HBO to air NEW MOVIE on ELECTION FRAUD!!!!

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3605



This is something we've been waiting for for a long time. A feature film on national TV!

Let's start hyping this up now!

The film shows on 11/2. DVDs will be available after!

note, this is the "Votergate" film we've alll been waiting for. They decided to rename it.

They'll say "this is politically motivated and timed with the election." I'll say, "Damn right, that's exactly what we need!"

HBO's press release:
TIMELY DOCUMENTARY HACKING DEMOCRACY
EXPOSES THE VULNERABILITY OF AMERICA’S VOTING SYSTEM
WHEN THE EXCLUSIVE HBO PRESENTATION DEBUTS NOV. 2nd,
JUST BEFORE ELECTION DAY

Electronic voting machines count 80% of the votes cast in America today. But are they reliable? Are they safe from tampering? From a current congressional hearing to persistent media reports that suggest misuse of data and even outright fraud, concerns over the integrity of electronic voting are growing by the day. And if the voting process is not secure, neither is America's democracy.

The timely, cautionary documentary HACKING DEMOCRACY exposes gaping holes in the security of America’s electronic voting system when it debuts THURSDAY, NOV. 2 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT) – less than a week before the midterm elections – exclusively on HBO. Other HBO playdates: Nov. 5 (9:00 a.m.), 7 (9:00 a.m., 6:30 p.m.), 13 (12:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m.), 18 (6:00 p.m.) and 26 (1:15 a.m.).HBO2 playdates: Nov. 4 (noon), 7 (11:45 p.m.), 10 (6:30 p.m.) and 15 (3:00 a.m.).

In the 2000 presidential election, an electronic voting machine recorded minus 16,022 votes for Al Gore in Volusia County, Fla. While fraud was never proven, the faulty tally alerted computer scientists, politicians and everyday citizens to the very real possibility of computer hacking during elections.

In 2002, Seattle grandmother and writer Bev Harris asked officials in her county why they had acquired electronic touch screen systems for their elections. Unsatisfied with their explanation, she set out to learn about electronic voting machines on her own. In the course of her research, which unearthed hundreds of reported incidents of mishandled voting information, Harris stumbled across an "online library" of the Diebold Corporation – which counted more than 40 percent of the presidential votes nationwide in 2000 – discovering a treasure trove of information about the inner-workings of the company's voting system.

Harris brought this proprietary "secret" information to computer security expert Avi Rubin of Johns Hopkins University, who determined that the software lacked the necessary security features to prevent tampering. Her subsequent investigation took her from the trash cans of Texas to the secretary of state of California and finally to Florida, where a "mini-election" to test the vulnerability of the memory cards used in electronic voting produced alarming results.

As the scope of her mission grew, Harris drew on the expertise of other computer-science experts, politicians and activists, among them: Andy Stephenson, candidate for secretary of state in Washington state; Susan Bernecker, Republican candidate in New Orleans; Kathleen Wynne, an activist from Cleveland; Hugh Thompson, director, Security Innovations, Inc.; Ion Sancho, Florida’s supervisor of elections; and Harri Hursti, a computer-security analyst. Academics, public officials and others seen in interview footage include: Deanie Low, supervisor of elections, Volusia County, Fla.; Mark Radke, marketing director of Diebold; David Cobb, presidential candidate, Green Party; Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones of Ohio; and Sen. Barbara Boxer of California.

Diebold software, or other software like it, is installed in thousands of counties across 32 states. David Dill, professor of computer science at Stanford, says the problem is that there are "lots of people involved in writing the software, and lots of people who could have touched the software before it went into that machine. If one of those people put something malicious in the software and it’s distributed to all the machines, then that one person could be responsible for changing tens of thousands of votes, maybe even hundreds of thousands, across the country."

In Florida, Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho presided over a trial "mini-election" to see if the vote could be hacked without being detected. Before votes were actually cast, computer analyst Harri Hursti "stuffed the ballot box" by entering votes on the computer's memory card. Then, after votes were cast, the results displayed when the same memory card was entered in the central tabulating program indicated that fraud was indeed possible. In other words, by accessing a memory card before an election, someone could change the results – a claim Diebold had denied was possible.

Ultimately, Bev Harris' research proved that the top-secret computerized systems counting the votes in America’s public elections are not only fallible, but also vulnerable to undetectable hacking, from local school board contests to the presidential race. With the electronic voting machines of three companies – Diebold, ESS and Sequoia – collectively responsible for around 80 percent of America’s votes today, the stakes for democracy are high.

One of the executive producers of HACKING DEMOCRACY is Sarah Teale, whose previous HBO credits include "Dealing Dogs" and "Bellevue: Inside Out." HACKING DEMOCRACY was directed by Simon Ardizzone and Russell Michaels; produced by Simon Ardizzone, Robert Carrillo Cohen and Russell Michaels; executive producers, Earl Katz, Sarah Teale and Sian Edwards; edited by Sasha Zik. For HBO: supervising producer, John Hoffman; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

###

more at Bradblog!!!
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3605

HYPE IT UP!!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!!
HYPE IT UP!!!!!

I want to know why it is coming out so close to the election, when it will basically serve no purpose. Nothing can be done at that point. It should have come out a year ago.

But at least it's coming out!

.

it was probably just the timing, or the wording and people didn't notice it! don't take it personally. I used some CAPS so it helped.

to answer your question... I've spoken with the producers a few times. They have been working hard on this movie for 3 years. They hoped to have it out sooner, like during this summer or early fall. But as things go, there's always more to do. And these guys are not on a hollywood budget as I'm sure you can imagine.

on the bright side, the delay probably enabled them to include some developing issues/topics that handn't happened a few months ago. So maybe the film will be better with the delay.

IMHO, I think it might not be so bad to be so close to the election. The real question is whether or not a lot of people will watch it. If there are alot of viewers, it will be fresh in their minds as they go to the polls. That is a GOOD thing. We want people to stand up to election fraud and it needs to be fresh in their minds.

it'll be on BitTorrent, more than likely. This is the kind of thing that folks like to distribute. At least, that's what my friends who like to use BT tell me.

You are right, this move should have come out long ago. As it is, I am happy to at least see it coming to HBO. Come November 8th, we will need everyone out in the streets.

over and over from now until it plays. It'll make the point and get people talking & thinking about it. I think some in Big Media may have had just about enough of this extremist neocon garbage. When Wolf Blitzer shows he's got spine and a brain, you know the worm has turned.

6 years late but hey, I'll take it!

sometimes topics fall off the front page of GD pretty fast (and i usually only browse topics on the first page)

:kick:

Can't wait to see them try to stop a subscription channel from airing this, after letting ABC dump Path to 9/11 on the public airwaves.
HBO :yourock:

except those who are perpetrating election fraud. Fair elections should be of interest to every American citizen.

It will be interesting to see who pops their head up to protest. Whomever that may be will look pretty stupid railing against fair elections.

I hope people will watch and learn, serious changes need to be made to the way people vote in this country.

Thanks for posting, I'll be watching HBO.

This could also be a set up to plant the seed that Dems are rigging the machines - and don't be surprised if there are a few Dems whose wins suddenly APPEAR to have been rigged, throwing the entire controversy onto the DEm paty.

and no time to force Diebold to fix the system.

:)

:kick:

part of the story. I see he was the first mentioned after Bev Harris in the press release. Interesting. A must-see.

I don't have HBO so hopefully they will come out with the DVD very soon after the release.

either HBO wants to show it on the 2nd,
or the film won't be ready until then.

may suppress voter turnout?

this is an issue many people bring up, that knowing about election fraud makes people not vote. I think you're putting the cart before the horse here. If there is election fraud, or even just the possibility thereof, people have to first know about it before they're going to do anything about it. Film is a great way to get people aware of the problem. And to answer your question specifically, everyone I know that is pushing awareness about the machines also tells people to vote. So I'd say sit back and watch the film before you judge it.

One thing I can tell you, it is DEFINITELY not a right-wing plot to get people to not vote!!!! It is going to be good.

My concern exactly.

There is nothing about this "news" that would disuade Republican voters from turning out (knowing that the scales are tipped in their favor), but it only adds to the futility that many Democrats already feel, saying "Why bother voting at all?"

I am concerned that such a film could have a negative impact on the election. My response to everyone that tells me that is that "They can only steal CLOSE elections... decided by 5% or less... without raising suspicion. The only remedy is to vote en masse and make sure it's nowhere near close."

But realize it's not the movie that is suprressing it, it is the
shenanighans that the movie is reporting on that is supressing
voter turnout

The filmmakers have been working to get this film out as quickly as possible and in as high a profile place as possible.

Running on HBO, as soon as they are able, is a great thing!

What suppresses the vote is NOT talking about these problems. That results in folks thinking nobody gives a damn about whether their vote is counted or counted accurately.

TALKING about these issues, informing the public about what's going on, what they can do to be vigilant and/or options available to them (so, for example, they understand that E-Voting can be either paper op-scanned ballots, which is far better than disasterous touch-screen voting, and that absentee ballots are only a better option if op-scan or some other form of PAPER ballots are not available on election day) is very important!

An educated electorate makes all the difference.

It makes my head want to fall off when I hear the twisted logic that people should NOT be informed that they may be voting on machines that may not count their vote accurately or at all!

TRANSPARENCY is needed in our electoral system. From top to bottom!

Sometimes things just happen when they happen. I think it ended up being great timing. Maybe if there is evidence of fraud this time, people will stand up like they did in Ukraine and Mexico. Having just seen the film, it will be fresh in their minds, which is good.

... although it should have started in earnest right after the 2002 debacle when it was glaringly apparent. This HBO film, of course, will be too late for the midterms other than to get it out there as there are still some people unaware and some still dubious. I hope Dems manage to take at least one house of Congress in November because the Republicans have successfully blocked all of Rush Holt's endeavors for accountability with a paper trail on EVMs and they also blocked the Dems last-ditch effort before Congress convened recently to get an emergency paper ballot measure enacted. Once we get our foot in the door, we can clean it up before the 2008 election.

not sure why outlets like this wait so long to do this sort of thing. Maybe they think it's timely, given elections are coming up--but barely a month before? :shrug:

Like you said, glad to see it happen, but I do question the timing aspect. Even if they showed this earlier this year...

Oh well.

how much this torques my jaws.

I personally will NOT watch anything that even remotely gives Bev Harris ANY credibility, those of us on the DU KNOW a LOT about how she arrived at her position, and tho I'd dearly love to see Andy walking around in full bloom, I cannot bear to see the one who FIRED him and pretended NOT to know on the Randi Roades show.. and as I recall, the last thing Randi said to Bev Harris as she took her to task for NOT being in OHIO, was, (paraphrasing here) "If we find out that you took all that money to help make a film.."

Maybe someone should send Randi the MP3 of her grilling Harris and remind her of what she said that fateful day.

I've personally interviewed Avi Rubin and many of the people deeply involved with this, and I wonder how he feels about this, being coupled with Harris.

And I don't want to hear that I'm part of a "circular firing squad" as I spent a year of my life making a film about this subject and I know it quite well. If I'd listen to anyone at this point it would be Mark Crispin Miller and Congressman Conyers.

Sigh.

I still think about how bad I feel for being SO exhausted that night, I'll never live it down. And to your hubby and cute little kid...

Glad to see we agree on this. May not be popular but someone has to say it. There are some things better left to their own devices, and being famous or thrust into fame doesn't make you right or honest or decent. Any loudmouth with money can be famous.

Considering that what she claims as her work was formulated by many here at the DU, I would say the DU should be PROUD of what they accomplished, but sad that it is presented by this person who has no credibility and got kicked out of here and other sites for many good reasons.

Hope all is well with you Ida!

Do you remember all of the crazy stuff that was going on -- you flying all over the place on no sleep, and then taping the Impeachment Forum? I'm pleased that my niece got to see stuff; hopefully, she will remember it years from now! In the meantime, my little piece of history will still be there whenever! I'm just sorry we didn't get the opportunity to take you out for dinner -- perhaps next time you are in town? (Assuming I'm not on bedrest with the twins, who aren't due until April!)

at Free Republic?

I think I'll take a pass on this bit of hagiography.

Maybe Bush will arrest her as an enemy combatant. Then she'll suddenly remember all the little people she trampled on as she clawed her way up to her Qui Tam money.

POSTS THEM, to Illuminate those who have forgotten or never knew about the Bev Harris FUND for THE SMOKING GUN that somehow got lost in the cushions of the couch or with that other sock in the dryer...

Damn but this film needs a MASSIVE disclaimer.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION AND NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. DO NOT FOLLOW ANY OF THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN. SEND MONEY. LOTS OF IT. :)

Of Dollars was used by Harris to fund this thing? (Or to bring herself to
the attention of these producers)

I'm gonna call the producers to see what gives - I hope this movie is
not one big lovefest for the con lady

And do hope it credits Andy for all that he did and gave and was...

I will not watch anything that gives The Grifter any time, a platform, or any credibility whatsoever.

You must be thinking of Katherine Harris, not Bev

Bev makes my skin crawl, too.

:yourock:

Best TV on TV sorry it just is!

and too much emphasis on Bev Harris. She is the weakest link.

would be more appropriate, considering the way she treated Andy Stephenson..

I wonder if HBO has any idea who is starring in this movie? They must not spend ANY time on the web or have done ANY real investigation of what sounds like the "star" of this show.

How tragic that those who might want to help are going to be handed a shit sandwich in the middle of what could be very important information that needs to be acted upon.

and NO not ALL issuance of information is GOOD. Not if it involves someone who SCREWED a LOT of people out of MONEY on FALSE PREMISES.

Or is the SMOKING GUN that was going to TURN this election Around in the FILM?

I hope someone sends HBO a COMPLETE listing all threads relating to Harris along with all the other sites who DUMPED her. Wonder what Keith Olbermann thinks of this, they talked like she was NUTS.

it might keep people from going to the polls -- is something going to change in 2 days? Redistricting coupled with Rove's minions having control of the machines in too many areas is the biggest threat imo.

They might be more incline to challenge polling places or officials when confronted with election improprieties. They might be more inclined to watch for vote swapping, defective ballots, or unregistered votes. They might be more inclined to take a f**king sledgehammer to the Diebold machines if they see their election rigged yet again!

Discusses the massive problems faced by Ohio on Election Day 2004--fraud, enormous lines, challenges, weather and the impact it all had on Ohio and we KNOW that was stolen.

A Sundance pick, too.

http://www.noumbrella.org/

Anything that will expose the fact that it's happening and will get people to talk about--it's all good.

Nobody who needs to see this show will, because only those with a good deal of disposable income have HBO.

But Hey! Maybe AFTER this election this show MIGHT be released on a DVD that you have to Pay for TOO.

This is nothing to get to excited about. This could be the greatest Documentary in the world, but that doesn't mean crap if only the lucky few, in this country who have HBO, see it.

HBO should be praised for showing this.

And I suppose you want people to just give away the DVD for free? Who should pay the cost of the materials and production? Everyone should just work for free, right? Or better yet, they should pay for the materials so that you can have a free DVD?

Everything costs money. I'm sure it will be reasonably priced. The producers want people to see it. They're not in it for the money. Rather than whining about it, why don't you organize a house party to get people to watch it. Find just one person with HBO, and invite all the people who can't afford it.

...and work out a deal with PBS to AIR this program at the same time as they show it on HBO, instead of restricting it's viewing to their Premium Cable channel. Or would that bankrupt poor old HBO?

If they really wanted the masses (the Poor and the working poor) who really need to see this program to see it, they would have worked out a deal with some sort of actual "over the air" Broadcaster.

No, I'm not advocating HBO give away ALL of their programing or change their business model, but restricting this sort of "in the public interest" program to their premium Cable Channel just SUCKS.

But I guess my opinion, as a Georgia Voter who was disenfranchised in 2002 when my vote was sold to the Diebold Corporation, is just as worthless as my so-called "right to vote" now too.

If she was involved in this then it's going to probably be riddled with mistakes and errors. She doesn't know a thing about computers or how they work.

You don't know the first thing about Bev Harris, do you?

BANNED. We know her and know her well. This is an extremely important movie, I'm thrilled HBO is airing it, but it's very unfortunate that Bev is connected to it.

Read here... lots of links in these threads for you (since you're brand new here and have not been able to read them before?):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x340188#341022

and here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1533579

I'll say, "Damn right, that's exactly what we need!"

When you hear this, just say "Path to 9/11"--That should shut them up!

...I may have to forgive them for all the great shows they cancel (i.e. Carnivale, Deadwood, etc.)and replace with crap.

Even if you don't subscribe to HBO, you can probably still view the program if you have sufficient cable TV to get their On Demand service. I know there are a lot of people who can't afford even On Demand-level service, but I'm sure there are plenty of people like me who have cable TV but can't quite justify paying $10-$15 per month just for HBO.

Just FYI so you don't go and subscribe to HBO just to see this program.

From HBO's site: