Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you

Evidence of a Second Bush Coup? By Robert Parry November 6, 2004

Theoretically at least, it is conceivable that sophisticated CIA-style computer hacking – known as “cyber-warfare” – could have let George W. Bush’s campaign transform a three-percentage-point defeat, as measured by exit polls, into an official victory of about the same margin.

Whether such a scheme is feasible, however, is another matter, since it would require penetration of hundreds of local computer systems across the country, presumably from a single remote location. The known CIA successes in cyber-war have come from targeting a specific bank account or from shutting down an adversary’s computer system, not from altering data simultaneously in a large number of computers.

To achieve that kind of result, cyber-war experts say, a preprogrammed “kernel of brain” would have to be inserted into election computers beforehand or teams of hackers would be needed to penetrate the lightly protected systems, targeting touch-screen systems without a paper backup for verifying the numbers. [More on “cyber-war” techniques below.]

Though there's still no proof of such a cyber-attack, suspicions are growing that the U.S. presidential election results were manipulated to some degree. Voting analyses of some precincts in Florida and Ohio have found surprisingly high percentages for Bush. Others have noted that the large turnout among young voters and the obvious enthusiasm of John Kerry’s voters would have suggested a better showing for the Democrat.

Exit Polls

But the most perplexing fact is that exit polls into the evening of Nov. 2 showed Kerry rolling to a clear victory nationally and carrying most of the battleground states, including Florida and Ohio, whose totals would have ensured Kerry’s victory in the Electoral College.

Significantly, polls also showed Republicans carrying the bulk of the tight Senate races. However, when the official results were tallied, the presidential exit polls proved wrong while the Senate polls proved right.

Halloween Recap

Phenomenal! We're actually not just talking about our unprecedented night of 2 simultaneous quality uber-sweet Halloween parties on Saturday. We're talking about YOU, who showed up to make them both AWESOME!

Opel wants to extend a heart felt thank you to all of you who came to one or both of our parties this past Saturday. Each had their own unique vibe and taste, and both were great fun with great music.

It was a big undertaking to pull off that could not have happened without the incredible help of many volunteers and core Opel team members. I just want to say a very deep thank you to Gina, Kelly, Matt and Julie, Mark Rahmani, Hoj, James, Doug and Josie, Allison and friends, Mikey, Sierra, Michael, Nova, Starchild, Theresa, Lian, Joel, Scribe, Rosie, 'Orange', Mom, Guiv, Alain, Rooz, Aaron Pava, Zack Darling @ Greenfield Graphix, Rich, Mike @ Audio Visions and all the DJ's and VJ's. But most of all thank you, for helping us 3 years running now throw Halloween parties that are among the best of our endeavors all year long. You make it happen, and our appreciation runs DEEP. See you on New Years! (Stay tuned for details...)

 

Seen the pics? Go here: mvgals.net/gallery/opel

"Halloween Recap" perma-link

November 3, 2004 12:21 PM, by Syd Gris

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Thank You San Francisco!!

We at Opel just want to thank all of San Francisco and all the people that came from all over the country and the world to make America's first Love Parade such a phenomenal success. (See info on the 2006 event HERE)

With over 25,000 in attendance, it shattered all expecations. The floats were awesome, the vibe was top notch, and people treated each other well. The float Opel and Spundae did together went OFF! Our crowd during the parade itself was one of the biggest and most enthusiastic out there. On the festival site it got even more nuts as D:Fuse and Sandra played to packed crowds of stoked people as we had to double secure the stacks from falling as the float was rocking so hard!

And then of course, Infuse was amazing, with so much good music we didn't know what to do with ourselves, except squeeze it for all it was worth until the wee hours of the morning and the sun came up over the water.

Thanks to Spundae the team that helped us with the float and the party people who made it such an amazing day. Just wait till next year.... oh boy....

"Thank You San Francisco!!" perma-link , or continue reading...

November 1, 2004 12:54 PM, by Syd Gris

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