New Attack on the Right to Vote
Kennedy, Palast Investigate
Sunday, May 18, 2008
One million Democrats attempting to vote in this year’s primaries found their names missing from voter rolls. WHERE THE HELL DID THEY GO?
Law professor Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and journalist Greg Palast are launching an investigation. We want to know: where are these votes? Who swiped them? How? And how do we prevent it from happening in November?
The investigations team needs your help. RIGHT NOW. The not-for-profit Investigative Fund needs support to pay the cost of phones, airfare, microphones (hidden, when needed), detective agency fees, camera crew, researchers and all the infrastructure of inquest.
We need, right now, two dozen Producers to put up at least $1000 each to pay for the preliminary investigation and production. You’ll get a tax deduction, a box loaded with DVDs of the finished films now planned from broadcast internationally – and maybe, just maybe, an honest election.
Because it’s our plan to put out the information on the manipulation of the vote BEFORE November.
Can’t put up $1,000? Then donate $500 and get a package of all of my books and DVDs signed to you. Even a $100 gift will be put to good use – and we’ll send you my three latest DVD films, including “The Elections Files” (Watch the trailer) from our BBC TV investigations.
Bobby Kennedy, in his masterful article in Rolling Stone, exposed how Ohio votes vanished in 2004. The Palast team, for BBC Television, unmasked the vicious ‘scrub’ of Black voters in Florida in 2000.
Now Kennedy and Palast have joined together with an extraordinary team of investigators to hunt the missing votes of 2008 BEFORE we have a repeat of 2000 and 2004.
I haven’t sought funding from you all this year – but now I must. Neither I nor RFK take a dime of compensation from the Palast Investigative Fund. But the fund’s hit empty and we can’t ask a our brilliant crew to continue to survive on dog food – they’re beginning to bark at embarrassing moments!
Become a Producer and get personalized signed copies of the books RFK calls, “investigative masterpieces,” my books, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy and Armed Madhouse.
Or donate AT LEAST $100 – try to make it more – and get Armed Madhouse (hardbound) and the CD, “Live from the Armed Madhouse,” signed.
Our investigation is non-partisan. It’s not about saving Democrats, but saving DEMOCRACY.
But we know who's playing games with the ballots.
FACT: On Super-Tuesday, the number of Democrats missing from voter rolls in New Mexico exceeded George Bush’s 2004 ‘victory’ total by 300%. No wonder McCain’s campaign says, New Mexico is “in play.” The question is who’s playing with it?
Join our effort. If you’ve got a tip, a document, a witness – CONTACT US. And add your name to the list of Producers and Supporters.
Some Americans have taken a bullet to protect the ballot. All we’re asking is that you take a tax deduction. Add your name in bold on screen as a producer of the film that will open eyes and stop lies.
Donate HERE – and PASS ON this request to friends and patriots. Let’s stop the attack on democracy NOW – so we can make this the final investigation of a stolen election.
I can’t tell you how much your support of our investigations has meant to us.
Yours,
Greg Palast
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I'll pass the information on in my blog and at my political forum.
Thank you for all your hard work. I will be working to raise funds to help with this project.
Mountain Sage
If the votes are missing weren't they Hillary's votes in the primary? Why isn't that being contested? It seems they don't give a darn if Democrats steal from Democrats. Did Obama's team have that one rigged? Who else would have stolen Democrat votes? The Republicans sure wouldn't worry about Democrat votes in teh primary. We know in Ohio presidential election it was the people who made the machines, right? In Florida, it wasn't just the black vote stolen, it was any Democrat. They didn't just take the black votes. That's saying the white Democrat votes that were stolen doesn't matter.
Greg & Robert - thank you so much for this - and none too soon! you should put up a fundraising 'bat' or 'thermometer' so folks will know how you're doing -the visible progress will encourage others and feed itself once it gets going!
More than anything, I'd like to have my name as a producer. However, I am permanently disabled and, on a fixed income. Do tell me what else I can do to halt this extreme bastardization of our process. I speak to many who feel as if our fangs have been filed down simply because we are not financially solvent. And, I am dead sick of it. I am college-educated, a master of the English-language, a professional actor, a former promoter in the music business....and, I feel emasculated by the unworthy agenda-driven, who are not qualified to scrub my shoesoles.
Where I am wealthy is in the time I have to give.....
Yours Aye!
Joel L. Hudgins
A Warrior Rhino
JLaneH@Gmail.com
Bob is but bob: an ordinary old man who truly favors humanity’s civilization soon becoming its best self (a self that harms none); but, who has no money to donate, nor any inside information to give, in support of your investigation, even though he absolutely accepts its urgent need.
However, he knows that regardless of its results, it will no more lead to a lasting cure of either political or economical misconduct than war has ever led-or ever will lead-to a lasting cure of war. Nor will any other established approach produce such desired results.
Nonetheless, a lasting cure is absolutely attainable.
Moreover-without claiming any special wisdom over any other person-I know what it is, and where it hides, and how to get it to reveal itself.
But, because it arises from non-established thought, and is difficult to explain to established thinkers, I will not discuss it here unless someone here shows a true (non-economical) interest in also knowing it.
Thanks,
bob
I'm just a retired teacher who would like to help you...I heard a replay of your "Clout w/ Mark Green" last night...I can donate $50 because I believe in helping you...but is there something more that can be done?
Is there a grassroots group here in the Suburban Chicago area that needs people?
I can write letters...any ideas?....I await a reply
Chris Foutris
Everyone registering voters needs to know the local board of election rules and explain them to all they are attempting to register or all to whom they speak. Anyone who registers voters should be aware of all the potential problems starting with filling out the form.
People who think they are on the registration roles should check registration now, well before election day. If they find that they are not there, then they should go to the Board of Elections and register. If the address listed for an individual is incorrect, get the address changed with the board of elections. Frequently addresses change and people are purged. Each individual should be encouraged to verify his or her registration. People who had a felony and are now clear should check with the local board of elections about what he or she needs to do to be reinstated and then do it.
The time to do all this is now! And to help Greg and RFKJr each voter should document what was done.
How may I donate by mail to the investigation? Thank you for your efforts. Cynthia Jackson
I have a small foundation for charitable giving that can donate $1000 for the right to vote investigation. You need to be a C3 and must replay with a letter acknowledging the donation for the IRS. If this is possible tell me where to send this donation.
Walt Gorman
I have a small foundation for charitable giving that can donate $1000 for the right to vote investigation. You need to be a C3 and must replay with a letter acknowledging the donation for the IRS. If this is possible tell me where to send this donation.
Walt Gorman
Greg,
What can be done to get Democratic lawmakers involved in this process?
Billye
Greg, can I and/or others somehow challenge my Secretary of State (Jan Brewer, R-AZ in my case) to reinstate suspiciously discarded voter registrations? Any legal provision for doing so? For example, could I force the office to produce in writing reason for each registration discarded?
Is this affecting only new voter registrations? I recently checked and found I'm still registered, but I've been reg'ed for almost 6 years.
GAAAAA! and thanks,
Joe
Phoenix, AZ
So great Greg that you're onto this in the face of Democratic head--up-their--? Do you have any contacts with Party folks who will raise the hue & cry? Is Howard Dean missing in action? We're alarmed like you & RFK Jr, but if the Dems ignore the facts, will another expose light a fire under them? After 2004 & 06 you'd think they had all the date they needed.
I'm sending you a little bread to be our Paul Revers.
Great work ! Please do all you can, we need you!
Dear Greg,
OK, you convinced me. I'm now a mini-mogul (BTW, Paypal almost completely prevented me from making the donation). Just invite me to the Oscar party!
Keep on pushin'
Can't stop now
Move up a little higher
Some way somehow
Curtis Mayfield
If I had two nickels left over to rub together after my social security check is cashed and I try to pay for groceries and gas, I would gladly send you money. However, the best I can do is to thank you sincerely for you tireless work. Thank you, Thank you!!
Where do we send the donation?
Mr. Palast, just go ahead and put the video out for sale and ship it when it's finished. Or offer them for a $25 donation. I'll do that.
Dear Greg: I listen to RFK Jr and you on Air America - I think at one time Bobby asked for volunteers in New Mexico. I cannot give cash as I have lived in my car for 3 years, thanks to Bush's economy and the small amount I get in my social security check. But I would love to volunteer if you guys can use me.
Gayanne Robinson
Santa Fe, NM
Greg Palast
I have been admirer of your work for five or six years. Keep after it. I know they stole Florida
and then Ohio. So we just sent you $100. Wish it could be more, but we're now on a fixed income.
Get it in the "main stream'. on Amy Goodman's show. The "main stream" press in this country are bought. We know that. Did you see the photos of our leader, shit-faced before the world at the Olympics? Makes ya proud to be Amurican don't it.
Obama is cool. Boy do we need cool. He could be our last chance. Could be mine. I'm 77—a depression baby. My parents were in New York when it happened. My mother quit her job as a reporter because it was considered not on for any household to have more than one job. My father kept his job through the whole mess, she inherited a bit of money.
They voted for Roosevelt four times, because they believed it was the right thing to do. What a concept! Thanks again for the work you do.
Happy hunting.
George Kuhn
I want to donate, please tell me how to do it.
Thanks,
Susan Holder
Dear Mr. Palast and Mr. Kennedy,
I am the co-chair of the Election Integrity Action Circle of the Women Donors Network, http://www.womendonors.org/.
I wake up EVERY morning to Amy Goodman and listened this morning to Robert Kennedy's moving and tearful speech about what of our country has been lost these past seven years...(counting Florida, 2000 it should be 8 years). We are raising money to address the challenge of our rigged election administration system. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK.
I will forward this website and your funding appeal to our listserve.
Feel free to contact me to talk. I have long admired your work!
In solidarity,
Barbara S. Wilson
Mill Valley, CA
I have maxed out for this month on my budget giving to the Obama campaign, but have bookmarked you for a future contribution in October. I can only give about $25 but would be happy to send it if it would help.
I'm guessing you know about the efforts in Michigan to deny voters on the basis of home repossessions. Is there anything that can be done to counteract this tactic on the part of the GOP?
http://www.michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote
Shameful and very frightening, especially in a swing state.
Why isn't the Democratic party willing to cover this?
I am freaking out here, with barcodes on our ballots and voter caging ignored by the feds, the mainstream media's love affair with Palen, the government of the USA run like the mob, on the brink of a police state and parinoia in the pit of my stomach, I origanilly got on line to look up the number of the FBI to tell on the cagy bastards but realized Hoover
and his ghostly skeleton haunts the ethics of the FBI and the honorable ones have probably been culled.
Thanks for letting me vent and thanks for your courageous information.
Nancy brickman
PS Sarah Palen reminds me of George W. Bush with you guessed it, lipstick( and a hairdo)
Any advice on how to prepare newly registered voters (or re-registed ex felons) for election day intimidation? As a 48 year old woman who has never experienced even a traffic ticket, I remember getting a cold chill up my spine when I drove into the police/sheriff infested parking lot (w/their sirens/lights spinning) of my assigned polling place here in Florida in November, 2000. Jeez - what was happening? Are my tags current? Do I have my license, registration? Am I going to be searched? Was this a recent crime scene? My point is that the sheer amount of police/sheriff presence there intidated even me - an experienced voter with nothing to hide. It was not a good feeling and although I searched for an answer in the local news ariticles that followed, never read one logical explanation of why they were out there in such force. (?)
Dear Greg,
I am and have been a fan since I first saw you speak on FSTV a few years ago. I have been saying to everyone I know, how do you know the Republicans aren't going to attempt to steal 2008 just like 2004 and 2000. Even though final vote counts were published of the state of Fl. a year after 2000 (that had nothing to do with you), that showed Gore had won, nobody cared, it was never page one on any newspaper, etc., etc. Its seems like an acknowledged fact, at least 2000 and 2004,but even as I try to speak with my husband about it, he seems to just get uncomfortable and asks me "what was the vote count?" Its like people don't want to believe it...collective amnesia. I'm astounded that Obama and McCain are even in the same contest, let alone "neck and neck" (if you belive all the slanted polls). Why can't this country see what the rest of the world sees? Or maybe they do, and in a fair contest, Obama would win by a landslide.
Its frustating because I know a fraction of people see Link or FSTV compared with the general public that watches FOX, CNN, MSNBC and the like.
There is nothing I would love more than to see your expose' on 60 minutes, CNN, MSNBC, etc. If only the masses saw what I saw, read what I read, heard what I heard...My one consulation is when I think "Obama is smart as hell....he knows whats going on....and he's a cagey son of a bicth...he can't be that naive to think that the GOP is going to play this election be the books...he knows better. Maybe he's not showing everything hes got up his sleve."
Aside from this, I would love to donate to your cause, but I am so broke...I got struck with a major illness at age 30, was unable to work at all in 5 years, (by the year 2000), got my pain under control by 2002, and finally won disability in 2006 ($480.00/month) because I have not been able to find any job since 2002.
I would suggest, however, if the DNC and GOP can raise so many millions dor their conventions and parties, there must be some deep pockets you can find. How about Michael Moore? Al Gore? Bill Moyers? These people (especially the latter) care deeply about democracy and they have money and definitely a clue. Have you been able to get on with Laura Flanders at GRIT TV? She's got a lot of fans. And finally, I live in Boulder County (in the woods) near Boulder, Co. It is extremely green, progressive and wealthy. The town I am closest to is Nederland CO and we have a movie theatre that shows movies on the weekend (for a whopping $5.00). If you sent me a copy of anything relevant (that does not make you look like a conspiracy theorist) I bet I could get your films shown in Nederland, and possible in Boulder, at the Boulder theatre. (That's where "E-town" does they're broadcasts from; now picked up on NPR stations coast to coast." I know Lenny Charles well, (from INN) he used to live here. The main stream needs to see your information and don't let anything get in the way.
I don't have money, or any friends with money, but if their is other ways I can help you please let me know.
Sincerely,
Karen
Check out this site & pass it on!
Hi Greg,
Keep up the great work! I'm a journalist/videographer. I'll be in either DC, WI, or FL. Email me if you may want some on the ground info.
Best,
Sarah
Here's a big red flag that the elections will be rigged in favor of the Republicans:
Exit polls offer some concerns for networks
By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer
Fri Oct 3, 6:09 PM ET
Barack Obama's tendency through the Democratic primaries to perform better in exit polls than he actually does at the ballot box has some media organizations nervous heading into Election Night.
Television networks want to avoid having their performance become an issue for the third straight presidential election. Their political experts hope that experience gained during the primaries will help things run smoothly Nov. 4.
ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News Channel and The Associated Press pool resources to conduct exit polls in select precincts, hoping to glean information about why people vote the way they do and to help predict a winner or loser. A combination of actual vote counts and exit polls is generally used to "call" a state for one candidate or another.
Exit polls frequently overstated Obama's vote during the primaries by as much as 3 percentage points.
"We're concerned about it, but not, `Oh, my god, the exit polls are going to be wrong,'" said NBC News analyst Chuck Todd. "We're aware it's an issue and we're doing everything we can to correct it during our survey work."
Well-educated and young voters are more likely to agree to fill out an exit-poll survey, and both these groups have tended to favor Obama, the experts said.
Enthusiastic voters are also more likely to seek out pollsters, or at least not go out of their way to avoid them. That was true about Obama during the primaries, just as it was for Republican Pat Buchanan during the 1992 New Hampshire primary, said Kathleen Frankovic, CBS News director of surveys.
It was the exit polls' overstatement of John Kerry's support in 2004 that caused problems for the networks, particularly when the first wave of results were leaked on the Web. That led to a "quarantine room" reform that will be in place this year; the people with access to poll results are locked away until at least 5 p.m. EST, giving them time to check for any problems and keeping the early numbers from conveying false information and possibly affecting turnout.
The problems were more serious in 2000, when networks prematurely "called" Florida, and thus the election, for George Bush. It led to a congressional investigation into their practices.
For the Obama-McCain contest, there's concern about whether some voters will say they voted for Obama but, for racial reasons, actually didn't.
Frankovic said this was a real issue for pollsters years ago, but studies show it has virtually gone away. The false reporting was more pronounced when voters were actually interviewed by pollsters, but the current exit poll is a paper survey that voters fill out in private. It was only in the Northeast that Todd said he saw false reporting problems during the primaries.
A presidential election with a black man leading the ticket is uncharted territory for the United States, however.
In general, Republicans tend to be less enthusiastic than Democrats about taking exit polls. An unknown this season will be whether resentment toward the media fomented by John McCain's campaign will make his supporters even less willing to "help" them by taking a survey.
The smallest of factors can play a role in the makeup of a poll; some older voters, for instance, are uncomfortable dealing with young pollsters, and are turned off if they're standing near partisan demonstrators. News organizations this week sued the state of Minnesota to block a state law that would keep pollsters more than 100 feet from a polling place.
Simply knowing all of this will help the news organizations be ready, the experts said.
"I wouldn't overstate the concerns," said Dan Merkle, decision-desk director for ABC News. "They are the kinds of things we've seen before with different elections and different candidates."
Kathleen Carroll, executive editor of The Associated Press, said she's aware of the issues but isn't worried about the Election Night performance. In states where a race is close, the AP relies on vote counts to pick a winner, she said.
"The AP has never run out and called a close race based on exit polls," Carroll said. Where they can be used to make a call is when the exit polls confirm pre-election polls in contests that are lopsided, she said.
Todd said there's been some notable successes with the exit polls this year. For instance, they precisely forecast Hillary Rodham Clinton's surprise win in the New Hampshire primary, something pre-election polling did not, he said.
People focus heavily on the exit polls' forecast of winners and losers and tend to overlook the greater value, in providing insights on what a population is thinking politically, he said.
"Anybody who just goes off exit polls is a fool," he said. "It is a part of the process, but it is not the process."
(This version CORRECTS quote and CLARIFIES that exit polls sometimes used to call lopsided races. Moving on general news, entertainment and financial services.)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081003/ap_en_ot/tv_exit_polls&printer=1;_ylt=AqxH3kVQiQH3Com4qzcz1Q9Y24cA
Thanks for working on this, we fully appreciate your efforts.
But is it really so hard for RFK to scrape together 24,000 bucks? Hard to believe. I hope a lack of funds isn't delaying this brilliant effort.
Cheers
Greg,
Just read the Rolling Stone piece about you and Robert Kennedy Jr. It seems with the overwhelming fraudulent tactics the GOP has in place, the election is rigged and will proceed as a fraudulent election with McCain winning. Purging voters may very well negate the exit polls, which were once a fair indicator of the true results. The real question is: what are we able and/or prepared to do to contest this fraud and corruption? I have heard about Bush's enhanced powers to declare martial law, likely for suppressing a domestic uprising. What can we, the people, do against this corrupt system? What's our next step after McCain wins by way of election fraud?
Are you acquainted with Stephen Spoonamore's analysis that the vote tabulations can be hacked by foreign countries? Here's a thought that tickles me: My gut instinct tells me that Russia would like to see Obama win--I hope Russia hacks the results in his favor!
Anyway, thank you for all the great reporting! Blessings, Jane Cone, Ruskin, FL.