Iowa threatens to arrest UN election observers...

[Revmitchell]

Iowa has joined Texas in warning international election observers of possible criminal prosecution if they violate state laws and get near polling places on Election Day.

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz — like Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott last week — on Tuesday threatened Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observers with arrest if they came within 300 feet of a polling place’s entrance, in violation of state law. (In Texas, it’s 100 feet.)

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/83108.html#ixzz2AwDEUXbp

 

[saturneptune]

Iowa has joined Texas in warning international election observers of possible criminal prosecution if they violate state laws and get near polling places on Election Day.

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz — like Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott last week — on Tuesday threatened Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observers with arrest if they came within 300 feet of a polling place’s entrance, in violation of state law. (In Texas, it’s 100 feet.)

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/83108.html#ixzz2AwDEUXbp

More power to them. (the Iowa and Texas authorities and any other state that will join)

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Typical braggadocios huff and puff. The governors' nonsensical responses give an air of credulity to an otherwise non-story. This has been going on since 2002 without incident.

 

[Max Fenster]

I can't imagine how four guest observers will somehow subvert the election in Iowa.

 

[saturneptune]

I can't imagine how four guest observers will somehow subvert the election in Iowa.

I cannot imagine why they are here in the first place. We are quite capable of managing our own elections. By the same token, we have no business monitering other nation's elections. No one is saying they cannot be here (which would be the case if I had my way), the state authorities are just saying they are going to obey state law. It is quite amusing to picture a team of "international election moniters" hanging out in a local Texas jail.

It is just another reason we have no business either in the UN or funding the UN. Why should American tax dollars go for such nonsense? The building does not rate being on American soil. Hopefully, this will be the result of this.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I cannot imagine why they are here in the first place. We are quite capable of managing our own elections. By the same token, we have no business monitering other nation's elections. No one is saying they cannot be here (which would be the case if I had my way), the state authorities are just saying they are going to obey state law.

The US is part of this observation group and have been since at least 2002. Each member loosely observes each other's elections. All the US has to do is pull out of the group.

This really is not a big deal folks. These observers have no power. There is a minuscule number. In essence this is a meaningless body that makes all the fellow member feel good about their elections. These petty 'officials' have always complied with state and federal laws and will continue to do so. The governors who are making an issue of this are just blowing hot air.

The easy answer is for the US to pull out of the body. AS SN put it the US has no business observing other countries elections anyway.

Why is it just now an issue after 10 years?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

This quote from the article above lets you know that there are Barney Fife's on both sides of the issue though

In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Lenari wrote, “The threat of criminal sanctions against OSCE/ODIHR observers is unacceptable. The United States, like all countries in the OSCE, has an obligation to invite ODIHR observers to observe its elections.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/83108.html#ixzz2AxHTaB7c

This election will once again pass off without incident. This non-story will fade back into the woodwork till next time folks like those at politico have nothing else to talk about.

 

[saturneptune]

This election will once again pass off without incident. This non-story will fade back into the woodwork till next time folks like those at politico have nothing else to talk about.

That I agree with. It is the exact pattern of the endless threads complaining about Obama and Romney. After November 6, they will fade, and people will forget. Instead of starting now to work for decent nominees in 2016, 99.99% of posters will do nothing, sit a home, then, viola, at the start of 2016, they will slither out again, and start again pounding the present nominees for the next several months, when in fact they sat on their fat behinds and did nothing for four years.

 

[Salty]

That I agree with. It is the exact pattern of the endless threads complaining about Obama and Romney. After November 6, they will fade, and people will forget. Instead of starting now to work for decent nominees in 2016, 99.99% of posters will do nothing, sit a home, then, viola, at the start of 2016, they will slither out again, and start again pounding the present nominees for the next several months, when in fact they sat on their fat behinds and did nothing for four years.

and you can get involved! join you local political party executive committee. There are usually many vacancies- start with local political. Due to my working hours - I have not been too involved this year. I just found out that of 10 offices up for election this year in my county, 4 are unopposed. If need be run as an independent - just so the voters have a choice. I have done that in the past. It was quite an experience.

 

[Revmitchell]

This really is not a big deal folks.

To you its not but to most Americans it is.

 

[Aaron]

Typical braggadocios huff and puff.

Need more of that from all 50 states.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

The UN's problem is they are used to unfettered access top polling places. They are also used to elections being run by the national government and under national election law. And yes in many cases, they do have a legitimate role.

However, in the US, the various states, the District of Columbia, territories and and other jurisdictions run the elections and set the laws. That's why the US is some times described as federal republic.

 

[targus]

If States are holding the elections how can the Federal government commit the States to allowing the UN poll watchers?

Isn't this a States rights issue?

 

[Revmitchell]

If States are holding the elections how can the Federal government commit the States to allowing the UN poll watchers?

Isn't this a States rights issue?

They can't. The UN inspectors were invited here by Democrats but not officially from the Fed.

 

[Mexdeaf]

They can't. The UN inspectors were invited here by Democrats but not officially from the Fed.

Proof?

 

[billwald]

People will need picture ID to enter a polling place?

 

[billwald]

>The UN's problem is they are used to unfettered access top polling places.

Don't I have unfettered access to all US polling places? Which polling place may I not enter? Are there polling places on military bases? Groom Lake?

 

[saturneptune]

and you can get involved! join you local political party executive committee. There are usually many vacancies- start with local political. Due to my working hours - I have not been too involved this year. I just found out that of 10 offices up for election this year in my county, 4 are unopposed. If need be run as an independent - just so the voters have a choice. I have done that in the past. It was quite an experience.

Salty,
I do not know what the next four years holds for me in the grass roots movement. The last four blew up in my face as I have related many times from being a delegate to the Constitution's Party national convention. Whatever happens, it will be within the Republican Party.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Unless you are there as a voter or poll worker, in most states you do not have unfettered access.

>The UN's problem is they are used to unfettered access top polling places.

Don't I have unfettered access to all US polling places? Which polling place may I not enter? Are there polling places on military bases? Groom Lake?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Unless you are there as a voter or poll worker, in most states you do not have unfettered access.

I wasn't aware of places that check ID before entering a polling station. When I worked the polls in Alabama people came and went. No one was at the door keeping everyone but registered voters out. The only restriction was no campaigning within a certain distance.