NYT: A Chill in Florida – Bob Herbert

[kskiska]

The state police investigation into get-out-the-vote activities by blacks in Orlando, Fla., fits perfectly with the political aims of Gov. Jeb Bush and the Republican Party.

The Republicans were stung in the 2000 presidential election when Al Gore became the first Democrat since 1948 to carry Orange County, of which Orlando is the hub. He could not have carried the county without the strong support of black voters, many of whom cast absentee ballots.

The G.O.P. was stung again in 2003 when Buddy Dyer, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Orlando. He won a special election to succeed Glenda Hood, a three-term Republican who was appointed Florida secretary of state by Governor Bush. Mr. Dyer was re-elected last March. As with Mr. Gore, the black vote was an important factor.

These two election reverses have upset Republicans in Orange County and statewide. Moreover, the anxiety over Democratic gains in Orange County is entwined with the very real fear among party stalwarts that Florida might go for John Kerry in this year's presidential election.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/opinion/23herbert.html

[dand]

1. Reminiscent of the KGB and the Gestapo,

these soul-less fascists are becoming more frantic by the day.

[enough]

2. Smells like state terrorism.

snip>

From the G.O.P. perspective, it doesn't really matter whether anyone is arrested in the Orlando investigation, or even if a crime was committed. The idea, in Orange County and elsewhere, is to send a chill through the democratic process, suppressing opposing votes by whatever means are available.

[tom_paine]

5. See they know not to lynch anybody

They have to bend to the attitudes of the Old American Republic, still very much alive in the people even if not in the parasitized System.

Otherwise, of COURSE the Busheviks would like to do what their Daddy's did, dress up in white sheets and make Poll Taxes and Phony Reading Tests.

But they can't...

not yet anyway.

[reprehensor]

3. bump

[qwlauren35]

4. It worries me...

That more people aren't talking about this. This is a level of racism and voter disenfranchisement under the guise of partisan politics that is reminiscent of pre-1960's KKK terrorism.

Why aren't more people concerned?

[tom_paine]

6. Apathy. Ignorance. A predilection for the Carnivalesque and Triviall

Basically, the same variety of sins that allowed the Caesers to do to the Roman Republic exactly what the Busheviks have done to the American Republic.

We could have saved it, but it just seemed like too much effort and besides, the new Survivor was on TV.

To borrow from Kurt Vonnegut, this epitaph should be carved in 100 foot high letters on the Redwall of the Grand Canyon.

Old America's tombstone.

[qwlauren35]

7. This is what I've sent around to my friends & family...

The following article clearly states that the Jeb Bush administration is STILL using erroneous felon reports and police intimidation measures to deter blacks from voting in Florida.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/opinion/23herbert.html

Please read the article, and send it to everyone you know.

Then, if you find this situation as APPALLING as I do, contact your Senators and Representatives, and GOVERNORS weigh in on your outrage. Tell them you want to see any and all of the following:
1.) A vocal, public denunciation of these tactics.
2.) Some sort of censure of the Jeb Bush administration.
3.) Possibility of Armed Forces safeguarding voter rights in Florida.
4.) A public APOLOGY from Jeb Bush.
5.) IMMEDIATE and HIGHLY PUBLICIZED state-wide procedure on how to re-establish voting ability,

Contact info:
www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.nga.org/governors/1,1169,,00.html

Also, ask www.moveon.org and the Kerry campaign www.johnkerry.com to publicly address the issue.

And if you have stamps, print out the article and your personal penned response and MAIL IT (via USPS) to your representatives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those of you who don't like composing your own letters, here is mine.

Dear Sir:

This morning I received an e-mail referencing a New York Times editorial which clearly indicates that the Jeb Bush administration is STILL using erroneous felon reports and police intimidation measures to deter blacks from voting in Florida.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/opinion/23herbert.html

I am appalled, and feel that action must be taken. Please do everything in your power to:
- denounce these tactics
- censure the Jeb Bush administration
- safeguard voting rights in Florida
- demand an apology from Jeb Bush
- force the Jeb Bush administration to immediately enact a highly publicized procedure for re-instating ex-felons on the voting rolls.

Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.