Jeff Gemmill
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On the Blog Post Exaggerating the Pennsylvania Voter ID 'Crisis'
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On the Blog Post Exaggerating the Pennsylvania Voter ID 'Crisis'
Jeff Gemmill
8:12 am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
ReplyNot everyone has a government-issued ID, not everyone needs one. You make it sould like everyone flies. Many people don't. I haven't been on a plane in 11-12 years, myself, and have no plans to be on one anytime soon. You don't need a government-issued ID to open a bank account, get a credit card or do many other things in life. My wife doesn't drive - we got her a photo ID two years ago. She survived fine without one many years prior - many new doctor visits in there, too.
Maybe if this law had included funds for opening temporary Penndot locales in easily accessible locales (community centers, etc.) and extended the hours (the ones in Montco are 8:30 to 4:15 Mon-Sat... why no nighttime hours? No Sundays?) so ordinary people could get IDs without jumping through hoops I'd be fine with it.
But it didn't because that's not the intent. The real reason was articulated by the Pa. House majority leader, a Republican, who referenced it while listing the successes of the GOP-controlled legislature: "Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.” Since this law cuts an estimated 10 percent of voters from the rolls - hey, they may well have done just that.
Last - if you know anything about Rendell, then you know he's not anyone's attack dog. He's defended Romney on some things recently (to the dismay of liberals, I'm sure).
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On the Blog Post Exaggerating the Pennsylvania Voter ID 'Crisis'
Jeff Gemmill
10:50 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
ReplyMike, this law presumes people guilty before they even cast a vote, and makes it damn near impossible for many of them to vote because of the hurdles they have to jump. Maybe you're okay with that. I'm not. I think it flies in the face of everything this country stands for. And based on the logic you use, we could say the same about any and all crimes - how much is actually reported? Perhaps the police should have checkpoints outside of every store and check every patron to insure they've paid for everything they're leaving with. That would certainly stop shoplifting, wouldn't it? And bring down prices, as many stores factor in such losses when setting prices. Also, why not stand guard in every bar parking lot, and make every patron take a breathalyzer before they drive away. That would cut down on drunk driving.
Just as an aside, I mentioned this issue to former governor Ed Rendell, who was signing books today at the Willow Grove B&N, and he scoffed at the idea that this was actually about fraud. It's about suppressing the vote in those areas - primarily Philadelphia and Pittsburgh - that have traditionally voted Democratic.
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On the Blog Post Exaggerating the Pennsylvania Voter ID 'Crisis'
Jeff Gemmill
11:10 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
ReplyI know people who don't drive, don't have a license or government I.D. and have never flown outside the country or served in the military. Many work two jobs - M-F at their full-time jobs and weekends at their part-time jobs. So to be able to vote they'll have to lose a day's wages in order to go get a government-issued ID. That's just plain wrong.
It's also estimated that the law will wind up costing Pennsylvania more than $11 million to implement. So not only is it an end-run around the 24th Amendment, it's not cost-effective, given that there were 11 instances of voter fraud in Pa. between 2000 and 2008 (and eight of those incidents involved the same person).
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On the Blog Post Neil Young's Americana
Jeff Gemmill
9:42 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
ReplyNeil's been one of my favorites forever and a day, Fran. Shakey was a good read - gave a good sense of who he is. He also has a memoir coming out that should be interesting, if nothing else.
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On the Blog Post Life in a Country Western Exclusion Zone
Jeff Gemmill
7:14 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
ReplyYou definitely should check out some of those established masters. Pick up "Hag: The Best of Merle Haggard" sometime - well worth the investment. Also Emmylou Harris. Honeyhoney is a relatively new act that fares pretty well on their last album, Billy Jack. The Civil Wars and First Aid Kit are worth checking out, too.
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On the article Patch Poll: Where's the Best Italian Food?
Jeff Gemmill
7:46 am on Monday, March 26, 2012
ReplyPasta Fazool. My wife and I eat there about once a month, sometimes more often. Owner and staff are top-notch; and the food is even better.
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On the Blog Post Something In The Night
Jeff Gemmill
7:33 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
ReplyI thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks for posting it!
Jeff Gemmill
8:13 am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Not everyone has a government-issued ID, not everyone needs one. You make it sound like everyone flies. Many people don't. I haven't been on a plane in 11-12 years, myself, and have no plans to be on one anytime soon. You don't need a government-issued ID to open a bank account, get a credit card or do many other things in life. My wife doesn't drive - we got her a photo ID two years ago. She survived fine without one many years prior - many new doctor visits in there, too.
Maybe if this law had included funds for opening temporary Penndot locales in easily accessible locales (community centers, etc.) and extended the hours (the ones in Montco are 8:30 to 4:15 Mon-Sat... why no nighttime hours? No Sundays?) so ordinary people could get IDs without jumping through hoops I'd be fine with it.
But it didn't because that's not the intent. The real reason was articulated by the Pa. House majority leader, a Republican, who referenced it while listing the successes of the GOP-controlled legislature: "Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.” Since this law cuts an estimated 10 percent of voters from the rolls - hey, they may well have done just that.
Last - if you know anything about Rendell, then you know he's not anyone's attack dog. He's defended Romney on some things recently (to the dismay of liberals, I'm sure).