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Meet Mike Connell, McCain's Computerized Vote Theft Specialist
Halloween might be over, but there's still one in costume, running around scaring the hell out of voters, a MARGE TARTAGLIONE (D), Chairwoman, Philadelphia Voting Commission, who's featured in the video.
If you ever wondered what arrogance and condescension looked like in the flesh, Marge will show you an excellent example.
From a story on Democracy Now:
It involves shunting the data that comes from the website for the Secretary of State—I mean, the election returns—taking those election returns as they come to the website in real-time and shunting them to a computer somewhere else. What happened in 2004 was the election returns from Ken Blackwell’s website were shunted to a computer in a basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the control of a very partisan private company to which Connell was connected. The data was shunted to this strange computer in Chattanooga and then directed back to the Secretary of State’s website. As Connell—I mean, sorry, as Spoonamore has said, the only purpose of doing this Man in the Middle thing is to commit crime.
Mark Crispin Miller is a professor of media culture and communication at New York University. He is the author of several books, most recently Loser Take All: Election Fraud and the Subversion of Democracy, 2000–2008. His previous book, Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election & Why They’ll Steal the Next One Too.
Welcome to Democracy Now!
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Thanks for having me back, Amy.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, let’s start where I haven’t seen much mention, and that is this man, Mike Connell, in Ohio, testifying. Who is he? What is his relevance to the big day, to Election Day tomorrow?
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Yeah, this event in a courtroom in Columbus may be one of the most important things to happen in this whole election and may be one of the most important things to happen in American history. I mean, this sounds hyperbolic, I know, but it is true.
Mike Connell is—has been named as Karl Rove’s computer guru since 2000. The lawyers in the case refer to Connell as a high-IQ Forrest Gump, because he’s been on the scene of every dubious election we’ve had over the last eight years, starting with Florida 2000.
Now, he has been named by a man named Stephen Spoonamore, S-P-O-O-N-A-M-O-R-E, who’s a very unusual and particularly unimpeachable kind of whistleblower. He’s a conservative Republican; he’s a former McCain supporter. But above all, he is a renowned and highly successful expert at the detection of computer fraud. He works for big banks. He works for foreign governments, the Secret Service. His job is to figure out how computers are used to steal money or information or votes. Well, he’s named a lot of people in the Bush-Cheney election subversion conspiracy. He has worked with them. He knows them personally. And months ago, he named Mike Connell and his company GovTech Solutions as having played a crucial role in the—basically the electronic subversion of the vote in Ohio in 2004. And Spoonamore has actually described the computer architecture that was used to do this.
Now, on the strength of this testimony, the lawyers in the case had the judge issue a subpoena to Mike Connell last week. Connell defied the subpoena; he was in contempt. Late last week, the lawyers filed a motion to compel compliance, and to everyone’s surprise and delight, the judge ordered Connell to appear today and to be deposed for two hours about his role in this longstanding electronic plot, basically, to flip votes towards the Republicans.
Some of this deposition will be sealed, and I have to tell you the part that’ll be sealed. Apparently, Rove has threatened Connell. He told him that if Connell did not take the fall for this whole thing, the Department of Justice would start investigating Connell’s wife Heather for improper lobbying practices. Now, that part of the deposition we’re not going to know the answers to. But what’s astonishing to me—
AMY GOODMAN: Who does she lobby for?
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Various politicians and so on. Whether she’s guilty or innocent is beside the point, because, as we know, the Department of Justice is a cudgel in the collective hands of the Bush administration. This would be more selective prosecution.
But what’s really astonishing here is that Karl Rove could make that threat with such impunity. This shut Connell up, and he was, you know, earlier inclined to talk about what was going on. Then he got himself three very expensive Republican attorneys who promised that they would make sure he could not be deposed before Election Day. Well, hallelujah, he’s being deposed before Election Day. And the reason why—
AMY GOODMAN: Today.
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Today. The reason why this is so important and the strategy behind the early part of this case all along has been that if we can shine a spotlight on the perpetrators of this kind of fraud before Election Day, make them nervous, make them pull in their horns, distract them, there’s a good chance that they might not try to do what they’re clearly ready to do, because, let me just add, Connell is on the McCain payroll. He’s working for McCain right now, and he specializes in a particular kind of computer architecture whose only purpose, Spoonamore says, is to steal votes.
AMY GOODMAN: I want to go back to two issues. One, how do you know Karl Rove made these threats? That’s a very strong allegation.
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Well, it is a very strong allegation that comes from the lawyers that the lawyers were evidently told by Connell or someone close to him. But this stuff has been on the website of Velvet Revolution. Raw Story has reported it. The media, however, has remained over-focused, of course, on ACORN, which is a nothing story. But let me make clear that the brouhaha over ACORN, right, this orchestrated propaganda drive about ACORN, has many distracting purposes, and one of them, I promise you, is to distract us from this case. This case is an Ohio RICO case. Well, lately, the Republicans filed an Ohio RICO case against ACORN. And I think the purpose—
AMY GOODMAN: RICO, meaning racketeering?
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: It’s a racketeering case. Ohio has the strongest racketeering statute in the country. This is one of the reasons why the lawyers decided to go there and do this.
AMY GOODMAN: What do you mean he specializes in the computer architecture, the internet architecture, that can steal elections?
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Well, it’s a system—if people go to the website for Velvet Revolution, particularly www.rovecybergate.com, they’ll find the documents that Spoonamore has filed describing the setup that’s known as “Man in the Middle.” This happened in Ohio in 2004.
It involves shunting the data that comes from the website for the Secretary of State—I mean, the election returns—taking those election returns as they come to the website in real-time and shunting them to a computer somewhere else. What happened in 2004 was the election returns from Ken Blackwell’s website were shunted to a computer in a basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the control of a very partisan private company to which Connell was connected. The data was shunted to this strange computer in Chattanooga and then directed back to the Secretary of State’s website. As Connell—I mean, sorry, as Spoonamore has said, the only purpose of doing this Man in the Middle thing is to commit crime.
Bev Harris of Black Box Voting has lately reported that there are similar Man in the Middle setups in Colorado, Illinois and Kentucky. So it’s very important that tomorrow, when we’re out there engaging in election protection and working to make the turnout as large as it possibly can be, because the larger the turnout, the harder the theft, people have to be paying very close attention to the numbers. They have to be watching the traffic at different precincts, and so on.
AMY GOODMAN: I want to go to the issue of voting all over the country. What have—you’re following it very closely. You’re going to be with us Tuesday night for our five-hour broadcast, to be monitoring what’s happening in all the states, especially the key swing battleground states. What have you learned? It’s estimated about a quarter of people have already voted.
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Yes, an astonishing number of people have voted. And I take that as very good news, not because that necessarily ensures their votes will be safe; I take it as good news because it indicates to me that an awful lot of Americans understand that the voting apparatus that we have out there is untrustworthy, and they’re taking, you know, special steps to see to it that their votes count.
But what we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks is basically a replay, on steroids, if you will, of what we saw in 2004—vote flipping by machines in West Virginia, Texas, Tennessee and Missouri, that we know of. And let me make something clear, Amy. All the flips go in one direction. It’s all from Obama either to McCain or to Cynthia McKinney, as it happens.
We did hear of three people who claimed that their votes were flipped from McCain to Obama in Tennessee. But they’re all related to a Republican official. Their numbers are unlisted. And they told the local newspaper and not the election commission, so I have my doubts about those three cases.
But there have also been, as usual, very long lines in Democratic precincts only. We’re talking about a calculated kind of shortage that magically does not afflict Republican precincts, only Democratic ones.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, now, in these pre-voting, in these long early lines, not all precincts are open, right?
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: Right, not all precincts. This is something that’s happening in some parts of the country.
AMY GOODMAN: Thirty-one states.
MARK CRISPIN MILLER: And I want to make something clear here. Turnout on Election Day, massive turnout, unprecedented turnout, is all-important, because, again, the larger the turnout, the harder the theft. The more people show up at the polls, the better it is, which means that those people who vote early should also go out on Election Day and be physically present at the polls to help to build that national mass.
- Greg Bacon's blog
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Comments
Amy Goodman creates theatre for the illusion of choice
There's a lot of this stuff going around just now -- moral panic about the possible theft of a meaningless vote. Since it appears that Obama is a shoo-in, and it's gotten pretty difficult to be excited in a positive way about the victor apparent, presumably people need something to get excited about.
Posted by Michael J. Smith
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There is no "choice". There is no reason to "steal" the election, other than perhaps trying to psych us into believing that Americas support a candidate that presents as more obnoxious than the elite actually pragmatically choose to be.
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#000080">O'Bomber/McAIPAC
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atheo
The election is rigged either way
The Republicans control the crooked voting machines, while the Democrats rely on fraudulent voter registrations and ballot stuffing (Chicago style) to gain an edge.
Either way, the outcome is crooked, not that there is a dime's width of difference between the two.
Obama has the possibility of turning on ziostan - ever so slight, but a possibility. In the event of which he will get the Kennedy treatment.
Lip service of US welfare foreign policy toward Israel?
What exactly does this talking point say about US support for Israel? It seems to be arguing that the aid given to Israel is only one fourth of funds given to its enemies therefore, is not as significant as opponents of US "sugardaddy" status for Israel claim. And why is the massive political, economic and military stewardship of Israel characterized as mere lip service? Is this point attempting to assert that these politiciams are not serious about the US welfare programs to Israel--that they will roll back the massive aid?
Moreover, who are the enemies of Israel? Which countries fall into that category? Are they military enemies or does the list include economic and ideological opponents? Thess are very unclear and are in need of clarification.
Or is it just a mere typo?
____________________________
"You shall have no pity on them until we shall have destroyed their so-called Arab culture, on the ruins of which we shall build our own civilization." –Menachem Begin
ZION'S NAZI ALLIES
@ Claymoremind
Claymoremind,
I concur that the elections are rigged, and certainly have no difference in opinion regarding the rest of your comment.
I am just curious as to whom you voted for.
@insurgent
I voted for the Green party candidate Cynthia McKinney.
She was the only member of Congress with the balls to call out the zionist perps of 911, and she paid the cost for that truth.
Thank You!
Thanks Claymoremind...
I don't feel that you did the wrong thing, even though I believe that you know that she has no chance to win.
As for my vote, it would be illegal for me to do that...
I think that I recall reading data that supports your reasoning,
so I must say bravo to Cynthia M., and to you.
-As for what will happen, one could only hope that Obama
pulls it off then bites the hands that feed him, regardless of the Kennedy effect.
@ Jnoubiyeh posted by Atheo
I just realized that the information about the lip service to US Israeli Aid was actually yours. Please respond and thanks.
____________________________
"You shall have no pity on them until we shall have destroyed their so-called Arab culture, on the ruins of which we shall build our own civilization." –Menachem Begin
ZION'S NAZI ALLIES
@ Jnoubiyeh posted by Atheo (actually posted by stern gang)
Shameless.
atheo
Atheo, looking 4a fight? if so use the mirror or shawdows
Where is the shame in asking the author of certain material a question? What would be the point in asking you, since you merely copied and pasted it?
_____________________________
"You shall have no pity on them until we shall have destroyed their so-called Arab culture, on the ruins of which we shall build our own civilization." –Menachem Begin
ZION'S NAZI ALLIES
Which enemies of Israel get more monetary aid?
- Both pay lip service to our continued support of Israel, while not mentioning the fact that we give 3 times as much monetary aid to its enemies
For starters, this assumption is misleading, since it only says "monetary" aid and doesn't include the weaponry that we give to Israel each and every year.
Weapons that are "sold" to Israel, but the money never gets paid back.
It doesn't take into account the fuck proof veto we give to Israel each and every year in the UN Security Council, where we've shot down numerous measures that pointed out murderous acts by the Israelis.
Take this one step further and add in the price hikes to a barrel of oil instituted by OPEC to have enough money to buy some weapons to keep up with US supplied Israeli weapons, and you probably are adding several trillion dollars to the actual total.
One third of all US aid goes to Israel, then Egypt.
Since Egypt and Israel have signed a peace pact or cessation of hostilities or whatever you want to call it, Egypt can not be labeled an enemy.
http://www.wrmea.com/html/us_aid_to_israel.htm
Since foreign aid is ostensibly for developing nations, and Israel is most certainly NOT a developing country, why does that nation of religious bigots receive so much US cash?
Enemies of Israel?
Unless a country bows down and acknowledges that Israel is a special nation, for Jews and Jews only, Israel marks you off as an enemy.
Fuck Israel.
Why do I think that the world would be a much better and safer place if Israel had never came into existence?
Greg Bacon
@ Greg Bacon
The high level of aid to Egypt is payment to keep this otherwise natural adversary of Israel passive. Niether Obama or McCain have any plan to alter this arrangement which does not serve US interests. They are both traitors to their country, collaborators in multiple occupations.
atheo
Sounds like Zionist dressed as Palestinian to blow our minds
An otherwise natural adversary of Israel? What is so natural about implanting a fiction, known as Israel in the midst of 300 million Arab muslims against their will, when the "Jewish Question," "Jewish Problem" and "the Jewish Answer" all took place in Europe? Not to mention this unnatural imposition of Israel in Palestine was done through a process involving terrorism, ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity.
Keep Egypt passive? It has been Israel that has been the belligerent party in all the wars in the middle East--certainly not Egypt. The paradigm of preemption borrowed by the double citizenship elite of the neocons have long been practiced by Israel.
In fact it is Israel who has continually, held the US hostage and blackmailed her treasury for massive economic, political and military support by threatening to set the region ablaze with their nuclear arsenal--it has not been Egypt.
Israel continues to illegally hold on to lands belonging to the people of Lebanon, Syria as well as East Jerusalem, the Gaza strip and the West Bank--what is passive about this example of state mafia tactics?
Seems to me these are arguments of Zionists who would like us to think they are with us in the frontlines against the scourge of Zionism--but who clandestinely, work tirelessly to confound the good fight.
_____________________________
"You shall have no pity on them until we shall have destroyed their so-called Arab culture, on the ruins of which we shall build our own civilization." –Menachem Begin
ZION'S NAZI ALLIES
Indeed, I agree...
Very well stated, Stern Gang.
" #333300">An otherwise natural adversary of Israel? What is so natural about implanting a fiction, known as Israel in the midst of 300 million Arab muslims against their will, when the "Jewish Question," "Jewish Problem" and "the Jewish Answer" all took place in Europe? Not to mention this unnatural imposition of Israel in Palestine was done through a process involving terrorism, ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity.
#333300"> The paradigm of preemption borrowed by the double citizenship elite of the neocons have long been practiced by Israel. ......#333300">In fact it is Israel who has continually, held the US hostage and blackmailed her treasury for massive economic, political and military support by threatening to set the region ablaze with their nuclear arsenal..."
#333300">I couldn't have said it better.
Rhiannon
There's still the billions of dollars paid to Egypt, it is real.
The paradigm of preemption borrowed by the double citizenship elite of the neocons have long been practiced by Israel.
In this case the "premption" is financial, we can all see that, it is the very fact that we refer to.
atheo
Hack the vote, baby, It's easy as "1, 2, 3, that's how easy.."
It's gonna be, it's easy, like taking candy from a baby.
Greg Bacon
Wrong--the financial, political and military US aid to Israel
are edifices erected to maintain an artificial entity--Israel. These have become institutions onto themselves and continue to work to maintain as well as increase the largesse of the tax burden on the American public. The problem here is Israel, all other parameters are derived from its illegal and undemocratic founding. Prior to Israel's acquisition of nuclear weaponry in the mid '50s the US was not susceptible to blackmail of these huge outlays.
The US has been trying to maintain an environment of peace both, military and in the economic sector in the region by acquiescing to Israel and appeasing its extortionist demands. Every US administration since the 1967 Israeli war on the Arabs has had to contunually donate to the Israeli fund. The stalwart political support availed to Israel has also allowed it to blackmail and strong arm other nations for financial payment as well--Poland and Germany to name a couple.
Does the US give aid to Egypt? Certainly, it does however, the aid to Israel encompasses a wider area of American assets. Israel is afforded a status that allows it to attach itself unto American discourse and use the US at a host to feed its economy and nourish its colony. Moreover, where aid to Egypt has come up in congress for dimunitive amendment, the aid to Israel is unassailable and continues to rise yearly. Wherefore, the mass of US expenditures in the region are a result of the pariah Israel.
On the other hand, Egypt's interests would best be served if the aid it received from the US was geared toward its infrastructure instead of an infusement of arms that gives a false semblance of parody -- an impression that steps are being made to stave off the warmongers across the Sinai. When in reality, Israel maintains a dominance of violence in the region and the aid to Egypt is in essence cosmetic.
______________________________
"You shall have no pity on them until we shall have destroyed their so-called Arab culture, on the ruins of which we shall build our own civilization." –Menachem Begin
ZION'S NAZI ALLIES
The Psychotic Neighbor, Israel
Having Israel for a neighbor is like having a family of violent, heavily armed thugs living next door.
They constantly threaten you and your family and you've caught them stealing your tools and other items from your yard and house.
You call the sheriff and he comes over and beats the hell out of you for making the call.
Next week, the same thugs catch your daughter out playing in the yard and rape her.
Her little brother tries to help his sister, but they kill him to shut him up.
You call the sheriff again and this time he not only beats the crap out of you, he also arrests you for "distrubing the peace."
Next week, that band of psychos set fire to your house and burn it down and kidnap your wife.
You call the sheriff again and this time he comes over and shoots you since you were deemed to be "dangerous."
That's what it's like having Israel as a neighbor with Uncle Sam playing the role of the sheriff.
Greg Bacon
in hindsight
there was nothing they could do that could have propped up that decrepit old man against Obama, so apparently, they didn't even try...
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"Money" has no value - people do.
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"Money" has no value - people do.
McCain came across as a mean spirited, self-absorbed prick
Which is what he is, so it's no surprise that came out.
He reminded me of some old bastard that on Halloween, lurks behind his front door with a baseball bat, ready to strike out and really scare the kids.
At least the damned EVANGELICAL vote for once, didn't help the Republican spin machine, even though they voted big time for Johnny Boy.
Greg Bacon
Aid to Israel
It was more the inauguration of zionist stooge Lyndon Johnson that landmarked the beginning of the U.S.-Israel "special relationship". Israel did well to take out JFK.
U.S. aid to Egypt is really just aid to Israel, for all intents and purposes, since it's all about paying Egypt off to keep them on side with the Apartheid State.
Israel gets its Welfare Check from the US on January 1
Israel is the ONLY country afforded this courtesy, all others have to wait to get it doled out over the course of the year.
Israel takes some of that money and reinvests in US Treausury bonds, making even more money off Uncle Sucker.
If Israel is in such dire need of American bucks, then how can they afford to invest that money back into bonds?
And let's not even get into the high tech weapons we've gave Israel, who then copied the weapon and sold it to other countries, like China.
Greg Bacon