Rants and Ramblings: random commentary about culture, media, politics, technology and whatnot.

more election schtuff

More random links and observations from today’s elections…

• An altar to democracy?

  At Potomac United Methodist Church, plans to hold voting in a new parish hall had to be scrapped in the last few days because the building is not yet ready to receive visitors. So voters walked through the church graveyard and voted in the sanctuary, where voting machines were placed on the altar.

  “We’d rather not have voting in a church because some people are uncomfortable with it,” Dacek said. “But there was no choice on this.”

  (Washington Post: “Long Lines, Scattered Problems Greet Voters” - 11/02/04)

• Kosher voting machines? (Wired: “The Geek Guide to Kosher Machines” - Nov. 2004)
• News orgs are having to pay $300 to cover the Bush / Cheney election party, says WP columnist Richard Leiby.

  For the Press Corps, A GOP Cover Charge
  The Bush administration continues its tradition of gracious hospitality to the press corps up until the very last minute. Reporters wishing to cover the president’s election night party will have to pay $300 for the privilege of a 3-by-2-foot work space and a padded seat in a tent nearby to watch the proceedings on television. Wanna eat? That’s $200 extra. Want a phone line or Internet hookup? Fork over separately to Verizon.

  But it’s not just the exceptional expense that has journalists grumbling. It’s what the money buys: Small groups of media will be escorted into the atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building to look around — but they won’t be allowed to talk to participants. “There’s really no mingling with the guests,” said Megan Rose, of the public relations group handling arrangements. The restrictions are unusual, but the GOP message isn’t: Reporters are not our kind.

  (“Bremer, a Little Ahead of Himself” - 11/02/04)