Hi Fred,
That an extremely interesting point. As a preface, I’ll say that all politicians in my opinion use whatever tools they can to win, provided they believe they can get away with it, technically, legally, or simply by stealth.
At first blush, seems to me that there are two main issue types: legal and moral.
First, were the military ballots to be challenged truly “invalid” according to law? If so, it seems that there would have been a legal standing for the challenges. If not, not.
Second, is it morally correct to deprive a person in the military who is overseas of the right to vote for any reason other than serious violations of election law or other commissions of federal crimes that would bar anyone from voting? In other words, should their votes not count due to postmark dates or delays caused by military duty?
Third, another moral issue. Is it right for any politicians to use whatever rule or law might exist to try to achieve victory, even if the use of that rule or law runs counter to patriotic feelings, etc?
Clearly, rules must exist and patriotism cannot excuse everything. However, do military personnel away from home deserve some special, better service to ensure their access to voting rights?
Just some thoughts.
Seeker4
The Democrats should be encouraging the military to vote… everybody I know in the military is tired of being yanked around by the Bush administration. They don’t appreciate the bullshit of the current Iraq war, nor the massive cutting of their benefits by Bush.
Well, at least the Republican administration will be ensuring that the Democrats don’t block their right to vote this year. Voting is the true way to determine which direction our nation will go next. I am willing to put it to the test, how about you MFGR? Let’s see what happens in November. Could go either way. Bush has not pleased me that much domestically where he has been spending like a drunken sailor. What can a Democrat do? Besides, it might give us the opportunity to take out Iran’s nuclear sites and roll through Fallujah on our way to Syria as an exit plan for the Bush administration. Okay with me.
Fred, you’re going to vote this year?
If I get my absentee ballot, yes. AIT cannot tell me whether my form has been processed or not nor whether I will get my ballot. I just have to “wait and see.” That’s the way it goes, but I hardly think that you will want me to vote this year now will you?
Where to have the victory dinner? I nominate the Landis Paris 1930. Anyone wanna join me for a lavish champagne-fueled countdown of the red and blue state lineup?
Freddy