Seems like Americans overseas are being denied access to a federal site for voter registration. Who’s behind it? And why? You have got to read this to believe it.
On Monday, the International Herald Tribune reported that the Pentagon is restricting international access to the Web site for the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the official government agency that helps Americans living abroad register to vote in the November election. According to the IHT, Americans who connect to the Internet using one of several foreign Internet service providers have reported difficulty logging in to the voting-assistance site. The Pentagon confirmed that it is blocking traffic from these ISPs — which provide Internet service in 25 countries — but it declined to say why.
“This is a completely partisan thing,” one Defense Department voting official stationed in Europe told Salon. The official, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of being fired from her position, is one of the many people in the department assigned to help both uniformed military personnel as well as American civilians register to vote. She described the Pentagon as extremely diligent in its efforts to register soldiers stationed overseas — for instance, this official had been told by the department to personally meet with all of the soldiers in her unit in order to help them register. But the department has ignored its mandate to help overseas civilians who want to vote, the official said
Where do they get the authority to do this sort of thing? Who’s pulling the strings? Where’s the outrage, as old Bob Dole used to shout at us.
Via Kos
1
By jeremy
I forget which blog I read it on, but the author had an interesting point – how could the Pentagon and DOD (who oversees the registration Website) not have a better defended Website to prevent hacking?
The blog also pointed out that interestingly enough, it’s the military bases (who are becoming fed up with the Iraqi war) that are being blocked as well.
September 22, 2004 @ 5:00 pm | Comment
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By richard
So they’re trying to stop US soldiers, the heroes whose praises they sing in every speech, from voting?? Isn’t this the ultimate sign of derision and — dare i go so far — repression? I don’t know enough about it, but if what you say is really true, that the US government is consciously seeking to prevent US soldiers overseas from voting — well, that’s repression, isn’t it? Find the link.
September 22, 2004 @ 5:11 pm | Comment
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By Tom - Daai Tou Laam
What’s odd is that this occurs shortly after Kerry’s squad helps set up a new voter registration site with Democrats Abroad. Or should I be surprised by such coincedences anymore?
September 22, 2004 @ 6:50 pm | Comment
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By chriswaugh_bj
And it seems it’s not only overseas Americans they’re trying to stop. It’s hardly news, I’ve seen similar reports before, but it seems to fit nicely with this topic: Millions blocked from voting in US election.
Seems you’ve got a fight on your hands.
September 22, 2004 @ 7:57 pm | Comment
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By richard
Damn, why did you have to post that link, Chris? That is incredibly depressing. America has disintegrated. We are not the great country we were just four years ago. Bring back Clinton.
September 22, 2004 @ 8:42 pm | Comment
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By jeremy
Geez, Richard. Don’t pick up the latest New Yorker, or you’ll think of committing Harikari. The Voting Act from the civil rights era is set to expire in 2007. It’s a great read on what Ashworth has set-up for the fight. Nice and depressing.
September 22, 2004 @ 9:21 pm | Comment
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By chriswaugh_bj
Sorry Richard. I just thought that link may be a little relevant. All it means is you’ve got to keep fighting to take your country back. Don’t give up.
September 22, 2004 @ 11:49 pm | Comment