Tricounty DFA: Voting Machine Forum For Wednesday
Hello Everyone;

I hope you all had a great and safe Thanksgiving!

In this update:

1. Voting Machine Forum For Wednesday: Can Our Votes and Our Elections Be Stolen?
2. Saratoga Democrats Victory Luncheon
3. Washington County Democrats Holiday Party
4. Bloomberg.com on Sweeney and Republicans
5. Help NARAL Stop Alito

1. Voting Machine Forum For WednesdayCan Our Votes and Our Elections Be Stolen?:

When the Great Presidential Vote Recount of 2000 misfired, millions of Americans became aware that there could be something wrong with the way their votes are counted. Many felt Election 2000 was stolen. If anything, over the last couple of years the issue has become even scarier, as companies and some politicians have united to force Touchscreen voting machines, technically known as DRE's on local communities across the country, usually to great outcry. Many strange results with these machines have lead many people to ask, are our votes and our elections being stolen yet again? Or are they simply being mishandled?

Accordingly, our open, non-partisan pubic forum on Voting Technology with Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting ( http://nyvv.org ) could not possibly come at a better time. I've seen some of the materials Bo Lipari has prepared in the past. I promise you -- this will be an eye opener!

The forum will to be held in the public room downstairs at the Crandall Public Library in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm on November 30th, this Wednesday. For more information, go to: http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com/2005/11/press-release-democracy-for-greater.html

Lipari will make a presentation explaining and evaluating the various types of voting machines. Lipari has spoken to large crowds all across New York State, and has been given credit for moving the legislature and a growing number of counties away from unreliable touch screen machines.

Space is limited at the Crandall Library meeting room. Accordingly, we are asking everyone to RSVP through DFA-Link; there's a page for the forum at: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/event.php?id=3160 Just click on the link at the top of the page where it says RVP to this event. If you have not registered yet, please click this link and to register: http://dfalink.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90&

The purchase of new voting machines and operating them for years to come will be a potentially heavy financial burden for Tricounty Area counties, and a decision that also strikes to the heart of what a Democracy is all about. We hope you can attend.

Incidentally, we do need some additional financial support, unless someone knows a motel or hotel owner who would like to donate a room for Mr. Lipari for the night. Please let me know if you do!

2. Saratoga Democrats Luncheon With Hillary Clinton

The Saratoga County Democratic Committee will present a Victory 2005 Luncheon on Tuesday, December 6th at 1pm to honor the winning candidates in this year's election (This is a big win for Saratoga County Democrats!). The special guest of honor will be Senator HIllary Clinton.

The location is Longfellows Inn & Restaurant, 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY. The cost is $75 for the luncheon and $250 for a reception with Senator Clinton from 1pm - 2pm. Luncheon choices are salmon, a vegan plate and chicken.

Tickets will NOT be available at the door. You must RSVP by Dec. 3rd! Contact Pat Friesen at 542-9157 or 584-4983 or mcfriesen2@aol.com or Janine Stuchin at 301-0231 or jstuchi1@nycap.rr.com

To sign up by mail, send your check payable to the Saratoga County Democratic Committee, 13 Moreau Drive, South Glens Falls, NY 12803.

3. Washington County Democrats Holiday Party

"Please join us at the 2nd Annual WCDC Holiday Party.
The party will be Dec. 9th at the Rice Mansion Inn from 7-9 PM. Andrew Cuomo is expected to attend. Spoonful will cater the party again this year.
Last year's party was a huge hit with all 135 people who attended and we hope this year's will be even better. The silent auction will include gift certificates, art, B & B overnights and more. We'll also have another super wine basket.
Space is limited and reservations are required by Dec. 2nd!
To reserve your seat today either:
- Send $25 per person payable to Washington County Democratic Committee to Lisa Manzi, 3547 State Route 29, Salem NY 12865.
- Or pay online with a credit card at: http://www.washingtoncountydemocrats.com/getinvolved/contribute.html type in "Holiday Party" in the payment for section.
We look forward to seeing you soon!


4. Bloomberg.com on Sweeney and Republicans

There was an interesting piece recently on Bloomberg news service about disarray among Republicans and Rep. John Sweeney, the man George Bush calls "Congressman Kickass." (We like to say it's Congressman Kiss-ass!)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aKslGfrXhuPs&refer=us

5. Help NARAL Stop Alito

Also; the National Abortion RIghts Action League needs our signatures on it's petition to stop Alito. It's a small thing, but your signature can help!

http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/sen_scotus_alito_103105

Thanks everyone! See you Wednesday!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 4:15 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Holiday Update
Hello Everyone;

First, a Happy Thanksgiving to All of you and many, many thanks to everyone who worked so hard on races this year -- a turning point has been reached, both nationally and locally. Bush is cratering and taking the National Republicans with him, and victories like the clean sweeps in communities like Saratoga Springs and Mechanicville, or big wins in Columbia County, show the way to a victory next year in getting rid of John Sweeney and electing Kirsten Gillibrand.

In this update:

1. Forum On New Voting Machines Next Week With Bo Lipari Of New York Verified Voting
2. Call for Protest Letters to Board of Election and Newspapers
3. 63% Want US Out Of Iraq In A Year
4. Washington County Dinner
5. Buy Blue Reminder For the Holidays
6. No Pardons
7. On The Lighter Side...

1. Forum On New Voting Machines Next Week With Bo Lipari Of New York Verified Voting

Our open public forum on Voting Technology featuring Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting ( http://nyvv.org )will be held in the public room downstairs at the Crandall Public Library in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm on November 30th. For more information, go to: http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com/2005/11/press-release-democracy-for-greater.html

Lipari will make a presentation explaining and evaluating the various types of voting machines presently available that meet the new standards established by the Help America Vote Act. Lipari had spoken to large crowds all across New York State, and have been given credit for moving the legislature and a growing number of counties away from unreliable touch screen machines.

Space is limited at the Crandall Library meeting room. Accordingly, we are asking everyone to RSVP through DFA-Link; I've created a page for the forum at: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/event.php?id=3160 Just click on the link at the top of the page where it says RVP to this event. If you have not registered yet, please click this link and to register: http://dfalink.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90&email=__EMAIL__

We would thank everyone very much for their cooperation in RSVP'ing. There appears to be tremendous interest around the Tricounty area about voting issues (the purchase of new machines will be a potentially heavy financial burden). We need to know well in advance if we are going to have a space problem. So if you think you will be coming, please hit the RSVP page. Thank you!

2. Call for Protest Letters to Board of Election and Newspapers

The fight against the hackable touchscreen machines goes on at every level; Bo Lipari sent out this message this week:


Action Alert - NYS Board of Elections Must Require Certification of Scanners!

Voting machine vendors who make both touch screen/pushbutton electronic voting machines (DREs) and Optical Scanners say they will not submit their scanners for certification to New York, but only their DREs.

This is outrageous given that thousands of NYS citizens, state and county legislators, and newspapers are calling for adoption of the paper ballots and scanners rather than expensive, insecure, error prone DREs. It is vital that the NYS Board of Elections require that vendors who make both DREs and optical scan systems must submit both types of systems for certification.

But our NYS Board of Elections doesn't seem to get it. Perhaps they've forgotten that they work for citizens, not for the voting machine vendors. In an interview on WXXI last week, spokesman Lee Daghlian said the NYS Board will only certify machines the companies want to sell.

"We don't feel that we can force a manufacturer to bring an optical scan machine to us if they don't wish to," he said. "This is a free country."

Apparently, Commissioners and staff of the Board of Elections think it's a free country for voting machine vendors, but not for the citizens they serve.

In a huge state like NY, it's beyond absurd for the Board to claim that they have no power to require vendors to submit scanners. Vendors will provide absolutely anything that the NYS Board of Elections requires of them. If the Board requires that they submit NYS full face ballot compatible scanners, you can be sure they will do so.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Mail or fax a letter to the State Board of Elections demanding that they require vendors to submit NYS full face ballot compatible optical scanners if they submit DREs. Remind the Board that they work for us, not the voting machine vendors.

Don't let the voting machine vendors decide what machines we vote on. Please write the State Board of Elections today.

A sample letter is attached. You can also find the sample letter and contact info for the Board of Elections on the NYVV website:

http://www.nyvv.org/currentAction.shtml

Please address your letter to:
Peter Kosinski, Co-Executive Director
Stanley Zalen, Co-Executive Director
Neil W. Kelleher, Chair
Evelyn J. Aquila, Commissioner
Helena Moses Donohue, Commissioner

NYS BOARD OF ELECTIONS
40 Steuben Street
Albany, NY 12207-2108
Fax: 518-486-4068

3. 63% Want US Out Of Iraq In A Year

According to the latest polling data, 63% of all Americans want the U.S. out of Iraq within the next year. This is a remarkable turnaround in public opinion. However, almost exactly a month ago we held a vigil when U.S. military deaths went over 2,000. In that time the number has jumped to 2100, with no end in sight.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usiraqpoll

4. Washington County Dinner


There was a great House Party for Kirsten Gillibrand at Sheila Comar's home Sunday in Granville with a big turnout. The next Washington County comes up shortly:

"Please join us at the 2nd Annual WCDC Holiday Party.
The party will be Dec. 9th at the Rice Mansion Inn from 7-9 PM. Andrew Cuomo is expected to attend. Spoonful will cater the party again this year.
Last year's party was a huge hit with all 135 people who attended and we hope this year's will be even better. The silent auction will include gift certificates, art, B & B overnights and more. We'll also have another super wine basket.
Space is limited and reservations are required by Dec. 2nd!
To reserve your seat today either:
- Send $25 per person payable to Washington County Democratic Committee to Lisa Manzi, 3547 State Route 29, Salem NY 12865.
- Or pay online with a credit card at: http://www.washingtoncountydemocrats.com/getinvolved/contribute.html type in "Holiday Party" in the payment for section.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

5. Buy Blue Reminder For the Holidays

The Christmas shopping season officially starts on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. However, Buy Blue.org is calling on us to remember those "blue" merchants and companies who support Democratic and progressive causes. We shouldn't let out dollars feed companies that fight against our values. Check out their proposed shopping list at:

http://www.buyblue.org/BlueChristmas

6. No Pardons

Washington pundits are worried that Bush may try to escape the series of escalating scandals in Washington by issuing blanket pardons to criminally exposed staffers like Karl Rove, theoretically sweeping scandal off the table. SIgn the Democrat's petition for No Pardons at:

https://www.democrats.org/page/petition/nopardon

7. On The Lighter Side...

Finally, it is a holiday! Here's something for our Turkey Day amusement:

http://www.schwarzeneggerstreet.com/

Thanks everyone! Drive Safely!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 1:32 PM 1 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Vote Snafus, Voting Forum, Gillibrand events, Torture, Vote Fraud and more
Hello Everyone!

In this update:

1. Akins, Keehn Confirmed as Mayors After Vote Snafus at Board of Elections
2. Voting Technology Forum with Bo Lipari for the 30th
3. Pledges Still Needed
4. Gillibrand Events
5. Torture Petition
6. Dean Speaks
7. More Disturbing Vote Stories From Darkest Ohio

1. Akins, Keehn Confirmed as Mayors

This week the absentee ballots were counted officially confirming Democratic Mayor candidates Leroy Akins in Glens Falls and Valerie Keehn in Saratoga Springs. In initial counts on Election Day, Keehn lead incumbent Michael Lenz but election night counts had Akins losing to Republican Harold "Bud" Taylor. Taylor claimed victory, gave a local TV 8 interview as the mayor-elect and had an election night celebration.

However, checks of machines the following day revealed very serious errors occurred in four election districts in Glens Falls and three in Queensbury. Such a string of errors was unprecedented. Elections in the local area have been trouble free in the past. Initially Board of Elections officials blamed precinct election inspectors, but in today's Post Star, board of elections officials took responsibility.

The entire affairs demonstrates the critical importance of physical, material evidence of ballots. Every system human beings can contrive is vulnerable to errors. Akins victory was retrieved only because the mechanical counters in the machines still existed after Election Day and could be reexamined.

2. Voting Technology Forum with Bo Lipari for the 30th

Accordingly, our open public forum on Voting Technology featuring Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting ( http://nyvv.org ) couldn't possibly have come at a more appropriate time. Lipari will make a presentation explaining and evaluating the various types of voting machines presently available that meet the new standards established by the Help America Vote Act. Lipari had spoken to large crowds all across New York State, and have been given credit for moving the legislature and a growing number of counties away from unreliable touch screen machines.

The forum will be held in the public room downstairs at the Crandall Public Library in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm on November 30th. For more information, go to: http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com/2005/11/press-release-democracy-for-greater.html

Space is limited at the Crandall Library meeting room. Accordingly, we are asking everyone to RSVP through DFA-Link; I've created a page for the forum at: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/event.php?id=3160 Just click on the link at the top of the page where it says RVP to this event. If you have not registered yet, please click this link and to register: http://dfalink.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90&email=__EMAIL__

We would thank everyone very much for their cooperation in RSVP'ing. There appears to be tremendous interest around the Tricounty area about voting issues (the purchase of new machines will be a potentially heavy financial burden). We need to know well in advance if we are going to have a space problem. So if you think you will be coming, please hit the RSVP page. Thank you!

3. Pledges Still Needed

We are still in need of contributions to cover Bo Lipari's costs, which include lodging. We do need your help! Please contact either me at ldudley@larrydudley.com or Committee Chair Bob Rockwell at rrockwel@nycap.rr.com if you want to make a pledge.

4. Gillibrand Events

If you haven't met Congressional candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, there will be several great opportunities in the next week, including several "meet and greets" or fundraisers.

The first is a fundraiser in Hudson, NY on Saturday, November 19th hosted
by Edward and Naomi Bernstein. The event will take place at 360 Warren
Street and will run from 2pm-4pm. The suggested donation is $50, but
contributions at all levels are welcome.

The Second: Sheila and Lee Comar have been kind enough to open up their home in the
Town of Granville to Kirsten on Sunday, November 20th, from 2pm-4pm and
would love to have you join them.

The third is a fundraiser on Monday, November 21st at the Frivolous
Boutique located at 508 Broadway in Saratoga taking place from 6pm-8pm.
The suggested donation is $50, but contributions at all levels are
welcome.

The fourth upcoming event is a fundraising reception in Slingerlands, NY at
the home of Elizabeth and Douglas Rutnik, Jr. on Tuesday, November 22nd
from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. The suggested donation is $50-$250, but
contributions at all levels are welcome.

To attend or to serve as a co-host for one of these events, please RSVP by
replying to this email or by calling 518-755-4276.

Directions to the Comars:

From Albany: (approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes) I-87 N to Exit 20. Turn left at end of exit ramp at light and proceed north on US-9 (1 mile) to traffic light. Turn right onto Route 149 and travel east about 10 miles to traffic light in Fort Ann and turn left onto Route 4. Travel about 7 miles to next traffic light and turn right onto Route 22 – proceed about 9 miles (go past North Granville) until you come to a blinking light at the intersection with Route 22A. Turn left onto 22A and after ¼ mile turn right onto County Route 24 across a bridge (sign will say Granville 2 miles). Immediately after crossing the bridge take a left onto Depot Street (across from Chapman’s Store). There will be a driveway on the left after the 5th house (blue with black trim) with a Post Star box and #29 on a wooden post. The brick house can be seen after turning into the driveway behind the red barn and sheep pasture.

From the North: Take I-87 N to Exit 20, turn left at the end of the ramp and then left at the traffic light on Rte. 9. Proceed through one light and at the 2nd light turn right onto Route 149 (follow directions above).

Local from south: Take Route 22 North light just outside of Granville. Continue on Route 22 (do not go into the village) for 4 miles to a blinking light at the intersection of Route 22 and 22A turn right onto Route 22A (follow directions above).

5. Torture Petition

As you might have heard, recent news from Iraq paints a troubling picture when it comes to the treatment of detainees.
DFA Executive Director Tom Hughes is calling upon all of us to join in signing a petition against torture. We must not be among those who, like the "good" Germans of the 1930s and 1940s, are complicit through our silence: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/petition/notorture/index.php?refid=853437be041cd267

6. Dean Speaks

Governor Dean is about and about the country again; lately in Michigan. The full effect of a Dean speech has to be experienced in person to be really appreciated, but this transcript gives some real sense of it, and above all, his vision of the leading themes for the Democratic Party and the future direction of our country.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/16/12051/328

7. More Disturbing Vote Stories From Darkest Ohio

Apropos the story above about the unprecedented problems on Election Day in Glens Falls, which quite remarkably, happened just as we were about to have a forum on voting issues, more disturbing stories are now circulating from Ohio. A series of propositions were on the ballot there to reform the election process. All failed, even though polls showed massive support for them just a day or two earlier. As we might imagine, questions are being raised.

Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-friedman/the-staggeringly-impossib_b_10589.html
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1112-21.htm

Further, Senator Kerry has now been quoted as saying he believes the 2004 election was stolen. He has tried to distance himself from this statement since he made it, but he has not repudiated it.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1110-21.htm

On top of this is a further revelation that the Diebold votiong machine source code has been broken. Their voting machines can be hacked into. What's more disturbing, hard coded the password into the computer software itself, which means it can't be periodically changed, an essential feature of all computer security. Thanks to Drew for postings this remarkable story: http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com/2005/11/electronic-cheating.html

Thanks everyone, and remember to register and RSVP!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:48 AM 0 comments

 
Press Release: Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area Presents Voting Technology Forum With Voting Technology Expert Bo Lipari
November 18, 2005


Press Release

For Immediate Release

Title: Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area Presents Voting Technology Forum With Voting Technology Expert Bo Lipari


Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area will be presenting an open, non-partisan educational public forum on November 30th at 7pm at the Crandall Library in downtown Glens Falls on New York State's transition to new voting technology as provided for under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

Featured will be Bo Lipari, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Verified Voting, a citizens group working for secure, reliable, accessible, and verifiable standards for voting systems and elections. ( http://www.nyvv.org )

Lipari will make a presentation explaining and evaluating the various types of voting machines presently available that meet the new standards established by HAVA.

Under the HAVA act, the lever action voting machines currently used in most Tricounty polling places will have to be replaced. In addition, many are upwards of 60 years old and are worn and in need of repair.

There are two leading replacement voting technologies. The most wide spread and most established is known as Paper Ballot, Optically Scanned, or PB/OS. Voters mark paper ballots the way academic exams like the SAT are marked, and then the ballots are tabulated by scanning machines. This technology is based on machines used in schools for many years and is widely understood and is highly reliable. With PB/OS, the paper ballot is the actual ballot, and they are saved and can be recounted if need be.

The other technology, which has generated controversy, is known as Direct Recording Entry machines, or DRE's, popularly known as touchscreen machines. Very much like the new checkouts used in some supermarkets, voters cast their votes on DRE's by pressing points on a computer screen. Votes are then typically transmitted electronically to a central tabulating station. Unlike votes cast on PB/OS, if there is a need or problem, votes on DREs cannot be recounted, the machines can only be read again. Because they are based on very new technology, DREs are much more expensive then PB/OS.

Lipari, a resident of Schuyler County for the last 24 years, was a professional software engineer for 20 years. As Executive Director of NYVV he has given presentations to many groups across New York State, including the American Association of University Women, the Alliance for Democracy, Cornell University, NYU, Ulster County Community College, SUNY Oneonta, and League of Women Voters chapters.

Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area would particularly like to invite area elections officials at all levels and members of area county boards of supervisors.

Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area is a group following the leadership of Democracy For America, founded by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Areas meets regularly at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. Details of the group and its events can be seen on its blog site, http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com/

Space is limited. People interested in this issue can stay informed by RSVPing at DFA link at http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/group.php?id=113 (registration is required ) and emailing organizers.

-30-
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:03 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: More On Election, Gillibrand, Forum and Governor Dean
Hello Everyone;

In This Update:

1. Local Election Follow Up; the big picture
2. Kirsten Events
3. Election Snafus
4. Forum Coming
5. Dean On MTP; Raising More Money Than Ever
6. A Marine speaks out


1. Local Election Follow Up; the big picture

Shockwaves continue to flow around the state and around the country from the outcomes of last week's election. Here's a sample I received from around the 20th CD:

"Dutchess County went from over a 2 to 1 majority for the Republicans in the County Legislature to Dems now being only one seat down, with three races still too close to call and two leaning in our favor."

"In Columbia County the Dems gained 8 town council seats, three town judgeships, at least two supervisors (including one town supervisor who is the vice chair of the county board of supervisors, who had been in for 24 years), the mayor of Hudson, and Hudson common council, Kinderhook town highway superintendant (the Town of Kinderhook, largest in the county, went Dem on 4 of 5 races: only one GOP, an incumbent, survived). All this without losing a single seat to the GOPs."

"In Delaware County Dennis Valente was successful in ousting the Davenport Town Supervisor, but apparently last evening, the
Davenport Town Board voted to reduce the Supervisor's salary by $1000. Something similar happened two years ago, when the Democratic town justice's salary was reduced by $4500 to $500 after his win." Isn't that typical?

I will argue that the biggest story is still the Saratoga City races, with an unprecedented 7-0 sweep, some by huge margins.

To give a background on this, historically nearby Glens Falls, with it's heavy industries and union power, was a Democratic stronghold. But Saratoga was solidly Republican, although a Democrat could get elected there from time to time, as Raymond Watkins or Ken Klotz did. This shift, in the center of the largest county in the 20th Congressional District, is a portent of more major changes to come. The transformation that Saratoga has seen over the last 30 years is now also being seen in surrounding communities -- Schuylerville, Ballston Spa, Greenfield and probably even eventually towns like Corinth and Moreau in Saratoga County and also to the east in Greenwich and Cambridge in Washington County. Democrats are becoming increasingly competitive all over.

In Ballston Spa Patti Southworth and JD Wood came within 3 or 4 points of upsetting a long established Republican Board. In Greenwich, Lisa Manzi and Suzanne Cohen in a first showing pulled in a fifth of the vote each. The next time around all their chances will be that much higher -- these communities are just a handful of years behind places like Saratoga, that's all.

However, these victories are not just about the next time around; here is a superb message from Pell Kennedy, which from our experience here in Glens Falls I can't second more heartily:

"But let me say this: The voters spoke here in Saratoga Springs last night. And so, it's our responsibility not to stop and say "oh good for us, we got them in there, now let's sit back and watch 'them' fix everything" Our candidate-elects and our incumbants need us now more than ever to support them, show up when they need us, attend those late-in-to-the-night city council meetings, come to city-wide events, shop downtown, stay alert, and stay invigorated.... We're committed, still, to watching your backs as you watch ours."

She's right because the Republicans aren't taking this well. If you doubt that, Hilary McLellan alerted me to this really nasty blog that appeared the day after the election in Saratoga -- "Saratoga Dem Watch" http://saratogademwatch.blogspot.com/ It's boiling with rage. They are clearly going to make it as rough as they can.

2. Kirsten Events

The next race will soon be upon us.

There will be several "meet and greets" or fundraisers for Congressional Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand.

The first is a fundraiser in Hudson, NY on Saturday, November 19th hosted
by Edward and Naomi Bernstein. The event will take place at 360 Warren
Street and will run from 2pm-4pm. The suggested donation is $50, but
contributions at all levels are welcome.

The Second: Sheila and Lee Comar have been kind enough to open up their home in the
Town of Granville to Kirsten on Sunday, November 20th, from 2pm-4pm and
would love to have you join them.

The third is a fundraiser on Monday, November 21st at the Frivolous
Boutique located at 508 Broadway in Saratoga taking place from 6pm-8pm.
The suggested donation is $50, but contributions at all levels are
welcome.

The fourth upcoming event is a fundraising reception in Slingerlands, NY at
the home of Elizabeth and Douglas Rutnik, Jr. on Tuesday, November 22nd
from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. The suggested donation is $50-$250, but
contributions at all levels are welcome.

To attend or to serve as a co-host for one of these events, please RSVP by
replying to this email or by calling 518-755-4276.

Directions to the Comars:

From Albany: (approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes) I-87 N to Exit 20. Turn left at end of exit ramp at light and proceed north on US-9 (1 mile) to traffic light. Turn right onto Route 149 and travel east about 10 miles to traffic light in Fort Ann and turn left onto Route 4. Travel about 7 miles to next traffic light and turn right onto Route 22 – proceed about 9 miles (go past North Granville) until you come to a blinking light at the intersection with Route 22A. Turn left onto 22A and after ¼ mile turn right onto County Route 24 across a bridge (sign will say Granville 2 miles). Immediately after crossing the bridge take a left onto Depot Street (across from Chapman’s Store). There will be a driveway on the left after the 5th house (blue with black trim) with a Post Star box and #29 on a wooden post. The brick house can be seen after turning into the driveway behind the red barn and sheep pasture.

From the North: Take I-87 N to Exit 20, turn left at the end of the ramp and then left at the traffic light on Rte. 9. Proceed through one light and at the 2nd light turn right onto Route 149 (follow directions above).

Local from south: Take Route 22 North light just outside of Granville. Continue on Route 22 (do not go into the village) for 4 miles to a blinking light at the intersection of Route 22 and 22A turn right onto Route 22A (follow directions above).

3. Election Snafus

I am still getting phone calls on the snafus that occurred on election night in Glens Falls and Warren County, where there were major errors in a total of seven election districts. Four of these districts were in the City of Glens Falls, where the mayoral race between Republican Bud Taylor and Leroy Akins appears to have been flipped. We should know for sure tomorrow when the absentees are counted.

In addition, several races, particularly the seat of Democrat John Strough in Queensbury, that looked perilous, were solid wins.

It is still unclear to me, as a former inspector myself, how any of this could have happened. But there is an extremely clear lesson from this: we need utterly reliable voting technology. Suppose these kinds of problems had occurred with all electronic machines? There would have been no recourse. Here, it was still possible to go back and inspect the actual machine counters. With touchscreen machines, you can't look at the inside of a microchip. In the future we will need reliable paper ballots that can be recounted.

4. Forum Coming

According, Glens Falls DFA is proud to host Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting in an open, non-partisan, educational forum at the Crandall Library in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm on November 30th.

If you want to help with this, please contact our voting committee chair, Bob Rockwell at rrockwel@nycap.rr.com or myself.

This may be the most important public forum in our community for some time.


5. Dean On MTP; Raising More Money Than Ever

Governor Dean was on Meet The Press Sunday and gave a superb, tight statement of where Democrats should be;

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/11/13/1229/7889
and
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/13/232232/77

Contrary to a recent WashPost piece, Dean is doing great on fundraising. One big difference from the past is that when he goes to a state fundraiser, the money stays with the state party. Terry McAuliffe grabbed it all, which made him look great, but starved the state parties, contributing to the Democratic decline.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/11/14/125530/33

6. A Marine speaks out

Finally, the NY Times recently had this disturbing quote:

"On the current course we will have two options," I was told by a Marine lieutenant colonel who had recently served in Iraq and who prefers to remain anonymous. "We can lose in Iraq and destroy our army, or we can just lose."

This is the real Bush defense record.

Thanks Everyone!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:45 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Victory Laps and a message from Kirsten Gillibrand
Hello Everyone!

In this update:

1. Yesterday!
2. Tomorrow: What's Next?

1. Yesterday!

Watching the TV last night as the results from Saratoga came in, I was reminded of Al Michaels exultant cry at the end of the 1980 WInter Olympics gold medal hockey round -- "Do you believe in miracles!"

Congratulations to all the Saratoga Democrats for their extraordinary, historic sweep, especially DFA Training Camp Alumna Valerie Keehn, her campaign manager Eileen Finneran Saratoga City Chair Shawn Thompson and County Chair Larry Bulman. Truly, a new era has dawned for the Spa City. What has begun there will inevitably percolate throughout the region.

A major upset that seems to have been largely overlooked -- Gordon Aubrey in Argyle defeated the incumbent Republican and current Washington County Board of Supervisors Chair Jock Williamson, the most powerful Republican in the county. The Washington County Democrats won 14 of 30 contested seats.

Also -- honors to Glens Falls Democrats powerful showing on the Glens Falls Common Council -- 5 of 6, the best showing since Margaret Farrell's years running our local party back in the eighties and early nineties.

Also: honors to the Stillwater Democrats who did well, as did Democrats in places as diverse as Greenfield and Dresden. Honors also to others who didn't succeed, but worked hard for victory like Roy Thomas in Glens Falls, County Chair Sheila Comar in Granville and Ron Vanselow in Johnsburg. Victory sometimes is just moving those numbers up just a little bit at a time, like a ground ball game in football where you only move the pigskin three yards a play. But you eventually do get there.

2. Tomorrow: What's Next?

It is now one year to Taking Back America. Those of us who began in the Dean campaign started out trying to take back the White House. Now we are still taking back a House of government -- the House of Representatives. The job is the same.

We need to take what we have learned, the confidence we have gained, the connections we have made and apply it to a bigger goal.

And that goal is very specific; getting rid of John Sweeney by electing Kirsten Gillibrand.

To that end, and because I am asked about her all the time, I want to make sure everyone gets a copy of a message Kirsten Gillibrand sent out tonight. The Gillibrand 2006 Campaign is asking us to make whatever donations possible before the end of the reporting quarter. These reports are an important show of strength. Not only is the total amount raised vital, but equally important, the sheer numbers of people who give, no matter how small their contribution, show how wide spread her support is. In that sense, there are no small, insignificant contributions -- it's like paying a small sum to sign an important petition, a petition to fire John Sweeney.

Her message is below:

"As you may have already heard, I have decided to run for Congress in
upstate NY where I grew up and where Jonathan and I have settled down to
raise our 2-year old son, Theodore. I am running against John Sweeney, a
3-term incumbent, who has lost touch with the voters in NY's 20th
Congressional District. This district is very large, but incredibly
beautiful, and stretches from Lake Placid in Essex County all the way to
Millbrook in Dutchess County. And although this district is traditionally
Republican, this is a campaign that we can win because the Republicans,
Democrats and Independents alike all feel that we need a change -- a
change to bring accountability, responsibility and trust back to
Washington. And this was demonstrated by voters at the polls last night
--Democrats across the District beat Republican incumbents in typical
Republican strongholds. The message of change is resonating, and voters
are angry with the status of affairs in Washington and want new leadership
with vision and commitment to their needs. In fact, a conservative
morning radio talk show host commented that Sweeney should be nervous due
to Democratic performance yesterday!"

"My race is being watched closely by both the DCCC and EMILY's List, and
our September 30th filing raised my credibility, as we raised $120,000 in
just three weeks. However, that was just the beginning and I need your
help! Please consider making a donation to my campaign. You can mail a
check to me at PO Box 1279, Hudson, NY, 12534 or donate online at
http://www.gillibrand2006.com. I will be calling you in the coming days to
discuss my campaign, my strategy, and my fundraising. For your reference,
I have attached my bio, a map of the district, and a recent article about
me. Thank you in advance for your support."

All the best,
Kirsten

*********
Gillibrand for Congress
P.O. Box 1279
Hudson, NY 12534"
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:36 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: GOTV, Link-Up report, more
Hello Everyone;

In this update:

1. Tomorrow is Election Day --
2. Val Keehn Looking For Volunteers
3. A Message From Ken Klotz
4. A Message On Joanne Yepsen
5. Link-Up Report: Voting Technology Forum For The 30th.
6. Resolution on Alito
7. Kerry Now Believes Vote Was Stolen
8. Zogby Poll Finds Majority Favor Impeachment If Bush Lied On War
9. WFP Urge Budget Reform
10. More on voting issues.

1. Tomorrow is Election Day --

To all the Rip Van Winkles out there, tomorrow is Election Day! Where ever you live, it is important to get out and vote. Although a few marquee races tend to get our attention the most, there are many elected offices in many areas at stake, as well as an important Library Expansion referendum here in the Glens Falls area, and two amendments to the State Constitution on the Budget.

2. Val Keehn Looking For Volunteers

Mayoral Candidate Val Keehn and the team in Saratoga are still looking for volunteers for tomorrow to man phones and tables. From Saratoga DFA Coodinator Pat Friesen:

"Hi Everyone
The momentum continues and many have stepped up to the plate to help out on election day but we still need more help.
We need people to help with phone calls to voters using your cell phones at headquarters or from your homes. We need people to help drive voters to the polls. We need people to sit at a lit table at Skidmore tomorrow - election day.
Please let me know what you can do ASAP! "


3. A Message From Ken Klotz

As Election Day approaches, I'm writing to ask you to get out and vote for
the future of Saratoga Springs.

Valerie Keehn is a dedicated activist and a good friend. I've endorsed her
because we need a Mayor who will fight for open space, quality downtown
development, safe, affordable water from Saratoga Lake, fair assessments,
workforce housing and open government. Valerie has run an active and
energetic campaign. Now we need every supporter to get out and vote on
Tuesday to put her campaign over the top.

Valerie's campaign is just the beginning. Our Democratic Committee has
fielded a full slate of candidates, easily the best in recent memory.
Tom McTygue has led the fight for a new water source and, with your help and
a new City Council, will get the job done. Matt McCabe has brought sound
fiscal policy back to our budget process. John Franck will bring back the
days of Ben Mirling's fair assessment practices. Ron Kim will restore
dignity to the Department of Public Safety. And Cheryl Keyrouze and Joanne
Yepsen will finally give us Supervisors who will put the needs of Saratoga
Springs' taxpayers first.

It's a great slate and a great opportunity.
ON NOVEMBER 8th GET OUT AND VOTE.
Bring your friends and neighbors.
Let's win this for the future of Saratoga Springs.

VOTE ROW B -
KEEHN, McTYGUE, McCABE, FRANCK, KIM, KEYROUZE, YEPSEN.

4. A Message On Joanne Yepsen

Again, from Pat Friesen:

"I'm writing to remind you that it's crucial to get out and vote tomorrow for
Joanne Yepsen for Supervisor. All indications are that this will be the
tightest of races, and every vote will be important.

Because the race is likely to be so close, I am also asking that you
participate our YEPSEN E-MAIL CAMPAIGN by sending this reminder to your
entire e-mail list. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are in a
position to have a huge impact. With races in Saratoga Springs often
decided by fewer than 100 votes, this e-mail campaign may just generate
enough votes to provide the margin of victory.

As supervisor, Joanne will be a strong advocate for our interests. As
Joanne says in her TV ads on Channel 9: "It's time for a change. It's time
for someone to do more than just sit on the county board." Together we can
take a positive step forward for our city. Please be part of this important
election by forwarding this to all of your e-mail contacts. And please
vote. You can make the difference! Thank you."

5. Link-Up Report: Voting Technology Forum For The 30th.

We had another successful DFA-Linkup at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in Downtown Glens Falls last Wednesday. We talked about letter writing and shaping message, had a great discussion and listened to a great conference call with DFA Chair Jim Dean and Governor Dean.

Two major pieces of business were conducted: We adopted a resolution (below) on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court and talked a little about the forum on Voting Machine Technology we discussed at the last meeting.

It is now official; we will have more details later, but there will be a forum on voting machine technology on November 30th in the Community Room at the Crandall Library. Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting will be there to make a presentation, which, I am told, is terrific and definitive -- and he demolishes the cash for the controversial touch screen voting machines that leave no paper trail. We will have more on this later.

6. Resolution on Alito

We also discussed and unanimously adopted a resolution to our Senators on Judge Alito. This is the resolution:

Greater Glens Falls Democracy For America

Whereas,

All Americans have a right to privacy;
As a result all women have a right to control their own bodies and make their own reproductive choices;
All Americans have a right to Civil Liberties as they have been traditionally understood;
As the Constitution expresses it -- “We The People” of the United States are a single nation, not a collection of 50 separate, bickering states, as opposed to the state’s rights vision of the Federalist Society and the so-called “constitution in exile movement”;
People have human rights which corporations do not because corporations are not people;
The American Ideal is based on 230 year old commitment to equality and inclusion, now including racial, gender and disability equality and inclusion and a committment to the well beaing of the average person, and,

Whereas,

Judge Samuel Alito throughout his career demonstrated biased behavior and a profound hostility to these traditional and sacred American values and is utterly outside the mainstream of American life,

Be It Resolved,
We urge our Senatorial Delegation to use all possible means under the rules of the Senate to prevent Samuel Alito from being seated on the Supreme Court of the United States, including but not limited to a Filibuster.

7. Kerry Now Believes Vote Was Stolen

On the issue of voting reform, we all remember from Election 2004 the controversy over the vote in Ohio. Author Mark Crispin Miller has a new book out on what he believes is the record of extensive voting fraud since 2000. Miller recently spoke to Kerry about what happened in 21004, and was apparently startled to learn that Kerry now also believes the election was stolen. Miller posted this on Democratic Underground where he was in a recent forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=399775&mesg_id=399790

8. Zogby Poll Finds Majority Favor Impeachment If Bush Lied On War


Speaking of other High Crimes and Misdemeanors, the latest Zogby Poll discovered the majority of the American people believe Congress should consider impeaching Bush if he lied in getting America into the War: http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Zogby_Americans_support_consideration_of_impeachment_1104.html

9. WFP Urge Budget Reform

There are also two propositions on the ballot tomorrow. Prop 1 is supported by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, NYPIRG and other. The WFP sent out this info on both Propositions:


"Proposition 1: Amending the State Budget Process

The New York State Constitution currently gives the governor more power over the budget than in virtually any other state. The amendment shifts the balance back toward what’s normal in the rest of the country. Right now, the governor can bypass the legislature by including non-budgetary items in the budget. The amendment will restore the legislature’s constitutional role.

The amendment will result in fairer budgets and preserve funding for services that help create a more decent society – schools, healthcare and the like. And because it will also improve accountability and transparency by creating an Independent Budget Office and strengthening reporting requirements, the amendment is supported by good government groups like Common Cause and the League of Women Voters.

The WFP recommends voting “YES” on Proposition 1.


Proposition 2: The Transportation Bond Act

This one is a no-brainer. Bridges, highways and transits are essential public goods. The bond act is necessary to provide them with adequate funding. Half the money will go to the MTA, allowing it to make necessary capital improvements in the New York subway system. The other half will go to bridge and highway projects elsewhere in the state.

The projects themselves create jobs, but even more importantly, they will create more opportunity for working New Yorkers by strengthening New York’s physical infrastructure.

And this bond act is the right way to do it. Bond issues are the sensible and customary way to fund long-term capital projects. They’re just like taking out a mortgage to buy a house. This is honest, transparent, up-front borrowing, not the “back-door” borrowing for which state government has sometimes been criticized.

The WFP recommends voting “YES” on Proposition 2."

10. More on voting issues.


Drew Monthie send this rather remarkable list that ties into the voting machine issue and Senator Kerry's recent statement -- food for thought and source for many questions in our voting machine forum on the 30th:

********
20 Amazing Facts About
Voting in the USA
by Angry Girl

Did you know....
1. 80% of all votes in America are counted by only two companies: Diebold and ES&S.
http://www.onlinejournal.com/evoting/042804Landes/042804landes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diebold

2. There is no federal agency with regulatory authority or oversight of the U.S. voting machine industry.
http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0916-04.htm
http://www.onlinejournal.com/evoting/042804Landes/042804landes.html

3. The vice-president of Diebold and the president of ES&S are brothers.
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/private_company.html
http://www.onlinejournal.com/evoting/042804Landes/042804landes.html

4. The chairman and CEO of Diebold is a major Bush campaign organizer and donor who wrote in 2003 that he was "committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the president next year."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/28/sunday/main632436.shtml
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1647886

5. Republican Senator Chuck Hagel used to be chairman of ES&S. He became Senator based on votes counted by ES&S machines.
http://www.motherjones.com/commentary/columns/2004/03/03_200.html
http://www.onlinejournal.com/evoting/031004Fitrakis/031004fitrakis.html

6. Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, long-connected with the Bush family, was recently caught lying about his ownership of ES&S by the Senate Ethics Committee.
http://www.blackboxvoting.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=26
http://www.hillnews.com/news/012903/hagel.aspx
http://www.onlisareinsradar.com/archives/000896.php

7. Senator Chuck Hagel was on a short list of George W. Bush's vice-presidential candidates.
http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_28/b3689130.htm
http://theindependent.com/stories/052700/new_hagel27.html

8. ES&S is the largest voting machine manufacturer in the U.S. and counts almost 60% of all U.S. votes.
http://www.essvote.com/HTML/about/about.html
http://www.onlinejournal.com/evoting/042804Landes/042804landes.html

9. Diebold's new touch screen voting machines have no paper trail of any votes. In other words, there is no way to verify that the data coming out of the machine is the same as what was legitimately put in by voters.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0225-05.htm
http://www.itworld.com/Tech/2987/041020evotestates/pfindex.html

10. Diebold also makes ATMs, checkout scanners, and ticket machines, all of which log each transaction and can generate a paper trail.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0225-05.htm
http://www.diebold.com/solutions/default.htm

11. Diebold is based in Ohio.
http://www.diebold.com/aboutus/ataglance/default.htm

12. Diebold employed 5 convicted felons as consultants and developers to help write the central compiler computer code that counted 50% of the votes in 30 states.
http://www.wired.com/news/evote/0,2645,61640,00.html
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/301469.shtml

13. Jeff Dean was Senior Vice-President of Global Election Systems when it was bought by Diebold. Even though he had been convicted of 23 counts of felony theft in the first degree, Jeff Dean was retained as a consultant by Diebold and was largely responsible for programming the optical scanning software now used in most of the United States.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00191.htm
http://www.chuckherrin.com/HackthevoteFAQ.htm#how
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/bbv_chapter-8.pdf

14. Diebold consultant Jeff Dean was convicted of planting back doors in his software and using a "high degree of sophistication" to evade detection over a period of 2 years.
http://www.chuckherrin.com/HackthevoteFAQ.htm#how
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/bbv_chapter-8.pdf

15. None of the international election observers were allowed in the polls in Ohio.
http://www.globalexchange.org/update/press/2638.html
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/10/26/loc_elexoh.html

16. California banned the use of Diebold machines because the security was so bad. Despite Diebold's claims that the audit logs could not be hacked, a chimpanzee was able to do it! (See the movie here: http://blackboxvoting.org/baxter/baxterVPR.mov.)
http://wired.com/news/evote/0,2645,63298,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4874190

17. 30% of all U.S. votes are carried out on unverifiable touch screen voting machines with no paper trail.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/28/sunday/main632436.shtml

18. All -- not some -- but all the voting machine errors detected and reported in Florida went in favor of Bush or Republican candidates.
http://www.wired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65757,00.html
http://www.yuricareport.com/ElectionAftermath04/ThreeResearchStudiesBushIsOut.htm
http://www.rise4news.net/extravotes.html
http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=950
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0411/S00227.htm

19. The governor of the state of Florida, Jeb Bush, is the President's brother.
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/local/7628725.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10544-2004Oct29.html

20. Serious voting anomalies in Florida -- again always favoring Bush -- have been mathematically demonstrated and experts are recommending further investigation.
http://www.yuricareport.com/ElectionAftermath04/ThreeResearchStudiesBushIsOut.htm
http://www.computerworld.com/governmenttopics/government/policy/story/0,10801,97614,00.html
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/tens_of_thousands.html
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1106-30.htm
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/110904.html
http://uscountvotes.org/

NOTE: Please copy the above list and distribute freely!
LET THE FACTS BE KNOWN! Thank you!

Want a cheap, fair, reliable, and efficient alternative? It exists!
Check out the Swiss Voting System
at http://www.swissvs.org

DECEMBER 2004 GALLUP POLLS
1 in 5 Americans believe the elections were fraudulent.
That's over 41 Million Americans.
You are NOT alone!

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT

Get educated. Tell your friends what's going on.
Go visit http://VelvetRevolution.US

**********


Thanks everyone!

See you all soon,

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 6:22 PM 1 comments