red onion

The black commentator has some of the hardest hitting commentary around, regarding the disenfranchisement of possibly millions of voters in the election, and John Kerry Missing In Action from this battle:

The Greens, who don’t stand to win anything except the respect and admiration of all decent people, raised nearly $150,000 in only four days to challenge George Bush’s unofficial 136,000 vote margin in each of Ohio’s poll precincts. Kerry had the same option and plenty of cash on hand ($15 million in unspent campaign funds), but took the Skull and Bones path, fearing a contested outcome might damage the legitimacy of a system that he values just as dearly as his erstwhile opponent, George Bush – Black voters be damned. There is no law against making a concession speech and getting a recount, but oligarchs like Kerry treasure stability above all else – it keeps them on top.

There was a small brouhaha today on Dailykos over an email sent out by Kerry, first with his campaign letterhead, then the same email sent out with his senatorial letterhead. The author of that particular diary on dailykos questioned the legality of using campaign funds for senatorial legislation pr. Valid point. The memo and video, posted on Kerry's campaign web site, promotes Kerry's "sign a pledge" petition to back-up legislation he says he will introduce when the new session starts next year, to provide health care in the U.S. for all children.

The video is a must see for anyone deigning to fathom the mind and soul of John Kerry post-election. In the video, Kerry makes reference to the post election vote count, when he says, and I quote, "...once all of the votes are counted, and believe me they will be counted" This is a bizaar statement in and of itself, given that Kerry has done little to make sure every vote is being counted, and Ken Blackwell, Secretary of State of Ohio, has had his way in terms of delaying the recount with not a peep from Kerry on this.

Besides, I never trust anyone who says, "Believe me..." Why should I believe you Mr. Kerry? If you were actually doing the work, you wouldn't have to ask us to believe you; you would be doing the work. I don't hear Beverly Harris asking, "Believe me". She simply does the work, and reports it to us.

So yes, the video and memo appear self-serving. It is a no lose issue for Kerry. He will introduce the legislation, and it will likely fail, but he will look like a hero fighting for it. He is moving to consolidate his support for another run. In the meantime...Mr. Kerry, are the votes being counted? Really?

He makes a statement in the video in support of a reformed election process. If he believes in this post election, why not indicate what exactly is bothering you about this election, Mr. Kerry?

Here is his statement from the video:

Regardless of the outcome of this election, once all of the votes are counted, and believe me, they will be counted, we will continue to challenge this administration. This is not a time for democrats to retreat and accomodate extremists on critical principals. It is time to stand firm. I'm going to fight for national standards for federal elections, standards that have both transparency and accountability in our voting system. It is unacceptable in the U.S.of A. that people still don't have full confidence in the integrity of the voting process. I ask you to join me in this cause.

It is time to stand firm now, and commit your resources to making sure all of the votes are counted, Mr. Kerry, in Ohio, and anomolies are investigated in Florida and elsewhere. If not now when, Mr. Kerry? You know, when you introduce legislation to reform the election process, Mr. Kerry, "they" are going to ask you why you didn't challenge the process directly, if you think it needs reforming, when you had a chance. Time is running out Mr. Kerry. We only have our democracy to lose.