BS: The New Non Voting America

Subject: BS: The No Black Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 04:42 PM

For the last 5 weeks One Hundred and Eight proposed laws in 43 States have limited the right to vote for whites only. I have held my keyboard tongue these last two months hoping anyone would mention this as a post or topic but the silence besmirches the existing mudcat participation.
Georgia is the first state to actually pass these new anti democratic laws. Most people are not so busy as to have this national Republican crime miss their straight ahead gaze.
Boycots of Coco Cola and Delta are the first of many corporations who currently support the new voting laws. My disappoinment in mudcat does not include the many true democratic Americans here. Brits are off the hook since their price of fish is of major concern. ;^/
No mention of the Chauvin trial either,
or the 6 mass shootings or
asian hate attacks thats
Very white of u

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 05:01 PM

I consider calling 911 or using a camera in response to wrongdoing to be a duty among civil citizens. To physically intervene when we can is our next duty to civilization. For evil to succeed only requires the silence of good people.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 05:22 PM

"...the silence besmirches the existing mudcat participation."

No it doesn't. For starters, you need to expand on the accusation of enforced whites-only voting. Second, there are huge numbers of topics on which the few people who post below the line are "silent." The rape of rainforest to grow beef, soya and palm oil. The low price of gasoline in the US engendering extreme inefficiency and pollution in road transport. The fact that a country with five percent of the world population produces at least 18% of the world's carbon emissions. Extreme inequality in the world's richest nations. The western world's obesity crisis. The repression of millions of Uighur Muslims in China. The wrecking of democracy in Hong Kong and Burma. So come off it. You start a topic if you want it discussed. You'll usually get takers. Don't pretend that our not mentioning these things all the time or any of the time is our deficiency. You haven't a clue as to what we discuss, and with whom, in our non-Mudcat lives, thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 06:35 PM

You put yourself back on the hook so.. Imperialist geezers like your self outsourced your racism to the countries Britain exploited. If you are truly distracted by the price of gas, ride a bike.
Bigotry runs silent deep and invisible to the ones who really are bigoted. Others are loud and proud. My opinion shouldn't bother you.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 07:32 PM

You're such a bloody idiot that your rude, insulting post was expected, and was no less risible than your other recent silly offerings. Talk to yourself and stop insulting other members of Mudcat, many of whom are far better people than you.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 07:56 PM

This appears to be a private fight. The kind of thing that so often gets in the way of potentially interesting and even useful discussions.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 08:21 PM

I got a meme yesterday that demanded a boycott of CocaCola. As far as I can see, the only offense by CocaCola, is to be located in Georgia. Same with Delta Airlines. Pretty stupid reason for a boycott. Please remember that the good people of Georgia elected TWO Democratic senators and a Democratic President.

There's another meme circulating for a boycott of Home Depot because one of the company's founders was a major contributor to Donald Trump. Trouble is, the offender left the company in 2002. Another stupid reason for a boycott.

Boycotts are a powerful tools, but they should be used sparingly and only for very clear and important reasons. Stupid boycotts diminish the power of this very important tool. On top of that, they bring down ridicule on the very cause they are intended to support.

That being said, the laws manipulating voters are insidious indeed. They are part of a well-planned campaign by Republicans to manipulate elections, a campaign that has gone on for most of three decades. Most of these voter suppression tactics would have been illegal under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but a Supreme Court decision gutted that Act in 2013.

We desperately need the U.S. Senate to pass the For the People Act, H.R. 1. This Act will restore and protect the rights of voters. It won't fix everything, but it's a good start.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 08:37 PM

Thank you for at least giving us something to get hold of, Joe, unlike the guy who started the thread. Kevin, I'm not going to do private wars, but this chap has a habit of being unable to accept any criticisms of his half-assed and obscurantist posts without having a dig. A man with big problems. Anyway, I'll be having a look at Georgia tomorrow, thanks to Joe's interesting post, and only that. And kudos to those Mudcatters who take on the issues of the world below the line. We often get it wrong but "silent" we are not. And we can't do everything. Why the hell should we?

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 09:06 PM

Best thing when you're not into private wars is not to take part in them. "It's easy if you try". Of course sometimes it's the trying that is hard.
................

I imagine that the proposed act Joe recommends is only too liable to come unstuck with the Supreme Court you are stuck with. Skimming through the summary of that link to it there are so many elements in it that it won't be too hard for a Supreme Court which is liable to be hostile to strike it down.

Something simpler might have more chance. How about some law requiring that there should be a place for voting within walking distance of everybody?

And why complicate matters by including statehood for Washington DC in a wider act? Surely that's a pretty simple measure that just needs the Senate to vote for it?

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Apr 21 - 09:15 PM

I cruise gently through life knowing that taking on idiots is usually futile, but every now and then the prince of misinformation spouts nonsense that shouldn't really be left unsorted. That's all. If you were to display the same bad behaviour I'd be on to you too.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 12:05 AM

Its no longer April fools day. No meaness intended but the US is still god awful racist.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 02:51 AM

I thought Boycott was a cricketer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 06:13 AM

We have discussed here before the fact that poorer people - which often and disproportionately means black people - are frequently almost disenfranchised, or, at best, strongly discouraged from voting in the US. Felony laws, inadequate networks of polling stations leading to queuing to vote for hours on end in poorer areas, then being turned away when voting time runs out, strict ID rules, etc, all discriminate against black people. If that's what we're talking about, it is not a new discussion here. If you are really saying that blatant new laws to prevent black people from voting are proposed, well let's be having chapter and verse. I've had a quick look just now and I can find what I've just said, that's all.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 10:23 AM

Steve... there are so many new attempts to restrict voting that I can't possibly list them all. Here's a quote from CBS news:

"The Brennan Center, which has been tracking voting law proposals across the country, found that lawmakers in 47 states have introduced 361 bills that would restrict voting access. Of those restrictive bills, at least 55 are currently moving through legislatures in 24 states. So far, 29 of them have passed one chamber, while 26 of them have made it through a committee vote. Overall, five bills have been signed into law, including Georgia's last week."

Many of these are states that had fairly recently created easier access to polls, including vote by mail, absentee voting, dropboxes, etc. Now most states where the legislature & governor are Republican have had 2nd thoughts about easier voting when they see that this brings out more minorities... and thus Democrats.
   Lawsuits are already being filed to counter these obviously attempts. (I see TV news about this almost every day.)
   It is clear that IF free, easy voting is allowed everywhere, demographics have changed.. and continue to change... that would gradually break the stranglehold very conservative states have on their poor and minority citizens.

   Georgia is already getting serious backlash over its blatant attempt. It simply takes time for things to work their way thru the courts.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 10:55 AM

If you can see this site, there are more details:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/voting-laws-georgia-texas-arizona-florida/

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 11:39 AM

It seems that the usa is full of absolute wankers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 11:49 AM

Well I don't live in your country and I find it difficult to glean precise motives for wanting to change voting laws in the ways that I've seen described (I read your link, Bill). If there is a feeling that voting is not secure and vulnerable to fraud, then you have to do something. The trick for a civilised country is to be extremely sensitive to the unintended consequences of each change in the law and not rush through clumsy measures that make it harder for minorities to share in your democracy. If the system isn't broke, and the consequences are intended, then we can start accusing people of racism, covert or not so covert. I'm not over there so you'll have to tell me what's what. Is it OK if I choose who to listen to? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 03:41 PM

When the result isn't what you want, the temptation is to claim that means that means the system is wrong.

So if your candidate loses by eight million votes, the obvious answer is to find a way of getting those eight million to stop voting, if you know there is no realistic way to get them to vote the other way.

Though of course you don't need to get the whole eight million. A few thousand voters in the right places could fix the problem.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Helen
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 04:36 PM

Donuel, for a lot of the past year, I have not only been watching Australian ABC-TV news, and reading it online, but also watching ABC America news and PBS news on TV, so I have been keeping up with the latest developments in the U.S.

I have to say that the reason I have not raised the issues you listed here is that I thought I couldn't be any more shocked than I was already until I heard about the Republicans' proposed changes in voting laws.

I do believe that it is deliberately targeting the poorer people and people of colour because as McGrath of Harlow said:

"So if your candidate loses by eight million votes, the obvious answer is to find a way of getting those eight million to stop voting, if you know there is no realistic way to get them to vote the other way."

Some of the proposals I have heard include closing voting at 5pm, and as voting occurs on a weekday (why??!!) then people who are in workplaces without flexibility cannot go and stand at a polling station during working hours and risk losing their job, and also volunteers are not allowed to hand out water bottles to the people standing in line. And of course mail-in and pre-poll voting processes are under attack as well, even to the extent of placing drop boxes *inside* the polling place so that the voters still have to stand in line to place their vote in a box.

And another proposed change that I have heard is that proof of identity is being required, or the requirements are being severely tightened, which sounds like common sense on the surface, but I believe that it is more difficult for poorer people including poorer African-Americans to obtain proof of identity. Correct me if I am wrong on that.

Then there was a segment showing historical measures - no longer in place - to put pressure on poorer people and people of colour by requiring a (very convoluted and idiotically difficult) literacy test before being able to register to vote.

I keep saying, in relation to the U.S., "how low can you go?" and then I am shocked, totally gobsmacked, by the next development, and then the next and the next.

I am crossing my fingers hoping that Derek Chauvin is convicted of murdering Mr Floyd, and that the racist attacks against Asian people are reined in, and that firearms laws might finally be sensibly tightened, but more than anything else I am hoping and praying that the whole voting and election process of the U.S. is taken under control at a federal level to stop the whims and caprices of whoever is in control of each state from coercing and controlling the citizens of the U.S. especially when this is based on discrimination against poor people, people of colour, or any other classifications that these legislators choose to target.

Thanks, Donuel, for raising these issues.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 04:51 PM

Steve Shaw says: If there is a feeling that voting is not secure and vulnerable to fraud, then you have to do something.

I suppose it's true that this "feeling" exists. Many Republicans are still convinced that Joe Biden was fraudulently elected. The trouble is, this "feeling" was something that has been methodically instilled by the Republican Party over a number of years, and especially by Donald Trump throughout 2020. This propaganda has instilled a belief that there are individuals from the unwashed masses all over the country who are voting fraudulently. Trump also alleged that there was fraud in the 2016 and 2018 elections, and launched an investigation of the 2016 election that determined that there was no fraud.

We Democrats also think there's fraud, and the fraud we allege is that Republican legislators all over the country are enacting laws to make it more difficult for the unwashed masses to vote. We haven't called it fraud, but that's what it is.

So, we're at an impasse.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Helen
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 05:34 PM

Joe Biden has a huge task already, with the other challenges of recent years. Unless he is superhuman, and especially not having a good majority of Democrats, I can't see the election process being overhauled in the near future.

However, I have always believed that the worst perps i.e. The Trumpster in this case, can often bring about change in the opposite direction that they intended just by opening people's eyes to what is really happening.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 06:02 PM

Joe, when I say that if there's a feeling, I need to be a bit more precise. I am not referring to conspiracy theories. I'm talking about genuine concerns expressed among responsible people who takes measured views.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 07:12 PM

Steve.. as Joe Offer and McGrath said, the perceived remedy among many Republicans for losing an important election is to allow politicians to choose their voters, rather than the 'natural way'.

Yes, a country should be able to "do something about" such attempts.
Our problem with this is that, like gun laws, we have this awkward bit called "states rights" left over from the original constitution. It is VERY hard to pass laws that apply to ALL states. (There is, right now a bill, already passed by the House, but doubtful in the Senate... that filibuster thing..., that would set certain standards for some voting procedures.
It is really hard for most countries to grasp what an interesting hole we dug in the past that allows individual states to do things counter to the majority. There are a couple of Constitutional amendments that we need to create.. and get approved BY the very states that don't WANT to give up their independence.
Biden and his friends are working very hard to find ways around this... and as I said, we do have some hope of various courts saying "These voting restrictions are simply unfair!"

WE shall see.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 07:17 PM

BTW... Georgia, where this election was won and where the 1st stupid attempts to restrict voting began, is also home to some major advertisers and companies.
Plus, major league baseball has just taken the annual All-Star game away from them. Pressure may do what laws cannot.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 08:00 PM

Cheers, Bill. Your perspective is very valuable.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 08:02 PM

To get rid of the filibuster, as I understand it, all they need do is get a vote in the Senate to do that. It's not like it's in the Constitution or anything. But that can't be done because that would be prevented by means of a filibuster.

It's only in recent years that it has become anything more than on odd political oddity that came out of tfe cupboard for use by rather eccentric Senators.

If even a handful of Republican senators had any kind of respect for democracy or indeed self-respect, it would have been written off years ago. But of course that's a bit of a pipe dream in present day politics.

In principle the way to defeat these efforts to corrupt the electoral process would be for the Supreme Court to determine that they are unconstitutional, which does appear to be the case for some of them at very least - but with the present stacked Supreme Court that seems pretty unlikely.

in principle however, if the President were to recalibrate the Supreme Court by increasing it that would only need a simple majority to approve the, because a ciu0le of years ago tge Reoublicans
.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 08:05 PM

... took away the possibility of using the Filibuster to block a Supreme Court Justice being approved. But I can't see that scenario working out.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 08:37 PM

Kevin.. the big problem is that one 'Democratic' senator Joe Manchin, is from West Virginia, and opposes getting rid of the filibuster. It makes it an interesting dilemma. There are hints that Biden 'may' be working to find something that Manchin can live with... but.... :>(

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 08:55 PM

But surely even if Manchin did back down, and vote to abolish the filibuster, there wouldn't be a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. And that would still be the case if the DC and Puerto Rico were admitted as States, and the Democrats had four more Senators.

Pretty foolproof block. Rather analogous to the block on electoral reform in the UK to get some kind of electoral reform, which is that by definition any government is likely to in power only because it was elected by the present system.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 09:22 PM

One idea is to go back to a "talking filibuster" like they used to require. Right now, any senator can just announce they won't allow a vote, and nothing happens. If they had to stand up and actually talk to delay a vote, there would be fewer delays.
-------------------------------------------------------
Regarding the other issue, here's the New Your Times today:

"The league’s decision comes as other states are moving closer to passing new laws that would further restrict voting. In Texas, the State Senate passed a bill this week that would limit early voting hours, ban drive-through voting, add restrictions to absentee voting, and make it illegal for local election officials to mail absentee ballot applications to voters, even if they qualify. In Florida, the State Legislature has introduced a bill that would severely limit drop boxes.

A fight is now intensifying over the Texas bill: American Airlines and Dell Technologies this week voiced their opposition to the legislation, taking stands that major companies in Georgia like Delta and Coca-Cola declined to do until after the law there was passed. Michael Dell, the chief executive of the Texas-based company that bears his name, said on Thursday that “free, fair, equitable access to voting is the foundation of American democracy” and noted that “those rights — especially for women, communities of color — have been hard-earned.” Republicans have shrugged off that criticism so far."

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 09:44 PM

Going back to the real, filibuster, like in Mr Smith goes to Washington, would be at least more entertaining. How many Senators would have the stamina to manage that? I gather Biden favours a return to the traditional way of doing it.

Maybe there should be a movie about a marathon filibuster in which Senator after Senator collapses with exhaustion. "They Shoot Horses, Don't They 2"

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 09:51 PM

Well, in theory, a filibuster should be serious statement to gain attention to a serious matter.... not a routine maneuver to slow your opponents' agenda. It was seldom used much until they put the new rule in. I'd love to it go back to former times.

I don't 'think' any of it would allow just taking turns for days.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Apr 21 - 10:11 PM

Well, I think "feeling" is a fairly accurate term. Even among the most rational of Republicans, there is an uneasy feeling that the electoral process is corrupt. I worked as a federal election observer under the Voting Rights Act, so I've had the chance to watch elections quite closely. All over the nation, election officials take their jobs very seriously, and take great pride in their integrity. They don't use the photo ID that lots of Republicans demand, but their systems of identity verification are quite effective. And after years of accusations of election fraud, the Trump Administration had a thorough investigation of the 2016 election and found very few problems - a questioned ballot or two here or there, but certainly not enough to affect an election. But Trump keeps crying fraud, and his constant harping has succeeded in undermining the trust that people have in the election process.

But there IS a problem with the wholesale suppression of voters that is done out in the open by party officials. Both parties are guilty, but particularly the Republicans. The philosophy is, "If we have the power, we're gonna use it to help us keep it."

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Helen
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 01:06 AM

Bill D said:

"Plus, major league baseball has just taken the annual All-Star game away from them. Pressure may do what laws cannot."

Yep. Good strategy. Hit them where it hurts them the most: in the hip pocket nerve.

What I've learned about Republicans from the last four years is that "money talks".

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 02:00 PM

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/coastal-progressives-your-boycott-of-georgia-is-hurting-our-cause-opinion/ar-BB1fflaJ?ocid=mse

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 02:38 PM

The author of that is an independent writer whose business is "having opinions". His concern, while sounding serious, is mostly speculation of the "slippery-slope" variety. There is little likelihood of a general 'boycott of Georgia'. Some pressure by certain interests to protest an obvious racist set of laws will most likely be temporary, and may help to right a wrong.
No doubt, some hoped for $$$$$ during the All Star game will be disappointing, but that is not an annual thing, and can be given back to Atlanta in the future...if....

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 03:02 PM

From the article

"And trust me, that help is needed and wanted by those of us on the left who live in red America. We cannot simply boycott every time a Republican legislature passes an oppressive law. These states are our homes. Not only is not spending money an impossible proposition, but we do not want to see our communities suffer any more than they already are. We want to make them better.

As one Hoosier I spoke with in 2015 put it, "I do not want anyone to boycott Indiana. I want them to come here to help us."

I hope people will heed his words, and the words of Stacey Abrams and Bernice King, and stop this talk of boycotting Georgia. Punishing red states for passing bad laws might seem like good politics from New York or Los Angeles, but it actually harms those of us living in and working to make these states fairer, more equitable places. Progressive Georgians need your money and your support now more than ever.

It seems the devil went down to Georgia on a road paved with good intentions. Help us show him out."

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 05:07 PM

I read the article....

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Apr 21 - 07:29 PM

I read that in 43 states in the USA there are proposals in the pipeline which make voting harder, and which would be likely to particularly affect black people.

Why is Georgia being picked out as the one to boycott?

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 08:09 AM

Helen, When I watch the news I am amazed that Australia is virtually Pandemic free and Mass shooting free which both have good reasons behind it. Nutty leaders aside Oz has it going on.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 08:52 AM

Australia took advantage of thefact its an island country in the same way every other island country in the world did, Resulting in a much smaller death rate from tge pandemic. The only island country on the planet which didn't was the UK, and we paid the price, with almost the highest death rate, even higher than the States.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 09:24 AM

Georgia was the first to pass those laws... probably because it was the state which finally handed Biden the win and gave him the Senate. It also has probably the worst Republican governor and a legislature to back him... a very awkward situation when its voters went for Biden and 2 senators.
Other states...like Texas & Florida... said "Oh, what a good idea!"

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 10:05 AM

The World's foremost authority on the United States, Steve Shaw, reported today on FNN Fake News Network that Marijuana laws are changing so rapidly in Virginia that police report that "traffic is moving so slowly it is difficult to get cars to travel the speed limit. Trucks are a different matter". Also Steve Shaw has lost his bid to be the Repugnacan candidate for US 'Presient' having been born on a tramp steamer in the middle of the English Channel. ...This just in, Steve Shaw denies it was a tramp steamer but said it was The Queen Mary. It was on the Queen Mary II that he renewed his vows with the Captain presiding over the ceremony along with an unknown distant Beethoven descendent.
"there's always room for good fun"
quote: Bill Cosby

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 10:50 AM

I would not be surprised if some states try to require black people to litterally vote with their feet.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 10:59 AM

Do something useful. Go and take a long walk on a short pier.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Apr 21 - 07:28 AM

The changes on the voting laws shoukd be judged by what is the Republican intent. On the surface the new proposed laws are not that bad.
They do take away the authority of the Secretary of State and gives it to the legislature.
The NYT has investigated and says it doesn't change turnout.
The devil is usually in the details. The Donald was rebuffed by the Sectary uf the State of Georgia so perhaps intimidating legislatures is perceived as being easier.

I am sad the donald has in a sense politicized Baseball as well as Football.

Correction: Coke and Delta are on the protest side of the new election laws.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: beardedbruce
Date: 07 Apr 21 - 09:04 AM

In case one wants to verify the facts on the new Georgia law, instead of judging based on Donuel's somewhat warped version:

https://news.yahoo.com/georgia-voting-fact-checking-claims-230025392.html

https://news.yahoo.com/setting-record-straight-georgia-voter-164658566.html

"In his statement, Biden also alleged that the new law “ends voting hours early.” Even the left-leaning Washington Post agreed that wasn’t true, giving the claim four Pinocchios and saying “there’s no evidence that is the case.”

The reality is that Georgia remains a national leader in access to the polls.

Georgia has the most successful automatic voter-registration program in the country. Automatically registering eligible voters through the Georgia Department of Driver Services, which confirms citizenship prior to registration, makes it easier for eligible voters to vote, and ensures that election officials have accurate, up-to-date information. Notably, President Biden’s home state of Delaware does not offer this to voters.

Stacey Abrams is pushing for just 15 days of early voting, below the 16 days Georgia has offered its voters for years. SB 202 has built on that, requiring 17 days of early voting at minimum, including two Saturdays. By contrast, Abrams recently praised New Jersey for having nine days of early voting. If more access is better, how is nine days praiseworthy but 17 suppressive? Ditto for President Biden. His home state of Delaware doesn’t offer any early voting. And though Georgia voters can request an absentee ballot without explanation, President Biden’s home state of Delaware still requires an excuse."

For a further statement of how the present administration has out-Trumped Trump in distorting facts, see:

https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/03/joe-biden-botches-the-georgia-voting-law/

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: beardedbruce
Date: 07 Apr 21 - 09:16 AM

BTW, from https://republicapress.com/us/full-text-georgias-voting-law/


Any person applying for an absentee-by-mail ballot shall make application in 944 writing on the form made available by the Secretary of State. In order to confirm the 945 identity of the voter, such form shall require the elector to provide his or her name, 946 date of birth, address as registered, address where the elector wishes the ballot to be 947 mailed, and the number of his or her Georgia driver’s license or identification card 948 issued pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 40. If such elector does not have a 949 Georgia driver’s license or identification card issued pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 5 950 of Title 40, the elector shall affirm this fact in the manner prescribed in the application 951 and the elector shall provide a copy of a form of identification listed in subsection (c) 952 of Code Section 21-2-417.

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: beardedbruce
Date: 07 Apr 21 - 09:19 AM

And to prevent my comments being ignored due to the SRS Rule,
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/04/01/us/politics/georgia-voting-law.html

Subject: RE: BS: The New Non Voting America
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Apr 21 - 09:22 AM

I ignore them due to the "ohmigoditsbruceagain" rule. Waiting for the thread bombing...