every vote, and were allowed to by the courts. Unlike Florida in 2000 where they did not and were not allowed to by the courts.

I am also looking for this constitutional amendment that requires voters to go through an educational process to be able to vote. For such an important process you would think it would be standardised (all raise your hand and say Aye! Opposed No!) in all areas so only the candidates need to pass the test not the voters.

[Reabo]

The only thing I have to say about Florida is everyone forgets that even after the U.S. Supreme court stopped the vote & declared G.W. the winner The vote count WENT ON. & HE STILL WON BY MORE VOTES THAN BEFORE. So get over Florida. Even if the Supreme court had never been invovled G.W. still would have won. Nuff said

[sillywilly]

You know, some people say "Can't we just get along?" But regarding Republicans and Dems, it's never gonna happen. And every dog has his day. One day the tide will again change and guess what, it will be "Payback!" That's the way your system operates and it's why half the country goes one way and half the other. That's called Freedom. Everyone gets to pick their own poison. The problem is, politics is ALL poison. Everyone is out for their own Agenda, their own Cosntituency, the own pocket. And that's called Human Nature.

[just4funnc]

German CEO Blasts European Cowardice



EUROPE - THY NAME IS COWARDICE
(Commentary by Mathias Döpfner)

[Matthias Döpfner, Chief Executive of German publisher Axel Springer AG, has written a blistering attack in the daily WELT against the cowardice of Europe in the face of the Islamic threat. Hartmut Lau translated the article for us.]

A few days ago Henry M. Broder wrote in Welt am Sonntag, "Europe - your family name is appeasement." It's a phrase you can't get out of your head because it's so terribly true.

Appeasement cost millions of Jews and non-Jews their lives as England and France, allies at the time, negotiated and hesitated too long before they noticed that Hitler had to be fought, not bound to agreements.

Appeasement stabilized communism in the Soviet Union and East Germany in that part of Europe where inhuman, suppressive governments were glorified as the ideologically correct alternative to all other possibilities.

Appeasement crippled Europe when genocide ran rampant in Kosovo and we Europeans debated and debated until the Americans came in and did our work for us. Rather than protecting democracy in the Middle East, European appeasement, camouflaged behind the fuzzy word "equidistance," now countenances suicide bombings in Israel by fundamentalist Palestinians.

Appeasement generates a mentality that allows Europe to ignore 300,000 victims of Saddam's torture and murder machinery and, motivated by the self-righteousness of the peace-movement, to issue bad grades to George Bush.

A particularly grotesque form of appeasement is reacting to the escalating violence by Islamic fundamentalists in Holland and elsewhere by suggesting that we should really have a Muslim holiday in Germany.

What else has to happen before the European public and its political leadership get it? There is a sort of crusade underway, an especially perfidious crusade consisting of systematic attacks by fanatic Muslims, focused on civilians and directed against our free, open Western societies.

It is a conflict that will most likely last longer than the great military conflicts of the last century - a conflict conducted by an enemy that cannot be tamed by tolerance and accommodation but only spurred on by such gestures, which will be mistaken for signs of weakness.

Two recent American presidents had the courage needed for anti-appeasement: Reagan and Bush. Reagan ended the Cold War and Bush, supported only by the social democrat Blair acting on moral conviction, recognized the danger in the Islamic fight against democracy. His place in history will have to be evaluated after a number of years have passed.

In the meantime, Europe sits back with charismatic self-confidence in the multicultural corner instead of defending liberal society's values and being an attractive center of power on the same playing field as the true great powers, America and China.

On the contrary - we Europeans present ourselves, in contrast to the intolerant, as world champions in tolerance, which even (Germany's Interior Minister) Otto Schily justifiably criticizes. Why? Because we're so moral? I fear it's more because we're so materialistic.

For his policies, Bush risks the fall of the dollar, huge amounts of additional national debt and a massive and persistent burden on the American economy - because everything is at stake.

While the alleged capitalistic robber barons in American know their priorities, we timidly defend our social welfare systems. Stay out of it! It could get expensive. We'd rather discuss the 35-hour workweek or our dental health plan coverage. Or listen to TV pastors preach about "reaching out to murderers."

These days, Europe reminds me of an elderly aunt who hides her last pieces of jewelry with shaking hands when she notices a robber has broken into a neighbor's house.

Europe, thy name is cowardice.

[tazspin]

every vote counts and it is interesting how King county and some other predominately democratic districts had more ballots than registered voters but now a couple of average citizens have started a couple of lawsuits over the outcome of the final recount so who knows?.

[tytyty]

I am also looking for this constitutional amendment that requires voters to go through an educational process to be able to vote.

Cool as since they are required to be citizens they will have to prove they can Read and Write the english language per the citizenship requirments therefore saving the states and counties Billons of dollars in translating costs.

Try that in AZ where a particular Congressman (Dem) busses in hundreds of non-english speaking "citizens" every election.

[tazspin]

yeah Washington the state (why the hell do we have to say the state when the other washington is d.c.) is not Florida. it is fucking cold 20's and suppose to get colder. And even though state law called for the first recount the dems requisted and payed for the second recount and the feds had threatened to sue the state because they did not send ballots to the millitarry personnel overseas in enough time for them to be returned not to mention we had more votes then registered voters. Almost makes florida look good if only it wasn't for the hurricanes i would move back. And now we have at least two citizens and the rep party suing over this fucked up election (you thought the presidential election was close?)

[RORER-714]

diebold held it close,,,cant have a runaway on a dude that was elected by supreme court first go 'round

[beamguru]

It appears that most of the comments do not reflect the actual results in the state of Florida.
First off state law was the first and foremost reason for a mandatory recount since the election was so close. My county did quite well in the recount and the additional recounts pushed on us by some zealous political types down here.
Look to the Miami Herald for the final results of the 2000 Pres election.
<OR>
Stop and look at the 2004 results....No recount required.
I do not know enough about the Washington Gov race so I'll refrain.
I live in Florida...the election is long over..people here were forced into working together last summer through some horrible times with the storms and damage sustained here !!!!

Live through that..see how we all pulled together and continue to today to overcome and prepare for the next storm....
Give us a little credit........
Also...pay attention to Medicare reform by Bush (Jeb that is our Gov) over the next few months...
It appears the Bush boys are not afraid to let thier asses hang out to be kicked...
I give them both credit for trying versus just debating over and over again !!!!!!

Good Luck Washington state...and us Floridians are proud to pass you the baton....run with it and do not look back...
I bet California will help you with a handoff in the future......
LOL

[tazspin]

Well it is begining to look like Washington is a lot worse than Florida dead people voting more votes than registered votes not to mention the military not getting absentee ballots in time. And yeah the recount for florida showed nothing wrong (Bush still won after the recount even though the supreme court had already said he won)the dems just like bringing it up. So yeah Washington aint no Florida.