A question for Bev Harris -- need info to debunk wingnut claim

[hackwriter]

Bev, if you see this (or anyone else who knows), please help me debunk a knee-jerk Bush supporter.

I'm involved in a discussion on another board (the thread is here:
http://www.richardbey.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000918;p=1) about touch-screen voting, and one of the most stubborn Bush apologists insists that it would be impossible for someone like Wally O'Dell to put forth an edict to rig Diebold's machines in favor of Bush because a court order could force Diebold to open up its source code.

I don't think it could possibly be that easy. Can you please help me debunk this claim?

Thank you.

[DEMActivist]

1. Not Bev Harris, but....

which version of the software would the court order force into the open? There were about 200 compiled versions on the FTP site.

Not to mention, we all know a la Enron how fast the courts moved to keep documents protected. Right?

[AP]

2. Have them read Pitt's inteview with...

Rebecca Mercuri, Barbara Simons, and David Dill

http://truthout.org/docs_03/102003A.shtml#

Whether O'Dell would issue an edict is barely the issue (and he'd be crazy if he did something that left a trail).

They've created a system probably intentionally easy to crack. It's like leaving the hen house gate wide open when you know their are foxes in the neighborhood.

[AP]

5. In Pitt's interview, experts say there's no way to prove software subject

to court order is the same software used on election day, it would take longer to prove the softward doesn't have bad code than it took to write the code (and it's very easy to hide bad code in C+, or whatever code they use), and, furthermore, no court has been able to compel one of these companies to share their software, and they're not willing to volunteer it either.

You really need to read the interview.

[DEMActivist]

3. A few examples about which software

To: "sw-announce"
Subject: GEMSIS-1-18-15
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 13:08:32 -0800

GEMSIS-1-18-15 is ready.

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To: "sw-announce"
Subject: GEMS-1-18-16
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 12:52:25 -0800

GEMS-1-18-16 is ready.

---

To: "Software Announcements"
Subject: Ballot Station 4-3-13
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2002 14:12:08 -0800

Ballot Station 4-3-13 for Windows CE and Windows NT are ready.

---

To: "Software Announcements"
Subject: Ballot Station 4-3-14
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 10:52:03 -0800

Ballot Station 4-3-14 for Windows CE and Windows NT are ready.

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To: "sw-announce"
Subject: GEMS-1-18-17
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 17:56:56 -0800

GEMS 1.18.17 is ready for download. Note that the audio files included are in PCM format, to use MP3 version, please replace with TSText-1-18-17.

GEMS-1-18-17.zip
ABasic-1-18-17.zip
GEMS-Reports-1-18-17.zip
GEMSIS-1-18-17.zip
TSText-1-18-17.zip

[T Roosevelt]

4. Not to mention

just look at all the trouble people are having getting copies of the contracts, certifications, etc, from the states. These are public documents that apparently aren't open for scrutiny. People have also tried to get Diebold to open their source code, with no luck. I'm sure others here can provide you documented proof that Diebold would fight a court order to their last dollar, and we would NEVER see any source code.

[hackwriter]

6. kick....

I'm kicking this because I really need an answer. The individual I need to respond to is a serious Shrub-worshipper and I really want to knock the wind out of his sails.