But Where's Jim?

Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee along with Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Melvin Watt, Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, William Delahunt, Robert Wexler, Tammy Baldwin, Anthony Weiner and Linda Sanchez, have written to Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell requesting that he respond to reports of election irregularities in the state of Ohio, as follows: "Collectively, we are concerned that these complaints constitute a troubled portrait of a one-two punch that may well have altered and suppressed votes, particularly minority and Democratic votes. First, it appears there were substantial irregularities in vote tallies. It is unclear whether these apparent errors were the result of machine malfunctions or fraud. Second, it appears that a series of actions of government and non-government officials may have worked to frustrate minority voters. Consistent and widespread reports indicate a lack of voting machines in urban, minority and Democratic areas, and a surplus of such machines in Republican, white and rural areas. As a result, minority voters were discouraged from voting by lines that were in excess of eight hours long. Many of these voters were also apparently victims of a campaign of deception, where flyers and calls would direct them to the wrong polling place. Once at that polling place, after waiting for hours in line, many of these voters were provided provisional ballots after learning they were at the wrong location. These ballots were not counted in many jurisdictions because of a directive issued by some election officials, such as yourself. We're sure you agree with us that regardless of the outcome of the election, it is imperative that we examine any and all factors that may have led to voting irregularities and any failure of votes to be properly counted."Come to the ''Seattle T.E.A. (Total Election Accountability) Party Rally,'' DATE: Monday, December 6, 12:00 Noon – 1:30 pm. LOCATION: Victor Steinbrueck Park. Meanwhile, in Kiev, Ukraine, citizens continue their around the clock rally for election reform. Update: On Kos: there's "Lawyer in OH Recount Suit: We Have Evidence of Fraud." Yahoo's #1 Most Viewed News Story, at the moment is"Bush's Ohio Win Was Closer Than Thought." I wonder how people had to leave their line before they even had a chance to vote, after hanging around for several hours. Update: More details on the House Judiciary Dem Hearings in Washington, DC next Wednesday, here. After picking a little squabble with Bev Harris the other day, Bloggerman posted again yesterday and threw a few more sticks on the fire. He also "framed" the Ohio recount as a Jackson versus Blackwell contest and commented on the legal challenge. I found myself getting bored and restless as Olbermann gave us his somewhat self-important point of view. He hasn't even been to Ohio to cover the story and had the cool tv confidence that mainstream tv viewers seem to want from their "anchors." Maybe he wants Brokaw's job.