What’s Going On In Ohio?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on November 3rd, 2012
Good morning!
Since all the talk is on Ohio, I thought this was apropos to post:
The Free Press confirms installation, secret justification of uncertified last minute election tabulation reporting software in Ohio
by Gerry Bello and Bob Fitrakis
November 2, 2012
The Free Press has obtained internal memos from the senior staff of the Ohio Secretary of State’s office confirming the installation of untested and uncertified election tabulation software. Yesterday, the Free Press reported that “experimental” software patches were installed on ES&S voting machines in 39 Ohio counties. (see Will “experimental” software patches affect the Ohio vote?).
Election Counsel Brandi Laser Seske circulated a memo dated November 1st renewing the already shaky justification for installing software made by Election Systems and Solutions on vote tabulation equipment used in 39 Ohio counties. The letter to Ohio Secretary of State personnel Matt Masterson, Danielle Sellars, Myra Hawkins, Betsy Schuster, and Ohio’s Director of Elections Matthew Damschroder, clarified the dubious justification for not complying with the legal requirements for the examination of all election related equipment.
Seske begins by explaining what she purports to be the purpose of the software patch: “Its function is to aid in the reporting of results that are already uploaded into the county’s system. The software formats results that have already been uploaded by the county into a format that can be read by the Secretary of State’s election night reporting system.”
According to the contract between the Ohio Secretary of State’s office and ES&S, this last minute “experimental” software update will supposedly transmit custom election night reports to the Secretary of State’s office from the county boards of elections, bypassing the normal election night reporting methods.
In order to justify this unusual parallel reporting method, Seske explains “It is not part of the certified Unity system, so it did not require federal testing.” This attempt to skirt federal and state law from one of the most partisan Secretary of State offices in the nation ignores basic facts of how modern information systems function.
Seske continues “Because the software is not 1) involved in the tabulation or casting of ballots (or in communicating between systems involved in the tabulation or casting of ballots) or 2) a modification to a certified system, the BVME [Board of Voting Machine Examiners] was not required to review the software.” These claims are factually unsound. The software, although not communicating actual ballot information, facilitates communication between systems upon which votes are tabulated and stored. Although the software purports to not modify the tabulation system software, it is itself a modification to the whole tabulation system. This is why certification and testing is required in all cases.
Just as in 2004, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office has enabled the possibility of a “man in the middle” attack. This software, functioning on a network through which votes are transmitted could act to intercept, alter or destroy votes from counties where it is not even installed, hence the “man in the middle” nickname.
On September 19, the last minute contract between ES&S and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office was inked. Within a week, Seske wrote “He [Matt Masterson] has reviewed and approved the changes.” Masterson is the Deputy Director of Elections. After Masterson’s approval, Seske acted to bypass the Ohio Board of Voting Machine Examiners required review.
“Pursuant to the board’s policy, each change will be approved unless three members of the BVME request a meeting to review a change within 15 days of today’s date. Given the proximately of the upcoming election, please let me know as soon as possible whether you will be requesting a meeting to review the changes,” wrote Seske.
Government reports such as Ohio’s Everest study document that any single change to the system could corrupt the whole voting process.
An unelected, partisan group of attorneys appears to have conspired to install election software without testing and certification that they are professionally unqualified to pass judgment upon. These types of last minute installations of software patches on voting machines are considered suspect by knowledgeable and experienced election protection attorneys, in light of all the voting machine irregularities exposed during the 2004 election in Ohio.
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Readers: All I can say is do your best in getting to the polls to vote. This is the single most important election where every vote is needed.
Cali: Fantastic.
Melle: Done. Thanks for posting.
Peace out.
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.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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November 5th, 2012 at 12:55 am
Hafa adai.
Give the man a break.
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AUDIO: Taijeron Apologizes for Incident at Untalan
Last Updated on Monday, 05 November 2012 11:15
Written by Kevin Kerrigan
Monday, 05 November 2012 05:51
Guam News – Guam News
Guam – The Deputy Chief of Guam Customs and Quarantine, Philip Taijeron, has issued a public apology for his behavior at Untalan Middle School last Wednesday.
A number of Untalan school employees accused Taijeron of losing his temper and threatening them. Airport Police were called. No arrest was made. Airport Police Chief Bob Camacho told PNC News that he sent a report of the incident to the Attorney General who will decide whether any action is warranted.
HEAR Taijeron’s statement below:
Download Embed
In his statement, Taijeron explains that he has recently returned from 8 months of active duty with the Guam Guard and he is ” still in the process of winding down from the intense focus required by military service.”
Deputy DOE Superintendent Robert Malay told PNC he reviewed the statements submitted by school officials who said that Taijeron had yelled and cussed at them. But Malay said none of the statements indicated that Taijeron had threatened to harm them.
Taijeron is the husband of Senator Mana Silva-Taijeron who spoke about the incident at a public hearing on school bullying last Thursday. She said her husband went to the school after getting a call from his daughter who was in tears and said she had been bullied by another student at the school.
In his statement, Deputy Customs Chief Taijeron says: “My daughter was coming to the rescue of her friend when she too became bullied. She called me by phone crying and barely able to finish her sentences as she explained a boy was pushing a girl and making her cry. When she intervened, the boy turned on her.”
Guam DOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez issued a statement saying that he would “personally” look into the incident. “Let there be no doubt that the safety of our children and our employees is a top priority,” said Fernandez in his statement.
“I Philip S.N. Taijeron Jr. beg for your forgiveness; from all who I offended at the school, the students, the clerks at the office, faculty, parents, and all in our community who had to read and hear of my disrespectful behavior. I also apologize to my family,” writes Taijeron, concluding that “because of all my training, I should have conducted myself better. I publicly apologize and take responsibility for my actions … I am human and I make mistakes.”
READ the statement from Deputy Chief of Guam Customs and Quarantine Philip Taijeron below:
Statement of Apology—Philip S.N. Taijeron, Jr.
November 4, 2012
“My name is Philip S.N. Taijeron Jr. and I want to publicly apologize for events that recently transpired at Untalan Middle School.
Just eight months ago, I left my family to serve our country in our nations fight against terrorism. I have been home for about three weeks now, and I am still in the process of winding down from the intense focus required by military service.
Five days ago, there was an incident involving my daughter who is a student at Untalan Middle School. My daughter was coming to the rescue of her friend when she too became bullied. She called me by phone crying and barely able to finish her sentences as she explained a boy was pushing a girl and making her cry. When she intervened, the boy turned on her. I told her to immediately go to the principal’s office and tell them what happened. Fearing the worst, I dropped everything I was doing and rushed to the school.
To my surprise she was not at the office already. I later discovered the school was on lockdown because of an earlier incident of vandalism. I was trying to get answers by yelling and barking orders. I know now, my actions were offensive and disrespectful to the office staff and students in the immediate area, as well as others I encountered. For that, I am sorry.
I have spent a lot of time over the past few days in prayer and reflecting on my actions. I have come to recognize I acted inappropriately.
I Philip S.N. Taijeron Jr. beg for your forgiveness; from all who I offended at the school, the students, the clerks at the office, faculty, parents, and all in our community who had to read and hear of my disrespectful behavior. I also apologize to my family.
Because of all my training, I should have conducted myself better. I publicly apologize and take responsibility for my actions. If you can find room in your hearts, I beg for your forgiveness. I also ask you to please pray for me. I am human and I make mistakes. Again I ask for your forgiveness.”
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November 5th, 2012 at 12:59 am
Thanks Michelle for this article. I know that nothing will stop the GOP from attempting to steal the power of the electorate.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:16 am
When Siblings Get Stuck in a Cold War
Betsy had barely spoken to her sister for several years. For a while, she was too angry about their last argument to mind the estrangement. Over time, though, as her ire mellowed, she started to miss her only sister.
But she wasn’t sure how to end the cold war, so she let month after month slip by without trying. Then she got the devastating news—her sister was dead. Betsy had lost her chance to make peace…and now she’s living with the heartache and regret.
Are you, too, experiencing a rift with a sibling? You don’t have to make the same mistake Betsy made. If your sibling is truly toxic—for instance, if there is a history of abuse, criminal behavior or ongoing pathological selfishness that poisons every encounter—you may be better off keeping your distance.
But otherwise, making the effort to rebuild sibling ties is likely to boost your own psychological health and improve the emotional well-being of the whole family. Here’s how to get started…
First, figure out what’s really behind the conflict. On the surface, it may seem that the estrangement sprang from the most recent big fight. But chances are that its roots extend back to childhood, when you two saw yourselves as rivals for parental attention and affection. Example: When your grown brother asked your parents for yet another “loan,” you wrote him off as a leech and a loser—because you still resent the preferential treatment he always received as the “baby” of the family.
Alternatively, you and your sibling may unconsciously repeat negative family patterns, mimicking the dysfunctional ways your parents treated each other. Whatever the true source of your sibling conflict, identifying it is the first step toward working through your feelings and finding healthier ways to interact.
Resolve to be the one who reaches out. No matter who initiated the schism between you two, you can extend the olive branch. Yes, you may fear rejection—but don’t let pride take precedence over peace. Remind yourself that life is too short to hold a grudge.
In reestablishing contact, appeal to your sibling’s sense of nostalgia. You might break the ice by sending your sibling a favorite old photo of the two of you together. Or mail a birthday card that expresses how much you miss the family connection. Or write a letter inviting your sibling to reconnect in light of an important life event that deserves to be shared, such as a parent’s illness or the birth of a new grandchild. Don’t give up too easily—if your first overture goes unacknowledged, wait a bit and then try again.
Acknowledge your own role.
Many people have trouble seeing the truth in this, but in the majority of cases, both parties contribute something to the conflict. Even if the bulk of the blame lies with your sibling, you probably played at least a small part.
Admitting this to yourself lessens your resentment…acknowledging it to your sibling may make it easier for him or her to accept responsibility, too. Apologize sincerely—“I’m sorry that I teased you about your weight.”
Resist the urge to end with a “but” phrase (as in “but there was no reason for you to call me a nasty name, throw my favorite vase across the room and then refuse to speak to me for months”). Instead, end with a request for forgiveness—“Please pardon me for not giving you the respect you deserve.”
Forge a new friendship.
Once contact has been renewed, strengthen ties by planning fun times together. Start small—for instance, with a siblings-only bike ride or an afternoon at a spa. While you’re together, ask about your sibling’s joys and concerns…truly listen to the responses and offer to help with a problem if possible. Remember, it’s never too late to change the competitive, rivalrous relationship of childhood into one based on sharing and caring.
Source: Judy Kuriansky, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and sex therapist on the adjunct faculty of Columbia University Teachers College in New York City.
She is the author of five books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Healthy Relationship (Alpha), and is a columnist and advisory board member for HealthyWoman from Bottom Line. http://www.DrJudy.com
November 5th, 2012 at 1:31 am
It seems like the mainstream media spends more and more time talking about horse-race politics while ignoring the issues that will actually impact most Americans—like voter suppression.
You don’t operate that way. And it’s heartening to know that there are people out there—people like you—who still believe that investigative journalism is a vital shield for democracy.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:36 am
Michelle, I couldn’t get in to answer this wonderful alert. Check this out by the Ed Show.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjvrZ3Cl7-s
This is so very sick.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:38 am
Michelle, you can bet they are going to try to repeat what they did for Bush in the election. It has echoes of 2004 when the owner of the voting machine company Diebold said he was committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to President Bush. To top it all off, it’s Ohio, and no Republican has won the White House without carrying the state.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:45 am
Limbaugh is absolutely despicable and he couldn’t care less about those four extraordinary Americans killed in Benghazi, and he knows it. He and his disgusting ilk are simply bending over backwards to try and use that horrible incident–which is still under investigation–as political ammunition against Obama.
They’ll grasp at anything they can. By now I think we know that it doesn’t matter what President Obama does, he is seen as someone who can do no right as far as the pathetic, desperate right wingnuts are concerned. One more reason many of them will be voted out of office in less than 48 hours, thank goodness.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:45 am
Ronald Reagan invades Grenada the day after the 1983 Beirut bombings. 19 US servicemen DEAD and over 160 wounded in Ronnie and George’s little escapade. What say you right-wingnuts?? Look it up………it happened. 19 DEAD.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:46 am
Romney’s fake canned food drive in Ohio accomplished for storm victims? A big, fat NOTHING.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:48 am
Rush’s successes only demonstrates the racism in this nation. There are plenty of them who follow him….Because they are the same!.. they have been trained into accepting his sickness as normal belief….And the disease is profound….
November 5th, 2012 at 1:53 am
My two cents today.
Scarborough is a fool with a giant mouth, and a tiny brain.
November 5th, 2012 at 1:54 am
With the Shinanagans the repubs are pulling in Swing States supressing the vote… I sure hope you are RIGHT… I PRAY YOU ARE RIGHT
November 5th, 2012 at 1:55 am
Vivian, I know what you mean ! I listen to Joe in the morning, while getting ready for work, or NPR when Joe gets on one of his rants about “this guy I know told me just the other day ” or “a friend of mine told me yesterday ” or ” I ran into one of my Democratic friends and he told me “….all these, and more, to stress his point, on an issue, that affects the election or anything else in the country. He’s a conservative Republican, yea…yea…yea…!
November 5th, 2012 at 1:57 am
My doubt comes from previously stolen elections for bush, and the lack of being able to verify one’s vote. I don’t trust the machines. I don’t trust republican governed states. I hope Silver is right and Pres Obama wins re-election, because mittens is such an anti-patriot empty suit. He’d spell disaster for our poor battered country. Jobs to china and money to the caymans.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:09 am
After exchanging dozens of messages with liberals on Huffington POST. I have reluctantly become convinced that trying to use logic and facts are impossible when dealing with liberals as they are incapable of exercising their mental faculties to consider facts or logic.
They seem to be only capable of blind hatred and vicious diatribes toward their opponents. At the same time they accuse Republicans of the very act they are doing at the very same time. Anyone note Obama saying, “Voting is for revenge” Not exactly the nice guy persona that he claims.
I am reminded that their mental blocks verses the facts are best compared to an old saying. “You can try to dress a pig in a tuxedo, but you will not succeed and you will just get dirty and sweaty. Besides the pig enjoys rolling around in the mud.”
November 5th, 2012 at 2:43 am
Avoid Aluminum for Better Brain Health
by Dr. David Williams
Filed Under: Mood & Memory
I’ve written many times about threats to your brain’s health. The brain uses such a large portion of the body’s energy and circulation that any foreign substance will likely make its way there eventually. And because the brain is made up mostly of fatty tissue, it tends to accumulate invaders rather than releasing them back into the bloodstream.
The number-one threat to your brains health is aluminum. Its effects are cumulative, and can take many years to show up as full-blown disease.
Here are five ways to reduce your exposure to aluminum:
Instead of using aluminum for your cookware, utensils, or food containers, use stainless steel, cast iron, copper, or glass.
Many deodorants use aluminum compounds as their active ingredient. As a first step, you can switch from a spray to a roll-on or stick. At least that way you’ll avoid inhaling the spray. The next step is to switch to an aluminum-free deodorant. (Watch out for the newer ‘crystal’ deodorants, though—recent research shows that they, too, contain aluminum.)
Read food and medicine labels closely. You’ll discover several products you should avoid or at least minimize. Aluminum is frequently added to items like pancake batter, cake mix, nondairy creamers, baking powder, and even salt to keep them from clumping together.
Aluminum can also be found in antacids, diarrhea medicines, and douches. There are plenty of aluminum-free alternatives available.
Make sure you’re getting enough calcium, either in your diet or through supplementation. Calcium hampers aluminum’s absorption by the body.
Drink distilled water. Alum, or aluminum sulfate, is widely used in the process of purifying water in this country. When added to the water it works as a coagulant to attract suspended particles, which can later be filtered out.
Unfortunately some of the dissolved aluminum will remain in the water. (Post filtration aluminum levels are rarely, if ever, checked since the Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t have any enforceable standards on aluminum levels in drinking water.)
You May Also be Interested In:
Why you should drink distilled water
Improving short-term memory with RNA
Read more: http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/avoid-aluminum-for-better-brain-health?key=199889&utm_campaign=Multi-Product&utm_source=loy-email-all&utm_medium=email-Eletter&utm_content=williams-eletter-110512&sm_mid=180313&sm_rid=180313.10301.39793#ixzz2BL7nk2OH
November 5th, 2012 at 2:47 am
Brad, It’s too bad that you have no idea what the heck you are talking about. How about doing some fact checking to see where all the hate is coming from or maybe you should stop watching Fox News.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:48 am
Brad, can you actually name at least One fact that isn’t fiction on your part? Take all lthe time you need.
November 5th, 2012 at 3:15 am
Michelle, I just hope you and Madaline have Obama’s back in Ohio, because if you don’t they are going to steal this state. I work for the Right here and we are organized to steal this one for Romney.
I’m voting Obama and I hope some of my good female friends are. Our husbands are as Robert, RT says are voting penis size.
Melissa
November 5th, 2012 at 3:37 am
When are people going to start going to jail for this? It’s not enough to vote them out or impeach them. When people interfere with a citizen’s right to vote it’s time to start interfering with their liberty!