Just got back to Ohio from D.C.

[proud_Kucitizen]

It was great and exhilerating. Everyone on the bus was just wonderful the most exceptional people I have ever met. This was my first protest ever and I would definitely do it again.

We attended a press conference yesterday afternoon then we lobbied the senators and finally had dinner with the marchers from Baltimore. The best part was today at the rally and finding out we had a senator or more to stand up for us and that the senators received hundreds of thousands of calls yesterday to back up what we were doing. Thanks to everyone who took part in this historic event and let's keep up the fight for fair elections because this war has just begun.

My new bumper sticker: "Barbara Boxer for President". We love you Barbara.

[demodonkey]

1. You Guys Were Great! Enjoyed meeting all of you and seeing the passion...

that you "get up on the bus" folks have for our voting process!

Unfortunately I had to leave shortly after we all arrived at the Capitol, so updates especially on that part will be appreciated!

Glad to hear you all made it home to Ohio safely. I got back to PA this evening, and am now enjoying everybody's comments.

Everybody who was there (Ohio Winter Freedom riders or NOT) please rest up and then please share your story of the rallies and march over the next few days!

[progressiveandproud]

2. Hey!

What a great idea for a bumper sticker!

We love you Barbara!

[proud_Kucitizen]

3. Thanks and Welcome to DU

as you can see I am somewhat new myself and I want to stay involved in changing this nightmare that has become America.

Also, wanted to mention an idea my husband had this evening as we were watching the Repub senators talk about how we are all conspiracy theorists especially since the election boards are run by two Repukes and two democrats. His idea was to put pressure on our democratic leaders to fire the democrats who can't run a valid election and replace them with people who will do a better job.
Anyone think this is possible.

[progressiveandproud]

4. Hmm...

:)

Still trying to fix my sleeping schedule. (After staying up all night after the Jan. 6th protest, trying to "figure everything out".)

Anyway, you're mentioning "the Democrats who can't run a valid election". Are you referring to Democratic Secretaries of State (SOS's), or to Democrats on county Boards of Elections (BOE officials), or to both?

I remember reading about a Democratic BOE official in Franklin Co., OH, who was indignant that some people were blaming Ohio election officials for corruption such as allocating voting machines in a racist way. He was like, "I'm a Democrat: how dare anyone suggest that I'm trying to sabotage my party."

I don't get. I've never been a election official, but I chalk up the actions of those in Ohio to one of two things: incredible (and hopefully prosecutable) incompetence or downright fraud. Customary "irregularities" or "problems common to all elections" or "we can't expect perfect elections" doesn't cut it. I don't care what happened in past elections. I don't care that it might be "normal". What went down in Ohio in 2004, leading up to the election all the way through, say, 4 a.m. on Nov. 3, was illegal and, more importantly, wrong. Immoral. A disgrace. And that's all I care about.

Now as to the fun part: taking action! I believe that BOE officials are elected -- how ironic is it that those who want verifiable elections have to, themselves, be elected to change the process? -- and that Howard Dean, for one, has lately been telling people like us to try to get ourselves elected to county BOE's. Moving on to Secretaries of State: are these appointed by Governors or Senators of the state? Or are they elected?

The system seems so complicated.

By the way, I like your husband's idea. I've lately been entertaining thoughts of pressuring Democratic officials (and maybe Repubs too), letting them know that I, at the least, want them to be more progressive... especially about our elections! I have two Democratic Senators, Mikulski and Sarbanes, but I want someone like Kucinich. Hell, I'd love having a Green Senator or Governor. It's tough being disenfranchised; in that sense, I am envious of anyone who has the luxury of feeling represented by their elected officials.