Bev Harris, Cambridge, 5/21

[paineinthearse]

PLEASE FORWARD/CIRCULATE WIDELY

BEV HARRIS, "THE ERIN BROCKOVICH OF ELECTIONS," IS COMING TO BOSTON!

Bev is a foremost leader in the movement to uncover and expose the dangers of electronic voting.

Bev Harris, author of Black Box Voting -- Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century, is founder of Black Box Voting http://www.blackboxvoting.org/, the national consumer protection group for elections. Long before the 2004 Presidential election, Bev demonstrated how almost anyone with a PC can break into the Diebold GEMS software that is used to tabulate over 50% of America's votes -- and change the results.

Her ongoing and extensive research into the electronic voting industry has led her to discover: a small number of companies owned by ultra-rightwing members of the Republican Party are recording and counting a majority of America's votes; a remarkable lack of security; a very lax certification process; huge numbers of uncertified systems; an easily hackable central tabulator; and source code ripe for 'outside' persons to access and alter election results.

An entertaining, informative, and stimulating speaker, Bev will offer an overview of what is needed for true election reform, and how we can take action to get accountability back into our voting systems. This will be followed by a question and answer period and then a training workshop in which she will teach us specific techniques for our being able to audit elections. This event is for the believer and the doubter.

Bev Harris is making history in America and she is not to be missed!

Saturday, May 21
7:30 p.m. Friends Meeting House, 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge
(off Brattle St., easy walking distance from Harvard Square T)
$10 / person -- more if you can, less if you can't

Presented by:
Coalition Against Election Fraud (CAEF)
http://www.caef.us/
National Ballot Integrity Project (NBIP)
http://www.ballotintegrity.org/
New Hampshire Ballot Integrity Task Force (DFNH-FEC)
http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/922

For more information, call [phone] or email: [e-mail]

PLEASE FORWARD/CIRCULATE WIDELY

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. She's not too popular around here

She hurt a LOt of people on DU.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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

[kansasblue]

6. the enemy of my emeny is my friend.

or something like that. She working on election reform.

[Kelvin Mace]

11. No, the enemy of enemy is NOT my friend

This is a conservative philosophy that has caused the deaths of millions in the 20th century.

Bev Harris is NOT for election reform. She is for personal enrichment.

[Andy_Stephenson]

19. Agreed

"she is working for personal enrichment"

[Einsteinia]

15. Bev's side of the story according to Jim March

Re: Bev Harris' side of the story

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR JIM'S EXPLANATION

First, why I'm posting this--Here's my note to Jim on another election integrity blog::

Jim --

I will post your/Bev's side of the story under my nom de blog, Einsteinia, BUT, BUT, BUT then I don't want to hear about this any more.

I've had several rounds of discussion with Andy Stephanson, and I have a hard time believing a person who is facing death would bother with triflings such as the falling out with BBV. I believed everything he said. On the other hand, I know you, and while you're quirky, I don't sense that you're dishonest.

I think we're all grateful for what Bev did when she published her book online, for free, about the GEMS tabulation easy-to-hack crapola.

But, at this point whose right or wrong is a HUGE distraction from what we're trying to do here. I hope that you'll from here on out keep this saga off of here--for all our benefit. We've just got too much work to do to keep embroiled in a who's right and who's wrong slog fest.

--Einsteinia

On Friday, May 13, 2005, at 10:43 PM, Jim March wrote:

Folks,

What I'm about to talk about IS election reform related.

As we speak, Bev Harris is yet again being flamed and defamed on Democratic Underground. She's not allowed to post there, having been declared some sort of "enemy". As was I, as was anybody that tries to defend her.

The latest attacks have centered around Andy Stephenson and his illness.

As most of you know, $50k is being raised over the net for Andy's hospital costs. Apparantly $10k of that went through paypal. A claim is being made on DU that somebody paid $10 into the paypal section of the fund and then complained to paypal that it was raised "fraudulently"...supposedly causing paypal to lock down the entire $10k needed as part of medical expenses pending an investigation.

The rampant speculation on DU is that Bev was the one to complain to paypal and lock up that $10k. Page after page "oh my God how evil she is!" stuff IS being posted.

Now. I have no way of knowing if Andy really has cancer or not. No way I can even guess. He seemed OK the last time he had contact with BBV but that means nothing as it's common to do surgery on cancer "as early as possible" before any symptoms at all appear. He might have had symptoms he wasn't talking about.

So I don't know if the fundraiser is fraudulent. Bev doesn't know, nobody connected to BBV has clue one. What I do know is that *I* sure as heck didn't make any complaint to paypal or anybody else, and Bev has told me directly that she didn't either. I can also tell you that I can't say a single thing about Andy Stephenson. Period. As a member of the board I was his employer, as was Bev (in her position as Executive Director). US labor law (and case law) absolutely bars us from discussing a former employee in any negative fashion. That's why the whole idea of using "references" is almost entirely gone now, it's too legally risky. Ask any employment lawyer.

Andy is under no such bar with regards BBV.

So things are being said about us by a person we can't respond to, on a forum we can't respond ON to anybody else even when talking generalities such as I'm discussing here.

In my opinion, that's just wrong.

If you don't believe my description of the situation on DU, you can prove it for yourself if you have posting privileges there. Re-post what I've written right here. Go ahead, as long as you don't care about your posting privileges...because they'll be gone just as fast as this text will be taken down.

Now here's what's interesting. This latest outbreak of Bev-slamming happened JUST as Bev posted the financial links between Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. and Diebold to the tune of $20k/month for a significant period of time. Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. is a MAJOR player in *Democratic* party politics, a leader of an Hispanic civil rights group - http://www.ushli.com

This guy is one of THE top national "heirs" to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Caesar Chavez and others. He has political access. That access was bought and paid for in blood, by the blood sweat and tears of the people who've gone before him. AND THE SON OF A BITCH SOLD THAT ACCESS TO A PACK OF HOWLING WOLVES NAME OF "DIEBOLD".

It doesn't get much worse, folks. It's about as evil, rotten and despicable an act as I've seen in politics yet. And it was a key Democratic power player did it, not a Republican.

So let's recap, shall we? Almost to the *minute* when Bev breaks the story of Andrade's sellout, DU turns into a roast-Bev-over-an-open-pit flamefest, *again*, based on *speculation* that she shafted Andy.

Coincidence? Or orchestrated distraction managed by the DU moderators and owners beholden to the worst of the Terry McAuliff-linked old-school-corrupt elements of the Democratic Party, the people Howard Dean has been trying to wrest the party back from?

----------

Anyways.

With all THAT as recent background, you might have a better understanding of why I don't want political debate going on here that I'm not allowed to answer. I would view that as an early step towards this forum turning into the cesspool DU has been turned into...and California's election reform fight is WAY too important to let that happen.

If anybody wants to re-post this to DU, feel free. Post the link there on this forum, let's watch and see how long before it's yanked and what the responses are.

All THAT said, I apologize if I over-reacted. This place ain't DU yet by a LONG shot :).

Jim

[Andy_Stephenson]

16. Funny Mr March would say this

"So I don't know if the fundraiser is fraudulent. Bev doesn't know, nobody connected to BBV has clue one. What I do know is that *I* sure as heck didn't make any complaint to paypal or anybody else, and Bev has told me directly that she didn't either. I can also tell you that I can't say a single thing about Andy Stephenson. Period. As a member of the board I was his employer, as was Bev (in her position as Executive Director). US labor law (and case law) absolutely bars us from discussing a former employee in any negative fashion." Really Jim?Then how do you explain this?

http://www.thoughtcrimes.org/blame_andy.htm

Not one member of the board called me when they rubberstamped Bev's decision to fire me. Funny I was blamed (by Bev)for the Keith Olberman flap...I was in Texas for my sisters funeral at the time. So I am not real sure how I could have been responsible for that

BBV still has my equipment (a long list of things) owes me money and continues to smear me. Just recently and I have the email in case anyone is interested...She accused me of calling her credit card processor and talking the owner into giving me the BBV mailing list. Threatened to have me arrested over it at the same time she knew I was sick. Ok Bev...take your best shot have me arrested. BTW Bev, my lawyer has that email along with a few others you have sent. Frankly if your credit card processor gave me the mail list for BBV, and if I was a BBV donor I would be concerned at the ease with which information is given out.

I find it amusing that Bev is still blaming me for her woes..."So let's recap, shall we? Almost to the *minute* when Bev breaks the story of Andrade's sellout, DU turns into a roast-Bev-over-an-open-pit flamefest, *again*, based on *speculation* that she shafted Andy." It is not Speculation Mr March...She did shaft me...on more than one occasion. I have plenty of documentation to prove as much too.

I am out of here now because I have something more important to focus on...My Health.

[Boredtodeath]

22. The funny part is.......

No one even paid attention to the " Andrade's sellout" story. Who is Andrade?????????

Just remember, Andy...you join a long list of effective activists whom she has to discredit to keep the rest of the world from finding out the truth - that SHE is no "investigative journalist" but a leech on those who are doing the hard work.

[Andy_Stephenson]

23. Yeah I know...

if you look at her site now it is replete with people doig her "work"

[NC Beach Girl]

26. to be fair...

I paid attention to the "first installment" of that stupid story.

But when I asked a few questions of oh... that's right, it was the PRESIDENT OF BBV who still posts here regularly, she seemed to disappear into thin air. And THAT post had nothing to do with Andy at all.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x366812

Why do they keep whining about how they can't post at DU when the president of their organization posts here all the time? Not to mention what I suspect is a dozen proxies....it is amazing how we get to see a link to every piece of drivel over at BBV around here, lucky us.

edit: stupid typos!

[crispini]

2. Hm, if she came to my town

I'd go just for the chance to ask some pointy questions.

[brainshrub]

4. Exactly what did she do, other than screw with Andy?

I never got the whole story.

[garybeck]

10. she's got a history of personality problems with many people

she's left a trail behind her of people who have been doublecrossed and such.

personally I think she still has something to contribute. she is doing valid investigative work which stands on its own.

I really dislike the things she has done to people.

I think SOME of it could not have been her fault. It is possible that Rove operatives have been trying to destroy her reputation. But it is pretty clear that she is responsible for some of it too.

I think she has some kind of a personality disorder. She seems to be paranoid. But if you think about what she's doing, she should be.

No matter how horrible of a person she is, we would all be doing ourselves, and this democracy a disservice if we refused to look at her research and evidence.

If someone finds the smoking gun, I don't care if it's Bev Harris, the wicked witch of the west, or mickey mouse. I just want the goods.

As someone said don't shoot the messenger.

She's got personality problems for sure. But as far as I've seen her research is pretty good.

I think (hope?) that people like Andy would agree, we shouldn't have to take sides. I love Andy, I care about him, I want him to be healthy, I totally respect his research and his views and his expertise.

But I also think some of the info Bev has helped make public is so vital to our cause that there is room for both Bev and Andy (and Dave and the other people she's screwed over) in our movement. Just because we like and care about Andy doesn't mean we have to reject all of Bev's research and data, does it?

I believe that when we are doing research, writing, distributing information..., the source should be evaluated on its objective validity alone. The personality of the source should not be an issue.

When we are choosing friends, shooting the shit, hanging out, and getting interested in personal lives, we should absolutely consider people's personalities.

But these are two different things.

Maybe I'm wrong but I think most will agree Bev's personality sucks but her research doesn't.

I have no desire to hang out with or shoot the shit with Bev. But I want to read her research and I pray that she, or anyone else, finds more evidence and it becomes widely known and the truth comes out.

[Kelvin Mace]

12. Trouble is, it wasn't HER research

it was other people's work that Bev put her name on. Then smeared when they dared question her.

[Andy_Stephenson]

18. And she seldom has on original idea.

Most of them are from people around her. Like you...Roxanne and well me. Erin Brokovitch my ass.

[Andy_Stephenson]

20. Sure there is room for Bev...

but she discredits herself constantly. She uses others research and calls it her own and throws people away when she gets all she can from them. Not a good leader of a movement if you ask me. Leader...her words not mine. The Voting reform movement is too big for 1 leader.

"Bevs research" and I use that term loosely because most of it is not her work...is good...but the messenger dillutes it. Who wants to be threatened to be sued all the time. Keith Olberman would have put her on national TV had it not been for her outbursts. She negates everything she does IMHO with her paranoia and claims that if you are not working with her you are "working for the other side."

I am amazed the National Ballot Integrity Project is in involved with this event...especially and in light of the nasty things Bev has said about Sharonna Merril...But it is not my place to go there. I wish things had turned out differently. I was one of Bevs staunchest allies...defended her when I knew I was wrong. But she screwed me over but good and I am no longer going to remain silent.

[Kelvin Mace]

13. Here are some links

A bonifide voting activists recounds her experience with Bev
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=211132

A primer on fact & fiction concerning the writing of the book
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2021230

Attempts to smear me:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2606666

Bev Harris hysterics and histrionics unveiled: Her own words
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1993788&mesg_id=2000755&page=

Bev's first smear campaign against me
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1333930#1335869

Bev's lies about money raised by Randi Rhodes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3246549&mesg_id=3246549

Bev's best bud Bush
http://www.thoughtcrimes.org/bushbought.htm

Bev's "research"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=116439

There are DOZENS more threads like these.

[Andy_Stephenson]

21. OMG David...this is too freaking funny...

"No. What's embarrassing is trying to explain to Time Magazine why I had to typeset my own book. What's embarrassing is being invited to Gore Vidal's house in Hollywood and explaining why you can't buy this book. It's time to put David into a giant Time-Out box, until he does three things:" She wasn't invited...she barged her way in...on my coattails. I was the one made the intro to Gore. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[LittleClarkie]

5. Hoo boy

Does she have a body guard?

[paineinthearse]

7. Don't shoot the messenger.

I joined DU in January and was not aware of any personal infighting or ill acts.

Sorry.

Hope I don't get tombstoned.

[kster]

9. Thank you for posting this story...n/t

[Andy_Stephenson]

25. Oh jeezus

:eyes:

[MelissaB]

24. Paine,

you don't know until you know. Now, you know. :) Evidently you missed a lot, but if you follow all of the links you'll get the story fairly quickly.

[rsmith6621]

8. Bev Harris Is An Operative For the PUGS

A total dissapointment......I wonder what happened to all the $$$$ she recieved.......cerianly dont hear much from her anymore.

[Andy_Stephenson]

17. I would imagine she is livin large...

when you have close to a million donated dollars you can do that sort of thing. Plus, her and Mr March won about 100K each when they settled the QuiTam suit out of court.

[Cocoa]

14. kick

:kick:

[FreepFryer]

27. Bev Harris can officially go jump up her own ass.

She blanketed this site with fundraising attempts and empty promises, attacked Andy S. with unbelievable vitriol at the WORST possible time to advance the cause of Election Reform and literally vanished once she banked enough money.

What happened in Volusia? Where's the beef?

Try raising cash from FreeRepublic for her. I'll stick to the ACTUAL activists, who show results.