Get Out the Vote!
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"Why are there so many queues at the polling stations? I have never experienced such situations in the Netherlands. I imagine that that will discourage some people to vote."
Conspiracy Theory of the Day: that may be the idea.
Up until this year, I never felt there was a problem with waiting--even during the 2004 election, which had good voter participation in my small corner of the world.
This year, the wait was zero, thanks to the magic of election by mail (the standard for where I now live--the only "polls" open, I believe, are just drop off places, for those who want to drive twenty miles to save the cost of one 1st class stamp).
My ballots in recent elections have been paper. Each choice has a broken arrow--the middle part is missing. One fills in the middle of the arrow for one's favored choice, using a single, dark line. Back when I could vote at a real polling place, they had a thing to feed the ballot into. I believe that it would check to make sure the ballot was acceptable, so you'd know it was OK.
Conspiracy Theory of the Day: that may be the idea.
Up until this year, I never felt there was a problem with waiting--even during the 2004 election, which had good voter participation in my small corner of the world.
This year, the wait was zero, thanks to the magic of election by mail (the standard for where I now live--the only "polls" open, I believe, are just drop off places, for those who want to drive twenty miles to save the cost of one 1st class stamp).
My ballots in recent elections have been paper. Each choice has a broken arrow--the middle part is missing. One fills in the middle of the arrow for one's favored choice, using a single, dark line. Back when I could vote at a real polling place, they had a thing to feed the ballot into. I believe that it would check to make sure the ballot was acceptable, so you'd know it was OK.
Isolation
Louis, I think it's the same all over the U.S. now. You can't even get a weather forecast outside of your immediate area. I have to tune in to The Weather Channel for the Los Angeles forecast. It used to be that the weather segment on TV news began with reporting weather news across the country, then the state, and then focused on the local forecast. That's all history. Local TV news has become a joke where the newsreaders are exactly that, readers. They are no longer journalists. I'll be tuning in to the BBC tonight to avoid the foamers on the U.S. network and cable news channels.
And just consider the source re: protesting the presence of outside observers. It's ridiculous to think they're not necessary after Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004. Red staters seem to embrace isolationism and survivalist values. Don't even try to reason with them.
Louis, I think it's the same all over the U.S. now. You can't even get a weather forecast outside of your immediate area. I have to tune in to The Weather Channel for the Los Angeles forecast. It used to be that the weather segment on TV news began with reporting weather news across the country, then the state, and then focused on the local forecast. That's all history. Local TV news has become a joke where the newsreaders are exactly that, readers. They are no longer journalists. I'll be tuning in to the BBC tonight to avoid the foamers on the U.S. network and cable news channels.
And just consider the source re: protesting the presence of outside observers. It's ridiculous to think they're not necessary after Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004. Red staters seem to embrace isolationism and survivalist values. Don't even try to reason with them.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
It's in the timing
I was lucky enough to have the day off, so I was able to go at about 11am. Did my research on ballot questions beforehand, and was in and out in less than 3 minutes.
Rich said there were traffic lines a mile long on his way to work this morning at 7:30 because of the polling places.
Chuck
I was lucky enough to have the day off, so I was able to go at about 11am. Did my research on ballot questions beforehand, and was in and out in less than 3 minutes.
Rich said there were traffic lines a mile long on his way to work this morning at 7:30 because of the polling places.
Chuck
It was easy for me, 5 minutes (not even)
Enter with the two magic numbers on my registration card, saying where to go. Go to the right table, sign book. Enter machine, flip levers, pull big red lever, leave.
A lot of idiots couldn't figure out what table to go ("uh, I thought you just show up..."), and took time.
Yes, the voting process in the US is weird like that - it varies all over the place.
Also, for people in Europe, realize that I got to vote in NY at 6:30 am (polls opened at 6) - people in California are still asleep then, and Alaska and Hawaii are just getting used to a new day
Alaska and Hawaii are weird, Alaska's a huge state with nobody in it, Hawaii's a tiny island out in the middle of nowhere.
Territories don't get to vote, Puerto Rico gets our president but doesn't get to choose. But they've got the UP Post Office and all.
FWIW, I highly recommend a trip there. I had a (free!) one and it was great.
Enter with the two magic numbers on my registration card, saying where to go. Go to the right table, sign book. Enter machine, flip levers, pull big red lever, leave.
A lot of idiots couldn't figure out what table to go ("uh, I thought you just show up..."), and took time.
Yes, the voting process in the US is weird like that - it varies all over the place.
Also, for people in Europe, realize that I got to vote in NY at 6:30 am (polls opened at 6) - people in California are still asleep then, and Alaska and Hawaii are just getting used to a new day
Alaska and Hawaii are weird, Alaska's a huge state with nobody in it, Hawaii's a tiny island out in the middle of nowhere.
Territories don't get to vote, Puerto Rico gets our president but doesn't get to choose. But they've got the UP Post Office and all.
FWIW, I highly recommend a trip there. I had a (free!) one and it was great.
Peter,
Don't play the ignorant American, I don't think you are. Yes, the OSCE was invited officially and they weren't turned down by the authorities but just by the local organisers who didn't have the authority to deny them access. These observers get access in every country to polling stations, they should get it in Florida too. So, why are you even questioning this? Are the grapes that sour?
Don't play the ignorant American, I don't think you are. Yes, the OSCE was invited officially and they weren't turned down by the authorities but just by the local organisers who didn't have the authority to deny them access. These observers get access in every country to polling stations, they should get it in Florida too. So, why are you even questioning this? Are the grapes that sour?
No, the alligation just does not ring true to me. If they had legal access and "local organizers" denied them, then why wasn't the police brought in to enforce their access? Doesn't make sense by how you tell it. Unless "local organizers" = "community organizers", just like Obama was, then maybe they were afraid of the OSC would find indeed tampering by the "local organizers".
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
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~Territories don't get to vote, Puerto Rico gets our president but doesn't get to choose.
Territories also receive monetary benefits and don't pay taxes.
Territories also receive monetary benefits and don't pay taxes.
Local Fox network here is saying McCain concedes "with no path to victory"...
Oh well...
Oh well...
mickeyd
Well-known member
California has just been called
Obama is our new President
Obama is our new President
mickeyd
Well-known member
and now Florida
thus the landslide begins
thus the landslide begins
Not to take away from anything, but the way things have been going the past several months, the republicans would have lost to anyone, even Bugs Bunny. Well anyone besides that Clinton woman.
It was almost Nixon versus Kennedy, the people wanted and need change, so the outcome was almost a given.
However as Queen Catherine Medici of France remarked after viewing the bodies of recently murdered enemies of her son, the King of France, "It is not enough that you cut, now you must learn to sew".
There is much talk that the 2009 president will be a one term office holder (no matter whom won), and the democrats do not have that much time before mid-term congressional elections in two years. There is much to do and many groups are not going to waste time in demanding their "payoff" for putting Mr. Obama and the rest over. Gays, blacks, latinos, immigrants, working women, and the lot all have agendas. The economy is a mess and the kitty is empty, so there isn't much wiggle room.
On the social agenda, it is important to remember not all democrats are socially "liberal". Therefore what flys say on the west and east coasts, may not with the South.
It was almost Nixon versus Kennedy, the people wanted and need change, so the outcome was almost a given.
However as Queen Catherine Medici of France remarked after viewing the bodies of recently murdered enemies of her son, the King of France, "It is not enough that you cut, now you must learn to sew".
There is much talk that the 2009 president will be a one term office holder (no matter whom won), and the democrats do not have that much time before mid-term congressional elections in two years. There is much to do and many groups are not going to waste time in demanding their "payoff" for putting Mr. Obama and the rest over. Gays, blacks, latinos, immigrants, working women, and the lot all have agendas. The economy is a mess and the kitty is empty, so there isn't much wiggle room.
On the social agenda, it is important to remember not all democrats are socially "liberal". Therefore what flys say on the west and east coasts, may not with the South.
Well said, Launderess...
mickeyd
Well-known member
"....even BugsBunny" and "that Clinton woman&
You are too funny, Laundress. Thank you for the bedtime tickle.
I'll be in Manhattan in a three weeks.
How about cocktails, tea, or a stroll through Central Park?
XXOO
Michael
You are too funny, Laundress. Thank you for the bedtime tickle.
I'll be in Manhattan in a three weeks.
How about cocktails, tea, or a stroll through Central Park?
XXOO
Michael
toggleswitch2
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Now why oh why do I smell the threat of a secession blooming?
Actually, the Kennedy Nixon race was VERY close. Nixon almost won in 1960.
I think that this landslide victory clearly shows that the republican party must finally move ahead, or forever be lost to history. The old games they have played for decades are not going to work any longer, and the South just isn't the Old South anymore.
I think that this landslide victory clearly shows that the republican party must finally move ahead, or forever be lost to history. The old games they have played for decades are not going to work any longer, and the South just isn't the Old South anymore.
toggleswitch2
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Let's see if B.O. (sorry I just couldn't reisist *LOL*)turns out to be the messianic figure or the Anti-Christ incarnate he has been painted to be.
Chances are he is both and neither. There is tremenous pressure on him to be a "good" president as this presidency is historic.
BTW, he is more properly called mulatto / mestiço, rather than black. As such he is BOTH black & white, and perhaps he probably will be able to be related to and admired by a greater number of citizens than any other president that came before him.
Chances are he is both and neither. There is tremenous pressure on him to be a "good" president as this presidency is historic.
BTW, he is more properly called mulatto / mestiço, rather than black. As such he is BOTH black & white, and perhaps he probably will be able to be related to and admired by a greater number of citizens than any other president that came before him.
