Do you believe every American vote counts in our presidential elections..." />Text Your Vote To Diebold | The Rathaus

Home » communication »culture »The Rathaus » Currently Reading:

Text Your Vote To Diebold

September 27, 2008 communication, culture, The Rathaus

I don’t want to be viewed as a conspiracy theorist, I can’t afford to be called unpatriotic, and I definitely don’t want to be a nag. We are taught to trust that secrecy is just a necessary step in protecting the country, and I suppose I am meant to also accept that in order to get what you want in this country you have to lie, cheat, and steal.

Consider for a moment how much power the president of the United States of America actually wields. The selection of our president is not something to be taken lightly as it involves one of the most influential countries in the world. But can you imagine that two people get to duke it out in fair fight to see comes out on top? Honestly, who wouldn’t take brass knuckles to a fight with those stakes?

So take those campaign signs out of your yards, take those buttons off your shirts. This is just like every romantic comedy produced by Hollywood, the ending is chosen for you. In a eight part interview Stephen Spoonamore, the former CEO of Cybrinth, a data management company that helps protect electronic transactions in ATMs and electronic voting machines, explains in layman’s terms the process of rigging American elections. A process eerily similar to the efforts of dictators like Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein. American leaders are just clever enough to keep it a close race.

A majority of the United State’s voting machines used in our elections are made by Diebold, the nations largest producer of ATMs. Premier Election Solutions, a subsidiary of Diebold, is ultimately responsible for coding the machines to make them tamper proof, however, they are not required to submit their work to third party inspections nor is there any Congressional oversight. Apparently Washington is not too worried about the security of our ballots being entrusted to a corporation.

If you want evidence of election fraud, best selling author and investigative journalist Greg Palast has it. Palast’s writing is often dismissed by the mainstream media perhaps because of his smugness, but the proof of election fraud in America is difficult to ignore. Full of facts and insight into the process, Palast was working for the BBC when he first exposed the corruption in Florida that caused the 2000 presidential race to become such a debacle. The information he provides illustrates how Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, and Florida Elections Unit Chief Clay Roberts worked together to defeat Democratic nominee John Kerry.

If you don’t believe Greg Palast’s exposure of fraud in the presidential elections, you may respond better to the documentary “Hacking Democracy.” The film follows Bev Harris, director of Black Box Voting, as she unmistakably proves that Diebold’s voting machines are not only hackable, but that the tampering can be untraceable. Harris was able to access the Premier Elections Solutions FTP server through a basic Google search and upload the coding software GEMS used in the voting machines encoded by the company. This film has also been ignored by the mainstream despite being produced by HBO and exposing the general ease in which our democracy can be taken from us.

If you are searching for a way to take action against this manipulation and secrecy visit Common Cause and email your representatives. Sending a few emails will only help make this an issue of greater precedence. You can also visit StealBackYourVote to read about the steps needed to secure our elections and ultimately our democracy.

Common Cause promotes:

Voter-Verified Paper Ballots. A major priority is passage of legislation at the federal and state levels is to protect citizens’ votes in the event of electronic voting machine malfunction or hacking. Such legislation would require all voting systems to use paper ballots or produce paper records that would be subject to random mandatory audits. The fact that voters would mark the ballots themselves, or at least verify physical paper records of their votes, would assure there could be a check on the electronic count. Additionally, if a recount were needed – there would be paper records or ballots that the voters have reviewed that can be recounted.

Fair and Effective Voter Database Management Protocols. A number of states have developed fair and effective voter database management protocols so that voters are not inadvertently purged from the rolls.
These ‘best practices’ should be adopted nationwide.
(commoncause.org)

Velvet Revolution Interview with Stephen Spoonamore: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Greg Palast video on stealing elections

by: Scott Starrett

Comment on this Article:







Related Articles:

Lookbook Style: Friend of Mine

June 22, 2010

The latest lookbook from Friend of Mine almost makes me want to rip my grungiest jean shorts up to the panty line and wrap myself in an American flag…almost. And trust me, this is not a style you would usually catch me rockin. The images and clothes are just that good and fall right in front of the line that separates plain cool from plain trash.

From the label:

Say hello to a Friend of Mine – an Australian label designed by Teale Talbot and managed by Letitia McLean. Confident, sexy and just a little bit tough; Friend of Mine blends feminine edge with a relaxed look that a girl can make her own.

Friend of Mine’s designs have embraced unexpected subtleties and contradiction since debuting in 2009. The label rapidly established itself across Australia with a clean beach-meets-grunge attitude, and was quickly featured in some of the best Australian and International press.

A rockabilly aesthetic is referenced throughout and is seen in the label’s namesake, which is drawn from a cult Bob Dylan track. The look is one that is undeniably fashionable, yet in a simplistic thrown together style that is far from contrived. Friend of Mine’s effortlessly cool nature results in versatile pieces, basics-with-a-twist as well as standout shoes and accessories. Whilst Friend of Mine has already carved out it’s own signature aesthetic, each new collection brings a new palette of inspiration ranging from pop culture to music to childhood memories.

posted by: Tricia Rock

Artstew Magazine

May 15, 2009

Many of you may know that last month The Rathaus was featured in Lawrence’s own Artstew Magazine. The magazine, which has been released off and on for the past couple years, is the print version of local artist and web designer Scott Stewart’s Artstew.org. However, with The Rathaus edition of the magazine Stewart kicked off what he hopes to be an ongoing monthly thing. Looking for a new avenue for what’s going on in the art community of Lawrence, KS and surrounding areas? Artstew Magazine is a great new source. Stewart features artist interviews, previews of upcoming art shows, gallery visits, and more. And for an added bonus, the magazine is completely free. Check around Lawrence, KS this weekend for the new issue of Artstew Magazine that includes, among other things, an interview with artist Lee Shiney, currently showing at Pachamama’s, and an interview and gallery visit with internationally known street photographer and Lawrencian, Gary Smith.

Stewart is always accepting submissions for the magazine. Contact him at artstewweb@gmail.com to get your work or upcoming show featured. He also has some very competitive advertising rates for artists and businesses alike.

You can find Artstew Magazine at many of your Lawrence favorites including White Chocolate, Henry’s, Mirth, Casbah Market and more.

posted by: Tricia Rock

Fill:Refill Reception

May 12, 2009

fillrefill

The fifth year architectural design studio of the University of Kansas in conjunction with El Dorado Inc. presents “Fill:Refill,” an exhibition of 50 projects for Jarboe Pool. The reception/exhibition is Wednesday, May13th at Pachamama’s in Lawrence, KS beginning at 7:30 pm. Stop by to see the end product of a semester’s worth of hard work by these emerging architects and soon to be graduates, including The Rathaus’ own s.a.johnson.

Learn more about Fill:Refill here.

posted by: Brent Carter

LOLA Spring Show

May 1, 2009

lola-flier

LOLA Spring Show
@ Pachamama’s
800 New Hampshire St Lawrence, KS 66044
Saturday May 2
11am-4pm

Pachamama’s to host the upcoming LOLA Show. This will be the 3rd year Pachamama’s has hosted the LOLA Spring Show, a perfect location next to the Farmer’s Market amongst downtown Lawrence. Stop by to shop local for Mother’s Day (May 10) and Graduation.

Participants include:
Early Jewelry by Kylie Grater {jewelry}
little bluestem by Traci Furan {baby layettes, bibs, onesies,women’s tee’s,pillows}
Glitter & Rust by Kendra Marable {greeting cards, small art}
Molly Murphy {small art}
KitMit by Kitty Mitchell {headbands, knitted arm warmers, journals}
Ugly Mug by Katie Kramer {pet collars, custom pet tags}
Leslie Kuluva {handprinted goods & garments}
Healing Moon by Cynthia Walker {soaps, body sprays, gift baskets}
Awava, Ugandan NonProfit {jewelry, home decor, ties, aprons}

lola-2008

posted by: Tricia Rock

Style Trends: Show Your Garters

April 22, 2009

Bettie Page

With the advent of elastic, the necessity of garter belts became a thing of the past. But as we know in fashion, necessity is not always a priority. Recently, garter belts have been making a comeback, and not just as an item to be worn in the privacy of ones home. Paired with some more casual items, loose fitting jean shorts and baggy t-shirts, garter belts can add a tough-girl style to a seemingly simple outfit. And for you DIYers looking for a new project, grab a pair of old suspenders and get to work.

Erin Wasson x RVCA

Queen Michell of Kingdom of Style

Gala Gonzalez of Amlul

by: Tricia Rock

Art

Artist Shout Out: Walter Inglis Anderson

Artist Shout Out: Walter Inglis Anderson

Walter Inglis Anderson was an American painter, writer, naturalist and bicycle enthusiast. Artist Bio: Walter Inglis Anderson was born in 1903 in New Orleans to George Walter Anderson, a grain merchant, and Annette McConnell Anderson, an artist. His mother’s love of art, music, and literature strongly influenced Walter (called “Bob” by his friends and family) ...Read More

Music

New Music Review: Widowspeak “Widowspeak”

New Music Review: Widowspeak “Widowspeak”

With a Cat Power alto and Mazzy Star whisper, Widowspeak‘s self-titled debut LP embodies the essence of the 90′s. But with band members born just at the cusp of the decade,  singer/songwriter Molly Hamilton, drummer Michael Stasiak and guitarist Robert Earl Thomas offer not a retelling of the 90′s but a new generation’s interpretation of ...Read More

Fashion

Runway Style: Thomas Tait Fall 2011

Runway Style: Thomas Tait Fall 2011

Canadian-born designer Thomas Tait began his career as the youngest graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins, completing the program at just 21. His graduate collection was then chosen as a feature in the CSM fashion week show for the Fall 2010 season, after which he went on to receive the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize on ...Read More

Photography

Photo File: Saga

Photo File: Saga

From the photographer: “I am Saga. I am from Iceland but currently live, study and work in London.” See more of Saga’s work on: Flickr The Neverending Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Read More

Film

Style Watch: Harmony Korine for Proenza Schouler “Act Da Fool”

Style Watch: Harmony Korine for Proenza Schouler “Act Da Fool”

To showcase their Fall 2010 line, Proenza Schouler teamed up with legendary cult filmmaker Harmony Korine to create Act Da Fool. With the influx of short fashion films in early 2010, designers now seem to be stepping it up a notch in the video department – and in my opinion Act Da Fool takes the ...Read More

TV

Style Trends: Beverly Hills 90210

Style Trends: Beverly Hills 90210

With the DVD release of its first six seasons and an updated CW remake, Beverly Hills 90210 has yet again become a source of entertainment and fashion inspiration for girls (and grownup girls) everywhere. References to the show in the fashion world began popping up in late 2006, around the time of the 90210 Season ...Read More

Web

Photo Flash: The Camel Thorn Trees of Namibia, Africa

Photo Flash: The Camel Thorn Trees of Namibia, Africa

photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic Tinted orange by the morning sun, a soaring dune is the backdrop for the hulks of camel thorn trees in Namib-Naukluft Park. In 1990 newly independent Namibia became one of the world’s first nations to write environmental protection into its constitution. Read more about Namibia’s unqiue efforts at land stewardship here. ...Read More

News

Infographic: Sitting is Killing You

Infographic: Sitting is Killing You

See the entire infographic here Read an article about a Canadian sitting study here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Read More

Funny

Funny Video: Charlotte Young’s Artist Statement

Funny Video: Charlotte Young’s Artist Statement

Any artist will tell you, the worst thing about being an artist besides being poor is writing a bullshit artist statement. Don’t worry though, Charlotte Young is actually a comedian and not a depressed artist so don’t feel guilty for laughing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Read More