Venezuelan Interest In U.S. Voting Software

A number of readers wrote in about a U.S. federal investigation into the Venezulean ownership of Sequoia Voting Systems, which makes voting machines used in 17 states and the District of Columbia. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States wonders whether the anti-U.S. government of Hugo Chávez could be trying to influence the U.S. midterm elections. From the article: "Government officials familiar with the Smartmatic inquiry said they doubted that even if the Chávez government was some kind of secret partner in the company, it would try to influence elections in the United States. But some of them speculated that the purchase of Sequoia could help Smartmatic sell its products in Latin America and other developing countries, where safeguards against fraud are weaker."

Comments

Chavez isn't a saint, but Bush sure is the devil..

[lixee]

Before you start bashing Chavez, please take the time to watch "The revolution will not be televised". It's an award winning documentary by an Irish crew who happened to be in Caracas when the coup against Chavez happened back in 2002.

Knowledge is the main weapon in this day and age!

Re:Oh fucking please

[Anonymous Coward]

Bullshit! If you can read Spanish, I suggest you read his statements about what is going on in his country. Read how he has increased security (increased murders to 10,000 per year in a country of 25 million), provided money and hospitals for the poor (while increasing the poverty rate even while reaping record oil profits), improved the economy (which has >10% inflation and small growth even while reaping record oil profits), and has increased personal freedom (by introducing communist style price controls and jailing reporters). Chavez is as much of a liar as his hero Fidel Castro who promised democratic elections in 1958 (only to rescind his offer by saying that the people had already chosen him--apparently for life).

Re: Only in America

[Black Parrot]

> Diebold which is held by a right wing company is not subjected to this scrutiny.

Our country has a long history of the FBI keeping an eye on people for no reason other than liberal views, while jumping in bed with the most extreme sort of right-wingers in South America.

Re:Chavez isn't a saint, but Bush sure is the devi

[malsdavis]

I would thoroughly recommend this documentory/movie. It is definitely not an anti-Bush propaganda film produced by the Democrats like many (who probably haven't seen it) say it is (it was produced by Spanish reporters for a start) and I would probably take some bits of the movie "with a pinch of salt", but they do have some amazing footage of a very odd event (or non-event as most have never heard of it) in modern history. If you like hearing about conspiracy theories than this is one, albeit focused on different factions conspiring against the people of Venezula rather than the U.S.A. (like in most conspiracy theory stories).

Another, kind of similar, movie called "Death of a president" is also quite insightful into the attitudes of the federal American political psyche. It is a British film focusing on the aftermath of an assassination of Bush. It also has some amazing imagary, this time Forest Gump style effects where actors appear to be on-stage with the president at events. Again it is definitely not an "anti-Bush" film, rather it examines how all sides use the obviously fictitious event for their own aims and - with both movies - they really show in the end the only people f%#ked over are the innocent people caught up in meddling by the higher powers.

Re:Chavez isn't a saint, but Bush sure is the devi

[TheCrayfish]

Chavez is considerably worse than just "not a saint". And comparing him to an elected President of the US is somewhat absurd. Anyone who thinks life in Venezuela under Chavez would be nicer than life in the United States under Bush should put their money where their mouth is and move there.

Torrent link to Chavez: The Revolution ...

[mugwumpus]

http://www.chomskytorrents.org/DownloadTorrent.php ?TorrentID=1516 An astonishing documentary.

Re:Ridiculous

[dangitman]

He's talking about the Republicans suddenly getting interested in voting fraud when leftists might be involved in the machines (Venezuela), but ignoring the problem when their own right-wing stooges are involved (Diebold). You may want to try reading comprehension before you get outraged.

Re:Only in America

[dangitman]

I'm not sure why you need a cite for that. It's very widely known:

Walden "Wally" O'Dell, the chairman of the board and chief executive of Diebold. For years, O'Dell has given generously to Republican candidates. Last September, he held a packed $1,000-per-head GOP fundraiser at his 10,800-square-foot mansion. He has been feted as a guest at President Bush's Texas ranch, joining a cadre of "Pioneers and Rangers" who have pledged to raise more than $100,000 for the Bush reelection campaign. Most memorably, O'Dell last fall penned a letter pledging his commitment "to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the President."

http://www.motherjones.com/commentary/columns/20 04/03/03_200.html

Many, many more details at that link.

Maybe a bit predictable - but don't dismiss it!

[GuardianBob420]

While you may have a point, you may want to read up a bit on what has actually been uncovered regarding electronic voting manipulation by the 'Right':
http://weazlsrevenge.blogspot.com/2006/10/sign-of- things-to-come-in-november.html

Re:Ridiculous

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey the US was just celebrating the ten year anniversary of the Coup held by "friend of democracy" Hugo Chavez.

You mean Chavez's attempt to remove the kleptocratic Pérez administration which had murdered 3000 Venezuelans, burying many in mass graves? That failed coup attempt is the main reason Chavez has been so successful in electoral politics.