Ballyhoo, callboy, pitchman, and touter all good synonyms for carnival barker.
Back in the day when there lots of old time carnivals, it was a real treat to watch a carnival barker. Until recently I thought I'd never see one again.
...Meet Keith Obermann.........his style is reminiscent of a carney/ barker, but he couldn't hold a candle to the original article. Recently I managed to last through a whole Countdown hour...........(if you did too, my heartfelt condolences) What a boor.... especially when you consider how entertaining the real carney's were. The truly talented ones could excite your imagination enough, to pay extra for all the side shows. You'd have to drink the Kook Aid, to pay extra for the Countdown.
The latest folly KO has pursued are the "Elvis ghost votes" in Ohio etc. It's typical KO. Not only does he sound phony, It's typical because KO always ingeniously pitches left wing for the same team. The DNC.
Should we fault KO that his politics aren't founded in liberal ideals and principles? (at least I could respect him for that) Or should we fault him for what I suspect, that his politics are founded on opportunism? If you would just consider that when Kieth began his career, the networks were readouts of liberalism, the unchallenged kings of broadcast media and for a opportunist like Kieth what faster way to the top, but equal portions of people pleasing, ass kissing and brown nosing. It's a bit habit forming ....eh Keith?
I don't want to leave the impression that Keith Oberman isn't due some credit>>>>For instance he's probably not as nuts as Dan Rather, who is clueless that the ground shifted under his profession. Perhaps the Snark realizes he's being observed by a very large team of folks, who will collectively check and counter his bullshit. Which should hearten us all, for if this were 30 years ago, Snarky might have gone unchallenged and become dangerous.
Not any more! Never again!

RC,

BTW, over the weekend the Columbus Dispatch, which has been conspicuously mute regarding reports of voting anomalies, wrote Saturday that 39 voting machines were unused in Franklin County. 17 were never activated in inner-city pricincts for which they were targetted and certain Republican precincts indeed had additional machines. I had mentioned that I witnessed this in my polling location (where I've voted in every election for the past 16 years). Officials provided no explanation.

Franklin County Elections Director Matthew Damschroder said he learned of the problem and other discrepancies this week. According to the Dispatch, "meaning officials have been giving the public wrong numbers on voting machines for the past 5 1/2 weeks." Damschroder also said that this means there were fewer unused machines than was thought and that none of the problems affected election results.

In previous posts, you asked me for proof af fraud, which I, of course, don't have. I suggest, however, that this appearing in the conservative Columbus Dispatch is unusual and hope that those of you who dismiss reports of voting irregulities as false can be patient with proponents of a full, fair investigation. I'm not asking you to "buy" the claims; just to not insult we who want get to the bottom of this.

I'll let you know of any follow-ups I see.

Thanks,

Paul,

I have repeatedly said I have no trouble believing there were screw ups; as long as humans are involved there will be mistakes.

The accusations out there are about systemic fraud as part of some grand conspiracy to to steal the election for Bush. Those are the people Keith is promoting and playing to and so my concerns are not address by your report.

In the case you cite they ought to find out who screwed up and fire them.

PS, I had to wait in line to vote in New York beacuse they had 12 precincts voting in one gym and there was no good way to tell which line to get in to vote in a particular precinct. It was very screwed up and the old ladies in charge did not know what to do when the crowds got larger and larger. Should THAT be investigated?

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. The allegations run the gamut, from isolated local errors to the "grand conspiracy". We agree on several levels.

"...It was very screwed up and the old ladies in charge did not know what to do when the crowds got larger and larger. Should THAT be investigated?"

If it impedes the process, perhaps. Is this a state/local issue? Most likely. Can state/local entities be trusted to fully explore such pporblems? Probably not.

I agree that we should separate such issues from alleged systemic abberrations.

Here in Ohio, Blackwell's been openly obstructive. There appears to be a pattern. In his case, there's also an obvious conflict of interest. When you combine the two, it begs for a full investigation. If it bears fruit, it should extend to every state where similar conditions are found.

As you know, with our electoral system, winning the popular vote's great but not really necessary. For a conspiracy to succeed, it need not be quite so grand. As long as any loose ends exist, I feel we should investigate until they're buttoned up. And if people are indeed found to be at fault, I agree that they should receive appropriate punishment.

Thanks again,

pporblems...Jeez. Sorry!

This stuff also sounds very reasonable until you are confronted with reality. Ken Blackwell is the Secretary of State. He is not God!

There are 88 counties. The county commissioners are responsible for the voting machines and counting the votes. Each county has a district attorney. Some of the counties in question, including the largest counties are controlled by Democrats.

If there are really legitimate complaints why aren't people like Jesse Jackson, John Conyers, Cliff Arnebeck and the rest demanding the District Attorneys in Democrat controlled counties investigate complaints in those counties.

I will tell you, they are grandstanding. They have their OWN political agenda that has little to do with fixing the presidential election system and has everything to do with getting themselves on TV and pushing their own pet agendas.

I say again to all BlackBoxers, if you have got proof show it or shut up. If you have evidence of wrong doing take it where it belongs, to the local DA. Don't just stand in front of a microphone and try the old "Blame Ashcroft", Blame Katherine Harris" routine on Ken Blackwell.

Since Republicans control most of the statehouses , it has almost become in the interest of Democrats that Democratic Election officials, in Democratic Party controlled counties, do a poor job of providing the necessary equiptment and information to people in their counties.

I'd suggest state government officials ignore Republican controlled counties, who seem to get things right, and put their entire focus on making sure that Democratic county officials do their jobs and that their populations understand how to use the machines, etc.

Cecilia,

If this were true, your conclusions appear logical, unfortunately, the contention that "Democratic Election officials, in Democratic Party controlled counties, do a poor job of providing the necessary equiptment and information to people in their counties" is, to the best of my knowledge, baseless...at least here in Ohio.