Comments on: NEA and coalition counter voter intimidation in Ohio, Wisconsin

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:41:23 +0000

Andrew, I would challenge that – not every resident in largely minority or college neighborhoods will vote “against” the purported candidate in question – some are actually very conservative. So no, I’m not sure that’s it either; perhaps on the surface, but the argument doesn’t hold water.

By: Alvin

Alvin — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:37:15 +0000

Would it be OK if the NEA had open elections and let the rest of us volte on who would be your leaders? Kind of defeats the purpose of belonging to a group if anyone who wants can determine your leadership and thus direction. The Obama campaign is using the Florida election fiasco of the Bush Gore election to tell everyone less than 600 votes determined who was president. EVERY vote should be legitimate and verified.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:48:37 +0000

Yes, you are missing something. It’s not about the factual accuracy of the statement on the billboard. It’s about targeting at specific groups of people that you don’t want to see vote because they would vote against you, as opposed to neutrally placing them everywhere. There’s a difference.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:46:26 +0000

It is intimidation to target these billboards only at certain neighborhoods or groups of people, as if accusing those groups of being criminals, without any basis for it. That is what is going on here.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:44:20 +0000

Anti drunk-driving boards are not placed almost exclusively in poor and minority neighborhoods.

By: Dave F. Brown

Dave F. Brown — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 04:56:50 +0000

I am often perplexed as well by the challenge of one obtaining a government issued ID, when after a charmed life of growing up white in a medium socio-economic community, that I can easily locate a birth certificate, get a driver’s license, or present a bill with my home address on it. But the more I speak to low socio-economic families in urban and rural areas, the more I begin the comprehend the challenges of those over the age of 65 who were born in states outside of hospitals, so never received a birth certificate–many of who are African Americans. Those college students registered for the first time who suddenly are asked to present an ID which shows their home address rather than their campus address, who are hours if not days from their homes where they are registered, and will not have an opportunity to vote near their homes, and then be turned away at the polls where they attend college. And, those low socio-economic citizens who do not have a driver’s license, and never will. Or, what of those registered recent immigrants who have difficult time with the language—as did most of our ancestors when they arrived, and then these recent immigrants see the billboards and begin to feel fear for themselves and their family members based on these threats about them voting on election day.

Maybe we should spend more time speaking to those who are concerned about these new voter suppression techniques and ask why they experience fear, rather than relating our limited and fortunate life circumstances to others wondering why they don’t share our confidence about voting.

Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes . . . it can be revealing and an education in itself.

Dave F. Brown, author of WHY AMERICA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS available in all formats at http://www.rowman.com

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:58:43 +0000

Anti Drunk Driving Billboards are opressive to Drunk Drivers. Same logic

By: Betsey Clark

Betsey Clark — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 16:20:59 +0000

Why are these billboards placed only in minority or college neighborhoods? Once you have registered (having shown your ID or place of residence) isn’t that enough?

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:49:42 +0000

When it comes to redistricting, that comes down to the last census that was taken and it can change again with the next census depending how many people move into and out of different districts.
When it comes to college students voting in their home districts, that depends upon where the student registered to vote. When I was in college, they did not have early voting booths open on Saturdays (I have a son who will be voting today who goes to college in another state,) but they did have and still have absentee voting ballots for those who cannot make it home. This is how many military personnel have to vote who are stationed overseas (one son in marines today.)
Again, both of your “intimidation tactics” come down to why can’t the National Education Association making a strategic effort to educate people about the voting laws and time frames for voting. If it is the young voters that are going into college that you are concerned about, why not make it a goal that the rights and procedures behind voting requirements be taught in that required, high school senior course called “American Government.” Better yet, have the Student National Education Association on college campuses set up booths to educate incoming freshman during registration/fee payment week of the fall semester.
Instead of complaining, come up with a practical solution to educate and assist.