Dear Skeptic,

The instructions were printed in large block letters in the voting booth, make sure all holes are punched, clear off all chips, obtain a new ballot is you screw your up etc.

And in at least one case, the instructions were to make a selection on both pages of the ballot. Unfortunately, the county split the presidential candidates and printed five on page one, five on page two. Following instructions to the letter, people voted on both pages. In neighboring counties (both of whom used the optical scan system), if you voted for Bush or Gore and also filled in the "write in" circle (but didn't right in a name) there were different standards. One county rejected the votes as overvotes, one counted the votes.

I repeat that the requirement under Florida Law is whether the clear intent of the voter can be determined.

I said "Remember that all the Florida Supreme Court did was order the Statewide recount and you replied They attempted to yank the rug out from under the Secretary of State. The duties of the branches and officials are clearly spelled out in the State Constutution.

Including the duties and responsibilities of the Court.

The decision was about state's rights. The Legislature has the exclusive right and duty to choose the electors. The laws in place at the time of the election will determine the outcome of the election.

The State also has the right and duty to determine how people will vote and what standards will be applied to counting ballots. Or did until the US Supreme court decision. With very few caveats (like the 14th Amendment), voting was considered a primary right of the State. And in Florida, the State mandated standard was "clear intent".

If the "clear intent" standard was not used, as required by the State, what then?

FLSC was engaging in judicial activism taking a case no one even asked them to take

No, they were asked to rule. They have to be, in Florida an din general. The Court cannot jump into the fray until someone with a legal interest in an issue asks them too.

No really. If you had an education and a good attitude, you could get on the bus and MOVE to where there is economic opportunity.

Which relocation, per the earlier article you mentioned, was one of the reasons for the break-up of the family.

I said "No. I thought I was fairly clear in saying that there are obstacles imposed from both internal and external forces that mitigate the opportunities to some minorities. Claiming that if the minorities just try hard, all will be well is denying these additional problems exists that are not self caused" and you replied Well, many of them have been discouraged from trying at all and many who do decide to participate in the American routine miraculously find themselves living a much better life

And many don't. What is the answer when the trying doesn't work? When money to start a business isn't loaned because.....?? And the "because" depends on which side of the wall you're on . When an African American from Maryland is refused service in a store because he's black and "that's the way the owner wants it" is the explanation. Two months ago, about 20 miles from where I live. When young black males shopping in a mall are closely, obviously, watched by the security guard because "they are more likely to shoplift". Except it isn't true at my local mall. Young white teens are much more likely to be shop-lifters. And as the mall manger recently commented, much less likely to have the police called.

No, Newt had his own hell during his term, crafting and passing the laws formerly known as the "Contract with America", 70% of which clinton signed into law.

Yes he did. However, the other thing I remember about Newt was handing divorce papers to his wife while she was in the hospital with cancer. As a friend from Atlanta who knows him commented...."That was Newt on a good day". The contract had some good points. But I am not a Newt fan. But not necessarily because of his politics

Good to have you back, thanks for your thoughtful banter and civil, nay, friendly tone

And vice versa

Come on over for dinner some time.

Would either of our reputations survive? :-)

Regards

John