TECH: Voting Machines are not as good as an ATM!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

http://www.lewrockwell.com/bovard/bovard30.html

The Fraudulent Meaning of Elections
by James Bovard

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Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Cal.) complained that many states used “more sophisticated technology” for lottery tickets than for elections:

<Quoting Waters>    Incredibly even in those few jurisdictions that have moved to electronic voting … we do not require a verifiable paper trail to protect against vote tampering. If an ATM machine can give each user a receipt that that user can rely upon, then a voting machine should also be able to give a receipt.
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Now I’m no fan of any politician, but it seems obvious to me.

(1) The voting machine (a computer, whose pedigree and programming is unknown, thus deemed insecure) needs to produce a paper record that the voter can verify.

(2) We don’t want people to be able to “prove” to the ward heeler outside the poll that they voted for the “right” candidate and paid for their vote. So that peice of paper needs to be “cast” into a ballot box as the official record of the voter’s intention.

(3) Recounts could then be done if the machine tally is suspect. (Since it’s basically an ATM receipt, it MUST be printed on non-thermal paper.) Recounts of the official box should match the machine totals.

Seems obvious to me, but what do I know!

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Posted by reinkefj

TECH: Wifi should be like “free local calls” … … just expected!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

http://ricksegal.typepad.com/pmv/2006/07/four_points_1_e.html

Four Points 1, Embassy Suites 0

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So, I’m in the room and turn on the laptop.  There is a fixed line net connection in the room for the low low price of 8 bucks plus tax. No wireless except downstairs in the lobby which you have to pay for as well.  Not one to just click bill the room and having left my EVDO card at home, I look for available WiFi.  Right across the street is a Sheraton Four Points Hotel and their free WiFi is bouncing her way over here to my room on the fourth floor. Sweet.
***End Quote***

The question is “where will you stay next time”. If it’s not Four Points, then Embassy Suites slid by.

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Posted by reinkefj

LIBERTY: “Eminent Domain” … … another gubamint crime!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/NEWS/607110324

Halpers defy eviction order
After battle, family says it won’t leave Piscataway farm
By GENE RACZ
Gannett New Jersey

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PISCATAWAY — The Halpers remained on their farm Monday night, defying an eviction notice after indicating earlier in the day they had planned to leave.

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Do you really EVER own your property?

Now that the Supreme Court has effectively eviscerated the Fifth Amendment, you really have no protection from the gubamint gang at any level from stealing your land.

While there may be times that there is no alternative other than a land seizure, I haven’t heard of one that was justified.

It’s all about the raw naked abuse of power. You just have to hope that they never desire your land. Because if they do, you’re just out of luck.

AND, they don’t want to pay a fair price for it. AND, they legislate, regulate, and zone what you can do with what is allegedly YOUR property.

It’s a crime!

Time for the pitchforks and torches!

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Posted by reinkefj

TECH: BACKUP MONDAY, done!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

As decided yesterday, I did a backup of my lovable LUGGABLE laptop. (It’s one heavy sucker!) My Western Digital Passport Drive that I snagged at Sam’s awhile ago for a little under a 100$ was the magic charm. I found out from the blogosphere that WD had it’s own sync software, which after a few high jumps, I was able to download. I tried yesterday during the day, but it takes a while to run and I have little patience. So last night, before retiring to sleep, I set it up and started it running. Seemed to go AOK. Tonight, I’ll run a restore to an old pos pc and let’s see what happens. After BACKUP MONDAY can’t be a success unless and until RESTORE TUESDAY works OK. Now what can we do on Thursday, siesta?

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Posted by reinkefj