Daily Kos

Voter suppression time

by kos

Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:18:53 PM PDT

Seriously, the GOP must keep voters away from the polls in order to have any chance to win.

This flyer is being distributed around Milwaukee's African American communities.

Found and scanned by this Sierra Club blogger.

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Permalink | 324 comments

  •  Geez, nice typo... (none / 1)

    "Guiulty".

    The rest of it is even worse.

    by Andrew S on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:18:33 PM PDT

    •  That's a derivative (3.66 / 3)

      of Giulani.

      Who will incidentally be in Madison tomorrow to attack Kerry.

      Get your Democracy Bond and help build a 50-state Democratic Party!

      by RobertInWisconsin on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:20:30 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Why hasn't... (3.66 / 3)

      ...anyone reported this flyer to the local media? If we would alert the local media to this then maybe we could catch the stupid assholes who are putting this shit on the street.

      Also, the media could debunk all of this.

      Report it to the newspapers!
      Report it to the tv stations!
      Report it to the radio!

      Get the word on the street that this thing is fake and shouldn't be taken seriously.

      Like, I've said before, we have to take off the kid gloves if we're gonna win this thing.

      by Ghidra99 on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:13:25 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  It was reported (none / 0)

        I'm volunteering up here in Milwaukee (from Texas). I came into the Kerry office last night and showed this graphic to the crew in the room. One of the camp. coordinators immediately got on the phone to witv (I believe the ABC station) and they requested that I send them the pic.

        I did, immediately. I'm not sure if it was broadcast on the newscast though because I went straight back to the work I was doing.

        Cheney/Satan '08. Let's finish what Bush started!

        by agentcooper on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 05:12:44 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Report it to Election Protection (none / 0)

        Someone call 1-866-OUR-VOTE and report it so it shows on voteprotect.org.

        by bkdelong on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 06:47:33 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  This may not be real (2.50 / 2)

      I don't believe it and I suggest we wait a little while before trumpeting it to the world. If we wait until later tonight, for example, it's not like the issue is going to go away!

      Please folks, BE CAUTIOUS here.

      This instant feedback can cut deeply BOTH WAYS.

      Q: How stupid can 51% of our country be? A: Pretty damned stupid.

      by wunderwood on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:17:08 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I agree (2.00 / 2)

        This is so over the top it really is hard to believe its real

        Then again.....

        by flory on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:25:32 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  It is real (3.66 / 3)

          I know a person who (independently) found this exact same flyer in Milwaukee yesterday afternoon, and faxed it to Madison.

          Same damn thing.

          It's so unbelievably outrageous I personally don't feel like anyone would really believe it, but with all the first time voters in WI you never know.

          They do stuff like this every year but we need to call it out for the bullshit it is each and every time!!!

          Our dreams cannot fit in their ballot boxes

          by amistangel on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:16:16 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Never underestimate... (none / 1)

            ...the ignorance of American people. (Slightly revised version of a quote by H.L. Mencken.)

            I realize what I write in this post may sound ugly, but as a reality-based community, we must understand the situation as it is.

            The educational system in this country is producing a lot of people who are gullible, poor at logical reasoning, and jump to conclusions. I know. I'm a college professor, and while I have a lot of smart students, there's always someone who manages not to understand even the simplest and clearest directions because s/he was sure s/he knew what I meant better than I did, or simply read the first line and figured s/he could guess at the rest. I don't think it's the students' fault - I think it's because they were socially promoted through grades where little teaching was going on - but that doesn't change the situation. And keep in mind that I always try my best to explain everything in good faith and am reachable through my office hours and email, whereas these bastards are trying their best to confuse and con uneducated and undereducated people. We assume people will dismiss these crude frauds at our peril!

            by New Yorker on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 05:22:39 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Not just a product of poor education (none / 0)

              It's not just an issue of gullibility or poor education. Many of the people this message is targeting are suspicious and fearful of authority, especially when police action or jail time is threatened. If there's any doubt in their mind of their safety, they'll stay away from the polls. It's sad and wrong that anyone would be trying to manipulate them through fear this way.

              by yellowsarong on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 07:26:01 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

      •  It's real (3.66 / 3)

        We have a copy at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Also one going around (I forget the state) calling Jefferson County to "Get Out to the Poles" on Nov. 4, 2004.

        Asshats.

        You can't tame the white supremacist power structure with cheese!

        by andlorr on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:41:32 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Satire? (3.50 / 2)

          Satire?

          - nick catalano

          by NickCatal on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:44:29 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  "Get Out to the Poles" (4.00 / 2)

          You forgot Poland!!

          "There is nothing false about hope." -- Barack Obama

          by DC Pol Sci on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:50:40 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  If Real, As You Say, Why The Hell (3.66 / 3)

          hasn't it been hand delivered to the press in the area and to everyone else of any authority or influence?

          What are you waiting for?  NOW'S the time to make a big stink about it.

          You can't always tell the truth because you don't always know the truth - but you can ALWAYS be honest.

          by mattman on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:05:16 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Forget the media (none / 1)

            send it to the state and city election boards and the state and city district attorneys ASAP

            And don't forget every non-partisan election watch public interest group!

            Steve Wolf stevew@bbbmedia.com

            by stevew on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:09:14 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Absolutely RIGHT! (none / 0)

              Let's get on it.  If I had a copy of that piece of shit I'd be tearing up the place.

              If real, that dog hunts!

              You can't always tell the truth because you don't always know the truth - but you can ALWAYS be honest.

              by mattman on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 09:12:46 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  By all means, get out to the Poles!!! (none / 1)


          I found this on a German site (of all places!).  If you're in Milwaukee and taking a break from GOTV, why not consider a stop at:  

              * The Basilica of St. Josaphat
                Milwaukee's Catholic crown jewel, this Polish basilica's website features the history of the building, photos, and religious history of St. Josaphat and basilica architecture.
                http://www.thebasilica.org/

          Here's an endorsement for Kerry/Edwards from the Polish American Congress in Ohio:
          http://www.poloniatoday.com/kerry-endorsed1004.htm

          In western Wisconsin and St. Louis, prominent Kerryphobe Archbishop Raymond Burke earned a bad reputation with Polish-Americans by razing a Polish parish in LaCrosse and withdrawing priests from St. Stanislaus Kostka in St. Louis because the parish board would not turn over the deed to the Archdiocese.  At St. Stan's:


          But for now, they continue to gather, praying in English and in Polish. On one of those Sundays in August, Carol Crossley, who grew up in the parish and attended the elementary school, said: "Our grandparents came here 100 years ago to escape religious and political oppression. Now we have Archbishop Burke and he's telling us how to vote and trying to take away our church."

          by Yamaneko on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 10:03:14 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  I agree (none / 0)

        That could have easily been made up by a democratic supporter in order to gain sympathy, how do we know who made it, the 10 years in jail and your kids will be taken away just seems to much of a joke to me, not very convincing

        www.mikefrancesa.com

        by spree99 on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 10:18:23 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Obviously a fake (none / 0)

        I've examined the lack of superscripts and the fonts in the scanned image and the document could only have been made on a 1966 Royal typewriter - a type that was available only through Pentagon purchasing.
        I believe the ragged imprint and evidence of platten-stutter suggests this paper has been in contact a particular model formerly in the possession of an Air National Guard office in Texas.   (While some insist the typewriter was transferred to an Alabamama office, most believe it was, in fact stolen.)

        -5.75 -5.85 "Nothing inspires forgiveness quite like revenge" Scott Adams

        by FeastOr on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 11:26:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  That's pathetic.. (none / 0)

    ..and so over the top. "Ten years in prison and your children will get taken away from you"? Very few people will believe that.

    Presidential politics is like jumping into raw sewage with your mouth open -- Batfish

    by Frank on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:18:36 PM PDT

    •  Please don't assume that... (4.00 / 2)

      Even very VERY smart people fall for stuff if they think it comes from someone "official." We can't assume no one is taking this flyer seriously, we must get it flung far and wide that it's a fraud so no one is tricked by this shit.

      MA blog: Left In Lowell

      Donate to ePluribus.

      by lynne1 on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:23:24 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Exactly (none / 0)

        I hope to God that the Democrats in the area had the good sense to launch a pre-emptive strike on this kind of shit and send out flyers saying "You will NOT be denied the right to vote for (blank)," etc. etc.

        If any GOTV groups in poor/urban areas of swing states haven't done this - PLEASE, for the love of God, do it! This is almost certainly part of the plan.

        "Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it." - Mark Twain

        by soultaco on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:17:36 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  Right, (none / 0)

      since legitimate organizations will be telling you how you can vote, not how you can't.

      I'm a bear of very little brain. (With apologies to A. A. Milne)

      by Arnie on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:24:02 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Beyond pathetic... (4.00 / 4)

      It's insulting.  And sad.  Whoever wrote this must think that black people are all ignorant and stupid.  I thought we'd left those myths behind with Jim Crow laws, but apparently someone must still believe them.   Things like this make me embarrassed to be a member of the same species as the writer.  

      by dianem on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:24:35 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  unfortunately (4.00 / 9)

      more than a few people will believe it. in a lot of low-income communities, news is often passed around by word of mouth. for a young black kid who has had to spend his whole life looking over his shoulder, it wouldn't take much to convince him that it's not worth it to take the chance on voting, especially since he figures voting for kerry probably won't get him a decent job much less stop the cops from harrassing him.

      the gop are evil, craven bastards. if this isn't proof, i don't know what is. the thing is, i know this shit has been going on forever! this is not the first election they've tried to suppress the minority vote. it's just the first one we're all hearing about.

      i'm going to show this to my 18-year-old babysitter. he's black and voting for the first time this year. if i arm him with this info, maybe it'll enable him to stop any rumours he hears. i also might print it out for my landlord, who is the pastor of a small black church.

      thanks to the blogger who gave the heads up on this.

      by JaneKnowles on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:29:13 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Would Recommend that you DON'T print it (none / 0)

        Don't want to add to the proliferation of this sludge.

        Who knows where it will end up or how it will be taken.

        Use other means to debunk -- showing your babysitter and landlord the online version.

        Come visit us at ePluribus Media Community

        by Cho on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:00:58 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Create a counter-flyer (4.00 / 8)

          Or just create a counter-flyer. All of this information is accurate for Wisconsin.

          THE TRUTH ABOUT VOTING
          *You CAN vote in this election, EVEN IF you have voted in another election this year
          *You CAN vote in this election, EVEN IF you have been convicted of a crime - including a felony
          *You CAN vote in this election, EVEN IF someone in your family has been found guilty of a crime
          *You WILL NOT be arrested, jailed, or penalized for voting
          *If your name is on the list of registered voters YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WITHOUT PROVIDING PROOF OF YOUR IDENTITY OR RESIDENCE.

          The first few are common sense, others taken from PFAW's Wisconsin Voter's Bill of Rights.

          Just an idea.

          by punishinglemur on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:19:56 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Now THAT is one HELL of a great idea (none / 0)

            Of course that should be the response.

            If this is true (and I am starting to believe it is because of all of the testimonials and the 800 number, etc) then fine, attack it with a frontal assault.

            In the meantime, distributing something that clearly and simply lays out the real law would kill this. Especially if it is professionally done and clear and to the point. Listing the truth, bullet by bullet is the antidote.

            They can run but they can't hide.

            Q: How stupid can 51% of our country be? A: Pretty damned stupid.

            by wunderwood on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:49:57 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  that is good, but (none / 0)

            many state laws say that you do need to provide proof of identity or residence.  If you don't have a photo ID, a piece of mail will work.  I think it's a good idea, and since most folks have ID you don't want them to leave it at home and end up voting provisionally.  I am sure there are some groups who contend you don't need ID, but as far as I know identification requirements are legal and constitutional.

            Darnell, you're paintin' a turtle right now. I'm not takin' legal advice from you or any other turtle-painter. -- Jaime Pressly as Joy, My Name is Earl

            by jibeaux on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:41:25 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Careful with that last one (none / 0)

            If you're newly registered this year and didn't mail in some proof of residency with your registration, you need to prove it in many states.

            Here in NC, it's driver's license, utility bill or government-issued check, IIRC.

            God bless America. God bless our troops.
            God damn George Bush to the fires of eternal damnation.

            by Bill Rehm on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:56:38 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  asdf (none / 0)

              I thought a bank statement also worked?  They said it was okay when I registered to vote.

              It's like watching an unknown winning a boxing match vs. the world champ and asking him halfway why he didn't knock his opponent out in the first round.

              by bsmcneil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 10:27:28 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  I believe you are correct (none / 0)

                I probably missed some other ones,too. My point was you need proof of residency if you've registered recently.

                God bless America. God bless our troops.
                God damn George Bush to the fires of eternal damnation.

                by Bill Rehm on Sat Oct 30, 2004 at 07:03:19 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

        •  How about a flyer... (none / 0)

          posted in the neighborhood that these flyers show up in that says:

          Distributing False Information Regarding Election Procedures is a Felony that is punishible by 90 days in prison and/or a fine of $1000 for each instance (i.e. each flyer)..

          who cares if it isn't true.. fight fire with fire...

          "Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants" Justice Louis Brandeis

          by mlangner on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:44:36 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Yes, with a 'wanted' poster (none / 0)

            Put up a Distributing False Info flyer, but on it say something like: "The following is an example of False Information:" Put in the flyer, then put a "Authors Wanted".  Or make a 'Wanted' poster for the authors seperatly.

            Gets the info about the fake flyer out there without accidentally legitimizing it.

            Most people say that what some people say is pretty stupid.

            by nullspace on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 08:45:42 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      •  Yes (4.00 / 3)

        People have a tendency to forget about all that has been thrown at the African-American community over decades and decades ..... there is a memory of this trauma, especially among older people, but not only older.  The instinct to shut down and hide is still very much there, unfortunately.

        I am so upset, this just adds to it. I have been listening to the Al Franken show (I download it and listen to it later) ... Al is playing clips of people like Sean Hannity and others saying that THE NY TIMES STORY ABOUT THE EXPLOSIVES HAS BEEN TOTALLY DEBUNKED.  They are saying KERRY IS BLAMING OUR TROOPS (in about those tones). I mean, they are saying RIDICULOUS THINGS!!  INSANE things .. but they seem SO SURE!!  

        I have a prediction .. the right wing is getting SO over the top, I feel the responsible, Reality-Based media are finally going to wake up and start taking them on .. I mean, they are OD'ing on lies .. it's just INCREDIBLE!!

        And now this .. how long before they get it???

        by cedubose on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:55:19 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  Don't be surprised (none / 0)

      Poor folks in a broke-ass neighborhood might just not have very good information, and would be prey to this.

      Whomever is responsible for the distribution of this flier ought to be shot.

      Finding God in a Dog

      by maxomai on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:08:52 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Fear of The Man (none / 0)

      Do not underestimate some groups' (valid) fear of authority figures. Registering and voting has the "Big Brother is watching you" constituency nervous: to do it means getting your name in the system, etc.

      For people who are trying to get any state social services, government oversight in their lives is already much higher than most middle-class people have to deal with. This kind of "we've coordinated our records and we're watching you" threat is just what some are suspicious of/afraid of already. If you're afraid you'll get kicked off aid, and you're not convinced a different elected official will be much better, how much of a fuss are you going to make to cast one vote?

      Find the source and discredit them!

      "History isn't a seesaw. If you have a bad regime on one side, the actions on the other side don't automatically become good." --Nicholson Baker

      by youpsy on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 11:28:13 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Some Milwaukee Republican (4.00 / 6)

    Should go to jail. Before they go, you know to hell.

    My blogs EFFin' Unsound, and Washingtonians for Hillary.

    by Carl Ballard on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:18:38 PM PDT

  •  HOLY SWEET JUMPING MONKIES!! (3.72 / 22)

    This is dynamite, they need to track these as soon as they can and hopefully pin them to some GOP robot.

    Not one step backward.

    by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:18:48 PM PDT

    •  Dude, you should clarify (2.30 / 10)

      that the monkeys comment was innocent...

      --------
      Please don't bite the heads off the chocolate Elvises.

      by PBJ Diddy on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:21:19 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Uh... (1.75 / 4)

        yeah. Like ten minutes ago.

        "One should always have one's boots on and be ready to leave." - Michel de Montaigne

        by adamgreenfield on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:23:54 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  eh? (3.77 / 9)

        Its just a randon exclamation, just expressing that I am shocked by it, why?

        Not one step backward.

        by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:25:19 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  It's bad enough... (1.00 / 16)

          that you can't spell.  It's even worse that you can't understand why your expression might be offensive, even though you most probably (giving you the benefit of the doubt) didn't mean anything by it.

          Why Are We Back In Iraq?

          by ronbrynaert on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:37:43 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Man you folks are harsh (3.85 / 14)

            I really didn't mean anything, I appologize for the spelling but I just rapid type too much. I guess it could be bad, but I just pulled it out randomly. Why read so far into it, besides my text said I hope they traked the person down. Yikes, guess I'll just sit and read if everything I post is deconstructed six ways.

            Not one step backward.

            by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:43:43 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  It's not the spelling that matters (1.25 / 16)

              "It's even worse that you can't understand why your expression might be offensive."

              Do the right thing and apologize for accidently using a term that is used by the kind of person who made this sign.  Do the right thing and rent do the right thing since the word is used in that classic film.

              Why Are We Back In Iraq?

              by ronbrynaert on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:46:39 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  HOPLY CRAP!!! (3.75 / 12)

                I AM REAAAALLLLY REAAALY REALLLY SORRY!!!!!! I didn't even think of the film thing, I just dind't connect the dots on that one. Geeze I reaaly put my foot in my mouth, please don't ban me or anything, can the post be deleted? I just pulled that from the hip I didn't mean anyhting! Can a mod delete it, I just feel like a total idiot now.

                Not one step backward.

                by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:50:34 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  Much better (1.20 / 10)

                  Of course now I feel like a Nazi for making you apologize.  Whoops.  My bad.  I apologize for using the word Nazi.

                  Why Are We Back In Iraq?

                  by ronbrynaert on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:53:06 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  •  Feel like a Nazi? (4.00 / 10)

                    Good, because you should.  Taking people out of context is a freeper trick.  Or would you like a complete discourse analysis of this discussion using Montague semantics and other big words to prove that you are full of shit?

                    A simple, "Hey, watch that, someone could take it the wrong way." would have been sufficient.  Can we at least wait until after the election before we start tearing eachother apart?

                    by Steve in Ohio on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:13:50 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                  •  GOD I LOVE THIS SITE! (4.00 / 9)

                    I am sitting here chuckling while you all bicker over details about an "offensive" comment (and yeah I guess it was offensive or could have been taken as offensive, but I haven't seen the movie) that was made innocently by someone here that was seriously upset because of some real racist (or perhaps imaginary racist, see my other posts in this thread) that is trying to keep African Americans from voting!

                    Y'all are GREAT! Group HUG!

                    Q: How stupid can 51% of our country be? A: Pretty damned stupid.

                    by wunderwood on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:40:38 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

              •  SIMMER DOWN (4.00 / 10)

                Mr. 3vil cleary meant NOTHING by his remarks.I think your outrage is disingenuous and your energy would be better spent making sure this voter suppression activity is exposed..Keep your eye on the ball

                by temanu on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:08:49 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  The only person anyone on this blog... (4.00 / 8)

                  ...ever refers to as a monkey is the Chimperor in Chief.  Let's assume Mr. 3vil was referring to him...anyone who would post on this board with a racist intent wouldn't post something agreeing with us; he'd be posting troll stuff like "Bush rules."

                  "There is nothing false about hope." -- Barack Obama

                  by DC Pol Sci on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:26:28 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

              •  it's (4.00 / 8)

                even more offensive to immediately think of black people when someone mentions monkeys.  That's so stupid.  Geez, you know it was innocent and anyone with half a brain (this includes black people, sir!) would know that esp. in the context of this board.  Geezus.  And no, I'm not white so don't think that I'm talking about something that I couldn't possibly understand.  It would be as if you were asking someone not to mention tacos in my presence for fear of making me hungry.  

                by repeatextension on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:23:08 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  no calling african american people... (none / 1)

              monkeys is a great way to get hurt in any city in the US.  

              I bet you did not intend that and the monkeys comment wasn't directed at them but it will still get you beat up.

              We Glory in war, in the shedding of human blood. What fools we are.

              by delver rootnose on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:48:00 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  I dunno (4.00 / 6)

                I live in a city and while calling anyone a monkey in terms like- "you are a monkey" stands a good chance of provoking a (deservedly) heated response- using any permutation of the phrase Holy (verb)ing (nouns)s! just lets people know that you watch Batman reruns.

                Might and Right are always fighting In our youth it seems exciting. Right is always nearly winning. Might can hardly keep from grinning. -Clarence D

                by Myrkury on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:25:18 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  you folks? (none / 0)

              i guess you mean kosmopolitans

              Viva Obama

              by Errol on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:34:27 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

            •  Hey Mr... (4.00 / 5)

              uh.. 3vil
              Guess what? I'm black and I don't get offended whenever I see the word "monkey". Perhaps because I don't think of myself that way...

              I took your comment as an innocent expression of shock.

              by candace on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:39:21 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  oh, dear. (none / 1)

                I'm white and I call my kid a monkey sometimes (mostly on the subway when she insists on swinging from the handrails when the train is moving).

                Children in general, I think, have a simian quality.

                by julia on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 11:54:37 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

          •  give me a fucking break (2.84 / 13)

            you sanctimonious waste of space. my word. if i hadn't already met so many similar walking bags of entropy in San Francisco, i'd think you were a Freeper troll.

            tree. forest. see the difference?

            by tatere on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:57:04 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Can't we all get along.... (4.00 / 2)

            ...and be happy and gay?

            Uhh oh! Am I know going to get 20 posts from that guy about my flagrant use of the word 'gay.' It could be considered derogatory.

            Jesus Christ, what was I thinking. Oh crap, I did it again! Now he is going to hit me with 20 posts on on that being derogatory towards Christians.

            Mother f..... Damn! Another one! Holy Moses! Eeek.

            For the love of God! ..... Man, I better go, or he is going to hunt me down like a dog.... Ooops!

            Hey, maybe I can get a spelling flame also. Posters look so intelligent when they do that. So lets risk no spell check!

            Signature Impaired.

            by gttim on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:39:57 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  Since no one else seems willing to explain (2.66 / 6)

          Racist Americans have long associated blacks with primates as an attempt to define them as sub-human.

          dKos has its obnoxious intellectual elite, but to me, learning quickly is just as good as knowing it all.  I'd recommend burning this one to memory.

          We're in this together you idiot. No wonder this country hasn't improved; it's filled with idiots who wave around "Dem" and "GOP" like they're baseball teams.

          by Dragonchild on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:48:46 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  I know I shouldn't do this (4.00 / 3)

            But you do know black folks are primates, right? Same with white folks, Latino folks, Asian folks, and Native folks.

            Homo sapiens sapiens is a member of the order Primate.

            God bless America. God bless our troops.
            God damn George Bush to the fires of eternal damnation.

            by Bill Rehm on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:03:39 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

    •  Giving you a 4... (3.93 / 16)

      b/c I don't think you should be troll-rated for not being cognizant of the historical racial connotation of "monkey", given that, ideally, no one would be cognizant of that connotation, and, indeed, it wouldn't exist.  I mean, come on; is the rule "don't talk about monkeys in any context at all when African-Americans are related to the topic of discussion, because many ignorant people like to express their ignorance in a similar way"?  That's ridiculous.  We should be working to reclaim the term and marginalize and eliminate that connotation, not strengthening it through knee-jerk reactions.

      by jsim on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:51:27 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  I didn't take that as a racist comment (4.00 / 10)

      ..until someone else jumped on it. It was an exclamation. I guess you should have said something like, "holy sweet jumpin baby seals!"

      I dunno. Maybe something like that, anyway.

      Q: How stupid can 51% of our country be? A: Pretty damned stupid.

      by wunderwood on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:52:14 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Sorry (4.00 / 8)

      Just to close this, I want to appologise for this comment. I honestly didn't mean anything by it. I tend to just fire out anything I think is funny or wierd at the time. I didn't realise in context it was VERY inappropriate.

      Not one step backward.

      by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:57:15 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  You know, (3.75 / 8)

      I was just trying to be helpful, and if you Re-Read my post, you'll see I SUGGESTED you clarify the comment, instead of TROLL-RATING YOU AND RUNNING AWAY LIKE SOME PEOPLE.

      I made the suggestion so that others wouldn't just hit you but instead might understand, like I DID, that it was just an innocent expression. Next time, I'll keep my good samaritan instincts to myself.

      --------
      Please don't bite the heads off the chocolate Elvises.

      by PBJ Diddy on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:25:15 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  No you were right (none / 0)

        I wasn't thinking, and shoul've clarified or just been more thoughtful. Don't lose the samaritan instinct, that way lies the dark side. Now everyone get out of this thread and do something productive (and make me feel like less of an idiot).

        Not one step backward.

        by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:39:41 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  I never thought you were an idiot, (4.00 / 9)

          but, I AM.

          I was on the playground with my two boys (last summer), and I call them "monkey-man" all the time. Well, I yelled out real loud, "get over here Monkey-boy" and an African-American woman freaked out at me (I guess she thought I was yelling at her son) I was devastated, since, like you I meant NO racial connotation whatsoever, and it didn't even occur to me, but she was pissed, didn't believe me and caused quite a scene, and all I could do was turn bright red and take my kids out of there (who didn't have the slightest idea why this woman was screaming at me)...So, I was just reliving that experience and thought, gee, I should help this guy out since I'm sure it was just an expression...

          Anyway, I never did say anything bad about you or troll-rate you (although I got some shit for my post from others) so from my end, anyway - we are cool. Thanks.

          --------
          Please don't bite the heads off the chocolate Elvises.

          by PBJ Diddy on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:46:59 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Thanks (4.00 / 4)

            I appreciate the thought, and I understand, kinda. I grew up in Utah and if you've ever been there, you'll notice there isn't much ... diversity. So growing up I didn't really understand much about why people get upset about these sorts of things. But now that I live in Illinois, I get the other side of the story. But being sheltered growing up I still make these kinds of mistakes because I don't think about it. So the problem in this case is me and my lack of understanding. And also As I stated, I'm just the kind of person that blurts things out (cafine addiction? ADD?) on a whim.

            Anyway, I really appreciate the personal thought, and wanted to share mine.

            Not one step backward.

            by Mr 3vil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:04:47 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

    •  Calm the fuck down, people... (none / 1)

      We have A LOT more important things to be worrying about right now than someone's innocent comment that could be taken the wrong way...feel free to get all riled up about this kind of stuff AFTER the election.  Right now we have work to do!

      "Never separate the life you live from the words you speak." - Sen. Paul Wellstone

      by burnt in effigy on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:27:46 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  But... because of the spelling (none / 1)

      I thought he was talking about Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork.

      -------------------------
      Tom Smith Online

      by filkertom on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 01:24:29 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Damn you... (3.66 / 3)

    ... Milwaukee Black Voters League!!!!!1

    by jmonster on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:18:58 PM PDT

  •  horrible! (none / 0)

    by The Wolf on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:19:04 PM PDT

  •  Fuckers need to go to jail. (4.00 / 7)

    And I'm tired of the media acting as though both sides are guilty of voter fraud.  Nothing the dems do compares to this despicable shit.

    by patagonia on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:19:10 PM PDT

  •  LGF is on the case. (4.00 / 9)

    THIS FLYER WAS CLEARLY CREATED IN 1972 WHEN CERTAIN TYPEWRITERS WERE IN USE. LOOK AT THE SUPERSCRIPT IN THE "TH" BLAH BLAH BLAH DUH ARAFISH ST. PANCAKE PLLLLTBLTTTPTPLP.

    </charles johnson>

    Terrene is my band

    by terrene on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:19:50 PM PDT

  •  DISGUSTING!!! (3.83 / 6)

    Arrgh, this makes me crazy, that this is happening in my home state, the state I was born in and live in and love.

    Today the ReUGLYcans were bitching because here in Madison the city clerk's office is staying open for extended hours to allow people to early-vote.

    Can you believe, the WI Republicans are saying this is an 'illegal' in-kind contribution to the Kerry campaign?

    They don't want people to vote!

    The more people who vote, the more they lose!

    Makes me crazy.

    Get your Democracy Bond and help build a 50-state Democratic Party!

    by RobertInWisconsin on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:19:57 PM PDT

  •  Bastards! (4.00 / 3)

    by Terry in Austin on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:20:00 PM PDT

  •  The big tent party (none / 1)

    strikes again.

    I was watching some show today (I think it was crossfire) and the Republican was saying the voter suppression attacks were untrue.  

    Jon Stewart had it right: "You're 35 and you wear a bowtie"

    "You think you can intimidate me? Screw you. Choose your Weapon." Eliot Spitzer

    by bonddad on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:20:46 PM PDT

    •  Real Republicans wore big hats. (none / 0)

      "As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it, "All men are created equal, except Negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read, "All men are created equal except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some other country where they make no pretense of loving liberty - to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, without the base alloy of hypocrisy."

      Seems the list has gotten very long since Reconstruction. Two America's, indeed.

      Take a friend to vote. Many if possible.

      by fouro on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:33:24 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  That's just fucking vile. (3.66 / 3)

    The shitheads who wrote that should get ten years in jail and their children taken away from them.

    by Kimberly Stone on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:20:54 PM PDT

  •  really (4.00 / 4)

    I find this hard to believe. I would except for the "if anybody in your family has been been found guilty of anything..."

    Is anybody really going to fall for that?

    Politopics.com

    by politopics on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:21:17 PM PDT

    •  I've heard of these tactics (none / 1)

      for many years, long before the World Wide Web.

      The ReUGLYcans openly talk about suppressing the 'Detroit vote'.

      And Milwaukee has a huge African-American population.

      This makes me ill. I have no doubt in my mind that this is genuine. I'm sure the 101st Fighting Keyboarders will try to say that Dan Rather faked it on a Selectric II that he bought at a secondhand store while wearing a disguise. . .

      Get your Democracy Bond and help build a 50-state Democratic Party!

      by RobertInWisconsin on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:22:55 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Baltimore.. (none / 0)

        Didn't this same type of flyering happen in Baltimore in a recent election?  2002, I'm thinking?

        on strike.

        by daria g on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:40:10 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Yes indeed, this has happened before (4.00 / 3)

          I think it's interesting that some people can't believe that the ReUGLYcans would actually do something like this.

          After the last 4 years, nothing is beyond them.

          Here's one version of the Baltimore 2002 incidents:

          Terry McAuliffe Denounces GOP Voter Intimidation and Suppression Efforts as 'Despicable'

          05-Nov-02

          Terry McAullife declared, "The tactics being used around the country to intimidate voters and suppress voter turnout are nothing less than despicable. We have seen 'anonymous' fliers displayed in predominantly African American communities in Baltimore, MD, with an incorrect Election Day date, warning voters to ... take care of any outstanding warrants before they go vote. Maryland Republicans [said] their campaign plans include deploying off-duty police officers as poll watchers on Election Day. In Hidalgo County, TX a Republican poll monitor for Republican Senate candidate John Cornyn had to be escorted out of the polling place by law enforcement for harassing senior Hispanic voters and using derogatory language... Mr [Bush], do not let our election process fall prey to dirty political shenanigans once again. Tell your Republican party operatives to cease their voter intimidation practices and let Americans exercise their right to vote free of harassment and intimidation...'"

          From Democrats.com

          Get your Democracy Bond and help build a 50-state Democratic Party!

          by RobertInWisconsin on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 08:34:02 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  That's what I was thinking too (none / 0)

      It's so egregious.  

      by ides on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:23:01 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Yeah, I had the same response ... (none / 1)

      ...it seems too much like a parody to be real. I mean, the GOP vote suppressors are vile and  careless and often stupid, but I find it hard to believe that they are THIS stupid.

      I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

      by Meteor Blades on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 05:25:18 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Pretty routine approach (none / 0)

        ... along with "If you have any unpaid rent or utility bills, you cannot vote" etc.

        I don't know if they test this stuff on focus groups, but remember -- it doesn't have to work on everybody, it just has to work on somebody.

        The Great Obama might saw the lady in half, but he won't make the elephant disappear. The Confluence

        by RonK Seattle on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 06:46:37 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  OT- 'Permanent Open Thread' s/b ... (none / 0)

        ... "Progressive Open Thread", IMHO

        The Great Obama might saw the lady in half, but he won't make the elephant disappear. The Confluence

        by RonK Seattle on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:35:57 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Consider also the effect in communities where ... (none / 0)

        ... a substantial fraction of adult males really are disenfranchised by virtue of criminal history, and a substantial fraction of everybody has minor unresolved issues (bad debts, child support arrears, failure-to-appear summons on unpaid parking tickets, etc, etc).

        The Great Obama might saw the lady in half, but he won't make the elephant disappear. The Confluence

        by RonK Seattle on Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 07:53:03 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  For calibration, from another source (4.00 / 3)

      From AlterNet: Counted Out --
      One sign, which appeared in Baltimore in 2002, is entirely in capital letters. "URGENT NOTICE," it reads. "COME OUT TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6th. BEFORE YOU COME TO VOTE MAKE SURE YOU PAY YOUR

      - PARKING TICKETS

      - MOTOR VEHICLE TICKETS

      - OVERDUE RENT

      AND MOST IMPORTANT ANY WARRANTS"

      A second sign, this one from 1996, uses a tiny font to inform prospective voters that they may get into trouble when they walk into the booth.

      "Thanks to advances in computer technology Voting Machines can now be equipped with computers inside. The computers can be connected to a phone line to Federal State, and Local government agencies to instantly check if a voter is:

      * A NON-CITIZEN
      * Wanted on Criminal or Traffic Warrants or Parole or Probation violations
      * Is behind on child support payments
      * Is cheating on Welfare, Food Stamps, AFDC, Section 8 or Medicaid by earning money 'off the books'
      * Has defaulted on government-backed student loans
      * Has failed to file income taxes for two or more years."
      This example makes the one above seem less surprising.