Ignoring the landslide election of Billy Jenkins to class president of a 3-pupil school in Twisp, Paul Berendt out-absurds even the Seattle PI (which called this a generally well-conducted laughingstock election):
(With thanks to CR ACTIVIST and RevoteWA Blog.) Posted by Brian Crouch at January 05, 2005 08:22 PM | Email ThisDear Friend, [or enemy--ed.]
Last Thursday the Secretary of State certified Chris Gregoire governor-elect.
We have just finished the longest, most scrutinized election in Washington State history. Ballots have been checked, double-checked, and triple-checked. [And 'enhanced,' double-enhanced, and triple-enhanced. --ed.] Democrats and Republicans from across the state have joined together to make this the most accurate election in state history.
But, instead of taking Chris Gregoire's call for unity to move our state forward, Dino Rossi and the Republican Party have gone off on a bitter battle to tear down this election.
They are trashing the Republican Secretary of State, they are trashing county auditors across the state, and they are trashing their own Republican and Democratic observers. They're even shamelessly manipulating military families to falsely suggest that our soldiers' ballots weren't counted. All because they didn't like the result of this election.
And after two weeks of wild, unfounded accusations they still have no evidence of any wrongdoing. Not a one.
I need you to take action right now.
On Tuesday the legislature will vote to certify the election. We already know that Republican operatives are working hard to pressure legislators to undo the results of this election. We need to fight back.
Right now, call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Tell your legislators to do the right thing, stand up to Republican rhetoric, do their duty and certify the election on Tuesday. It's time to get on with the business of moving our state forward.
The Republicans are working hard to make this election a circus. Let's make sure they do not succeed.
Sincerely,
Paul Berendt
Lachrymose Thaumaturge,
Washington State Democrats
Wizbang has noted the screwed up State of affairs/Washington here: http://wizbangblog.com/archives/004721.php
KP
Posted by: Regret on January 5, 2005 08:29 PMHe's right about the GOP military theories. Here's the "tragic story" the Vance team are screaming about.
Tyler Farmer, a Marine, opened up his absentee ballot in Iraq right around the time President Bush was declared the victor in his re-election bid.
Farmer -- a 23-year-old who has a computer animation degree from a school in Everett -- was bummed because he figured it was too late to mail in his ballot. He chucked it, because he thought rules are rules, not to be broken.
A military member disenfranchised by the liberal mean King County right?
As with nearly every conspiracy theory, even a cursory look at the facts deflates it. Plus, the vote came from Pro-Rossi County Snohomish.
Tyler Farmer's ballot was mailed Oct. 8 from Snohomish County. It would have been counted had the soldier immediately sent it back and it was received before the Nov. 17 certification date, county Auditor Bob Terwilliger said.
Also, if Farmer had e-mailed or faxed a note to the county Nov. 2, he could have voted by e-mail or fax, providing that he was able to mail his signature as verification by the certification date.
He said most military units have a voter information officer to assist soldiers.
Thus, Farmers ballot was not counted because he destroyed it.
He could have sent it in by mail and it would have reached Washington in time (11/17/2004). He could have made a fax or email. He could have at least spoken to the "voter information officer." He did non of these things and apparently has still not learned in the last two months the special federal voting measures enacted for military members.
Yet, this is the centerpiece of Vance's call for a new election this week. How weak.
Posted by: Erik on January 5, 2005 08:42 PMUnfortunately for him, the accuracy of the process isn't proven by inexplicably getting a different count each time. But they finally found a tally they like, so it's too late for questioning the results. They're accurate enough for the Democratic party.
Posted by: technocrat7 on January 5, 2005 08:44 PMIn fact, the dems apparently send out notices to their operatives on how to disqualify military votes. Shameful!
Posted by: Michele on January 5, 2005 08:48 PMRepublican 'operatives', still chuckling at that one.
Posted by: Emily on January 5, 2005 08:55 PMSincerely,
Paul Berendt
Future inmate at Walla Walla
Stalag 13
Cellblock DA (For Dumba$$)
Cell 1313
Top Bunk
He could also have found Superman and asked him fly around the planet, stopping and then reversing time....
Or maybe he could have used the time portal featured on the popular series "Stargate".
Keep reaching for it, dude. Or, let's just go WAY out. Maybe the election committee could have mailed him his ballot in time for him to return it. Whoa! I know! We're really asking a lot now!
Besides, the guy was basically on vacation, right? He's got all this time on his hands and ought to be able to do all the research to find out (from a war zone) how he might be able to get his ballot counted after the election has already happened.
You go, Erik.
Posted by: Ken on January 5, 2005 09:21 PMAt the end of the day, she is not and will never be my Governor and on my Birthday, 1/11/05 I'll drive to Olympia and participate in my first ever protest against someone who is unwilling to really do what the "People" are asking for - a revote.
Chris Gregoire - if you really think you deserve to be Governor, then step up to the plate as a true leader would do, and agree to a revote.
Posted by: Susan on January 5, 2005 09:22 PMACK!! Do you realize what he means by this statement???
He means that despite all of the errors, incompetence and fraud in THIS election.......THE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE WERE WORSE!!!
Posted by: Deborah on January 5, 2005 09:28 PM
Let me wish you an early "Happy Birthday", then and say that I wish that more of us from the east side of the state could join you. It's good to see that there's going to be a showing, though....
Posted by: Ken on January 5, 2005 09:31 PMAnd then, maybe have a map on it, because Locke never knew that there was more state east of the Cascades....
;-)
Posted by: Ken on January 5, 2005 09:40 PMIt's obvious that this forum has grown over the past couple months and many of you are VERY involved. I'd like to reach out to those of you who visit this site and enjoy the content but do not speak out.
This site is not visited by the average Joe in Washington state. However, King 5, Komo 4, Seattle Times, P.I. have widespread exposure. Take 10 minutes out of your day and make a phone call or write a letter to your local newspaper.
The discussions on this web site are dismissed by the uninformed as a bunch of conservative whackos venting. Like it or not, we need to get the mainstream media involved as much as possible.
As to Erik (the liberal)....
My brother Joseph Owens is in the Navy (registered in Pierce County and stationed in Japan) and DID NOT receive a ballot in time to vote in the Washington State election. I'd like to see you call him a liar.
His vote would've put another vote in Dino's column and there's hundreds more just like him.
Posted by: Erik on January 5, 2005 09:48 PMIn the meantime get those orange ribbons on the car antennas!
A lot of orange garb at the Seahawks game Saturday would also be timely.
Posted by: zip on January 5, 2005 09:48 PMHey Zip - Go Seahawks!!!! And yes! My sign on my Birthday at the protest will definately have Orange!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Susan on January 5, 2005 09:58 PMAgree that the Governor works for us - unfortunately that hasn't been the case for 20+ years for many of us in Washington State. Regarding "attacking" Chris/Christine Gregoire - she should expect it when King County acts the way they did leaving the rest of us to not just wonder but conclude that the either they're lead by someone incompetent, are incompetent as a whole (would hope not) or are purposely committing fraud to create the desired results.
Either way at the end of the day - Revote resolves the question don't you think?
Agree that the Governor works for us - unfortunately that hasn't been the case for 20+ years for many of us in Washington State. Regarding "attacking" Chris/Christine Gregoire - she should expect it when King County acts the way they did leaving the rest of us to not just wonder but conclude that the either they're lead by someone incompetent, are incompetent as a whole (would hope not) or are purposely committing fraud to create the desired results.
Either way at the end of the day - Revote resolves the question don't you think?
Agree that the Governor works for us - unfortunately that hasn't been the case for 20+ years for many of us in Washington State. Regarding "attacking" Chris/Christine Gregoire - she should expect it when King County acts the way they did leaving the rest of us to not just wonder but conclude that the either they're lead by someone incompetent, are incompetent as a whole (would hope not) or are purposely committing fraud to create the desired results.
Either way at the end of the day - Revote resolves the question don't you think?
Ken, you are reinacting scenes from a movie and Mcgyver's new character on tv.
Plus, superman's a democrat. Didn't you watch Barbara Walters?
Actually, the Snohomish County auditor Bob Terwilliger indicated there were three separate actions he could have taken. Of course, 83 percent of them did in KC, the same rate as the rest of the county. Servicemen and women are smarter than you give them credit for.
Plus, because he had 15 days left to mail the ballot, he wouldn't have needed superman's help.
Look. Let's face it. Everyone wants their candidate to win.
Posted by: Erik on January 5, 2005 10:49 PMAs for the letter by Chairman Berendt, I read it on Orbusmax, and couldn't believe the tone he is using. I will call that number in the a.m. as he requested, but I will tell them the opposite of what he wants.
Berendt sounds desperate, as the U.S.S.(R) Gregoire is sinking. Man the lifeboats!
Posted by: JG on January 5, 2005 10:54 PMKing County took so long to count the votes they gave birth."
It would be fun to send Paul hundreds of emails to say we are fed up with his results. I am ready to post an sign at my office (I have dozens of Democrats around me) stating "Democrats say every vote must be counted. Murders, Felons, Rapists votes must be counted but the Military voters don’t matter. They are not the right kind of voters which we will support getting their vote to count." Plus research all the election promises of Christine's and Document every Promise Broken. Just to prove what the Word of a Democrat really is. Higher taxes, Less jobs, No accountability and Status Quo where they will control everything including what we can say and think.
If we cant correct this problem then I have 4 years to tease democrats on their Candidate. Maybe get them to think about who they are voting for instead of voting Democrat only. Even if I can change 1 persons mind it is worth the pain. But I know a number of Democrats that voted for Christine that now regret it. PLus I have found a number of topics we agree on now I just have to document how his party really does not support his own views of right and wrong. At least I got him thinking.
Why is this? Lack of "proof." Undoubtedly a 'smoking-gun' type e-mail or other correspondence outlining a plan to fix the election would satisfy most nay-sayers. But that will not appear and more than likely does not exist. Instead, we have a (King) county bureacracy that wraps itself in the warm blanket of incompetence as an excuse for more ballots than voters, dead people casting lots, and felons exercising a right they do not have. The problem with the 'incompetence' defense is that, at least in King County, it is totally believable. In 1998, 2000, etc. there were glaring errors (and promises to correct them). As you are led to believe at the end of most P-I articles, these types of snafus are common (and therefore acceptable, so the hidden text goes).
But why should we be so trusting to chalk King County's mistakes merely to incompetence? Why should the benefit of the doubt exist here? Is it so hard to contemplate that people who have been in power for 20+ years and who suddenly are faced with losing that power would work, bit by bit, in quiet, discrete ways to hold onto that power? Humans -- even in Seattle -- do rotten things for power.
We (at least those who are crying foul at this election) have presented a prima facie case of malfeasance. The harm is real: the people's consent to be governed (the most precious and fundamental thing we give in a democracy) has not been given.
Something drastic and within the law needs to be done if this election is certified. We are not sheep -- and we should not let our consent to be governed be snatched away and misapplied.
"All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights." -- Article I, Sec I of our State Constitution.
Article 33 of the Constitution allows for the recall of elected officials if, while in office, they commit some malfeasance. One could argue that assuming an office which they did not win would be malfeasance...
Posted by: PatrickPatriot on January 5, 2005 11:05 PMAnd tonight I watched a boring guy with the worst haircut in politics (Gary Locke, for the uninitiated) on TVW repeating the democrat talking points of "there's no evidence of fraud in this election". Ugh, this guy LIES to our faces! And he calls himself a church-going guy. I'm appalled.
Yah, Gar, you just keep believing that. You and x-tine can live in your alternate universe while the rest of us know that felons and dead people provisionals votes got counted (brought in by democrats, no less!), plus hundreds of ballots belonging to no one in particular and unchecked provsionals. They say "that always happens" as though it magically fixes everything.
gary, your mantra of telling a lie often enough isn't going to fly this time. Hasta la vista -- baby!
Posted by: Michele on January 5, 2005 11:06 PMDear fellow Blue Cocoon dwellers, I know you only read the mainstream media, so as far as you know, I'm about to be certified and everything is going great.
But I'm here to tell you that there is an evil force, the most horrible force in the universe, gasp, Republicans that are threatening our peaceful bliss inside the Blue Cocoon.
Thus, even though it is normally below us, we must now turn to our Representatives in the same way at the evil Republicans do and beg them to continue with my coronation so that our utopia is preserved.
In short, I'm very scared, because it looks like the Republicans aren't going to just shy away as they have done in the past and allow us to continue with our sham elections.
Trust me, and whatever you do, don't go read about this for yourself and make your own judgment, just keep your head down and trust me.
Faithfully,
Queen Christine
Me too! (but I will neither confirm nor deny the 'guy' part..."depends on the meaning of is"??)
HYPERBOLE: n. A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect, as in Christine Gregoire legitimately won the Washington governors race.
HYPOCRITE: n. A person given to hypocrisy
HYPOCRISY: n 1: An expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction [syn: lip service] 2: Insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have, as in “Let’s count every vote.”
LIP SERVICE: n. Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respect, as in “Chris Gregoire's call for unity to move our state forward…” and “…the most accurate election in state history”.
ILLEGITIMATE: adj. Contrary to or forbidden by law; "an illegitimate seizure of power";
DISINGENUOUS: adj. 1. Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating: “an ambitious, disingenuous, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who... exemplified... the most disagreeable traits of his time” (Paul Berendt).
2. Pretending to be unaware or unsophisticated; faux-naïf. (Dean Logan)
SANCTIMONIOUS: adj. Feigning piety or righteousness
SMUG: : adj. Exhibiting or feeling great or offensive satisfaction with oneself or with one's situation; self-righteously complacent: “the smug look of a toad breakfasting on fat marsh flies” (Christine Gregoire).
VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY: n. Any sound, syllable, letter, phrase, sentence, paragraph, blog, essay, book, dissertation and/or punctuation mark, sigh, cough, yawn, sneeze, snort and/or miscellaneous utterance emitted anywhere at any time by any being even remotely considered to be conservative (VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRATOR) by anyone calling themselves LIBERAL, (aka, THE ANGRY LEFT or THE LOONEY LEFT)
VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRATOR, aka, EVIL RIGHT WING NUT: n, Anyone who does not completely agree with every sound, syllable, letter, phrase, sentence, paragraph, blog, essay, book, dissertation and/or punctuation mark, sigh, cough, yawn, sneeze, snort and/or miscellaneous utterance emitted anywhere at any time by anyone calling themselves LIBERAL.
LIBERAL: n. A confused being that considers him/herself as always right and always taking the moral high ground while calling those that disagree with him/her (aka, VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRATORS) foul and/or insulting names using vile invectives inappropriate to even the most base of rap and hip hop artists. See also: HYPOCRITE
THE ANGRY LEFT: n. A subset of the species LIBERAL known to take themselves entirely too seriously and also known to be continually miserable and always angry, who never, ever has or ever will see the good side of anyone or anything that is not in 100% agreement with their views at all times; see also: jcricket and Bob from Boeing (or insert your favorite angry lib from SoundPolitics and/or that OTHER site)
THE LOONY LEFT: n. A subset of the species LIBERAL willing to put forth remarkably inane ideas that make absolutely no sense in ramblings that make even less sense and known to be spelling and grammatically challenged; see also: bby (or insert your favorite loony lib from SoundPolitics and/or that OTHER site)
:-))
Wow, I am trying to reconcile that with "King Count verified 94 percent of provisional ballots."
You just keep talking, Baghdad Bob. Sure, there are no tanks anywhere near you.
Posted by: Bostonian on January 6, 2005 06:09 AMCan you imagine what the state or the country would be like if there were no opposition to the Democrat party? There's no doubt in my mind that the Dems would quickly destroy all property rights and institute a workers paradise if given the chance.
Posted by: Kevin on January 6, 2005 09:30 AMWe won't have to imagine here in liberal King County with the advent of the "top 2" primary. Our choice will most likely be limited to a bad liberal Democrat or an even worse liberal Democrat. Hurray for us :-(
I would need to take a mental health day or two after such an election. I would abstain or, like you suggest, write-in someone.