While it is too late now to secure convictions, there is time enough before November to issue indictments and to schedule trials. In fact, this much has been accomplished by the new (and embattled) Democratic Secretary of State in Ohio, where there is now abundant evidence that in 2004, massive fraud and manipulation "flipped" the state, and thus the White House, from John Kerry to George Bush. A few indictments of election tampering in states with Democratic administrations, might put the fear of the slammer in the minds of a few would-be election-felons. Still more qualms might arise among potential law-breakers in states with Republican governors likely to be replaced by Democrats in the near future.
In the meantime, throughout the nation, unverifiable, paperless "touch-screen" (DRE) voting machines are irrevocably in place for the next election, as final attempts in the Congress to replace DRE machines in time for the November election was defeated last month by House Republicans at the request of George Bush.
Nonetheless, all is not lost. Individual states can still take steps to protect the votes by decertifying DRE machines. At a sampling of randomly selected and unannounced precincts, voters might cast dual ballots, on the DRE machines and on paper ballots. Tampered and hacked machines would then be readily exposed. With a threat of such exposure in place, along with the subsequent criminal convictions, election fraud would surely be discouraged.
Strictly monitored exit polls might be applied. Exit polls have proven themselves to be "the gold standard" of polling, since they report, not intentions, but actual voting behavior. Throughout the world, and in the United States up to 2000, exit polls have been extraordinarily reliable.
However, the media tell us, since 2000, exit polling has gone haywire, and for no apparent reason. Proof? They have consistently under-reported alleged late "surges" in Republican votes. There are two possible explanations: exit polling has suddenly and inexplicably failed to report actual "valid" voting, or else the exit polls remain accurate and the official vote totals are fraudulent. We are all aware of which explanation has been accepted and reported, without hesitation or reservation, by the corporate media.
Even so, exit polls can and should be used to validate the votes in November, media bias and dismissals be damned.
Summing up: We know what to expect from the Republicans during the next three months. Their misbehavior has worked spectacularly well in the past two presidential elections, and there is no reason to suppose that they will not repeat their dirty tricks once again. In fact, they are doing so even this early in the contest. So foremost in your mind, Mr. Obama, should be this question: "What would Karl Rove do?" Follow Sun Tzu's advice: get inside the mind of your opponent, then plan your defenses and your counterattack. John Kerry failed to do this, to the great sorrow of us all.
The American public is overwhelmingly behind you on the issues. It despises the Bush Administration, its lies and criminality, Bush's war, the loss of personal liberties and security, the shredding of the Constitution, and the public is dreading the economic calamity that is about to befall it, due to Bush's policies. In a fair, open and lawful contest, your election in November would be virtually assured.
However, you are opposed, not only by the Republican Party and its candidate, but also by the Justice Department's voter suppression efforts, the corporate media, and the voting machine industry. Thus John McCain need only gather voter support in the mid-forties, and then the DRE machines will take care of the rest. For the public to accept yet another stolen GOP victory and "Bush's Third Term," that victory need only seem plausible. And that is the job of the captive media.
So, despite appearances to the contrary, yours is an uphill struggle.
To win, you must gain a degree of public support that is overwhelming and irresistible – sufficiently massive that even the corporate media can not ignore it, and so huge that the ruling oligarchy dare not deny the people their chosen President and Congress.
Dr. Ernest Partridge is a consultant, writer and lecturer in the field of Environmental Ethics and Public Policy. Partridge has taught philosophy at the University of California, and in Utah, Colorado and Wisconsin. He publishes the website, "The Online Gadfly" (www.igc.org/gadfly) and co-edits the progressive website, "The Crisis Papers" (www.crisispapers.org). His book in progress, "Conscience of a Progressive," can be seen at www.igc.org/gadfly/progressive/^toc.htm .
I disagree with your view that Obama is "up against a hostile corporate media." To the contrary, he has been treated with kid gloves and anyone who digs deep into his Chicago background will learn a mountain of facts that totally undercut his cleverly crafted image that he is no ordinary politician. I believe the fundamental reason for the mainstream corporate media giving Obama a largely free ride is because of his race and the media's desire not to look racist. Anyway, most of the corporate media is left-leaning, NOT right-leaning. As to positions, for me Obama is a fraud on the universal health care issue because he does not support a single payer system. And he certainly has not advocated major systemic political system reforms.
If McCain wins against Obama it will be because massive amounts of negative information on Obama finally come out and millions of liberal, progressive and indepenent voters will not vote for anyone for president -- though I will work towards getting them to vote for Ralph Nader.
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (126 articles, 31 quicklinks, 58 diaries, 508 comments)
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 9:31:42 AM
Senator Obama and the American people shall overcome the media and the bogus election systems - We will take this country back and the tide shall turn- Never lose hope- never stop fighting- and always stand up for truth and justice- Thanks for the great op/ed-
by
Brent Turner (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 94 comments)
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 11:27:49 AM
Brent can you imagine where we would be at right now if it were not for the internet? History will have judged this period of time as a critical junction in our democracy and freedoms. The neocons came very close to pulling off the greatest power grab in our lifetimes and possibly in the past few centuries. I strongly believe the internet has played a key role in allowing an alternative voice to the propaganda of the major news sources that are much easier to control and manipulate. The internet is the wild west of information good and bad. But at least no single one person or company can control it ..... and that is what will give us our freedom back and keep the democracy that our founding fathers created in place.
My hat is off to the people who started websites like this one, like media matters, moveon.org and to the people who took huge chances and risks to start progressive radio talk shows to give an alternative voice to the neonuts in this country.
by
E. Nelson (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 20 diaries, 221 comments)
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 11:53:11 AM
Clearly you're an Obama fan. The trouble with an Obama fan giving advise to Obama is: It's not much use to Obama. You're more credible if you're a McCain fan and know a thing or two about his strategy.
I'm no McCain fan. McCain is a tired old horse. But I do predict McCain will win over Obama in a general election, even without dirty tricks. Even when the 'tired of Bush' symdrome continue. I know this is shocking to Democrats. This will also surprise McCain. But not Hillary, whose 'desperation' is not about her normination but about the Democrat loosing this election - because that will mean the destruction of the party. The reason is simple: Obama fans have lost sight of the big picture and cannot see beyond their delusions.
In the end it doesn't matter between Obama or McCain. Four years after either of their presidency, America's descend from superpower to merely 'just another power' will be cemented into concrete. They would have simply presided over a historical decline. A very boring job.
by
TomK (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 217 comments)
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 8:17:55 PM
6 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
