Kerry-Edwards letter to Blackwell: Please Analyze the Words..

[Shalom]

(NOTE: The text below was transcribed by hand from the pdf files provided by "Raw Story" (thanks!), so check against original before going out on a limb. It would be nice to get opinions from the attorneys as well as us laymen on this)

December 15, 2004

The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell
Ohio Secretary of State
180 E. Broad Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Re: Compromised Hocking County Recount

Dear Secretary Blackwell:

I am writing to you on behalf of John Kerry and John Edwards, the Democratic Party candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States at the November 2, 2004 general election.

Given the information that has come to light regarding activity that occurred on December 10, 2004 at the Hocking County Board of Elections, the integrity of using the Board’s computerized tabulating system to conduct the recount of the presidential election has been seriously compromised. I assume that by now your office is fully aware of the affidavit by the Deputy Director of the Hocking County Board of Elections regarding what she observed and heard. Based upon this affidavit, I hereby request that you conduct a thorough investigation of the matter. In the meantime, the tabulating system should not be used for the recount and I hereby request that you order the Hocking County Board of Elections to conduct a full hand recount of the ballots and not use the tabulating system for the recount. I also request that you immediately impound the tabulating equipment and programming, and preserve it in its present state, and prohibit access to the same.

I also request that your office immediately review with all other boards of elections whether representatives of any company that may have been employed to program or prepare their tabulating equipment for the recount were made aware of the precinct or precincts that would be included in the three percent hand count. If such is the case, I request that you take corrective action, including ordering full hand recounts or allowing the candidates to have the systems tested by outside independent experts.

As the state’s Chief Elections Official, you have both the authority and responsibility to take these actions. Time is of the essence and your immediate attention is required. I look forward to your response.

Very truly yours,

Donald J. McTigue


Cc: Daniel J. Hoffheimer
Kerry-Edwards State Counsel, Ohio

[pleiku52cab]

1. This layman says - FAT CHANCE!!!!!!

[shraby]

10. I believe Kerry has grounds to demand that

because the Ohio statutes say that none of the ballots or records can be changed or destroyed for 2 years after an election. By messing with the machines and changing stuff, they have effectively destroyed records.

[pleiku52cab]

44. It's also ILLEGAL under Ohio law

but that has never stopped the cabal before, and it won't this time either.

[IAMREALITY]

2. Analyze What? And Why?

It's pretty transparent no?

We also have multiple threads on this already I'm sure analyzing it quite a bit, is another necessary? :shrug:

I dunno.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x169177

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x169157

[rockedthevoteinMA]

4. Reality -

I think Shalom just typed it up for everyone to read.

Thanks Shalom! :hi:

[IAMREALITY]

8. Fair Enough I guess

With important news though it gets tough to keep "Thread Jumping" sometimes to keep up with everyone's thoughts ya know? LOL

Edited to add:

My bad Shalom! Didn't see initially that you transcribed this yourself from the Pdf!

That is definitely worthy and for that I do thank you!

:hi:

[rockedthevoteinMA]

11. Yup-

I have a hard time w/it too

[Jo March]

64. Well, it is hard work. LOL! n/t

[Shalom]

13. No Problem...We're All Moving at 100 mph..I posted text to other threads..

I considered just posting this at the end of the other threads, but I wasn't sure folks would find it - I have a problem looking at fuzzy pdf files, and I think for the attorneys every word and comma can be significant.

IAMREALITY: Got to speed off now, REALLY ! ;-)

[pbartch]

29. you are right. the "Kerry is not doing anything" people are hopefully

going to eat their words now and apoligize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EFerrari]

31. Why would one apologize for an observation?

Man, some of us need some sleep, badly.

[Der Blaue Engel]

56. So go to sleep

:)

[merh]

15. Do you realize how ironic it was that this letter was dated the 15th.

Isn't that the day that all of those negative threads were posted by so many saying "waahhhh where is Kerry, he has let us down". We need to pay attention to those thread originators, seems they had some heads up that this was mailed and wanted to turn the forum into hate Kerry land before this letter was made public. :freak:

[IAMREALITY]

21. That's A HELL Of A Point!!!! n/t

[EFerrari]

24. Geezus, get a grip

One of those threads was mine. And nowhere in it will you find me hating Kerry, or impugning his integrity, or into abandoning him as a candidate or rather, as our problable president elect.

Cr4P! I also cancelled my NT Times subscription and sent a letter hours before they ran that story. Are you going to give me some magical credit for that too?

We need to settle down, don't you think?

[merh]

32. Then settle down for pete's sake!

and get beyond your guilt.

[EFerrari]

36. Guilt?! LOL! I thought this was the DU, not the psychic channel

Is there some handbook of recieved opinion that I should read? Asking real questions is a no-no?

Sorry, if I agreed with that I'd be at Zell Miller's site, not this one :)

/spelling, always spelling

[merh]

38. If the shoe fits, wear it

"Do you realize how ironic it was that this letter was dated the 15th.
Isn't that the day that all of those negative threads were posted by so many saying "waahhhh where is Kerry, he has let us down". We need to pay attention to those thread originators, seems they had some heads up that this was mailed and wanted to turn the forum into hate Kerry land before this letter was made public."

If it doesn't, then whatcha complaining about and why are you taking myu post so darned personal?

:wtf: :silly: :freak:

[elizm]

41. Because you are....

being such a jerk.

[EFerrari]

45. Elizm, there's a ton of really good info and smart opinion here.

Don't let yourself get entangled with the cr$p.

[merh]

54. Name calling is not nice or allowed.

Please edit -

You did take my post personal and it was not directed towards you. Why you took it personal is your issue, not mine.

[EFerrari]

62. that would be "you did take my post personally" Good grief.. n/t

[seito]

37. LMAO n/t

[elizm]

28. I had no 'heads up'...

I can assure you...So you'd be wasting your time getting paranoid about my posts. I was merely expressing my feelings.... as others do on this board. I though that was allowed.

[merh]

30. Paranoid?

An observation was made, it was you that took it personal now wasn't it. :freak:

[elizm]

35. Yes, I did take it personal.ly....

I don't take kindly to false accusations...of having some kind of heads up and trying to create a hate forum...by someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. Last I checked, we were all here because of a shared interest and concern...trying to work together to achieve a goal. Maybe you need to go back and read the threads about fighting amongst ourselves...

[merh]

39. See post 38

:think:

[EFerrari]

40. I'm sorry you're new here and are having this experience.

The comments just made to you are out of bounds. Most of the people on this board seem really thoughtful and I hope you get to read more of them.

[elizm]

42. Thank you...

[Shalom]

43. Amen. Let's Have Peace Between Us, and Give Bush HELL...

[EFerrari]

47. (Damn carnivorous Dems :) You know, your question really

interested me in a different, nonlegal way. I'm a language type and have been doing a lot of analysis on the rhetoric and language strategies of both campaigns.

Thanks so much for doing this work. You guys are amazing.

[goclark]

74. Amen for giving our hate and hell energy to Bush

[merh]

55. The comments were made to IAMREALITY

You and the other poster took them personally and have over reacted to them, for what reason, I don't know, that is your issue to deal with.

I responded to attacks to my post. Neither one of you had to respond, unless of course you feel bad for bashing Kerry. :shrug:

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lwrachel]

3. when hell freezes over.... maybe!!

[BlueOhio]

9. dunno, but ohio (my personal hell) hit 17 degree's the other day.

[knowbody0]

5. authority and responsibility

nice touch. nice threat

[BamaBecky]

46. That's it! They intend to hold him "Personally" accountable, as well they

should. eom

[Sanity Claws]

6. Go Kerry

The other messages in response denigrate this development. They are forgetting that this is a necessary first step in what looks what will be long process. It looks like Kerry is willing to fight. Let's stop this "where is Kerry" shit.

[mod mom]

7. I take issue with the "honorable" title

f@*# formality, blackwell is crook. I only hope he shares a cell with people he disenfranchised and cheated.

[Quakerfriend]

16. Yes, Go K/E

What I still don't understand is this: Blackwell has blatantly broken the law several times already. Why on earth hasn't he been arrested????:bounce:

[MelissaB]

34. I agree

100%. His ass should be in jail.

[Terre]

17. Hi mod mom

I know what you meant to say, but maybe you'd like to rephrase that last sentence? Surely you don't mean that the disenfranchised (cheated) would be in a cell with him?  How 'bout just plain ole criminals.

:)

[Turn CO Blue]

53. I hear you, and understand you, but JFK ought to be classy

and try to take the highroad.

On DU, however, it's a treat to refer to the "Honorable SOS" as Katherine Blackwell, Kenneth Roadblock, Kathy Blockwell, etc.

[Diane L]

12. I agree that Kerry/Edwards are in the beginning phase

of what will be a lengthy process. I see this letter as a necessary component for properly building their case. I, too, don't see the need to keep wondering where Kerry is at - I think he is busy & just not making it public.:dem:

[Shalom]

14. Kerry shouldn't push this on the MSM: If they don't pick this up,...

they will have proven themselves to be traitors beyond any doubt.

Remember the argument that the fraud story didn't have much traction with the MSM because the Kerry-Edwards campaign was not behind it.
What excuse can they use now ??

[Quakerfriend]

19. Shalom, such words of wisdom

I feel the MSM has just shown all of us their TRUE colors. I no longer as myself Why? or Where are the MSM? They are also criminally liable in this.

[libertypirate]

27. This is where the fight begins....

[EFerrari]

49. Traitors? I don't know. Really challenged businessmen will most

likely be the way they see it.

And as I wrote to the NYTimes, there will be yet another round of apologies, too little, too late.

What excuse can they have now? Inertia and commerce. Hate to say it, but it's my best guess.

You'd think they'd jump on a great "story" but no, that's not how the MSM make their rent. sigh

[Botany]

18. KERRY & EDWARDS JUST JOINED IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST BLACKWELL

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/kerry_ohio_suit_1215.php


Both Kerry & Edwards are skilled lawyers I think they have picked their moment. They
must have something.


:kick:

[Shalom]

26. My Head Is Spinning: Now We Can Use the 17,000 Lawyers !!!

[Doctor O]

72. This was an amendment

to the lawsuit that was dismissed today. It will have to be refiled.

[DoYouEverWonder]

20. Can't wait to see Blackwell's reply

We are lucky that Blackwell is an idiot and making Kerry's case so much easier.

[Quakerfriend]

23. LOL! He has made it a cake walk!

[Raksha]

22. Shalom, thanks for your transcription. Much appreciated. n/t

[libertypirate]

25. Watch Blackwell won't want to...

This is where it will start to get dirty... Here comes Faux..

It's not the words it is the situation...

Blackwell is backed into a corner, he by law has to recount by hand all the ballots. He doesn't want to, if the fix is in the tabulators then he will try and wiggle out of it.

[Shalom]

33. libertypirate, we are spoiling for a fight ! Yarrrrr mateys !!!

The problem so far is the Reich tried to ignore us - let Faux news get as dirty as they can, it will finally bring this to the public's attention. For every dirtball they throw at us, we will hit them with cannon balls....the battle is joined at last !!

[Imagevision]

48. Blackwell will ignor everything and it's 2000 all over again...

and Diebold machines will stay in place and they'll do it again 1n 08

[EFerrari]

50. No, please! Blackwell will expect to do it again and we'll

shock the hell out of him.

Do you have any idea how many really angry people there are, out there, right now? (I mean, besides us, lol.)

[Shalom]

57. We Know How to Be Angry and Happy at the Same Time !

[Turn CO Blue]

51. Thanks for taking the time to transcribe... n/t

[corky44]

52. Ooooooh Baby!

happy boy!! no sleep tonight!

[mdb]

58. Besides the issue.

I think they think Blackwell may stonewall. This is where you have the words - "Time is of the essence and your immediate attention is required".

[mdb]

59. I also think...

there are ones in this post, who are trying to cause distractions from the real question asked. Seems I am seeing more and more of this lately. Recently a lot of people have been bickering about Bev, and about Kerry. Just seems to me to be purposely done to distract from the real issues.

[Shalom]

65. Delete - duplicate

[Shalom]

66. Duplicate

[Shalom]

67. I don't think distractions are deliberate, just human emotions...

..but as victory gets closer, people will join ranks, as we take the back the Bush Brown house, and make it the White House again.

[Hamoth]

61. this letter is for building a body of evidence

I am NOT of the inclination that Kerry has a "secret plan". But this letter clearly indicates a desire to document that all attempts are being made to resolve this normally. Why do that? For he court.

Your honor, we petitioned the defendant repeatedly to isolate the machinery in question.

[keepthemhonest]

63. this is encouragin.I really needed that

just when I thought i was runing out of steam. And thanks for the post above shoring that kerry and edwards joined the lawsuit. should'nt that be it's own thread..Maybe it is now,but I've been in this one reading all this

[NewsGuyOne]

68. Kerry Money Question

First Time poster with a question.

I've seen several posts and stories that seem to indicate the Ohio lacks "on-the-ground" recount help.

After the election, there were several reports about Kerry having a fortune remaining in his campaign bank accounts.

What else could Kerry need the money for?
Isn't it time to spend it? Couldn't they hire a ton of people to work in Ohio for this recount?

Some say he wants the money for 08. But let's face it. If he doesn't start acting on behalf of people who voted for him in 04, then he'll have no chance in 08.

PS ... DU is really weird today.

[Shalom]

70. Kerry Does Not Want to Make It Look Like He's "Buying" Ohio..

Welcome to DU.

I think it would have looked really bad if Kerry started out by pouring money into Ohio before there was strong evidence of fraud.

You are right, though...now is the time to start paying for needed support, but then again it's just great to have committed volunteers as part of the process.

I think your timing is great, as you have started to take part in the process just as victory is getting near...as you get to know DU, will realize we are not being "weird" today, we are just "wired", because the dirty smirking fuckface Bushitler may actually go down into the slimy toilet that he came from, and we just get excited over the possibility. I'm sure you do, too.

[NewsGuyOne]

69. Time for Kerry to spend that money

First Time poster with a question.

I've seen several posts and stories that seem to indicate the Ohio lacks "on-the-ground" recount help.

After the election, there were several reports about Kerry having a fortune remaining in his campaign bank accounts.

What else could Kerry need the money for?
Isn't it time to spend it? Couldn't they hire a ton of people to work in Ohio for this recount?

Some say he wants the money for 08. But let's face it. If he doesn't start acting on behalf of people who voted for him in 04, then he'll have no chance in 08.

PS ... DU is really weird today.

[Shalom]

71. It Would Have Looked Bad to look like Kerry was "buying Ohio"

Welcome to DU.

I think it would have looked really bad if Kerry started out by pouring money into Ohio before there was strong evidence of fraud.

You are right, though...now is the time to start paying for needed support, but then again it's just great to have committed volunteers as part of the process.

I think your timing is great, as you have started to take part in the process just as victory is getting near...as you get to know DU, will realize we are not being "weird" today, we are just "wired", because the dirty smirking fuckface Bushitler may actually go down into the slimy toilet that he came from, and we just get excited over the possibility. I'm sure you do, too.

[dlaliberte]

73. Impound, but leave the power on

I also request that you immediately impound the tabulating equipment and programming, and preserve it in its present state, and prohibit access to the same.

Remember the request by Michael Barbian to leave the power on, which he justified by saying the batteries needed to recharge. Well, if he made a hack that only existed in memory, not on disk, then turning of the tabulating machine would destroy the evidence.

ALL this electronic voting stuff is GROSSLY insecure. Not that it is impossible to make secure electronic voting, but the machines and processes we have now are the opposite of secure; the system is intentionally insecure.

[JunkYardDogg]

75. Thanks for the Post-

I haven't checked in for 2 days, so this post was good to read
The lawyer, McTigue has previously filed Election cases, prior to the Election,
so he is not new to the fight
Thanks again, Shalom

[davidlynch]

76. Can You Imagine If Kerry Came Out With a Strong Video Saying "Fraud"?

Everyone has been waiting for a sign, a trigger. Something to galvanize us as we were leading up to the election.

Can you imagine if Kerry were to come out with a strongly worded video calling for all of us NOT TO ACCEPT this election, to go to the streets as they did in Ukraine?

This is what needs to happen.