Octopus Overlords

Captain Caveman wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:30 pm Okay, but what's the rationale for erasing the digital records? Without them you might not be able to confirm that they correctly tabulated the paper ballots. The paper ballots themselves are not counted... they're fed into the machine for tabulation.

I don't know. But presumably as long as you have the paper ballots you have the option of a hand recount if there's some indication of wrongdoing. The suspicion (I assume) is that the deletion of digital records may be one way to avoid producing or having any 'indication of wrongdoing' that would create pressure for a hand recount.

It doesn't look good to be sure. I'm just saying that it's good that the paper ballots will be preserved. There are some states (like Pennsylvania) where they use digital voting machines with no paper ballots, where there's (as I understand it) no real way to do a recount, which is terrifying.

So, we'll see what happens tonight. After I head home at 5:30, going to stay offline until late, until there are hopefully some definitive results. Realistically until the NY Times app buzzes me with more definitive information.

In some ways this is a win-win, in that either the democrats get an unexpected pickup, or the Republicans get a Roy Moore sized anchor around them heading into 2018.

For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

I'm confused. Why do you think this is noteworthy?

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

Yeah. Why in the world would we be interested in the election of a racist pedophile bigot? In the total collapse of norms? In the death of the GOP, especially since what is replacing it is so much worse for the Republic?

Let's be fair, Alleged pedophile.

I dunno, personally I'm more focused on the local comptroller election.

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

Rip wrote:For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

Yeah. For the good of both parties and America we don’t want Moore to win. The man does not belong in the Senate.


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Nate Silver just tweeted about widespread reports of high turnout.

This probably helps Jones, but it's all a question of how much is enough,

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Holman wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:08 pm Nate Silver just tweeted about widespread reports of high turnout.

This probably helps Jones, but it's all a question of how much is enough,

https://twitter.com/NateSilver538/statu ... 4431740928

If you're referring to this, while it's hard to tell, I'm pretty sure that he's just making fun of election commentators here. E.g., "Wow, I'm getting lots of reports confirming what I already believed / expected / predicted."

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Compared to Roy Moore? Yeah, he is.

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:17 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Compared to Roy Moore? Yeah, he is.

Yea, what positions of his are at the forefront of individual liberty? Gun restrictions? Mandated healthcare?

About the only individual liberty that I can think of he supports is the right to kill your unborn babies. Beyond that he is a pure nanny stater.

If anything I would write in Ron Bishop.

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:24 pm

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:17 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Compared to Roy Moore? Yeah, he is.

Yea, what positions of his are at the forefront of individual liberty? Gun restrictions? Mandated healthcare?

About the only individual liberty that I can think of he supports is the right to kill your unborn babies. Beyond that he is a pure nanny stater.

The right of women to hold elected office? The right to not have the state impose an official religion on an individual? Jones doesn't need to be at the forefront of individual liberty - he just needs to not be a regressive theocratic redneck asshole to put him miles ahead of Roy Moore..

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:29 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:24 pm

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:17 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Compared to Roy Moore? Yeah, he is.

Yea, what positions of his are at the forefront of individual liberty? Gun restrictions? Mandated healthcare?

About the only individual liberty that I can think of he supports is the right to kill your unborn babies. Beyond that he is a pure nanny stater.

The right of women to hold elected office? The right to not have the state impose an official religion on an individual? Jones doesn't need to be at the forefront of individual liberty - he just needs to not be a regressive theocratic redneck asshole to put him miles ahead of Roy Moore..

Yea, because those are issues the congress will be deciding.

The blinking here is awesome.

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:33 pm

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:29 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:24 pm

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:17 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Compared to Roy Moore? Yeah, he is.

Yea, what positions of his are at the forefront of individual liberty? Gun restrictions? Mandated healthcare?

About the only individual liberty that I can think of he supports is the right to kill your unborn babies. Beyond that he is a pure nanny stater.

The right of women to hold elected office? The right to not have the state impose an official religion on an individual? Jones doesn't need to be at the forefront of individual liberty - he just needs to not be a regressive theocratic redneck asshole to put him miles ahead of Roy Moore..

Yea, because those are issues the congress will be deciding.

You don't think those views translate to other issues? Really?

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:33 pm

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:29 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:24 pm

geezer wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:17 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:11 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:58 pm

Rip wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:30 pm For a group that thinks they win no matter what happens you guys sure do seem to be overly interested in this single race......

And for a guy so heavily invested in “individual liberty”, you seem awfully unconcerned about a electing a guy whose stated goal is to turn the country into a Christian theocracy.

That might come into play if his opponent was some champion of individual liberty. But he is not, far from it.

Compared to Roy Moore? Yeah, he is.

Yea, what positions of his are at the forefront of individual liberty? Gun restrictions? Mandated healthcare?

About the only individual liberty that I can think of he supports is the right to kill your unborn babies. Beyond that he is a pure nanny stater.

The right of women to hold elected office? The right to not have the state impose an official religion on an individual? Jones doesn't need to be at the forefront of individual liberty - he just needs to not be a regressive theocratic redneck asshole to put him miles ahead of Roy Moore..

Yea, because those are issues the congress will be deciding.

His (18)50's era social mores and utter lack of respect for the rule of law would impact every vote he casts. Those things above are merely symptoms of his disease, and evidence of his lack of fitness to govern.

Surprising exactly no one:

https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/9 ... 3369928704

Credible source reporting 90-minute waits, long lines in predominantly black precinct in Mobile with only one person verifying IDs. Shorter wait times in predominantly white areas. Can anyone verify?

Also, if the debate is about who wants to restrict more freedoms, I'm not sure you can top this:

https://twitter.com/TheLeadCNN/status/9 ... 1887220738

Does Roy Moore think that homosexual conduct should be illegal?

Roy Moore campaign spokesman: “Probably.

[Talking politics:] "That's what my Bible tells me... That's what this is about."

There you go.

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:48 pm Surprising exactly no one:

https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/9 ... 3369928704

Credible source reporting 90-minute waits, long lines in predominantly black precinct in Mobile with only one person verifying IDs. Shorter wait times in predominantly white areas. Can anyone verify?

The state and municipalities are posting police officers to do open-warrant checks at polling places.

It's completely unconstitutional, but who's going to stop them?

Holman wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:05 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:48 pm Surprising exactly no one:

https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/9 ... 3369928704

Credible source reporting 90-minute waits, long lines in predominantly black precinct in Mobile with only one person verifying IDs. Shorter wait times in predominantly white areas. Can anyone verify?

The state and municipalities are posting police officers to do open-warrant checks at polling places.

It's completely unconstitutional, but who's going to stop them?

I haven't heard that, but I'm not surprised.

In more encouraging news, early exit polling is showing that blacks comprise 30% of voters vs 26% of statewide population, and that approval of Jones is split 49%/49% while voters show a highly unfavorable/favorable split (something like 52/36, but I dont recall exactly) against Roy Moore.

Captain Caveman wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:14 pm
And testimony of the voting experience this morning by one African American voter:

https://twitter.com/iAnnalise/status/940608135814934529

"Sorry, you are not authorized to see this status."

This account's Tweets are protected.

Probably brigaded.

The people running our government and those wanting in to run our government are dumber than cat shit. Maddening to see such stupidity in charge and even supported by other dirt brained voters.

https://livefyre-media.s3.amazonaws.com ... ef589a.mp4

Seems smart folk are a minority these days in the country.

hitbyambulance wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:45 pm

Captain Caveman wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:14 pm
And testimony of the voting experience this morning by one African American voter:

https://twitter.com/iAnnalise/status/940608135814934529

"Sorry, you are not authorized to see this status."

I remember her name, and I saw her tweets just a few hours ago. Probably she privatized her account this afternoon after attacks from racists.

What she was describing was bureaucratic intimidation at the polls of the sort designed to make (black) voters go home.

YellowKing wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:07 am I'm just shocked anyone in Alabama knows the word "turpitude."

Here you go.

and to add to that - from wikipedia:

'Moral turpitude is a legal concept in the United States and some other countries that refers to "an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community". '

So actually pretty apt here.

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:50 pm Also, if the debate is about who wants to restrict more freedoms, I'm not sure you can top this:

https://twitter.com/TheLeadCNN/status/9 ... 1887220738

Does Roy Moore think that homosexual conduct should be illegal?

Roy Moore campaign spokesman: “Probably.

/vomit

That guy is comedy gold.. The end of that interview is effing hilarious.

CNN exit poll. Sexual misconduct allegations did not matter 54% to 41%. Fuck AL.

According to the Failing NYT (tm):

Roy Moore leads by 5 percentage points over Doug Jones with 21 percent of precincts fully reporting.

CNN exit poll is saying 1/5 moderate and liberal Republicans (whatever that means) voted for Jones. Probably won’t be enough.

malchior wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:04 pm CNN exit poll. Sexual misconduct allegations did not matter 54% to 41%. Fuck AL.

No need. They fucked themselves.

They've been fucking family members for decades.

Hope springs eternal.

It's pretty much a nail-biter. Minute-by-minute you see Moore under-perform here and over-perform there while Jones is doing well but hovering on the margin of not-well-enough.

I think Moore will win in a close race, but that closeness is the story. Republicans would normally be able to count on 20-30% margins in Alabama.

(Forgotten in all this: if they'd nominated Luther Strange, tonight you wouldn't even be watching the returns.)