College campuses training grounds for election theft?

[pixelthief]

For years now student government elections @ the University of Alabama have been plagued by massive electronic fraud and other disruptions. Many there blame the mysterious alliance of greek organizations known as "The machine."

I realize that SGA elections couldn't be any more inconsequential, but there is evidence that the machine is a training ground for future Alabama politicians. Could this be going on on campuses across the nation? I have indications that this sort of thing is quite pervasive here in the south.

For starters, try this article from the campus newpaper:

http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/03/10/404ecb260be11?in_archive=1

Searching the archives for "voter fraud" and "Nick Beadle" (author of above article) should yield much more.

http://www.cw.ua.edu

There is a place for reader feedback at the bottom of their articles. Some of it is priceless.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. These kind of inside circles are everywhere.

It's time somone writes about them. They're not always "secret" organizations, but they do seem to weld enough power to keep their names out of the paper. Some are just meeting grounds -- probably a place to safely eye new political potentials. In Central Florida, there's a group called CLEO. Community leaders, elected officials. The fear that conflicts of interest or ex parte communications would occur in a social organization that met once a month was brought up when it was first put together in the 80s. State reps, judges, commissioners, real estate biggies all converge in the monthly barbecues, but there hasn't been anything written about the organization in over fifteen years. How odd, eh?

[pixelthief]

2. Odd

Oddly enough, sounds like the same territory that Wayne Madsen now finds himself in.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x217901

[thebigdonkey]

3. LOL im an Alpha Sig and in know how this stuff works.

Its so stupid

[pixelthief]

5. Agreed

Yeah it's kind of laughable, all that effort put into SGA elections and homecoming queens.

But the fact that they're stealing elections now coupled with the fact that most of these folks end up in state government is extremely troubling and suspect.

These organizations are where lifelong political relationships are formed.

[thebigdonkey]

6. oh i agree

[pixelthief]

4. Here is a more specific link

to the vote fraud that went on there.

http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/03/19/3e78f4d663198?in_archive=1

[DBoon]

7. This stuff happened in 1979 at UC Irvine

No big secret that right wing greek organizations have a stranglehold over student government elections, and in particular do everything possible to keep minorities out of student government. This includes outright election fraud - just manufacturing ballots out of thin air.

When these highly privilged children move on to grander things, they remember these lesson on tactics, and how easy it is to fraudulently maintain power.

Heck, much of Nixon's inner circle were the same sorts of folks who cut their teeth on election fraud at USC in the early 1950's.

[pixelthief]

8. Too true

I've always believed it was the repugs' knack for organization and their relentlessness that gave them the upper hand. No shock then that they seem form these habits/tactics early on in life/college.

Why can't we be this organized and effective?

[FreepFryer]

9. We can

and we must. We have been, and will continue to be, despite being forced into the current 'holding action' against the Right Wing.

Find a Liberal foundation or educational organization you agree with (a good generic one is the ACLU and campus ACLU groups), and donate money or time.

Educate your kids about Liberal values. Network with other Liberals. Create and participate in the existing Networks.

Have hope!

[No Exit]

10. "there is evidence that the machine is a training ground for future

Alabama politicians". You bet it is! My understanding is that the machine is made up of the more privileged frat people. Anyone who's been around such people knows they can get nasty. If you have a strong stomach, I'll tell you what the DKE's did to a girl one time at LSU--at least, according to an indignant complaint that my boss at the time (DKE alum) received.

Alabama politicians--you mean like Bob Riley, the Ashland auto dealer, Alabama's current governor? Would that be the same Bob Riley who was in a close election with Don Siegelman, and, oh, praise God, wouldn't you know, at the last minute they "found" some ballots in Baldwin County, Alabama, and the ballots just happened to tip the election to Riley? That Bob Riley? (Baldwin County--in my opinion, as corrupt as it gets.)

[pixelthief]

12. Ah yes, Riley

but ironically Siegelman was a machine backed candidate, not Riley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama#Student_Life

Interestingly enough, the UA machine has ties to skull & bones.

http://www.theamericanminerva.com/thetanuepsilon/12Chaplis/ChapterList.html

(scroll down to #69).

[No Exit]

14. Well, that's interesting!

But still, in case you didn't know (I have a feeling you DO know), just know that Riley is a sack of sh*t and it would have been better for Alabama to have Siegelman remain the governor.

But then, the state is a cesspool of corruption anyway! Incidentally, according to an "Atlantic Online" article, Karl Rove assisted in the election of some of the Republicans who currently infest the state's supreme court. And yes, he played dirty. The article said that he started (on the U of Alabama campus) a "whispering campaign" that one of his candidates' opponents was a pedophile. The allegation was 100% untrue, but, according to the article, that didn't stop ol' Karl.

[pixelthief]

15. Do you have the article

I think I tried to read that one once, but couldn't find it on a non-subscription site. Related to a judge named Kennedy, if memory serves.

Yeah, Riley is a sack of shit. He's been remarkably unsuccessful, though. What a fucking hayseed.

You're right, this state is a cesspool of corruption. Possibly a lost cause.

[No Exit]

16. The article is "Karl Rove In A Corner"

by Joshua Green, "The Atlantic", Nov. 1, 2004. It's in the newsstand copy of the magazine and was also online, but that is by subscription.

http://www.ocnus.net/cgi-bin/exec/view.cgi?archive=56&num=14508&printer=1

However, I found it at the above link. Hope link works.

[pixelthief]

17. Great read

Thanks.

Our side really needs a Karl Rove type. Though I would never advocate stooping to their level of dishonesty, I think it would serve us well to have the capacity to anticipate his maneuvers.

Do you live in the south?

[No Exit]

18. I think even I can anticipate his maneuver, lol...

He cheats!

Yes, I do. Wish this region could learn to have two parties (or more) instead of just one!

[No Exit]

19. A fun thing to say to a southern republican:

"My, it's nice to see a southerner like yourself supporting the Party of Reconstruction!" Ties 'em in knots.

[ashmanonar]

11. wow

its amazing how much power the frats and sororities have on a campus...mine (Northern Michigan University) doesn't have such an obvious Machine, it still seems like there's more attention paid these greek societies than they actually warrant...

but honestly, it's the christian fundamentalist orgs on campus that REALLY scare me...(CRU, campus crusade, is the worst...a fucking cult)

[Firespirit]

13. The student body elections at my alma mater just went electronic.

And I'm talking Internet voting.

I was seriously pissed when I found it out. They're just asking for it.