VOTE

11.07.06 - 27/365: VOTE
Originally uploaded by d.rex

Friends, I am writing you this today in an attempt at education, because that is what I do and what I believe in. I am not trying to change your mind or make any decision for you, I simply want to try to make sure that you have all the tools possible to make an informed decision. My goal here is not to offend anyone or upset anyone, just to help inform. You are all my friends because you are intelligent, caring individuals who will do the right thing, given the chance.

In just a few short days you have the opportunity go to cast your vote for president of the united states. Over the past year, and past several months in particular, we have been bombarded with "information" from both sides of the debates. A lot of this information may have come from your friends via email, much like this one, that they received from their friends. The trouble is that a lot of the information received in such emails is misleading or downright false.

Before I get into specifics I want to say this, regardless of who you vote for, make sure your vote gets counted.

* know where your polling place is
* take proper identification
* know the polling place hours
* listen to and read all direction on whatever voting mechanism is used
* make sure that the confirmation on the electronic voting machines says the right thing before you confirm your vote
* don't be afraid to ask the election officials for help if you don't understand the process or the machine
* know what other issues are on your ballot besides the presidential election before you go to vote, many important propositions are on state ballots on Tuesday. Here are two sites for states I know I am sending this to, for others, just do a google search or check out your state's board of election website
o North Carolina http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/
o Missouri http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/Default.aspx
* be prepared to stand in line, bring a chair if standing is a problem, make sure you have the time off work if you need to,most states have laws requiring your employer to let you vote here are some of the laws for each state http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200611/employees.html


Okay, on to other things. There are a lot of rumors going around about both candidates, some of which are hate filled and completely wrong, others are based in fact but have been twisted.

According to a 10/09 article on ScrippsNews "Ninety-four percent of adult Americans have heard at least one of the ridiculous and false rumors chasing John McCain and Barack Obama on the campaign trail, according to a Scripps poll.

Have you heard that John McCain was brainwashed while a prisoner of war in Vietnam? Or that he's become senile, or fathered a black baby?

And how about that Barack Obama secretly is a Muslim? Or he is the anti-Christ from the Book of Revelation? Or that he refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance?


About 19 of every 20 adult Americans have heard at least one of these six obviously false rumors about the major presidential candidates, according to a first-of-its kind national survey of 1,015 adults conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University."

Obama Rumors
http://www.fightthesmears.com/


McCain Rumors
http://www.johnmccainrumors.com/

I'll let you read both of those sites for yourself, and I really hope you will read BOTH, get both sides of the story.


If you have already voted, then thank you for reading anyway.

You are all free to harass me now for spamming you. And yes, I'll tell you who I'm voting for if you ask.