How A Private Company Counts Our Votes On Election Night
Posted by Michelle Moquin on June 13th, 2012
Good morning!
Delores: Interesting article. Thanks for posting. This write has been in my blog box for a few weeks. I think today is a good time to post it:
(Note: Christopher Bollyn is one of the greatest reporters in the world. He is independent and intrepid. He is what Geraldo Rivera and Dan Rather pretend to be. Bollyn reported on, and contributed to, our “Citizens for a Fair Vote Count” Convention which was held at the Greater Cincinnati Airport in late August, 2000. This article explains, as far as possible, the nuts and bolts of how 99% of the counties in the USA incredibly delegate the “counting” of our votes to a few private companies, who “count” the votes in secret. We at votefraud.org believe that these few private companies now fix every key election in collaboration with the 5 major TV Networks, the AP Wire Service, and the Ruling Elite behind all these entities. This Ruling Elite also controls the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee — which entities look the other way and NEVER protest this absolutely un-American, unconstitutional, and criminal arrangement.)
HOW A PRIVATE COMPANY COUNTS OUR VOTES ON ELECTION NIGHT
By Christopher Bollyn
American Free Press
When the polls closed in Chicago, American Free Press was at the Cook County clerk’s office to see how the secretive private company that operates the voting machines in America’s third largest city actually controls the counting of the votes.
CHICAGO, Illinois: The morning after Election Day, the Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards promised the nation that the Democrats would “make sure that every vote counts, and that every vote is counted.”
Later in the day, as the Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry, conceded defeat to George W. Bush, his 9th cousin and fellow “Bonesman” from Yale’s elite secret society, The Order of the Skull & Bones, he said: “In America, it is vital that every vote count.”
Kerry and Edwards, however, conceded defeat before some 170,000 to 250,000 provisional ballots from the state of Ohio, which could have changed the outcome of the election, had been counted.
As the public has been led to believe, the final tally came down to a near 50-50 split and it was the “swing state” of Ohio that made the difference.
But how were the votes actually counted across the nation on November 2?
VOTING IN CHICAGO
On Election Day, voters in Cook County (Ill.) were among the 60 million Americans who voted with machines made by Election Systems & Software, a secretive and private company based in Omaha.
ES&S, as its known, calls itself “the world’s largest and most experienced provider of total election management solutions.” According to the company’s own figures, 42 percent of all registered voters in the United States voted on ES&S equipment on Election Day.
ES&S sells its “end-to-end election management suite of solutions” to replace traditional voting methods – and election officials – with what it calls “one-stop-shop” full service election coordination from start to finish.
What this means on Election Day is that ES&S, a private company, manages everything about the voting, from voter registration, the printing of ballots, the programming of the voting machines, the counting and tabulation of the votes, and the final reporting of the results for 60 million Americans in 47 states.
Four years after first revealing the flaws inherent in the insecure ES&S electronic voting machines used in Cook County,American Free Press went to the county clerk’s office to observe how ES&S controls the counting of the votes for America’s third largest city, Chicago, and the suburban area around it.
Scott Burnham, spokesman for the county clerk, had informed me that the vote count is open to the public and that press credentials would not be required. Shortly after arriving, I ran into Burnham and David Orr, the county clerk, in the hallway.
Although I had arrived just shortly before the polls closed at 7 p.m., I was the only member of the public or the press around except for a couple Associated Press (AP) reporters in the far corner of the room. They were busy setting up their laptop to the ES&S computer in the backroom, which provided them with “direct feed” of the results.
I was surprised to see so few people attending such an important event. In France, scores of citizens watch the vote count in each polling station.
While the results were coming in, the AP “reporter” read a novel while her laptop did the communicating.
When I went to talk to the AP reporter, Burnham quickly appeared and told me to leave. “You should talk to AP,” he said.
“She is AP,” I replied.
“She just works for AP,” he said.
Clearly the subject of AP having direct data feed from the mainframe computer was something Burnham did not want me to discuss.
Dane Placko, a local reporter for the Fox News network, told AFP that, “Fox gets direct feed.”
Any actual counting of the votes by citizens is very rare in the United States except for a few counties in Montana and other states where paper ballots are still hand-counted. In most counties the ballots are treated as input data to be processed through computer systems controlled by private companies like ES&S.
In Cook County the ballot is inevitably a cluttered punch card with nearly 100 votes. After voting for the president and vice-president, a senator, and a Congressman, the voter has to wade through pages of choices to vote for some 80 local officials from the sanitation board to the state’s general assembly. Every voter had to vote on nearly 80 judges.
As I voted, every ballot that was fed into the ES&S machine registered as an “undervote,” as did mine.
Rather than holding separate elections for national and local officials, as is done in most countries, the Cook County ballot is extremely long and complicated. Officials who support electronic voting systems give the complexity of the ballot as the main reason why voting machines are necessary – because it would take too much time to count the votes manually.
After calling and personally visiting ES&S headquarters in Omaha and Chicago, I can say it is the most secretive company I have ever come across. In August, I visited ES&S company headquarters on John Galt Blvd. in Omaha.
Although the company says it is the largest voting machine company in the United States, they were unable to provide any information about their company or their products. The ownership of the company is a closely-guarded secret. I asked to meet with Todd Urosevich, one of the two brothers that founded the company.
Bob and Todd Urosevich started ES&S as a company called Data Mark in the early 1980s. Today, Bob Urosevich heads Ohio-based Diebold Election Systems, a competitor of ES&S and the second largest U.S. manufacturer of electronic voting machines.
Together, the computerized ballot scanners (ed: not to be confused with barcode scanners as related to mailing envelopesand other facets of our daily lives) and touch-screen voting machines systems made by ES&S and Diebold recorded some 80 percent of all votes cast in the recent U.S. presidential election.
As ES&S had no media relations person available and Todd Urosevich was not willing to be interviewed, the company’s chief financial officer Tom O’Brien finally appeared. O’Brien, clearly displeased with my visit and questions, refused to provide any information about the company.
Although I was ill on Election Day, I knew I had to go to the county clerk’s office to observe “counting” of the vote. It is, after all, the only “counting” open to the public. What I saw in Chicago, however, only made me more nauseous.
The only “vote count” the press or public can observe in Chicago is what is projected on screens. The opening screen read: ES&S Automatic Election Returns, Release 35, Under License to the City of Chicago, Serial No. 0004, Copyright 1987.
Carl Zimmerman, technical supervisor for the clerk’s office, said that the computer that ran the system was in the back,“in the ES&S room,” he said.
At 7 p.m., Jonathan Lin, a worker on the county clerk’s computer staff, came out and turned on the monitors on the 6thfloor, where the City of Chicago votes were tallied and displayed. Behind him was Rick Thurman, an ES&S technician, checking the first results.
Thurman seemed surprised when I asked him if he worked for ES&S. He said that the company had about 6 engineers running the computer in the back room. He then checked himself, saying he had said too much.
Later I asked Lin who was actually operating the computer that was generating the results being shown on the monitors.“ES&S is running the mainframe for all of this,” Lin said pointing to the television displays.
In the press room in the back I noticed stacks of boxes containing “Votamatic” voting machines and “pre-punched” ballots printed by ES&S of Addison, Texas, for the different precincts in Cook County. In the rear hallway behind the press room was the ES&S room. Only ES&S personnel were allowed into the room.
When I poked around in the hallway and peeked into the ES&S room an armed marshal and ES&S employee quickly appeared. In no condition for a confrontation, I made myself scarce.
I met a couple reporters from CLTV, a local cable channel of WGN. One of the reporters asked about my interest in theChicago tallies. I said I was interested to see how a private company runs the elections in Chicago.
Seemingly unaware of how ES&S operates elections in Cook County, I explained the basics. “I’ve observed elections across Europe,” I added, “from France and Germany to Serbia and Holland. Everywhere in Europe voting is done on paper ballots that are counted by the citizens – except Holland.”
Obviously uncomfortable with this discussion the reporter responded, “I’m glad I’m not in Serbia. I don’t mind if a machine counts the votes.”
END OF ARTICLE
******
Readers: Thoughts? Blog me.
Kevin: Aww…that is very sweet. Thank you.
Social Butterfly: How are you? Thanks for the link. So…do you think Shellie Zimmerman deserves membership to the LSOS Club? Reading the comments from my other readers it seems the answer is “Yes”.
Anonymous: How nice – thank you.
I’m done for the day. Your turn – blog me.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
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michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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June 13th, 2012 at 10:14 am
Hi Michelle, and all. I’m good. Thanks for asking! Hope you, and everyone, are doing great too.
I saw a post on Eve Ensler’s FB page this morning I found extremely disturbing and wanted to share. She wrote:
“Today a female soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire.”
Almost HALF A MILLION soldiers have now reported being raped while serving in the military. And no surprise, the military sweeps it under the rug. On June 22, 2012, The Invisible War, a new film on this staggering and underreported truth opens. Please watch the short trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECOqpv45tIo&feature=youtu.be.
I know there are some good men out there; I’m not a man-hater. But when will those good men, that I know do exist, stand up for women and stop supporting their brethen that commit this heinous crimes? If you are a man and turn your head in the other direction, you are supporting rape. You are supporting your wife or your daughter being raped next.
Having been raped, I can tell you, if it were ever to happen to me again, or if anyone even tries to attempt it, I’m not longer a little girl and I’ll do my best to take out at least one eye of that motherfucker.
Rape should be totally unacceptable in a civilized society. What is wrong with us as a people?
/SB
June 13th, 2012 at 10:16 am
I nominate the US military as one big LSOS!
/SB
June 13th, 2012 at 11:46 am
Social Butterfly, this man is with you. I am in the military and I would not stand by and allow a male soldier to rape a fellow soldier, or anyone else for that matter.
But you are right about the mentality of the average soldier. They are so wound up in the macho bullshit they come from that they make it a part of their lives in the military.
The women need to start shooting the bastards. At least it will force the brass to get off their asses and do something.
David
June 13th, 2012 at 11:59 am
Social Butterfly, this is related to your story. I hope it catches on.
===============
Sheriff’s deputies in Texas won’t file charges against a father who they say beat an acquaintance to death after allegedly catching him sexually abusing the man’s 4-year-old daughter.
During a social gathering on Saturday, the girl went inside the family’s home in Shiner while other members of the family were tending to horses outside, CNN reported.
The father caught a 47-year-old man — with whom he was casually acquainted — attempting to molest his daughter, Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon told the Victoria Advocate. The father then allegedly punched the man in the head until he died, Harmon reported.
The father and daughter weren’t named to protect the identity of the 4-year-old girl. She was described as “ok, besides the obvious mental trauma” of the incident, Harmon said.
The alleged abuser was found dead at the scene. His name wasn’t released pending the announcement of his death to his family.
The sheriff’s office will defer to a grand jury to decide whether charges will be brought against the father.
“You have a right to defend your daughter,” he told CNN. “[The girl's father] acted in defense of his third person. Once the investigation is completed we will submit it to the district attorney who then submits it to the grand jury, who will decide if they will indict him.”
The father was reportedly “very remorseful” about the death and did not know the alleged abuser would die of his injuries.
June 13th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Kelly falls short in Arizona again
From Gizzi this a.m.: “It really didn’t matter that Republicans held an edge in registered voters of more than 26,000 in the Tucson-based district and that Kelly came within two percentage points of defeating Giffords in 2010. Democrats from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on down invoked the name of “Gabby” in fundraising appeals for the 66-year-old Barber — who was wounded in the same January 2011 shooting from which Giffords is still recovering.” Read more below.
Retail sales fall again in May
From the blog, Hayward notes that when “Poring over the data, MarketWatch detects ‘a potentially worrisome sign,’ which is the loss of sales at ‘virtually all of the establishments that tend to rely on discretionary income — extra money consumers have left over after paying for bills and necessities.’ This fits with recent reports of declining family net worth, and the dramatic loss of full-time jobs, to be replaced by part-time and temporary work.”
POLITICO: Democrats want change in Obama’s message
Property taxes live to fight another day in North Dakota
“North Dakota’s ‘Measure 2,’ which would have completely eliminated property taxes, was ‘soundly defeated’ on Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press. Polls had shown about 70 percent opposition to the measure, which made it to the ballot with strong Tea Party support.” Read more below.
Newsbusters: Joy Behar wants Mitt Romney’s house to burn down
That’s all from me. Have a good day!
-Adam
June 13th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Human Events, that win by Barber sucks. Such a disgrace to Tucson and to CD8. Allowing this ‘Obama Rubber Stamp’ to get into office, off of the sympathy vote of Giffords.
We do not need more Obama zombies in our offices. We need to curtail this spending spree that the Dems have been going on for the past few years.
If Obama is elected again, there is no stopping the train from careening off the cliff and the voters that put him into power will have no one to blame, although I’m sure they will try to find someone. Bush and Romney will be the first.
June 13th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
The father did what any parent would do if they walked in and saw this happening. He did not kill him on purpose and you can use deadly force to stop an aggravated sexual assault in progress.
June 13th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
If true I have no sympathy for the man that died (and i’m against the death penalty) but you also have to find out if the story is true or if they concocted it up after the man was killed
June 13th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Sympathy votes are a fact of life. This was one. We’ll see what happens in November.
There were probably thousands of people who said, “This was Gabby Giffords’ term; we’ll let her aide finish it. But we’ll look at it again in November.”
At that time, Obama will be on the ballot; so whether someone has been supportive of him will figure into most people’s voting, pro or con.
For Kelly, this loss means that if he loses in November, he can forget about becoming a Congressman. You try three times for the same seat and lose all three, you’re not likely even to get a fourth chance, and if you get it, you’ll lose.
June 13th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
I feel good and empowered to read your comments here. I was molested from the age of 2 1/2 to 10 by a man who was an employee of my father’s.
He had been in prison for 5 years for molesting another child and had been released 2 years earlier. My dad was told he had been in prison for theft and the guy convinced my dad that he had done it for a good reason, i.e., hadn’t been paid so had kept some tools from the place he had worked.
Apparently it seemed legit to my father who never told anyone nor checked on the guy’s story. I went through shear hell for 7 1/2 years.
June 13th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
What a headline! It’s all wrong. According to the article, the father caught a man ALLEGEDLY trying to molest his daughter. It doesn’t say the father allegedly killed the accused. He did kill him. Come on HP! You can do better than this.
Allegedly means there is no proof the man did what the father says he did, and authorities are taking the word of a killer. That’s what they did in FL regarding Zimmerman, and it’s already been revealed that he is a liar. This man could be lying too. Based on this incident, anyone can kill someone, and get away with it by saying the deceased attempted to sexually abuse a child.
We can’t allow Americans to go around killing people because THEY SAY they felt threatened or someone attempted to molest a child. After being accused of a crime in this country the accused is supposed to have the right to an attorney and a trial by jury.
This must be why Republicans want to lay off cops and not hire new ones. They would rather have vigilantes do their work without charge. No investigation, no expense, no justice! Outrageous!
June 13th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
This is Texas. He won’t spend a single day in jail. I seriously doubt he even gets charged.
The way the story is being reported down here in Houston, there were several witnesses that back up his story.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Hafa Adai, Michelle;
I want to run a five part series featuring 88 fun things to see and do in Guam. If it is too much, please let me know
=====================
Part ONE:
LIFE & STYLE
Thursday, June 14, 2012
View the photogallery for this article.
http://www.saipantribune.com/photogalu.aspx?newsID=119624
TRAVELOGUE
88 fun things to see and do in Guam
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
First of a five-part series
Whether you’ve traveled many or a few miles to arrive on Guam shores, you will be treated to a Hafa Adai welcome that’s as warm as the tropical weather.
Guam, “Where America’s day begins,” is an unincorporated U.S. territory and is the only Micronesian island dotted in most world maps.
Even at only 212 square miles, Guam is packed with offerings of monochromatic blue waters, swaying palm trees, white sand beaches, lush vegetation, striking landscapes, hidden waterfalls, fortresses from different eras, a hodgepodge of cultures, and just enough urban jungle.
This is not an exhaustive list, but just a sampling of fun things to see and do in Guam, and only from the viewpoint of someone who has stayed on its neighbor island of Saipan for quite a number of years.
1. Chamorro Village along Hagatna Bay. You know you’ve come to the right place when you start smelling the aroma of barbecued chicken and pork,
made more inviting by large doses of island music, Chamorro cultural dances, local arts and crafts, a hodgepodge of cultural and commercial servings, and the evening ocean breeze.
This is “the” place to be especially on Wednesday nights. It could become too crowded, though, and you’d have difficulty finding parking space.
Partake in good servings of Chamorro, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Jamaican, Greek, Mexican and American cuisine at inexpensive prices.
Since you’re in Guam, try to get the flavor of local Chamorro shrimp and chicken kelaguen and barbecue with red rice. It’s also a good place to shop for souvenirs and gifts.
2. Two Lovers Point north of Tumon Bay. A scenic coastal lookout with an intriguing legend, Two Lovers Point or Puntan Dos Amantes is at the top of a 410-foot limestone cliff just north of Tumon Bay.
This is an attraction you don’t want to miss because it is one of the best places to really see Guam’s beauty.
Legends have it that this jagged cliff was where two young Chamorro lovers entwined their hair and leapt to their deaths to be “together forever.”
The woman’s wealthy family objected to her romance with a lowly Chamorro warrior, as the woman was promised by her family to marry a Spanish captain.
Today, the site offers a breathtaking view of Tumon Bay. To access the cliff-top point, you must pay a few dollars at a nearby snack bar.
Romantic-and sometimes superstitious-couples could also write messages on tags and padlocks or “love-locks,” attach them to the fence, and throw away the key.
The same practice is done in many parts of the world, in reverence to couple’s love and devotion. Two Lovers Point has also become a popular spot for weddings.
3. Sella Bay and Overlook.
This tranquil and remote bay was the site of a leper colony in Spanish times. Located near the coast are a Spanish bridge and oven built in the 19th century.
The Sella Bay Overlook, high above Guam’s southern end, offers breathtaking views of Mt. Lamlam to the east, Sella Bay to the west, and Cocos Island to the south.
The area between Sella Bay and Cetti Bay is a popular destination for hikers and campers.
4. Carabao statues.
If you haven’t seen one alive, at least you could see carabao or water buffalo statues in Guam’s main tourist areas.
5. Boonie stomping every Saturday morning.
Joining the Boonie Stompers has got to be one of the best ways to explore and rediscover Guam.
Boonie Stompers, a non-profit group committed to protecting Guam’s unique heritage, offers guided hikes to a variety of destinations such as waterfalls, mountains, caves, beaches, snorkeling sites, latte sites, historic sites, and World War II spots.
Boonie stomping is one of my favorite Saturday morning activities in Guam regardless of the amount of partying the night before.
Hiking the way locals do not only puts your stamina to the test but does not fail to amaze that adventurous spirit in you.
Immersing yourself in the great outdoors and reveling in nature’s beauty might just be what the doctor ordered after a stressful workweek.
The hikes are classified into the following categories: Easy, medium, difficult and very difficult.
The meet-up time is 9am on Saturdays in the Center Court of Chamorro Village in Hagatna. The last time I joined, the fee was $2.
But there’s no reservation required. Just put on your hiking shoes, show up, and you’ll be part of the team.
6. Merizo massacre sites and cooling off at Priest’s Pool. The very first time I joined Guam Boonie Stompers, the scheduled hike was categorized as “easy,” involving a 1.5-mile hike that lasted some three hours.
It started with a hike to Tinta and Faha and ended up at Priest’s Pool. Tinta and Faha are two somber historic sites of importance to the local people because these were where Japanese troops stationed in Merizo massacred two groups of Chamorros during the tail end of the Japanese occupation of the island.
When the atrocities were over, 46 Chamorros “were slaughtered with grenades, bayonets, and sabers.” Some escaped death by fleeing or lying still under the corpses of their relatives and friends.
According to written accounts, when word of the massacres got to villagers, seven Merizo men killed 10 Japanese soldiers and drove the rest from the village.
This made Merizo “the first village on Guam to be liberated, and the only one to be liberated by the Chamorros themselves.”
It was raining that Saturday when the Boonie Stompers took us on a hike to Tinta and Faha, so the trails were muddy and slippery.
We were walking in the rain, and we had to cross a few streams, including one that was almost waist-deep and the current strong.
Just like that scene in the movie Forrest Gump when it felt like somebody just switched off the faucet to stop the rain, we started walking under the sun after walking in the rain for too long.
The reward was the freshwater pools of the Pigua River. The particular spot we went to is called Priest’s Pool.
Mostly U.S. military personnel dove into the pool to cool off, while others were content watching their stunts and marveling at the natural beauty.
Even though it wasn’t an “easy” hike as advertised, it was all worth it-learning about a piece of Guam history and being taken to the island’s hidden gems.
7. Bear Rock.
From afar, this natural rock formation at Agfayan Point in Inarajan resembles a giant bear sitting and looking toward the horizon.
It surely is the most obvious animal-like formation in Guam. We didn’t go anywhere near Bear Rock, but it sure was a nice backdrop for souvenir photos.
8. Ypao Beach Park.
This is one of Guam’s most popular recreational beach and park for picnics and barbecues, sporting activities, concerts and other community events.
Located at the southern end of Tumon Bay, this sprawling beach park boasts of great spots for snorkeling.
9. Plaza de Espana in Hagatna.
Travel back in time as you visit these spacious grounds and Spanish ruins that used to serve as the Governor’s Palace from 1969 until the invasion of World War II.
Most of Plaza de Espana was destroyed during the shelling of Hagatna during the retaking of Guam but three structures are still standing, including the three-arch gate to Almacen, the Azotea or back porch, and the Chocolate House.
10. Guam Slingshot.
Though I’ve visited it and seen people’s reactions to it, I never had the courage to try it myself. If you’re not afraid of vertical exhilaration-talk about heights of 230 feet and speeds of up to 100 mph-then it may be your match.
11. Merizo Bell Tower.
Although no longer in use today, the Merizo Bell tower has been well maintained and remains an enduring landmark in the southern part of Guam.
Built in 1910 with stone and cement, the bell was used to announce religious events, town meetings, and Masses.
12. Talofofo Beach.
This spot is popular among locals for surfing, bodyboarding, picnics, and soaking up the sun, but not an ideal place for snorkeling and swimming.
It also boasts of black sandy shores. Located within Talofofo Bay along Guam’s southeastern shoreline in the village of Talofofo, this beach provides visitors with picnic shelter, barbecue pits, showers, and restroom facilities.
13. Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
The Dulce Nombre de Maria or Sweet Name of Mary Cathedral-Basilica is not only the first Catholic Church in Guam but is also one of the centerpieces of the island’s religious culture.
The structure was built in 1669 and survived until World War II when it was destroyed during the shelling of Hagatna in preparation for the American invasion.
The present church was constructed on the original site in 1955-1959 and is worth a visit for its architectural and historical significance.
14. Gun Beach.
A very secluded beach past the Nikko Hotel, Gun Beach is named for the anti-aircraft military gun found next to the cliff wall where the stairs to get to Faifai Beach starts.
15. Wild Bill’s in Tamuning.
Unlike Wild Bill’s on Saipan, which serves superb Thai food, Wild Bill’s in Guam is just a bar.
Some Guam friends love to hang out in this Tamuning spot, and that’s how I became familiar with it.
16. San Vitores Martyrdom Shrine.
Just off the beach near the Guam Reef Hotel is a striking monument that marks the spot where Chamorro Chief Matapang killed the leader of the first Spanish Jesuit mission-Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores-for baptizing his daughter without his consent in April 1672.
17. UnderWater World.
If you’re in Tumon, you won’t miss the sign. UnderWater World Guam, one of the longest tunnel-aquariums in the world, gives you that thrill of being submerged beneath 800,000 gallons of saltwater without getting wet.
Opened in 1999, the aquarium has more than 2,000 animals representing more than 80 different species, including more than two dozen sharks, stingrays, turtles, giant groupers, garden eels, giant spider crabs, and jellyfish.
If you show your CNMI driver’s license or other CNMI IDs, you could get a discount on your entrance fee.
In the evening, UnderWater World Guam is transformed into the Kaitei Lounge, offering exotic cocktails, rare ambiance of music and beautiful colors amidst the scenic vistas found in the sea.
18. Statue of Liberty in Hagatna.
Unknown to many, there is a replica of the Statue of Liberty at Paseo de Susana at the entrance of Hagatna harbor.
It is visible to boats approaching the island as with its New York counterpart. The Boy Scouts of America built the statue in 1950 in observance of their 40th anniversary.
Although it is less impressive than the original, the State of Liberty in Guam-just like its inspiration-was a gift, and represents the same ideals of truth, liberty and freedom.
To be continued. If Michelle doesn’t mind.
Hafa Adai
Anna
June 13th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
The state of Florida voter purge is a scam perpetrated on the gullible. The statistics prove it.
1( “During the 2007 legislative session, a law was passed that mandates all Florida counties with touchscreen voting equipment replace them with OPTICAL SCAN voting equipment.”
2) For the record, the DS2000 optical scan voting machines have a documented error rate 0.5%.
3) In Florida with nearly 2 million votes in 2008, that would be 10,000 WRONG votes, far more than have ever been documented to be fraudulent voters.
4) Additionally, the “overvote rates” on the DS200 were much worse than for any other Florida voting system.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Approximately 182,000 people who are registered voters and who may not be U.S. citizens voting in a presidential election concerns me greatly. If they were not intending to vote why did they register?
June 13th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Florida is getting ready to steal another election!
June 13th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Folks might consider this issue in the context of risk versus reward.
An individual who manages to cast a vote he is legally ineligible to cast is rewarded with one vote going to a candidate he supports. He risks a prison sentence. This, by the way, is called voter fraud and it is rare and has a negligible effect on the democratic process.
An organization that employs a false or too loose standard to purge eligible voters from the rolls can cost the candidate they oppose tens of thousands of votes.
They risk a lawsuit from a civil rights organization that burdens taxpaying citizens when the state settles it. This is an example of election fraud and in 2000 it lead to Bush receiving Florida’s electoral votes resulting in that catastrophic administration.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
James, The reason no action was taken on the 182,000 is because those who compiled it found it so filled with errors and false positives no one would put their name on it.
Has it occurred to you that two people, one eligible and one not, can have the same name? I have a rare name and there’s two people in my office building with my name.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I doubt the governor’s claim of 50 non-residents. Also, this being Florida and our senior population who no longer drive and the poor who can’t afford a drivers license, much less a car, would not be on those rolls. I just renewed my Florida drivers license at a cost of $48.00, it used to be $15.00, so you see why many don’t have them.
It is my hope that the citizens of this country and the DOJ, will understand that this is Scott’s doing and not the residents of Florida.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Remove a Splinter
Sterilize pointed tweezers and a sewing needle in boiling water or over an open flame—or just wipe them clean with an alcohol pad.
Clean the skin around the splinter with an alcohol pad. Don’t use soap and water—it might soak and soften a wood splinter, making it more difficult to remove.
If necessary, pinch the area and work the needle along the length of splinter, stretching the “tunnel” that the splinter has made to expose an end.
Once you can firmly grip the end, pull out the splinter with tweezers. Check for any remaining pieces, then wash the area with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage if necessary.
Source: Richard O’Brien, MD, emergency physician, Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and spokesperson, American College of Emergency Physicians.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
The only way to get rid of corprate personhood and the Citizens United ruling is by Constitutional amendment.
The SCOTUS will not change the current law allowing unlimited funds to flow into SuperPACs.
The Congress will not act either, as they would be biting the hand that feeds them. Time to amend now!
June 13th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
I agree with the Supreme Court decision to allow unlimited spending.
To do otherwise limits free speech . Obama has 80% of the media in his pocket to begin with so the right out of the shoot the fight is not fair.
Obama is projected to win the race for cash to fund his re-election and raise a billion dollars . So when Romney defeats Obama in November it will be a testament to the voters choice based on ideas.
They like Romney’s ideas and reject the failed policies of Obama. This author insults the ability of voters to see through the BS and vote on issues.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Citizens United is legalized bribery. Swiftboating is a disgrace to our national honor. I am convinced that to remove all money from the American political process we need:
1) 100% government funded elections. There needs to be a process to select truly qualified candidates, but every vetted candidate gets the same amount of financial support.
2) To ensure that wealthy candidates do not have an advantage, no candidate can add personal funds to the governments funds. Every candidate spends the same amount.
3) The country will be divided into six “districts” made up of states. I see something like Northeast, North Central, Northwest, Southeast, South Central and Southwest.
4) Eight debates will be held. Two before any primary. Then one before each of the six regional primaries. Candidates will each answer the same questions.
Candidates must directly answer each question. No “I’ll get to that, but first I want to say this about….” Gong! If a question is not answered, or non-pertinent answers are given, the candidate is immediately disqualified from the election. (They are our candidates for a job interview – to work for us. Answer the question or you are toast.)
5) Broadcast (TV or Radio) political ads paid by individuals or corporations is not permitted. They can only be paid for from the candidate’s government provided funds.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Citizens United should be called, “How to buy an American Election, no matter what country you are from”.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
In order to make the citizens united case the USSC had to redefine who is capable of speech. They gave the power of speech to corporations and to money.
I know some people say money talks, but I’ve listened to my wallet and it never has said a word. And corporate speech is just giving the guy who decides how the money’s spent more power than he’d have as an individual.
In some cases the power of a foreign national running an American corporation the power to influence American elections. Illegal in other circumstances, but legal through the corporate “person” they control.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
The $60 million that went into play in Wisconsin to back the Incumbent had the absolute effect of buying votes for the Rebublican.
Tell me that all that money spent on the Media had no effect whatsoever on the employees of the TV and Radio Stations all over Wisconsin.
Tell me that not one manager of a TV or Radio Station in Wisconsin benefitted heavily from all the CASH flowing into those businesses.
What young turk of a boom operator or sound technician would have the guts to say to his boss, “It isn’t right that they can buy so much time for their message, that they can effectively dominate the air waves.”
How long would an employee stay working for a company if he voiced his opposition to the Koch Brothers Money Laden message?
June 13th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
I think Citizens United and Buckley will be around to plague us for many years. In the mean time getting rid of them by a replacement justice will be fought at every turn by the Republicans who see these rulings as benefitting them, judging from the tsunami of cash that has descended on the GOP in recent elections they are right.
I also think at some point many Americans will feel they have been disenfranchised and thier vote no longer counts, that “one man one vote” is a lie.
As the article notes 80% of Americans oppose thses laws, but as is so often the case the will of the people will be ignored and elections will remain to be bought and sold by the rich and corporations.
We have political strife by the truck load at this point, the question becomes when do bullets replace ballots.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Here is a prediction: if this Supreme Court overturns Obamacare, it will become the most reviled Supreme Court in history.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Bottomline: the cartel in power will stop any sensible bill in any area: healthcare, financial, patents, etc., by either party.
The objective remains to bring the cost of healthcare down by at least a factor of 2-3 (like it is the case in several countries with better than US healthcare) while increasing the quality has never been attempted or achieved by the bill.
The mandates, a.k.a. an additional tax on the poorest, definitely must go. These bill written by the lobbyists for the insurance companies.
A few good things (pre-existing conditions etc.) should stay but an effort to solve the actual crisis must be renewed.
June 13th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
The court will have to make new law, or resurrect some very old law, in order to strike down the ACA. That’s not to say they won’t; I think they probably will.
But they will have to create a new limitation on the Commerce power, and the Necessary and Proper Clause, that either (A) creates an “activity/inactivity” distinction in the meaning of the word “commerce” that is not in the Constitution and not in any legal precedent (which would also require characterizing the choice to self-insure and impose risk on others as “inactivity”);
or (B) declares that the mandate is not a “proper” means of regulating the medical-insurance market, and devises a novel reason why that is also not in the Constitution and not in any legal precedent.
A substantive due process (i.e., violation of individual liberty) ruling is less likely, as the court would have to either create a new unenumerated constitutional right, which it is loathe to do, or resurrect the unenumerated right to “freedom of contract” which has been dormant and discredited since Nebbia and West Coast Hotel.
Either way, if the Court rules in any way that will hurt Wellpoint, Aetna, Pfizer or Merck, I’ll eat my hat.
June 13th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
YKWTI
Baby oh baby. Yes I do need those hands on me as much as you need to put them there. I can’t take the separation must longer either. It’s been so long, other men are starting to look a little satisfying and possibly usable. God, please let this separation end soon. You know that saying, use it or lose it, honey I’m afraid if you don’t tap this honey pot soon, it just might dry out.
IKWYA
June 13th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
YKWTI, if the woman who you are writing to doesn’t know who you are, your efforts could be wasted. But if you were to tell us where you are (city and state) we could find perhaps a likable substitute that would be appreciative of a man of your talents.
I certainly could tolerate a man who prized me in such a way. Provided of course he was acceptable in the other 4 necessities.
Denise
June 13th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
IKWYA, have you ever heard the song “If you can’t have the one you want love the one you are with.”
Let me be the one you are with.
June 13th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Denise, hold your pride and step aside. You obviously didn’t get my name. Not only does my man LUV me, no one can kiss and suck the endless inches of that gorgeous dick like I do. There ain’t no substitute on earth.
Morris, there’s plenty of non-virtual men whom I actually know. You can believe that I would venture a spread with them before I spread for a stranger.
IKWYA
June 13th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
YKWTI
Pay no attention to IKWYA. She is an imposter! This is your real babe: The awesome silhouette that you are lusting after.
I don’t like this separation either. My hands on my body cannot possibly bring me the pleasure that your hands do, no matter how much I imagine it…your hands, your tongue, your dick. But what am I supposed to do? Pleasing myself is all I have at the moment.
Something’s got to change. And you know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t deny me what I want anymore, and both of our needs will be met. I promise you more of me than you can imagine. It is what I want, and I know it is what you want.
Imagine my perfect ass, high in the air waiting. I’m getting juicy just thinking about you and that big hard cock sliding between these cheeks of mine, teasing me…waiting for you to slide it deep into me after you’ve given my pussy such great pleasure. So…where are you? Don’t keep me waiting my love.
YKWLY
IKWYA
How dare you try to move in on my man and pretend he is yours, and you are the one he is lusting after, the one he loves. How dare you interrupt our love chat and answer him like you are me, the one who loves him. What kind of woman are you? Your love life must be pretty pathetic if you feel the need to pretend to be someone you are not.
Either that or you think my man is someone else. Let me clue you in if you are mistaken: He is not who you think he is: HINWYTHI. Is that clear? And if it isn’t clear, let me tell you that the reason why YKWTI has not responded to you is because he knows you are not me.
My suggestion is take all those words you wrote and say them to your man, if you have one. Or better yet say them to those non-virtual men whom you claim you could be with. And if they aren’t willing, there is always Morris. He seems pretty excited over your talent. At least then, you’ll have a for sure thing.
June 13th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Babe, thanks for coming through. But first let me say to IKWYA Says:
June 13th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Thanks for the flattering attention. I was almost fooled until you mentioned the part about being interested in other men. That made me a bit suspicious as my babe and I complete each other so well.
I’m certainly not interested in any on the side. I whether wait until I can be with my babe. She’s worth the wait and more.
Morris, that song is a line men give women while at the same time they would be furious if they found out that their woman was listening to the lyrics Of “Who’s Making Love To Your Old Lady While You Are Out Making Love…”
If she was worth the chase, she is worth the wait.
—————-
Denise, Thanks but no thanks. What I said to Morris also applies to me. I wouldn’t want my Lady to share her charms with another so I wouldn’t share mine with another.
You sound like a sweet lady, I’m sure there is some lucky guy out there waiting to meet someone like you.
============
IKWYA Says:
June 13th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
You are one persistent lady. You do have the imagination to keep any partner lucky enough to command your allegiance more that happy. You obviously have your shit together.
I’m certain aside from stating her claim my Lady means you no ill will. She is a woman’s woman and like Michelle she supports women in all they do.
So she probably found your diversion as entertaining as the rest of us. You do have a talent with the written word.
==================
Now for you my sweet tender. I will wait till Hell freezes over for you. But please come as fast as you can. My heart is yours forever, but my mind is going crazy for you.
Nothing is sweeter than your presence, I await it like the little boy on xmas eve for his visit from Santa.
YKWTI
June 14th, 2012 at 7:31 am
Is this a love connection or a serious blog on the issues of the day?
June 14th, 2012 at 7:34 am
Zen Lill, what are you up to? I thought you were going to post the results of your work outs. You have been staying in shape haven’t you?
So Let’s see the results. I know you have fans out there doing your exercises. Why not show them the positive results they get from following your exercise and eating advice.
-(:
June 14th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Scott, promised me that his blog had great UFO connections. I was expecting to hear from Howie. So what’s up?
Burt
June 14th, 2012 at 7:40 am
LOLz…I think it’s hilairious, all the long initials and women chasing (virtually, no less) men who have posted for a special one that they love, why is it that women would want someone who seems so completely smitten with that one woman…you want what these two have but would you really want to steal it from them so you could have a taste of it from him, does that make any sense? If he would be so easily swayed he wouldn’t be the one you want… or would he (uh, duh, no wonder why women leave themselves on the short end of the stick – pun intended, look at that lame negotiation for sex/lovin’, and if he swayed in two comments to you wtf kind of man would he be: answer – pretty lame) I’m glad he explained himself so well, he sounds like a good one, one worth putting your tush in the air for ; ) good for you ‘real deal – you know who you are’ (I can’t do all those initials, sorry…).
…the rest of you, I would suggest getting your mojo, self respect and relationship negotiation skills in order and then maybe you’ll find someone like this. I’m amazed that the response to love words between two people here always results in women trying to get in on the action, are you frightened of finding someone who is actually available to love YOU??
It’s just me but when I see it, comments between 2 peeps clearly digging each other – I think that in a world where there’s 6 billion people 2 actually found something special with each other, well – that’s HOT and good for you!!
Anonymous 24, good one and true.
Luv, Zen Lill
June 14th, 2012 at 9:11 am
Larry, just saw your post, of course I’ve been keeping myself in shape, how could I not, it’s a huge part of my ‘live long and prosper’ program : ) and I have other peeps around me losing weight and getting fit using the ZL method, bc where l live there is no deprivation just different choices and reward systems, any ‘bad’ habit (it is bc you say so or there’s clear evidence of it, as in extra lbs) must have a ‘replacement’ habit, keep that in mind those of you hankering the bikini body in a week or so : ) start by putting that bikini on and staring in the mirror…focus on what parts you like for 10 minutes, firsts look into your own eyes and do the love exercise (say I love you and your name 3x’s slowly) then make a list of 3 parts you absolutely love (even if they’re located inside ; ) and then pick 1 part you’d like to ‘improve’ in the next 2 weeks. If you post that part, I’ll give you 3 exercises that will take you way there in short order, if you do as directed, let’s call it the summer jumpstart program : ) it’s about slef love, self acceptance and self improvement…
…as for pics of me, hmmm, I will try to get to it sooner rather than later, Larry, thanks for asking.
Luv, ZL
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