Computer experts to review voting machines

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-19/112470537418430.xml&storylist=cleveland

8/22/2005, 7:12 a.m. ET
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county elections board has asked a team of computer experts to test its recently purchased touch-screen voting machines to ensure the devices' programs are sound.

The San Francisco-based Election Science Institute said it will run simulations of what the machines would handle during an election. Critics worry the electronic machines could be susceptible to fraud through computer hacking or programs within the machine that could alter votes.

The Franklin County Board of Elections has agreed spend $15.1 million for more than 4,500 touch-screen voting machines from Election Systems & Software Inc., with the Omaha, Neb.-based company set to deliver the devices by May.

The institute, already reviewing the elections board's performance during the 2004 presidential vote, will point out any problems to ES&S and the county, and offer advice on how to fix them...

[mopinko]

1. sure, sure, that's the ticket

sure, sure.

[Boredtodeath]

2. So.....hmmm...who ARE these experts?

I note the lack of any names or CVs of the folks who will be doing the review.

And I'd like to know what kind of Non-Disclosure Agreement ESI signed before I have any faith in their conclusions.

I wonder if they'll be making any of THAT public?

[sellitman]

3. My thinking exactly!

WHO are these folks?

Really.

[Bill Bored]

17. It would be unethical to do this without being able to DISCLOSE stuff.

Wouldn't it?

And I wonder if they'll be using actual certified hardware and software that will be used in actual elections, or just some sort of prototype?

[Kelvin Mace]

19. An NDA

is OK if it says you can't disclose actual code. It is NOT OK if it says you can't publicize the actual problems.

We need to know who the "experts" are, what their background is and whether they have any financial interests in the outcome. We should know what will be tested and how it will be tested.

Anything less is unacceptable

[Chi]

4. Always a good idea to give the manufacturer a heads up.....

before checking the accuracy of their machines/software.

"with the Omaha, Neb.-based company set to deliver the devices by May."

Kinda like making an appointment for a drug bust.

[mod mom]

18. this is just a planned, staged event menat to alleviate apprehension in

populace. Being a voting resident of Franklin county, this certainly does not calm my fears.

[Stevepol]

5. Computer "experts" my patootey. Try computer "SCIENTISTS."

So-called "computer experts" are a dime a dozen, no insults intended for DU-ers who happen to know a lot about CPUs and mother boards, etc.

We need computer scientists. SCIENTISTS!!!

e.g. Avi Rubin

[meganmonkey]

6. Formerly known as Votewatch - link to their website:

http://www.votewatch.us/

Steven Herzberg works for them and posted here on a thread when we were trying to figure out who/what ESI is:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=353045

[mod mom]

9. Votewatch/ESI initially showed up in Franklin County after the election.

I met Steven Hertzberg in November. Seemed like a resonable guy. We trusted him, many activists worked to gather info for his organization. Kept promising Ohio attorneys feedback which never came. When he returned in early spring, after announcement from Damschroeders office that his group was chosen to work w Franklin County BOE, we had high hopes. When his report came out suggesting equal fraud between parties, our experience made us suspect especially since he did not provide hard facts to back it up.

Checked with West Coast activists (he is from CA) and they had nothing on him. Besides his interchange w Garybeck (who I have the highest regard for) two things stuck out in his bio:

"During the previous 12 year period, while dividing residences between California and Australia, Mr. Hertzberg participated in the management teams of numerous new ventures (contributing to an IPO). In addition, he also founded and successfully developed his own ventures in the automotive accessories, industrial food equipment, information technology, television and direct marketing industries. (?Opportunism?)

Mr. Hertzberg spent the first several years of his career as a civilian within the US Department of Defense.  While serving as a Project Manager and Test Director for highly visible military development programs, Mr. Hertzberg received the U.S. Army’s Civilian Special Act Award."

I was suspicious of his law suits in Australia (which could be googled) and this second paragraph regarding his stint a the DOD. In the end, many who initially trusted him backed away in Ohio, and many thought he might be an opportunist. Still some jumped on board his wagon. Several of the attorneys who filed suit in Ohio have distanced themselves from ESI.

A question:

why would Damschroeder(republican who favors Petro over Blackwell and has selected and sued for ES & S )hire ESI/Votewatch?

[meganmonkey]

10. Hmmmm...

Discredit the Blackwell camp (gee, that's tough) but still have his fingers on the buttons, so to speak...?

I don't know, it's all pretty convoluted, you are far more up-to-date than me on this stuff, so please do tell :)

(btw, you going to DC next month?)

[mod mom]

11. You might want to read this on Mr Hertzberg:

I don't know this site but has some interesting commentary on Votewatch:

http://bias.blogfodder.net/archives/2002_11_03.html

[meganmonkey]

13. That was Bev Harris' PR firm!

promoting this organization almost 3 years ago....

The first few paragraphs I thought I was just being too cynical, but then the plot thickens...I haven't even gotten to the Landes part.

I can't even digest this all at once. I'll finish reading this after dinner :o

[mod mom]

15. small world isn't it? nt

[Kelvin Mace]

20. Correction

Steven Hertzberg does NOT run a PR firm. Talion was a PR firm he hired to do publicity for his VoteWatch web site. Bev Harris owns Talion. Steven later paid Bev to do research for him and she later proposed to him that they collaborate on a book. When I came along, blissfully unaware of all of this and offered to publish Bev's book, she dumped him, took the research he had paid for and signed with me.

I did not learn of these facts until last year after I broke with Bev.

Steven is working hard fighting against vote fraud. He has been on the ground in Ohio since December. He has no connection with Bev Harris since the Fall of 2002 and is, in fact, one of Bev's first victims in her scam.

[Kelvin Mace]

21. Be wary of what you read on theat blog

The writer is HARD Right. A quote from a recent entry:

Quite frankly, in my judgment and in the judgment of many others, protests like Sheehan's offer aid and comfort to the enemy and thus put our military in even greater danger than they already are in.

As to Steven's bona fides, I can only say that I haven't seen him running around fund-raising a lot. He has gotten financial backing from liberals out in California. I know that Roxanne Jekot, who was abother of Bev's victims is working with him.

He didn't strike me as an opportunist since he didn't ask people for money, at least not that I have seen.

[mod mom]

14. I sure am, although I have been flamed for bringing my kids.

I see DC as an historic event, a peace rally which we have been attending since b 4 the war. Some on Gen Discuss have suggested it is irresponsible to bring kids, even saying if something happens to them it is my , NOT BU$H's fault.

I spoke with several activists whose opinion I respect and they say ignore those who say don't bring them. My hotel is ~ 1 mile from WH and I am going w my husband and brother, so we feel we can handle the situation.

Are you going? I just read that Liberal Nurse is bringing her daughter, as well. We should do an ER&D post to see who is going.

[meganmonkey]

16. I'm going too - I am getting really excited

And I wouldn't worry about your kids. Easy for me to say, not having any, but I have been to a couple DC rallies before and there were plenty of kids. Your kids will be lucky to be there. I have had a few conversations about the inevitibility of violence at some point in this movement, but I highly doubt it will be in DC next month unless you are participating in some serious disobedience. The cops there know how to handle a crowd peacefully.

I'll post a 'Who's coming' thread (unless you already have - I'll look after I hit post)

[autorank]

7. We interrupt our normal programming for this SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We interrupt our normal programming for this SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

8/22/05

Bush

Approve 36%
Disapprove 58%
Undecided 6%

http://americanresearchgroup.com/

You know what this means, the "f" word as in election FRAUD is now accepteable for use by CM (Ccorporate Media)

[meganmonkey]

8. Ha! Those 6% undecided are the ones

that just blow my mind. Either you believe the lies or you don't. Who the hell could possibly be undecided?!

The numbers are pretty though. Time for a celebratory pale ale

:toast: <--- it's a bit lighter than that in real life

[autorank]

12. Don't worry, they're the ones who can never decide at a restaurant,

you know, just have to look at the menu one last time while all the starving guests are ready to eat the server; or the people who,when you walk with them,always walk slower, even when you slow down. They've made up their minds, they're just annoying us!