There is a real problem in this country, and we are about to witness it rearing its ugly head later on today. While I knew there was a problem with electronic voting machines in this country, most specifically Diebold systems, until I saw the HBO documentary Hacking Democracy, I had no clue how bad the situation really is.
My friends, I am downright disgusted. Our democracy is a sham and a shame. All I can say is with these machines in operation; it will be an absolute miracle if congress changes at all. Frankly, I will be incredibly amazed if the predicted Democratic landslide doesn't slide the other way.
This isn't a case of the fox guarding the henhouse; it's a case of the fox owning it. Not only does the fox own the henhouse, it also knows every nook and cranny; every splinter, every nail, and every knot in the planks.
I hate feeling like Johnny Come Lately on this issue, but I truly had no idea just how fucked up Diebold voting machines are. Not only is their source code easily hacked; vote tabulations can be changed leaving NO trail at all. Nothing, nada, zip, bupkus! AND, the source code which has all the glaring problems with it is supposed to have been upgraded, and yet, according to the documentary, has not been. Yes, the software downloaded from Diebold's own FTP site, the software shown to be non-secure, the software which has its source code floating around the internet is the same software on the machines you and I are going to use later on today.
This is a travesty. What's worse is few people seem to care. What's even worse than all that is that HBO didn't put this documentary out a month ago...two months ago...even three. While I applaud them for the show, it's a little too late to do anything about it now!
This country is fucked! So are we all! There is no democracy here. There is only the appearance of such.
I am starting to wonder if it isn't time for me to think about heading to Canada. It's cold and dreary, and much farther north than I ever wanted to be ever again, but it seems there is nothing here for me anymore.
I am tired of watching this country slide further and further down the sewer. It's just too much. We have assholes in the White House, assholes in both houses of congress and both sides of the aisles of said houses, and nine assholes on the Supreme Court, and voting machines that insure we will keep those assholes right where they are.
It's just atrocious!
Of course, I'll still vote. I am not going to hold my breath that it's going to mean a thing or make a difference. But at least I am going to make the effort. At least I can say I tried.
Blessed be! Pappy
http://www.bear-upstairs-studio.com
Harpist, unemployed blue collar worker, and Bush basher living deep in the heart of Texas.
