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The Gathering Storm by Allen L. Roland Protest that endures...is moved by a hope far more modest than that of public success: namely, the hope of preserving qualities in one's own heart and spirit that would be destroyed by acquiescence: Wendell Berry There is a storm gathering in this country . Fueled by the internet tradewinds it is slowly building momentum . Its thick dark clouds are rolling in from the Pacific and it brings the promise of truth to the land ~ a land long parched by silence and acquiescence. I can already hear and feel the distant thunder ~ for nothing can stop the power of the truth. Democratic Representative John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, ranking Minority member of the House Judiciary Committee, will hold a hearing on Wednesday 08 December 2004 to investigate allegations of vote fraud and irregularities in Ohio during the 2004 Presidential election. The hearing is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m. EST in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC. Expert testimony will be offered, and a good deal of data on potential fraud previously unreported to the public will be discussed and examined at length . http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/120404W.shtml The core of what Conyers and his fellow Minority members will be discussing at this hearing can be found in the letter below, which was sent by the Minority office to Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell on 02 December; Dear Secretary Blackwell: We write to request your assistance with our ongoing investigation of election irregularities in the 2004 Presidential election. As you may be aware, the Government Accountability Office has agreed to undertake a systematic and comprehensive review of election irregularities throughout the nation. As a separate matter, we have requested that the House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff undertake a thorough review of each and every specific allegation of election irregularities received by our offices. Collectively, we are concerned that these complaints constitute a troubled portrait of a one-two punch that may well have altered and suppressed votes, particularly minority and Democratic votes. First, it appears there were substantial irregularities in vote tallies. It is unclear whether these apparent errors were the result of machine malfunctions or fraud. Second, it appears that a series of actions of government and non-government officials may have worked to frustrate minority voters. Consistent and widespread reports indicate a lack of voting machines in urban, minority and Democratic areas, and a surplus of such machines in Republican, white and rural areas. As a result, minority voters were discouraged from voting by lines that were in excess of eight hours long. Many of these voters were also apparently victims of a campaign of deception, where flyers and calls would direct them to the wrong polling place. Once at that polling place, after waiting for hours in line, many of these voters were provided provisional ballots after learning they were at the wrong location. These ballots were not counted in many jurisdictions because of a directive issued by some election officials, such as yourself. We are sure you agree with us that regardless of the outcome of the election, it is imperative that we examine any and all factors that may have led to voting irregularities and any failure of votes to be properly counted. Toward that end, we ask you to respond to the following allegations: I. Counting Irregularities ( Nine major irregularities ) II. Procedural Irregularities ( Three major irregularities ) http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/120404W.shtml This is a serious storm a brewing and you need to be informed as to its progress. Here are two excellent links to stay up to date and become involved . The Votergate ResouceCenter http://miamedia.com/votergate.html Bev Harris www.blackboxvoting.org We can no longer be acquiescent in the face of perhaps the most blatant and self serving abuse of power by an administration that has long made arrogance and hubris its guiding principles. As Thom Hartman says; Only when We the People reclaim the commons of our vote can we again be confident in the integrity of our electoral process. Our Ukainian brothers and sisters have shown us the power of a rightfully enraged people demanding truth and integrity in their electoral process. We are the gathering storm and our power is immense ~ get involved. Allen L Roland
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