Apparently I got called a terrorist

[BevHarris]

by Scott Konopacek, a California elections official (San Bernardino County, a neighbor of Riverside County, where Mischelle Townsend just resigned.)

I was told this by a reporter. I guess this elections official thought that the idea of having citizen election watchers (Black Box Voting election watch crew) is a form of terrorism.

"If I find any of 'em, I'll throw 'em out!" he said to the California Voting Systems Panel and somewhere in there the "T" word slipped in. Some heads were nodding.

Yup. Pretty scary idea, putting the "we" back into " , the people."

What must be very horrifying: Over 100 of our volunteers are signed up as poll workers and election judges. Two have positions in central count rooms.

Bev Harris

[drdigi420]

1. we got your back, bev

[AP]

2. If you were a RW'er and he was a real democrat, you'd

sue him for defamation.

But I have a feeling this issue will be solved democratically.

[4morewars]

3. kinda like a teacher ??

or any other union member ???
:yourock:

[acmavm]

4. They can't throw them out, can they? Polling places are open to the

public. How can this be justified?

[playahata1]

9. Doesn't interference with poll watchers fall under so-called

"voter intimidation" statutes? These people have a right to be there.

[hang a left]

5. I would like to see them try.

""If I find any of 'em, I'll throw 'em out!" he said to the California Voting Systems Panel. Some heads were nodding."

[BevHarris]

11. Nope, they can't "throw 'em out" -- but they might try

this is nothing new. My daughter, who is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, told me that reporters often go into public meetings with a copy of the law and an attorney's letter in their back pocket.

We have to do things right, but we will. Obviously, the first duty of poll workers and election judges is to make sure the election runs smoothly and follows proper procedures, and to go through the channels to work out problems.

But I've interviewed enough of them to know that when problems occur -- sometimes pretty egregious ones -- they often get ignored. And that's where reporting to the hotline becomes of critical importance, because we usually don't find out in time, and often don't get the names of witnesses and the numbers of the machines and so forth, in time or sometimes, at all.

Bev

[Fenris]

6. How droll!

Bev, the old saying goes that "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." I think that rings true here.

Keep up the good fight!

Fen

(BTW, loved the piece on you and BBV in Vanity Fair. My parents were impressed I posted on the same board as you. :D)

[BevHarris]

12. Thanks. This board was my support mechanism

during the worst of times. And it's where I met some of the most talented people in America. Sometimes I think about how much this board actually empowers people.

Bev

[Cleita]

7. San Bernardino is my home town. I couldn't get out of there

fast enough after high school. The place existed to support military bases mostly. The bases are gone but evidently the bigotry has been passed on down the generations. I know there are some patriotic liberals still there. I hope they are not intimidated by these assholes.

[BevHarris]

8. Actually, if you know any, can you pass them along to me?

I don't want to explain why I need to talk to patriotic San Bernardino people just now, but trust me: I need to meet up with some.

Bev

[Cleita]

18. Here's a weblink you might be interested in.

http://democrat.meetup.com/516

My family and I severed our ties with that place forty years ago, so I am sorry I don't currently know anyone to put you into contact with.

[11 Bravo]

52. Don't forget the Hell's Angels.

The Berdoo chapter used to be huge.

[juajen]

10. Wow, Bev, now I call that a badge of honor

The work seems never ending. You're one brave lady. KUDOS

[nodehopper]

13. Bev, is Pax Christi still sending int'l monitors?

They could be of help to you.

Thank you for doing everything that you do.

[BevHarris]

19. Yeah. Meeting with some of them in July I think.

carting my Rand McNally all over the place.

Hey, did you know you can't hardly buy a road atlas in Champaign, Illinois? I had to go to a bookstore in a mall to find one.

Bev

[nodehopper]

26. I would have thought the University bookstore would have one...

U of I Champaign has a huge bookstore from what I remember from high school days.

That's great that you are meeting with them.

Of course, you already know that there are lots of people in NYC (and other places) who follow all the amazing work you do, and share it with people who are unfamiliar with it, but it still bears repeating :)

And I would always be honored and happy to help you in what little way I could.

www.livejournal.com/users/anthrochica

[hedda_foil]

32. Bev ... does that mean you'll be getting to Chicago?

We still have to keep that lunch date and I have TONS to talk with you (and hopefully Andy too) about.

hugs,
hedda

[BevHarris]

34. Yes, well speaking of Rand McNally maps

I was totally too embarrassed to tell you at the time. While I thought I was driving to north Chicago to meet you I was actually driving to Michigan. In a tornado.

It is good to have a co-pilot, but at that time Andy was busy hitting the streets with the BBV message. Converted whole towns in Eastern Washington, where the Republicans told him he'd be their first vote for a Democrat.

I need to meet with you too. Also love to meet Great Aunt of Triplets some time. Remember, some of our travel destinations are a surprise....

Bev

[hedda_foil]

39. What a great story, Bev!

Though I remember the horrendous weather that day (not to mention our bizarre highway system) and can well understand how you got turned completely around. Just let me know if there's a chance you'll get here. If it's any inducement, I can put both of you up at the drop of a hat (literally anytime but the week of July 15 because I'm moving that week). You have my number and so does Andy.

love
hedda

[Pachamama]

14. What does Secretary of State Shelley have to say about that?

Hi Bev!

Saw Shelley on Lou Dobb's tonite....does he know about this Scott Konopacek? Maybe Scottie needs to have Mr. Shelley explain to him the "law" about elections....

Hey, if you can't find anybody "patriotic" in San Bernadino county, I'll come down from Marin County in the North and this "Terrorist Mom" would be happy to go as one of your volunteers and try and let Mr. Konopacek "Throw me out"....I don't think he would dare and try to...

He must have taken that page out of the Karen Hughes handbook...Unbelievable...

:grr:

[Wind Dancer]

15. Sorry to hear that, Bev.

That is indeed scary, I never thought I would live to see the day that anybody would protest accuracy in voting. Of course, I never dreamed about many of the things I read, hear and witness daily.

Thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication. When you are in NC, let me know how I can help, PM me anytime. Hang in there, you have lots of supporters.

[BevHarris]

17. Will do. I'll be in NC on the 4th of July, in fact

and a few days before. And might be back again after that, depending...

There are some interesting situations there, and I don't just mean the "fancy footwork in Gaston County" referred to in the Diebold memo.

Bev

[Wind Dancer]

20. I will help you so please let me know!

I think this state has potential for Kerry, the race is closer than I expected. Is there anything I can do now? PM or email me!!!!

[BevHarris]

21. Most important thing you can do:

control the weather. I like my summer weather around 72 degrees and no humidity. (We were all dying here in Seattle this week when it hit 87 degrees, no humidity).

Okay, well if you can't do that can you privately email me ([e-mail]) and let me know what city you're in? NC is a big state. I need to then get out my map of graft and troubled locations and see what we should do next.

Will write you back in a day or two. Thanks!!!

Bev

[Wind Dancer]

24. LOL, no problem, will do!

[aquart]

16. Under George, we're all terrorists. We scare BushCo silly.

They know they're Frankenstein's monster and we're all peasants with torches.

Bev, all honor and respect to you. Thank God for you.

[BevHarris]

23. Actually, the PEOPLE are Godzilla on steroids

we just need to remember that and act accordingly.

Bev

[NMDemDist2]

27. i sent you an email re AZ but if you hate the heat

better send a minion lol

[BevHarris]

31. I have your email. Haven't answered yet because I'm swamped

Came back from a funeral and 400 emails were waiting. I'm getting good at it though, plowing through them and building those local ties. You'll see. And yes, we'll be in Arizona heat or no heat.

But it is a cruel joke that for someone like me who hates heat, the whole trip is hot. It's Andy's fault. He helped plan it.

Bev

[NMDemDist2]

35. ok Bev, 48 to 72 hours is plenty notice

let me know what you need

[Andy_Stephenson]

49. I can tell you what we need...

Iced pools.

[vetwife]

25. Hey Bev, don't feel lonely..Me and that Cd has been called some things

Any activists and outspoken people are against their agenda..Period ! We scare the devil out of them. I still haven't figured out what the Teachers Union did to get called a Terrorist organization other than want fair pay. Go figure. We want honest elections and he wasn't kidding when he said, "You are with us or against us" Well I am not with him so...................but I am a patriot and I love America. As you do. How can one bunch say they love America and clearly hate Americans. But they do !
You are a stronghold in Taking it Back! Keep it up...The way I look at it....Honesty and integrity scares this bunch..People are afraid of the unknown..LIKE THE TRUTH ! We have the truth ! They are scared !


http://cafeshops.com/focusgroupnow.9200633

[BevHarris]

28. Now wait just a minute. That really happened? Teacher's Union?

I just talked to a teacher today who swears that Black Box Voting should pass out info to the teacher's unions and Education associations. She was mad as hell and wasn't taking it any more!

But when did they call them terrorists? I must have slept through that. Amazing.

Bev

[vetwife]

33. Yeah...Rod Paige called them that He Sure did Bev ..no kiddin

I think it was back in March wasn't it guys?

[ConsAreLiars]

43. Link to Paige calling teachers terrorists

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/02/23/paige.terrorist.nea/

"Education Secretary Rod Paige called the National Education Association a "terrorist organization" Monday as he argued that the country's largest teachers union often acts at odds with the wishes of rank-and-file teachers regarding school standards and accountability.

"Paige later issued a written release saying that statement, made during a conversation with governors, "was an inappropriate choice of words" but reiterated his criticism of the NEA and its Washington lobbyists."

(I see vetwife offerred this further down)
Here's another:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-02-23-paige-remarks_x.htm

Education chief calls teachers union 'terrorist organization'
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Rod Paige called the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, "a terrorist organization" during a private meeting with governors Monday.

And some more: http://www.google.com/search?q=rod+paige+teacher+union+terrorists

[Cha]

22. They've found a word they like and that

works for them and will continue to use it to their benefit until we diffuse it.

Kinda like when they went on a campaign to excoriate the word "Liberal".

Thanks for all the very hard work you've done in support of paper trails, Bev!

[Duncan Grant]

29. Got any friends in Kevin Shelley's office?

The Secretary of State (CA) has been pretty clear about his opposition to BBV. ( http://www.ss.ca.gov/executive/press_releases/2004/04_030.pdf )

Just saying... :shrug:

Whatever happened to tinfoilhatprg (whatever the name was)? Thanks for all your doing Bev! :yourock:

[Aidoneus]

30. I'm not sorry to hear this--congratulations!

Scott sounds like an asshole, wear his idiocy as a badge of honour.

I haven't followed the BBV stories much, but it could be taken as a positive to make such figures strangely uncomfortable.

[vetwife]

36. Bev....Here is a CNN Link to that little ordeal

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/02/23/paige.terrorist.nea/


I was close..It was the end of February.

[vetwife]

46. Kick

[Octafish]

37. It's a badge of HONOR! Now SUE the bastard!

And get all the publicity you can. Ya think San Ber'dino's got deep pockets?

[Andy_Stephenson]

38. You're gonna get a visit.

Watch out you won't know what hit you.

[rniel]

40. Crazy

It amazes me I saw so many examples of people just trying to make the world a better place to live and attacked for it.

If there is nothing to hide then this would not be a threat or evoke this kind of reaction. His reaction reveals a lot.

[Swamp Rat]

41. Dear Bev

You will be recorded in the annals of American history as a principal patriot of the day.

Please continue your work saving our democracy, for we need you. We will support your work, each in our unique way. I plan to go to the projects here in New Orleans and give elderly folks rides to the polls on election day. I will bring my video camera. I will bring friends. The Konopaces that cross my path on election day will be pursued relentlessly.

I empathize with the way you were treated by that traitor Scott Konopace; they accuse us of what they do. This tactic is effective if we become afraid, but after having faced this beast numerous times in the last three years I have become fearless.

Traitors like Scott Konopace will not be forgotten once they lose their tenuous power, for their dominion is not founded on We the People of the United States of America.

[RedEagle]

42. Snohomish County?

Wasn't this guy working for Snohomish County before he went south?

[BevHarris]

44. Yes, bought the touch screens for Snohomish County

where my parents live.

Konopacek also used to work for national security something high tech, I think. Anyone got a background on him?

Bev

[Andy_Stephenson]

45. Yes indeed...

He did...But what his new home San Bernardino...they have touchscreens yet?

What was that story I heard about the wife's job.

[dusty64]

47. Seems like they

are planning their typical fascist tactics cause they have nothing else. Democracy is their enemy and THEY are the true terrorists.

[OKNancy]

48. In case anyone wants to google the guy.... it's spelled

Konopasek

[GreenPartyVoter]

50. Unreal. I guess "terrorist" really IS

the catch-all phrase of the decade.

[donhakman]

51. Dieboldizer

[BevHarris]

53. LOL -- where did you get that?

Is it something I can use? I might take out "Diebold" though, to make it an equal opportunity offender.

Konopasek, by the way, uses Sequoia touch screens in his county, and he helped usher Sequoia touch screens into Snohomish County too.

Bev