We Can't Even Vote In Peace

[Doot]

Ridge: 'Credible' Intel Points To Attack To Affect Election
Terror Advisory Scale Will Stay At Yellow, Ridge Says

POSTED: 10:51 am EDT July 8, 2004
UPDATED: 12:27 pm EDT July 8, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Thursday that al-Qaida is actively working to disrupt the November elections.

"Credible reporting now indicates al-Qaida is carrying out plans for a large-scale attack in the United States to affect the democratic process," Ridge said at a Thursday morning briefing.

He said it's clear that al-Qaida has the capability to carry out such an attack.

"They also hold the mistaken belief that their attacks will have an impact on the American resolve," he said.

Ridge said the intelligence community is lacking knowledge as to a time, method or place for an attack. He said agents are "actively working" to answer those questions.

Ridge said that despite the threat, the terrorism advisory scale will not change from yellow (elevated) to orange (high). He added that there is no specific information indicating that al-Qaida is targeting either the Democratic National Convention later this month in Boston or the Republican National Convention a month later in New York.

The White House said Thursday that the United States is tightening security in the face of a steady stream of intelligence indicating al-Qaida may seek to mount an attack aimed at disrupting elections.

The Department of Homeland Security is addressing the threat and has efforts under way to "ramp up security," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

Ridge said the Bush administration based its decision to bolster security on "credible" reports about al-Qaida's plans, coupled with the pre-election terrorist attack in Spain earlier this year and recent arrests in England, Jordan and Italy.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told reporters after a briefing for senators on intelligence matters that the announcement is not reason for "panic or paralysis."

"The country is at some increased risk between now and the time of the presidential election," he said. "It's important for people to be aware of that."


Does anybody know what happens if nobody shows to vote due to mass paranoia?

[oxxyjoe]

when does voting start anyway?

[Sperrit]

That's got to be the biggest piece of bull that I've seen in a great long while.
We know they'll attack! We just don't know when... or where... or how... but we know they'll do it! Yes we do! So Watch Out!
Jeebus.... not trying to cause a panic my fine greecian ass!

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[Silver Adept]

Election Day is always the second Tuesday in November. (At least, I think that's right.)

Regarding nobody voting - it's not actually a problem, so long as the Electoral College is able to convene without terrorist interruption. The popular vote is used as a guideline for the College on where to place their votes, but it's really the College that elects the president, not the people. If you want to be paranoid, start being paranoid that, although I'm not sure if it's happened yet, a group of elite people could elect a President without you, me, or most of the 200+ million citizens in the United States.

And I think I agree with Sperrit, at least partway - this can be used as a potential plot to get people to vote scared - and thus vote for Status Quo, who supposedly knows best, having been in office during all this.

Of course, one cannot dismiss things too easily - so I suggest that if there is to be threat, that more protection personnel be deployed to ensure the safety of both the voters and the ballot box.

[Doot]

Aren't they looking at internet voting as a viable option?

[Sperrit]

Of course not. That'd be WAY too easy. Think of all the problems that would solve to have electronic voting, so of course they're not going to go for it. These are politicians, now.

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[Silver Adept]

There are viable problems with Internet-voting, things like interception of data by those who wish to manipulate it. Even current electronic systems generate paper results so that they can be counted without being interfered with at the system level.

Of course, if some unscrupulous sod wants to reconstruct the machine's program in his image, we'd all be screwed, but hopefully the results would cause a bit of consternation, especially from those who knew they didn't vote that way...

To use electronic systems with no paper trail could be asking for someone to hack an election.

Although after the debacle with the hanging chad, electronic machines may be a step up.

[reaper]

[Sperrit]

Here's the best one yet:
There was a senator coming in to the capitol for Regan's funeral in a private plane. Well, after the plane had taken off the pilot noticed that his identity signal wasn't working. So he called the FAA and told them who he was and they passed him. However, Homeland Security was also looking at this plane and they had no idea who it was, only that an unidentified plane was heading for Washington. So instead of contacting the FAA they evacuted the White House and scrambled jets and helicopters to intercept it. Not only did they not figure out who it was until AFTER the fact, they didn't even stop the plane from landing!
Yeah... our government REALLY has our security in hand....

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[Reverend]

IF there really was a likely chance that our electoral process would be disrupted, then the threat level should be elevated.

IF we are in danger, then we should have the GOP senate leaders shuffle the schedule around to vote on procurrment for Homeland security on Monday instead of next month.

It looks to be called though, wag the dog