How to Hack the Diebold Vote Machine.

Here you go, dear readers. A short video on how to hack a Diebold Machine. all you need is a screwdriver, a thumb/flash drive, and about 120 seconds.

Now, after watching this, you might say, "But Polly, isn't this no big deal in Miss. since we have a paper trail tied to our machines?" That might be the case if we had a protocol for handling such and incident. Officially, right now, there is no official protocol from the Sec. of State's office to instruct a comparison of the paper record with the digital results when something fishy comes up. Even if a seal is broken when the box arrives at the courthouse for counting, there is no instruction to check the paper record. Think too many folks are gonna vote in Precinct X? well hack away my friend! the fix is in because no one will be asked to look!

A Quick One While I'm Away...

I made a comment a few spots down talking about vote suppression and disenfranchisement. Virtually all of the instances I've encountered have a few things in common: the parties involved and the people targeted. You should read about it here (short) and here (fuller/better review). NOW on PBS just did a good clip this week. (read, listen, or watch).

Why is this important?

Because it's illegal and the Justice Department was actively looking the other way to help the GOP. oh, and the Atty. Gen. doesn't want to talk to congress about firing people who wouldn't play ball on the cover-up.

While we're talking about integrity, i saw a map Sunday that really hit home for me.

[...oh, and my apologies to The Who. I couldn't think of a worthy title for this post!]

Quick Observation

I'm not impressed with the President claiming executive privilege concerning FORMER employees. The argument that they cannot get 'unfettered and frank' advice seems to go out the window when the person in question no longer works with or advises the president.

Weak.

Harvard Charlie's Castle Doctrine Ad Fallacies

Here is the ad:

Fallacy #1 - Charlie didn't change the law all by himself, which is the clear insuation. He may have been principal author of the bill that passed but Sen. Ross was but one vote in the Senate, then the bill also passed the House and the Guv signed it. Charlie you didn't pass the bill and I wonder what the other 31 sponsers of the bill in the Senate think of the ad and the omission of their assistance.

Fallacy #2 - Darth Vadar doesn't live in Mississippi, now I have to say having Darth sneak up on your porch would be bad but come on, a Darth invasion in a local political ad is a little over the top.

Fallacy #3 - Ross implies he is a guy who gets stuff done for the people, "protecting families". Look at the bills Ross authored in 2007 that passed. A couple of minor changes to the MBCA, UPA, UCC and bills dealing with notaries, assistant d.a.'s, and a bill promoting toll roads. Not a whole lot of protecting the family going on there. In fact, Ross as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary let a bill, HB 1546 in 2005, that actually did help families die that had already passed the House. Oddly enough that bill was authored by now opponent, if Ross wins the GOP nomination, Jamie Franks.

Best stuff comes in race for No. 2

I'm not normally a fan of the Greenwood Commonwealth paper but I liked this little editorial about the Lt. Governor's race.

New laws that go into effect today

• House Bill 617 - State pays tuition, room and board for active military members.
• House Bill 1439 - Patients in nursing homes can choose their own pharmacist to serve their needs.
• Senate Bill 2057- Drivers must move a lane over when an emergency vehicle is aiding another motorist.
• Senate Bill 3034 - Consumers can freeze their credit reports with the three major bureaus if they have been a victim of identity theft.
• House Bill 423 - The state Commission of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks can study whether to allow hunting over grain.
• Senate Bill 2772 - Residents must have a permit to buy a stun gun.
• Senate Bill 2825 - Registered sex offenders cannot be on or near school campuses under most circumstances.

For more see this CL link.