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EmergencyNet News Editorial/Commentary Concerning Charges that Military Absentee Ballots Are Being Rejected by Florida Election Officials By C. L. Staten, EmergencyNet News Publisher; Also includes previous 2000 election coverage -- 08 to 13 Dec 2000
21:30CST - 13 Dec 2000
It's Official, George W. Bush is Now President-Elect; V.P. Al Gore Issues Gracious Concession Speech
Washington, DC (EmergencyNet News) -- It's finally over...more than a month of acrimony, partisan politics, and judicial debate have ended with an conciliatory concession speech from Vice President Al Gore. Both he and now President-Elect George W. Bush issued statements that called for the nation to come together, stand united, and "put politics behind us." Now...the nation can get back to the business of moving ahead...
21:10CST - 12 Dec 2000
Supreme Court Issues Ruling; Reverses and Remands Presidential Election Case Back to Florida State Supreme Court
Washington, DC (EmergencyNet News) -- Early and preliminary analysis of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued this evening would seem to indicate that the issue of further ballot recounts has been settled. The majority opinion finds that recounts ordered by the Florida court are not consistent with Florida state statutes that existed on 07 Nov 2000 (election day) and it reverses that decision.
Essentially, the U.S. high court finds that hand recounts, as postulated by the Florida Supreme court, would violate "equal protection" provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The practical meaning of the ruling would appear to be, that without further hand recounts, Gov. George W. Bush will be awarded Florida's electoral votes.
EmergencyNet News continues to monitor further analysis of the findings and will provide additional details as circumstances warrant...
Click here for various court transcripts involved in this case from the Washington Post...
13:50CST - 09 Dec 2000
Two More Court Rulings in Presidential Election Controversy
Atlanta, GA/Washington, DC (EmergencyNet News) -- Two additional court rulings have been issued this afternoon that essentially halt the re-counting of ballots in several Florida counties. The U.S. Supreme court today, by a 5 to 4 vote, issued a "stay" and vacated yesterday's Florida Supreme Court ruling. Further, it is scheduling new oral arguments on the whole re-count issue for Monday.
Earlier today, the Appellate Court had prohibited any change to the certified vote count issued by the Florida Secretary of State. But, the Appellate court's order also allowed vote recounts to continue. That decision has now been overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court. Additional details as they become available...
16:00CST - 08 Dec 2000
Florida High Court, By 4-3 Vote, Reverses Circuit Court and Orders Vote Recount
Tallahassee, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- The Florida Supreme Court spokesman Craig Waters this afternoon announced that the court has ruled to reverse the previous ruling of Circuit Judge N. Sanders Saul. Waters said that the ruling was by a 4-3 vote. The Florida high court also ordered a manual recount to begin in several counties. Observers say that this ruling is a major victory for the Gore campaign. Additional details will be made available when the actual ruling is made available by the court....
*****
13:24CST - 08 Dec 2000
Judges in Both Seminole and Martin Counties Refuse to Throw Out Any Ballots
Tallahassee, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- Despite what are being called "irregularities" by judges in both cases involving applications for ballots in Seminole and Martin counties, the jurists today ruled that they would not throw out any contested absentee votes. The decisions are seen by many political analysts as a major victory for Gov. George W. Bush's campaign. Lawyers for the losing plaintiffs, however, have already said that they intend to file appeals in both of the cases.
A spokesman for the Florida Supreme Court ruling said that a statement would be issued by the court at about 16:00EST. EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in Florida and will provide you with details as they become available.
16:00CST - 04 Dec 2000
Supreme Court Sends Decision Back to Florida; Judge Sauls Says "No more Recounts" (For now?)
Washington, DC/Tallahassee, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- The U.S. Supreme court sent a controversial election case concerning a vote-counting deadline back to Florida for "clarification." Legal reviewers tell EmergencyNet News that the unanimous U.S. Supreme court seven-page opinion essentially set aside an earlier Florida Supreme ruling that allowed an extended period for selective manual recounts and sent the case back for "further consideration." Craig Waters, a spokesman for the state high court, is quoted by the Reuters news service as saying, "the court now has the matter under advisement and will determine how it will proceed."
In another very related manner, Judge N. Sanders Sauls of the Leon County Circuit Court in Tallahassee within the past few minutes said that he is "throwing out" the contests brought by Democratic proponents of V. P. Al Gore in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Judge Sauls ruled that he was not going to consider any further recounts. But, following Judge Sauls ruling, Gore Lawyer David Boies almost immediately announced that they intend to appeal the ruling to the Florida Supreme court...and so, the legal battle goes on...
18:36CST - 26 Nov 2000
Bush Declared Winner in Florida
Tallahassee, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris has certified the Presidential vote and declared Gov. George W. Bush the winner of Florida's 25 electoral votes. The certified vote count showed: Bush - 2,912,790 and Gore - 2,912,253.
Controversy continues, however, as West Palm Beach election officials failed to meet the deadline set by the Florida Supreme Court and then said that they intend to continue to count votes tonight. Several circuit and appellate court cases are also pending in various venues and the U.S. Supreme court is set to hear a case concerning selective hand recounts later this week. As previously reported by EmergencyNet News...one court case continues to beget another...and one must wonder if/when the legal challenges will end. The nation still waits to find out who will finally be accepted as the president-elect.
21:03CST - 21 Nov 2000
Florida Supreme Court Rules That Hand-Recount Is To Continue
Tallahassee, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- In a unanimous decision, the seven justices of the Florida Supreme court tonight ruled that hand-recounts and amended election returns must be accepted by the FL Secretary of State until 27 Nov 2000. The decision is being viewed by most political commentators as a major victory for the Gore campaign. The actual court decision of the Florida Supreme court is now posted at the Washington Post website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/legaldocs/112100flaopinion.pdf (Requires Adobe Acrobat .pdf reader/plug-in to read)
FLORIDA:
Instant 
21:00:00CDT - 19 Nov 2000
"It is a very sad day in our country when the men and women of
the armed forces are serving abroad and facing danger on a daily basis . .
. and are denied the right to vote for the president of the United States
who will be their commander in chief."
-- Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, (Ret.), Commander, Operation
Desert Storm
09:00CST 18 Nov 2000
EmergencyNet News OP/ED
Military Ballots Thrown Out In Several Florida Counties; A Travesty of The Electoral Process
By C. L. Staten, EmergencyNet News Publisher
Chicago, IL (Emergencynet News) -- We have tried...the
Good Lord knows that we has tried...to stay out of the continuing
controversy surrounding the recent Presidential election. Our coverage of
various election maneuvers by both Republicans and Democrats has even been
described as "sparse" by several readers in their e-mails to
us. It has been our continuous intent to avoid any possible charges that
we were engaging in partisan political activity of any sort.
We note with interest that Florida election officials in several counties have counted ballots, counted them again, and are now hand-counting them a third time. They are reportedly counting "dimples," "hanging chads," "pregnant chads," and any number of other assorted and sundry kinds of ballot peculiarities in an attempt to ascertain the true "intent of voters." And, about half of America says that is acceptable and proper....no one wants to "disenfranchise" any legitimate vote or voter.
But, in the past two days, another important matter has come to our attention from a variety of sources. First, we received e-mails alleging that overseas members of our military services had difficulty in obtaining the necessary forms so that they might cast their absentee ballots. But those charges remain to be investigated by proper authorities.
Worse are reports that came late yesterday, as the absentee ballots were beginning to be counted, that indicated that "military ballots" were being rejected by election officials in the same counties where they want to count ballots with "dimples," because the overseas ballots lacked postmarks or for other so-called "technical reasons." How hypocritical...what happened to the much ballyhooed "intent of the voters," when it comes to the votes of American service members??
Although you probably won't read about it or hear much about this alleged disenfranchisement of our military men and women in the popular press, it is our considered opinion that these members of our Armed Services have just as much right, if not more so, to have their votes counted as those who now belatedly say that they punched the wrong hole or meant to vote for someone else.
We are certain that this editorial will lead to allegations that we are engaging in some sort "partisan political commentary," or that we publicly support the Republicans in the on-going election dispute...so be it, even though that is not the truth. What we do support is the right of members of the U.S. Armed forces to have their votes counted...just as we support the right of every other American to vote and have their voice heard.
And, that's my opinion. As always, we welcome opposing viewpoints and will entertain publishing them in future editions of EmergencyNet News. Click here to send your Letter to the Editor.
Chronology of Editorial Replies to EmergencyNet News:
11/20/00
I'm a Canadian and although It's only my opinion, I wonder why any Country would use relatively easily corruptible computers to tally votes for such an important position as President of the United states of America. All our votes are hand counted with scrutineers checking them from all of the parties concerned. I must admit though that each political party has more freedom to be manipulated in the delegate selection process.
Robert Thompson, Canada
11/19/00
AMEN!!
I am so tired of the blatant attempts by Gore and his partisans to win this election by "any means necessary". All they will really end up accomplishing is a further erosion of our prestige as an advanced democracy and the further Balkanization of America.
As such he will have already written his legacy before being sworn into office.
By the way: I'm not a Republican. I'm a registered independent and have voted for both parties in nearly equal measure for over 30 years.
Terry
*****
I don't disagree with your viewpoint or opinion. I normally vote Democrat or Republican. Which ever side is the most beneficial side of an issue for the nation or the people as a whole. Or sometimes what I believe in morally. What is happening in Florida is a shameful fiasco for the state of Florida and mostly for the USA, which is supposed to be a world leader in morality and in freedom of vote (where you can't count votes until you get desired results), style of government. How can we ask others to follow our lead in the world when we can't even lead ourselves, without bigotry, confusion, and a non partisan state and federal government.
What is being done in the state of Florida with the absentee voting and the continuous recount is "WRONG"! I can not believe that the decent law abiding people of Florida, much less the people of the States United have lost the backbone to stand up and say no to this political comedy, that is making us the laughing stock of the world.
But above all, refusing the right to vote by technicalities. Such as post marks of the people that are sent over sea's to protect us and this country. They are away from love ones to protect us, and this country, while into possible harm's way such as the USS Cole. But at the same time we are giving, credit to the ballots that can't be read, punched wrong, not completing the punch out and other discrepancies. A lot of the votes from people that have never contributed anything to this country. This is wrong! Do not misunderstand me, I do believe every U.S. citizen has the right to vote.
I volunteered my time to this country 30 years ago and would do it again if called! I didn't enjoy it, but I don't regret it either. Mr. Gore is supposed to be a military Vet. but I guess Mr. Gore has forgotten what some of us gave for our country before the sixties and since then. Or maybe he just forgot what we were fighting for. The right to vote was part of the package!
Bottom line lets don't pretend! We may as well just get a Federal judge to decide who he want for the next present or just save the money and appoint a president for life, there is no difference! only more honest!
I could continue this note on and on. But I believe by now you understand where my sediments rest. What good it will do, maybe none! But it feels good just to say it to someone. You are welcome to pass this on to anyone you care to, these are my feelings and I would not be ashamed or afraid to tell them to god if he asked.
Thank You!
Leslie L. Guy Jr.
*****
I am very proud to read your editorial concerning our servicemen`s voting being thrown out. What kind of fraud is next ? keep up your valuable work. Thank you
angus.8
*****
I applaud your commentary about our service personnel being deprived of voting privileges. Never apologize . . . drive on! Anyone who would condone such conduct -- no matter which party is responsible -- only denigrates the very purpose of America's military. That is, preserving freedom, including the freedom to vote without interference. And anyone who might fault your editorial isn't worth worrying about.
Tom Preston, Versailles, KY
*****
Now is the time for the Federal Judiciary to step in to this attempted theft of the Florida Ballot. The Democrat Party is trying to disenfranchise our men and women serving overseas defending this election process.
Enough is enough...let's have the Supreme Court weigh in on this and get it over.
M. H. Adamson
*****
I agree with everything that you say. and if there is any skullduggery going on in either party I believe the American people should say that's enough and see that changes are made. I have heard of bribery on the democratic party side. and other things going on. I think it is time that the American people to say "thats enough" and enough of government. The government is By the people and for the people. Not Government versus the people.
John I. Booth
18 Nov 2000
I agree that we need to look into this terrible injustice of our military men and women overseas. It is my understanding that ballots from some naval ships didn't have ballots postmarked, it wasn't the voters fault. I wonder if there is a way those ballots may be tracked to find out when they were mailed? There is no way over half of the military ballots should not count!
Steve Eby, Logan, IA
Previous Election Coverage By EmergencyNet News
14:30CST - 14 Nov 2000
Court Case Prompts More Court Cases in On-Going Florida Election Free-For-All...
Tallahassee, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- According to a story released in the past hour by the Reuters news service, a decision by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has upheld a previous ruling by Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris to impose a 17:00EST deadline for final election results to be received from the state's 67 counties. "The secretary of state may ignore such late filed returns but may not do so arbitrarily; rather only by the proper exercise of discretion after consideration of all appropriate facts and circumstances," Judge Lewis wrote in his opinion. "In all other respects the motion for temporary injunction is denied," the ruling said.
Supporters of Vice President Al Gore spun the court order in another direction that supports their position, "The court's opinion on this point is tantamount to the injunction we sought. We call now on the four counties to move ahead with their hand counts in accordance with this decision,'' said Warren Christopher, former Secretary of State and present representative of the Gore campaign.
Meanwhile, at least two other counties have gone to different courts for further clarification in regard to the issue of continued "hand-recounts." And, Palm Beach County has asked the Florida Supreme Court for final "Advisory Opinion" in regard to conflicting opinions issued by the Florida Attorney General and the Florida Secretary of State. It would strongly appear that one court case just continues to beget another.
Bottom line?? As first reported by here by EmergencyNet News at 09:30CST on 09 Nov 2000, no real decision is likely until the absentee ballots are counted on 17 Nov 2000...
Instant
09:30CST - 09 Nov 2000
EmergencyNet News Got it Right...
Unlike our counterparts at the various television networks and numerous other websites, we did not first report that V. P. Gore had won, then that Gov. Bush had won, and alternatively reporting that "the election was too close to call." Below is our ONLY report concerning the election results. So far, it appears to be one of the most accurate of the various reports...
Irregardless of various lawsuits and other legal challenges that remain to be decided, the most current information that we can ascertain concerning the actual outcome of the election is that it probably won't be decided until at least 17 Nov 2000, when all of the absentee ballots are counted in Florida...
*****
03:20CST/04:20EST - 08 Nov 2000
Election Crisis??
The U.S. Presidential Race has again been ruled "too close to call"...
After first calling
Governor George Bush to concede his defeat, Vice President Al Gore has
reportedly now called back and said that the election has not been
decided. Gore campaign chairman William Daley in a statement made a few
minutes ago reportedly called Gov. Bush's victory "premature."
According to both media reports and election officials, the Bush's margin
of victory in Florida, a crucial election defining state with 25 electoral
votes, remains at less than 2,000. Therefore, most pundits and experienced
political advisors are telling EmergencyNet News that the election remains
"too close to call," at this hour. A recount of all Florida
votes is likely, and no decision about who will be the next President of
the United States can be reached at this time...
© EmergencyNet News Service, 2000. All rights reserved. Redistribution or republication without expressed permission of EmergencyNew News is prohibited. Editorial responses contain the opinion of the indicated authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of EmergencyNet News or the Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI).
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