Registered: Aug 2000
Location: In a Blue, Blue State
Posts: 12544

U.S. Mulling How to Delay Nov. Vote in Case of Attack

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. counterterrorism officials are looking at an emergency proposal on the legal steps needed to postpone the November presidential election in case of an attack by al Qaeda, Newsweek reported on Sunday.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda network may attack within the United States to try to disrupt the election.


The magazine cited unnamed sources who told it that the Department of Homeland Security asked the Justice Department (news - web sites) last week to review what legal steps would be needed to delay the election if an attack occurred on the day before or the day of the election.


The department was asked to review a letter to Ridge from DeForest Soaries, who is the chairman of the new U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the magazine said.


The commission was created in 2002 to provide funds to the states to the replace punch card voting systems and provide other assistance in conducting federal elections.


In his letter, Soaries pointed out that while New York's Board of Elections suspended primary elections in New York on the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, "the federal government has no agency that has the statutory authority to cancel and reschedule a federal election."


Soaries wants Ridge to ask Congress to pass legislation giving the government such power, Newsweek reported in its latest issue that hits the newsstands on Monday.


Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Rochrkasse told the magazine the agency is reviewing the matter "to determine what steps need to be taken to secure the election."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...ion_terror_dc_2

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How easy it would be to fake a "terrorist attack" and cancel the election until such a time as GWB regains enough stature to resume them.

Fine paranoia brought to you courtesy of HomelandSecurity, Inc.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: south afrika
Posts: 16485

quote:

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Originally posted by billgerat
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda network may attack within the United States to try to disrupt the election.

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Registered: Mar 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 24302

I think this whole thing is getting so blown out of proportion that it borders on ridiculous. What is there was a major terrorist attack on November 2nd? What would we do? Shouldn't we at least think about it? I have little doubt that if god forbid there was one and no one had thought about it beforehand there would be another commission appointed to find out why. To read more into this is to succumb to Moore-esque conspiracy theories. If Bush were to postpone the election for purely political reasons, he would be finished, period.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35561

If it was a major attack that was localised, like the ones on 11/9/2001, the elections should go ahead, I'd say. Be silly to hand that sort of victory to terrorists, I think, but in any case, I imagine that if there were an attack, Bush would only be a 'leadership...evildoers...freedom' away from an easy re-election in any case. I don't see that delaying in the event of a terrorist attack would be to Bush's advantage, so I don't see him doing it unless there is really no choice at all, ie, it is necessary.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: baton rouge, la
Posts: 4101

finally TT says something i don't feel like a jackass for agreeing with.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: in colorado somewhere!
Posts: 25592

There WILL be a terrorist attack at or just before Nov.11. Stock up on popcorn NOW.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: south afrika
Posts: 16485

quote:

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Originally posted by Large Filipino
There WILL be a terrorist attack at or just before Nov.11. Stock up on popcorn NOW.

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Registered: Mar 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 24302

How did you contact them? 1-800-ahh-ahhh, www.ductape.org, or at www.we-are-all-gonna-die.gov?

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Registered: Apr 2004
Location: Insatiation
Posts: 8980

You don't contact them, they contact YOU.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: in colorado somewhere!
Posts: 25592

quote:

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Originally posted by Hawley Griffin
i just contacted homeland security, you and your entire family is about to be sent to ass raping camp in Guantanamo Bay for alleged terrorist connections

nice knowing ya faggot

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Registered: Apr 2004
Location: Den
Posts: 10984

quote:

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Originally posted by billgerat
Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Rochrkasse told the magazine the agency is reviewing the matter "to determine what steps need to be taken to secure the election."

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