READER COMMENTS ON

"Schwarzenegger Vetoes Election Integrity Bills"

(21 Responses so far...)





COMMENT #1 [Permalink]

... Tom Courbat said on 10/13/2009 @ 7:31 pm PT...





I'm very concerned about the veto of AB 330 regarding notifying the public about the Logic & Accuracy testing of DREs and other election equipment. Not one single ROV or County was listed as opposing the bill. Yet, our efforts to find out when such tests will occur have often been met with evasion (we're not sure, call us in the morning-type responses)which makes it impossible to plan to observe. This bill was REALLY needed and the reason given by the governor for vetoing it was bogus. Here is something I sent out to some folks a bit ago: To view the veto messages, and analyses of the various versions of the bills, go to http://www.legislature.ca.gov/ and just enter the bill number. The analyses will be interesting as well. If you click on these three items at the site above: “Analyses”, “Votes” and “Veto Message” you will learn a lot about the various bills and how they changed from their initial introduction. For AB 330 there are six analyses and you can see at the bottom of each analyses who was in favor and who was opposed – O.C.B.O.S. was in favor and no opposition until the end (see Senate Floor Analyses) when Dept of Finance came out against because: “ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : The Department of Finance

states: "While the intent of this bill is to improve

integrity in our elections procedures, the Department of

Finance is opposed to this bill for the following reasons:

[1] The bill could create a reimbursable mandate of unknown

costs resulting in additional General Fund obligations.

[2] The bill is unnecessary because nothing prohibits

interested parties from inquiring about the specific dates

for testing or programming of tabulation devices. [3] Some

counties already provide notices on their websites and

indicate that there is not significant turnout to observe

the tests and programming of tabulating devices." Yet the Assembly Appropriations Committee reported very negligible costs so who got to who? And the DOF reported “some” counties who already provide the info of the upcoming dates on their Web sites reported there was “not significant turnout to observe the tests…”. And that is a reason to NOT let the public know, b/c few show up anyway? What the hell kind of reason is that? And we all know the cost of putting a notice on the Web site can barely be measured, but I say there should be proactive notification (where folks can sign up for notices) to those who have asked to be informed. This is clearly an effort to keep the public from observing what is already a very questionable process. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations

Committee, "[n]egligible annual reimbursable costs for county

elections officials to provide the required public notices." This is like giving a public demonstration but never notifying the public (or the media) that a legally required demonstration will take place. Gee, the DOF says we can always call and ask if they are planning a L&A test anytime soon. What a great way to discourage oversight of one of the most underperformed and underreported yet legally required "safeguards" of the electronic voting system. This veto should be overridden. The votes were 73-0 in the Assembly and 23-11 in the Senate, so there was strong support for this badly needed legislation.

COMMENT #2 [Permalink]

... Phil said on 10/13/2009 @ 7:32 pm PT...





I'm sick of this game. Why don't they just remove the vote altogether, and elect whoever they freaking want. Fucking oath breakers.

COMMENT #3 [Permalink]

... leftisbest said on 10/13/2009 @ 7:42 pm PT...





This issue of AB330 might be handled admnistratively by issuing an Administrative Directive requiring what AB 330 required. It is not as strong as having the legislative language signed by the governor, but I believe they can do it in a short period of time (60 - 90 days or so), giving counties the opportunity to comment. Since none opposed AB 330, none should oppose an Administrative Directive to notify the public, right?

COMMENT #4 [Permalink]

... Phil said on 10/13/2009 @ 8:06 pm PT...





Tom, I'm with ya. too bad they don't have a static page.

http://www.legislature.ca.gov/

(That's by design, just like the god damned no rhyme/no reason obfuscated file/dir/named/un-indexed/proprietary) PDF files used through government websites.) If they really wanted us to find it would be something like...

http://www.legislature.ca.gov/ab330 And when it's updated it replaces the file with the current one. But no... BS on the Cost thing.. (Propaganda LIE) "the Department of

Finance is opposed to this bill for the following reasons:

[1] The bill could create a reimbursable mandate of unknown

costs resulting in additional General Fund obligations." Yeah, that's right finance dept, let's let corrupt rats exploit the electronic tabulation devices and allow the Senate to shuck off their control of the monetary system, and destroy the dollar and the bond market costing (I estimate $65 trillion.) Let's let em get us in a plethora of wars which cost billions every year. Killing people. Yeah finance dept, you save your freaking pennies at the expense of the US Constitution, and life itself! "The bill is unnecessary because nothing prohibits

interested parties from inquiring about the specific dates

for testing or programming of tabulation devices." Well first off I am kind of glad, as they are starting to use my language, although they still haven't got the language correct yet. It's called "electronic vote tabulation devices." But looking deeper, there's nothing saying they have to tell us the truth when we ask either, and thus they can now use this as yet another weapon in their arsenal. Time itself. Time as a weapon. (but they've been doing that all along) We thought it was going to be at X:XX sorry the local sheriff had to arrest your poll watcher. The only solution: 1. Outlaw all electronic vote tabulation devices nationally because the chain of custody is broken on all versions of these devices. We can't see the electronic signal representing the vote and that IS a broken chain of custody. 2. Paper Ballots, Hand Counted with an unbroken public (and human) chain of custody. With something in place other than ultimately going to the supreme court for broken chain of custody. 3. Outlaw electronic poll books, because these too can be corrupted, exploited, or fail as well as being yet another broken chain of custody on the list of "registered voters." If we lose your name, you've lost your vote. The alternative is clear.

Excellence in Corruption and and unconstitutional oath breaking leadership. What a piece of work Arnold is.

COMMENT #5 [Permalink]

... Tom Courbat said on 10/13/2009 @ 8:41 pm PT...





Hi PHIL et al. Actually, you CAN sign up for updates every time a bill changes status and I recommend it for anyone wanting to follow as many bills as they like. Usually FAQ pages are not all that instructive, but this one is. Go to

http://www.legislature.c....gov/quicklinks/faq.html and 4th and subsequent headings. They will give you all the info needed to "subscribe" to a bill or bills, and receive instant updates. Also gives you the ability to search for bills from prior years, etc. This IS one good site, put on by the legislature which Bowen pushed regularly to be more open.

COMMENT #6 [Permalink]

... Phil said on 10/13/2009 @ 11:12 pm PT...





I get that the server can dynamically send a page, but you can't link it up or index it, cause it isn't static. (Which was my part of my point) It kind of throws collaboration out the window. But I been harping on this for awhile. Along with the sequential PDF's all named with random number generators I guess, and PDF's which are unsearchable "as published" and therefore un-indexable. It all adds an extra layer of fog and plausible deniability when you can't find a

document. But thanks for trying to enlighten me all the same.

COMMENT #7 [Permalink]

... Big Dan said on 10/13/2009 @ 11:31 pm PT...





Let me see if I have this straight: 1. Schwarzenegger doesn't want vote-by-mail voters to find out if their ballots were counted and why. 2. Schwarzenegger doesn't want counties to provide public notice of the opportunity to review the preparation, testing and operation of ballot tabulating devices. 3. Schwarzenegger doesn't want enhanced transparency by requiring ballot printers and voting system vendors to notify the Secretary of State when they discover previously undisclosed flaws in their products. Correct? Shouldn't you have a recall, then?

COMMENT #8 [Permalink]

... Phil said on 10/13/2009 @ 11:35 pm PT...





I guess what I am saying is that if they really wanted to be open, there would be an OPEN directory. for example

ftp://bla.gov/pub/dox/AB330.PDF

or

http://bla.gov/dox/AB330.PDF not

http://bla.gov/querry&am...kie=true&timeout=1hr

/cgi-bin/query Which is saying special key + cookie + timeout then delete path or on an unindexed site http://bla.gov/randomcra...723897jhkjhfdgRANDOM.PDF

(where the file name and directory have nothing to do with the content) "This IS one good site, put on by the legislature which Bowen pushed regularly to be more open." While I agree their webmaster has tried to do better the fact remains government websites don't impress me at all, with their stupid ass sharepoint. I personally have caught local government not publishing their financial records. Click their links and get sharepoint or cfm (coldfusion) errors. Their sites suck, both with security, information disclosure, and layout. Nothing is likely to change my mind on it. Cept maybe static paths like I said in the first place. http://bla.gov/doc/ab330/AB330.PDF They could even add date time, I don't care.

Be logical, if it's a study on poo then the files should say pooXXX.txt where XXX = number/date (don't think the one url is all I am talking about, there's stuff WORSE than what's under Bowen's wing.) On the other hand, I ain't all that happy with Bowen either, I want these bloody devices outlawed. She started down that path, and I support that to the end! but then she brought em all back in. Feels like they let us breath a bit then went in for closing off our windpipe. Just sayin.

COMMENT #9 [Permalink]

... Phil said on 10/13/2009 @ 11:56 pm PT...





And also, up to today I never heard of AB 330 . Is it cause I am getting old and can barely pay attention? Or is it cause corporate media on the national and local level doesn't serve the public interest? nevermind, I just depress myself. SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ARNOLD! Arnold wants you to celebrate XMAS with a couple quarts of Smirnoff and a big purple bud from humbolt county! --- just ask Tommy Chong. (- I can't prove the smirnoff bit, but hey Legalize it already on the other -) OMFG, I just seen Big Dan's post. Thank god I typed the Captcha in wrong. A RECALL!

I think Big Dan is ILUMINATI cause he's LIT! Frankly this kind of crap is the same as was Grey Davis's ain't it. Same old pro machine, excuse, excuse, wash, rinse, repeat. Welp, I don't think it's going to last much longer Big Dan, if these wonderful leaders keep on the same path, mathematically they will cause a monetary revolution in (I say) 5 years.

COMMENT #10 [Permalink]

... Grizzly Bear Dancer said on 10/14/2009 @ 4:35 am PT...





Uh yah, uh transparent election system is not suppose to be part of the plan fck-nuts and look, it is not written in my script. A.Ssssssssss: People keep asking me.. am I a treasonous bastard who turned my back on the people of California? So I need to clear ze air. I am a kiss-up to the Illuminati/New World Order. That is why I gave GW Bush a ra ra speech in 2004 to impress members like his dad and of course THE LYING MURDEROUS ANTI-ENVIRO CRIMINAL DICK cheney. Fck all you stupid bastards who haven't figured it out yet. You voted for an action-hero actor not a real man of the people and definitely not some good guy champion representative for you 85%-ers. Now please focus your US corporate mass media attention on some actress who has a big ASssssssssss this week and learn how to forgive and forget in your collective consciousness before the next rigged state or federal election. Next thing you wise-guy Americans are going to ask why is a group of secretive unknown multi-national bankers running the Federal Reserve Bank? Why a department of your own government is not in charge of printing US currency, but instead a multi-national banking corporation not subject to governmental over-site? And how 'bout their right to collect income tax from American taxpayers? Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

COMMENT #11 [Permalink]

... Big Dan said on 10/14/2009 @ 8:41 am PT...





Ha! OMFG, I just seen Big Dan's post. Thank god I typed the Captcha in wrong. A RECALL!

I think Big Dan is ILUMINATI cause he's LIT! Hey, that's just the way it seems to ME:



Let me see if I have this straight: 1. Schwarzenegger doesn't want vote-by-mail voters to find out if their ballots were counted and why. 2. Schwarzenegger doesn't want counties to provide public notice of the opportunity to review the preparation, testing and operation of ballot tabulating devices. 3. Schwarzenegger doesn't want enhanced transparency by requiring ballot printers and voting system vendors to notify the Secretary of State when they discover previously undisclosed flaws in their products. Correct? Shouldn't you have a recall, then? Don't forget, though, they had the astroturfers on their side with the Gray Davis recall! Back then, we didn't know what astroturfing was!

COMMENT #12 [Permalink]

... Big Dan said on 10/14/2009 @ 8:42 am PT...





And they had the FAKE energy crisis in Ca. spurred by Enron and Ken Lay.

COMMENT #13 [Permalink]

... Joyce McCloy said on 10/14/2009 @ 9:35 am PT...





Thats a shame. The governor is tone deaf to the voters in this case, and missed an opportunity to let California be a leader, not a loser. This will go in today's Voting News. PS - where is the button or form to sign up for email updates from Brad Blog?

COMMENT #14 [Permalink]

... CharlieL said on 10/14/2009 @ 11:44 am PT...





Here's the "big picture" and why Schwarzenegger had to do this. California is often on the "cutting edge," and right now they are on a really out there edge. They are going to be the first "failed state" in the United States. Surely, not the last, and a failed state that would be the xth largest nation in the world (can't remember the #, but it's under 20, I believe) if it was a country. So, when that state fails, the PEOPLE (remember them?) are going to be really, really pissed. Given the opportunity, they might even try to change their government through the democratic process, if such a thing existed. So, as California (and eventually the nation) fails into oblivion, it is VERY, VERY IMPORTANT to the entrenched corporate powers, that a democratic mechanism to change things is NOT POSSIBLE. Hence the vetoes. The Corporate Masters know that there can be only one way out of this --- a bloodbath revolution --- and they are ready for it with their wholly-owned military. The script is written.

COMMENT #15 [Permalink]

... hearya said on 10/14/2009 @ 12:43 pm PT...





Sad indeed for the people of "Cawlifornia". To me, this is one more sickening proof that the recall that put him into the governor's mansion was rigged (he only won where they had the electronic voting machines, remember?) I know the state is broke, and there isn't money for anything, but these bills didn't seem to spend much, did they? This is an outrage.

COMMENT #16 [Permalink]

... Big Dan said on 10/14/2009 @ 4:38 pm PT...





Does anyone find it funny that Gray Davis was recalled for things FAR LESS than a failed state??? Anyone??? No recall for a governor failing a state??? I guess you have to have a FAKE energy crisis to get recalled in California...NOT FAIL THE ENTIRE STATE!!!!!!!! And that one guy's comment above me is right: try and recall him on electronic voting machines!!! Ha!!!

COMMENT #17 [Permalink]

... Lora said on 10/14/2009 @ 6:34 pm PT...





Californication.

COMMENT #18 [Permalink]

... Joyce McCloy said on 10/15/2009 @ 8:05 am PT...





Meanwhile, FVAP is helping add fuel to the Internet Voting Whackamole Game: The Federal Voting Assistance Program is recommending changes to most state's law to help overseas military voters. See this letter dated Oct 7. The long term goal is to transmit voted ballots electronically, but says they can't secure it just now. BUT, in the meanwhile, FVAP would be ok with troops voluntarily casting their ballots "electronically" aka internet or email at risk to their own privacy: *Until secure electronic transmission of voted ballots has been established, we recommend that States allow voters to return static copies of voted ballots through available electronic means.* However, the decision to send a voted ballot by unsecure electronic means must rest with the individual voter based on the voter's desire to cast his or her vote electronically or to ensure the secrecy of their ballot. That's FVAP, "assisting" our troops to be guinea pigs again, this time in a Trojan Horse intended to spread internet voting.

COMMENT #19 [Permalink]

... Jim Cirile said on 10/15/2009 @ 11:23 am PT...





Another stunning betrayal from Arnold, or possibly, the Neocons who are puppeteering him.

COMMENT #20 [Permalink]

... Ernest A. Canning said on 10/15/2009 @ 4:32 pm PT...





Brad, you were right. Now that I've read this article, I am indeed PO'd.

COMMENT #21 [Permalink]

... Sophia said on 10/15/2009 @ 9:27 pm PT...

