Politics 2008:The Caucuses and The Dem/Rep Conventions

[Honeykiss1974]

Since this talks of primarily of Sarah Palin, MCCain, Obama, I thought it would be an interesting read to post here. Loving the comparisons.

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September 13, 2008, 2:01 pm

By Tim Wise

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise...vilege-updated

[mccoyred]

THIS needs to be shouted from the rooftops and broadcast on every medium of mass communication...!

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

Since this talks of primarily of Sarah Palin, MCCain, Obama, I thought it would be an interesting read to post here. Loving the comparisons.

~~~~~~~~~~~
September 13, 2008, 2:01 pm

By Tim Wise

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise...vilege-updated

[Little32]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

THIS needs to be shouted from the rooftops and broadcast on every medium of mass communication...!

I hadn't even heard some of the most ridiculous things on that list. "Terrorist fist bump"? Lol.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by Little32

I hadn't even heard some of the most ridiculous things on that list. "Terrorist fist bump"? Lol.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200806060007

[TonyB06]

I received an email asking that voters not wear any candidate paraphernalia to the polls when they go to vote. The suggestion was that paraphernalia (T-shirts, hats, pins, etc..) would be seen as "campaigning" and be grounds for polls workers to legitimately turn people away.

I'm aware that people working on behalf of candidates (passing out literature, etc) cannot be within a certain radius of the polling place, but had never heard this extended to the average person who might be wearing candidate paraphernalia.

The e-mail was from a bruh, so I know it wasn't sent to to turn people away; rather to help ensure that people aren't turned away.

Any GC attorneys familiar with election law enough to weigh in on the validity of this?

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I received an email asking that voters not wear any candidate paraphernalia to the polls when they go to vote. The suggestion was that paraphernalia (T-shirts, hats, pins, etc..) would be seen as "campaigning" and be grounds for polls workers to legitimately turn people away.

I'm aware that people working on behalf of candidates (passing out literature, etc) cannot be within a certain radius of the polling place, but had never heard this extended to the average person who might be wearing candidate paraphernalia.

The e-mail was from a bruh, so I know it wasn't sent to to turn people away; rather to help ensure that people aren't turned away.

Any GC attorneys familiar with election law enough to weigh in on the validity of this?

Attorneys aren't going to give you advice online, but if you're concerned, I would call the Attorney General's office or the Office of the Secretary of State in your state. Those would be the first two places I would think of if I thought there was some sort of voter or polling fraud.

[WenD08]

according to CNN: mccan't is asking the debate be postponed. he is wanting to "suspend" his own campaign to work on the economic issues at hand. he feels the issues plaguing the economy are more important than this debate.
anyway, i am hoping the Obama campaign doesn't fall for this mess and continue as scheduled. according to the polls, he's doing well so he shouldn't let the momentum stall...

[WenD08]

as far as wearing election 'nalia to the polls, do check w/your state. in MD, voters can wear t-shirts, buttons, etc. to the polls. poll workers cannot.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by WenD08

as far as wearing election 'nalia to the polls, do check w/your state. in MD, voters can wear t-shirts, buttons, etc. to the polls. poll workers cannot.

In Delaware:

"If a voter is wearing any clothing with the name, image, logo, slogan, etc. for any candidate or party, tell the voter to go home and change their clothes."

http://electionsncc.delaware.gov/2008p/2008_pri_man.pdf p.37

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Attorneys aren't going to give you advice online, but if you're concerned, I would call the Attorney General's office or the Office of the Secretary of State in your state. Those would be the first two places I would think of if I thought there was some sort of voter or polling fraud.

I'm not looking for advice. I'm looking for general legal information that an atty who posts might be able to provide on the question as posed. ...but thanks for the suggestion.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by WenD08

as far as wearing election 'nalia to the polls, do check w/your state. in MD, voters can wear t-shirts, buttons, etc. to the polls. poll workers cannot.

Originally Posted by mccoyred

In Delaware:

"If a voter is wearing any clothing with the name, image, logo, slogan, etc. for any candidate or party, tell the voter to go home and change their clothes."

http://electionsncc.delaware.gov/2008p/2008_pri_man.pdf p.37

thanks.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by WenD08

according to CNN: mccan't is asking the debate be postponed. he is wanting to "suspend" his own campaign to work on the economic issues at hand. he feels the issues plaguing the economy are more important than this debate.
anyway, i am hoping the Obama campaign doesn't fall for this mess and continue as scheduled. according to the polls, he's doing well so he shouldn't let the momentum stall...

These are politicians so it's wise to treat all of this with some level of skepticism. Consider:

What has changed in a week since this crisis reached this level of national exposure? Both candidates campained all last week as negotions took place, neither, apparently, in a Senatorial leadership capacity on the issue.

What, specifically, is gained by postponing Friday's debate and suspending the campaigns? And if it's something more than a symbolic gesture, then why was it not proposed a week ago, when the crisis hit the melting point?

Given the lateness of the party conventions, and the compression of the presidential and vice presidential debates, I don't think a postponement is a good idea. Have the debates as scheduled, fly back and cast the vote you need to cast and keep going.

[jitterbug13]

These people are starting to get crazy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080924/...D3.tZG_1xvzwcF

I was talking to a coworker (who supports McCain, BTW) and I had to break it down to him that they hung the cutout from a noose and that's really upsetting because of the past, etc. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it. at me.

And I don't think Obama's going to fall for McCain's newest trick.

[WenD08]

Barack Obama stated in his news conference that the debate should go on this Friday. the Univ. of Mississippi, where the debate is to be held, said as far as they're concerned, the debate is still on.
that being said, i will be watching the debate on Friday (i'm such the political nerd)

[SummerChild]

Tony,
I don't know the answer to your question, as noted it appears that it may depend on the state.

The safe thing to do is to simply tell everyone not to wear paraphenalia.

Not only does that make it safe, but it keeps "others" from mysteriously not finding your name on the rolls. We have had too many problems in the past to run into an argument at the polling location. Why? B/c by the time we find out that you have been disenfranchised, it's too late.

Tell people not to wear paraphenalia and let's keep it safe. Let's get Obama in office. We can throw on our t-shirt when we get back to the car.

I do not see prudence in getting into a debate with a polling person on the day of elections - even if the would-be voter is right about being able to wear paraphenalia.

Sure, we can take off our t-shirts and come back if we are turned away but how many people won't come back? How many will be on their lunch breaks and unable to get back before the polls close b/c they work 3-9pm?

And what if you are right? What are you going to do, whip out a copy of the regulation at the polling location? If the head supervisor does not agree with you, you might go get the police or somemthign but I don't really know if they can enforce your right to vote at that very moment in time. You could sue later but by that time, we'll have lost the election to that old fool. The best you could do is get pissed off, change your clothes and come back ... and report the whole thing to the Rainbow Coalition or something. Think of how many people are registered whose names are removed from the rolls? What can they do? And they did everything that they are supposed to do. At that moment in time, they can do NOTHING.

Don't risk it. Keep the para in the car for the afterparty later that night

SC

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I'm not looking for advice. I'm looking for general legal information that an atty who posts might be able to provide on the question as posed. ...but thanks for the suggestion.