An Invite from From Black Box Voting

“THINK OUTSIDE THE BLACK BOX” Online Think Tank -

Real People, Real Solutions – Free, easy access, AUG. 27-SEP 5,
24 HOURS A DAY. Engage in brainstorming and problem-solving
with some of the most effective experts and ordinary citizens.
Here’s your chance to dialog one on one. Simply show up at
http://www.blackboxvoting.org and you’ll be guided into the
Think Tank.

To ask questions or join any discussion, find the link at the left
of any discussion area on the Web site. Just log in (or register,
if you are new). You can type your message into the box at
the bottom of any Think Tank or guest area.

THINK TANK CATEGORIES – Low Tech solutions that can be
implemented BEFORE the next election – Can we hand count
– Minority rights – “Xtreme Citizenship” (Under 30 years old
area) – Free thinking politics, independents, and non-
dominant political parties – How to attack the HAVA
problem. Click here to find out more:
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/9903/9903.html

SPECIAL GUESTS: Hit the Think Tank at the times below
to ask questions and put your heads together with these
experts and patriots:

Sat. Aug. 27 10-1 Pacific time (1-3 Eastern): ROB COHEN
Sun. Aug. 28 2-4 Pac. time (5-7 Eastern) RUSSELL MICHAELS
GUEST TOPIC: “THE BIG PICTURE”
Votergate filmmakers Rob Cohen and Russell Michaels have
been filming on the front lines for two years. Get the eagle's
overview from these producers. After covering the issue
intensively for an upcoming feature length documentary on
voting problems, they can share some unusual perspectives
on America's problems with elections. Ask them anything.

Sun. Aug. 28 2-4 Pacific time (5-7 Eastern): LYNN LANDES
GUEST TOPIC: COURAGE FOR REAL REFORM
Landes is one of the first journalists and activists on
electronic voting. An articulate advocate of hand-counted
paper ballots, she has filed a federal lawsuit to block the
use of voting machines. Whether or not you agree with her
views, we guarantee she's up for the debate.

Sun. Aug. 28 3-5 Pacific time (6-8 Eastern): JEFEMIAH AKIN
GUEST TOPIC: ELECTION OBSERVER’S HOUSE OF HORRORS
Akin, a computer programmer, first gained notoriety when he
ventured into a Riverside, Calif. L&A test, and wrote the report
of its absurdities covered in WiredNews.com. He has analyzed
the Sequoia central tabulator software, uncovering stunning
flaws in its design. Akin has been instrumental in exposing
problems with citizens' right to observe, untruths told by
elections officials, and logical flaws in the current voting system.

Sun. Aug. 28, 5-7 Pacific time (8-10 Eastern): LEONARD SCHMIEGE / GYAN HARDMAN
GUEST TOPIC: CITIZEN STRATEGIES – YOU CAN DO IT TOO
Schmiege and Hardman operate effectively on many levels.
They set up their own citizen tests for the Sequoia touch-screens
in Pinellas County, Florida, videotaping 12 hours of citizen
touching to test machine functionality for themselves. Schmiege
made the news when he dumpster-dived Pinellas, finding
shredded absentee ballots which the elections supervisor then
had to explain to the local newspaper. These two activists
have many creative ideas for improving election integrity.

Mon. Aug. 29, 1-3 Pacific time (4-6 Eastern): VICKIE KARP
GUEST TOPIC: THE BULLSHIT-FREE ZONE
Texas straight-shooter Vickie Karp, a BBV board member,
understood the direction we were going with no-ballot voting
right away. She took creative action by making voting machine
issues a Toastmaster topic, hitting the speaking circuit and
communicating with everyone who would listen, even before
the topic of election reform was "cool." Also a key person with
the Coalition for Visible Ballots, Karp is an idea person -- positive,
and creative. Jump in for some tough love.

Mon. Aug. 29, 5-7 Pacific (8-10 Eastern): HARRI HURSTI
GUEST TOPIC: ‘ASK ME ANYTHING’
Finnish computer expert Harri Hursti came to the U.S. to see,
as he puts it, "How deep is the rabbit hole really?" He has
traveled to Leon County, Florida twice to conduct red-team
tests of the Diebold voting system, quickly penetrating security
to manipulate the Diebold system, and he has now looked
into the systems produced by other vendors. Hursti has a
fascinating world-view of how the corporate and political
world works, and also has creative ideas for technical solutions.

Tues. Aug. 30, 4-6 Pacific time (7-9 Eastern): JIM HOGUE

GUEST TOPIC: ‘JUST DO IT’ – CITIZEN LEGISLATION

Hogue, from Vermont, was one of the first citizens to successfully
push through state legislation to protect the paper ballot. Hogue
is proof that a single citizen can make a real difference. He was
off, running, and achieving success before the national movement
was even formed.

Tues. Aug. 30, 4-6 Pacific time (7-9 Eastern): BRUCE SIMS

GUEST TOPIC: ROLLING THE BIG BALL UPHILL
San Diego citizen Bruce Sims has immersed himself in the
election issue, and can provide a wealth of knowledge about
how to engage in day to day watchdog actions, researching
state and local laws, and most important -- the kinds of
obstacles you will face on the local level. He takes a licking
and keeps on ticking, and will share articulate tips about what
he has learned and what to expect as you join this movement.

Tues. Aug. 30, 5-7 Pacific (8-10 Eastern): BRUCE O’DELL
GUEST TOPIC: RISKS AND COUNTERMEASURES
O'Dell, the director of the Election Audit Institute
(ElectionAuditInstitute.org) will provide expertise on
identifying risks to the integrity of the vote, and
countermeasures. A 'numbers guy' who speaks
plain English, he can help you separate the wheat from
the chaff in statistical studies and audit techniques.

Tues. Aug. 30, 5-7 Pacific (7-9 Eastern) ARMEN YOUSOUFIAN
GUEST TOPIC: HOW TO GET ACTION WITH PUBLIC RECORDS &
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS
We call Yousoufian “The King of Public Records.” Yousoufian
made public records history by taking King County, Wash.
to the state supreme court to force it to turn over public records
-- and was awarded over $100,000 in punitive damages from
King County. He can offer wonderful insights for strategic public
records access -- a critical component to watchdog the elections
process.

Wed. Aug. 31, 11-1 Pacific (2-4 Eastern): FREDDIE OAKLEY
GUEST TOPIC: MEET AN ELECTION OFFICIAL WHO’S ‘ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS’
Oakley is beloved by California citizens for her courage and
feistiness in protecting the paper ballot and insisting on
transparency and citizen access. For citizens frustrated by
obstructive local officials, here's a Registrar of Elections who
will be happy to answer your questions, without evasions or
spin. She is committed to openness and transparency in elections.

Wed. Aug. 31, 1-3 Pacific (4-6 Eastern) THERESA AMATO – NADER CAMPAIGN MANAGER
GUEST TOPIC: BALLOT ACCESS
As the campaign manager for Ralph Nader (2000 and 2004),
Amato is intimately familiar with problems like ballot access,
campaign finance shenanigans, and the like. One of the most
important election reforms is to open up the ability for qualified
candidates to get on the ballot and compete on an even playing
field. Ask questions, and learn about these issues from one who's
been on the front lines.

Wed. Aug. 31, 4-6 Pacific (7-9 Eastern): THOM HARTMANN
GUEST TOPIC: CORPORATE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS?
Hartmann, author of "Unequal Protection" -- the pioneering book
exposing the problems that have resulted from 'corporate
personhood' -- has become a well known radio talk show host.
Hartmann brings a wonderful sense of history to the issue of
election reform, and his insights are of critical importance
for questions of campaign finance reform. He has been at the
forefront of examinations of the breakdown in our electoral
process, and was also one of the pioneers in reporting on
problems with voting machines.

Wed. Aug. 31, 6-8 Pacific (9-11 Eastern) ECHO STEINER & SUSAN VAN HOUTEN
GUEST TOPIC: WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HOTBED OF CONTROVERSY – PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA
These women have been at the forefront of election reform
in troubled "Butterfly Ballot" country. Steiner fought a battle
for early voting records, and captured Nov. 2, 2004 Palm Beach
police blockades on videotape. Van Houten and Steiner have
shown consistency and courage in the fight to regain election
integrity in one of America's hotbeds of controversy, and they’ve
got surprising updates.

Thurs. Sep. 1, 11-1 Pacific (2-4 Eastern): ION SANCHO
GUEST TOPIC: MEET THE LEON COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Ion Sancho is an example of what we WANT in an elections
official. He will answer your questions and set a public
example of openness and honesty in elections administration.
Sancho, originally from New York, took over elections in Leon
County, Florida about 15 years ago, and has become one of
the most popular elections officials in the state with citizens.
He's gone head-to-head with Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris.
Sancho authorized the security tests of the Diebold system by
Dr. Herbert Thompson and Harri Hursti, receiving threat letters
from Diebold attorneys for his efforts.

Thurs. Sep 1, 12-2 Pacific (3-5 Eastern): CATHERINE ANSBRO
GUEST TOPIC: DECAPITATING NATIONAL E-VOTING
In 2004, Ireland committed over 50 million euros (more than
US $60 million) for paperless touch-screens, and the citizens of
Ireland took action. Ansbro was involved in the group that killed
the golden goose for vendors hoping to push touch-screens into
Ireland. The decision to ditch the touch-screens caused a
shakeup among Irish officials, and new watchdog entities were
formed in response to the fiasco. Ansbro captures a wealth of
hands-on knowledge, and imparts it with warmth and wisdom.

Fri. Sep. 2, 7-9 a.m. Pacific (10-12 Eastern): KEVIN ZEESE
GUEST TOPIC: THE POLITICS OF DEMOCRACY REFORM
Rise and shine, this one’s a.m. – Zeese worked with the Nader
campaign, and before that, spent years a consumer protection
litigator. How to challenge those who oppose paper ballots by
any means necessary – including running for office against them.
How to truly engage in democracy. How to run for office on an
election integrity platform – raise money, organize, educational
campaigns, and parallel electoral campaigns.

Fri. Sep. 2, 3-5 Pacific (6-8 Eastern): DAVID COBB, 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (GREEN PARTY)
GUEST TOPIC: PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SOLUTIONS, AND HOW POLITICS REALLY WORKS IN AMERICA
Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb was instrumental
in kicking off auditing in Ohio. He has important information
to share about proportional representation, and alternate ways
to choose political leaders. Cobb can address problems with
ballot access, election anomalies in Ohio, and other shenanigans.
Cobb will provide straightforward answers to your questions about
how politics really works in America.

Fri. Sep. 2, 4-6 Pacific (7-9 Eastern): DR. TOM RYAN
GUEST TOPIC: CITIZEN ORGANIZING
Dr. Ryan is with Arizona Citizens for Fair Elections. He’s been
effective in many areas, ranging from strategic use of public
records, to convincing local mainstream reporters to write
tough-minded articles exposing hacks and flaws in the voting
machines. Find out how to not only agitate, but activate real change.

Sun. Sep 4, 2-4 Pacific Time (5-7 Eastern): SHAR 7 JIM HAMILTON
GUEST TOPICS: LOCAL ORGANIZING AND SETTING UP EVENTS
The Hamiltons have been at the forefront of many election
reform actions, including organizing local events to build public
awareness, taking action on legislative issues, and motivating
others to excel. If you are considering organizing a community
event, but would rather not lose your mind trying to put the
whole thing together, start by getting advice from Jim & Shar,
former educators who know how to break it down into achievable
steps.