Do You Want the Military Industrial Complex Counting Your Votes?

[leftchick]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2962824

For the last two years United Technologies has been seeking to purchase the Diebold Corporation. Diebold’s main business is ATM machines but, it is the manufacturer of election equipment under the name Premier Election Solutions. Its software is responsible for counting votes throughout the United States.

Business Week, in its report on the attempted purchase, wonders why United Technologies would want to acquire Diebold, writing “Some analysts are wondering how United Technologies would benefit from acquiring Diebold, which generates more than two-thirds of its revenue from ATMs — a business that United Technologies is not in.” Perhaps it’s not the ATM business that United Technolgies is interested in; maybe it is the election business?

Just what does United Technologies do and who is behind it? United Technologies, a major multinational conglomerate with a range of technology interests, receives approximately $5 billion in military contracts from the United States annually. Among United Technologies products is the Black Hawk Helicopter, a tactical transport and assault helicopter which costs $5.9 million each of which 2,600 have been built. Their businesses include Sikorsky Aircraft which makes helicopters, Hamilton Sunstrand which produces aircraft engines and rockets, UTC power which creates fuel cells for defense and aerospace systems as well as Otis Elevator and security systems.

United Technologies is also a major donor to political campaigns — the sixth largest defense industry donor in the 2004 election with two-thirds of their donations going to Republicans. In 2008, they are the fifth largest defense industry contractor and have given $485,000, with 57% going to Democrats. They have had numerous government officials on their board, including a former secretary of defense and undersecretary of the air force.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/03/do-you-want-the-military-industrial-complex-counting-your-votes/

[krispos42]

1. Why yes, I do!

This way I can support all conservative candidates in every election, whether or not I ever actually go to the polls.

I'll never miss a vote! I'll even be able to vote if I'm dead!

What's not to love?!?!?

[Kurovski]

2. Why, I never looked at it that way!

The convenience is irresistible! It will clear my schedule for my obsession with American Idol and scrapbooking.

I'm sold, to hell with that goofball Eisenhower.

;-)

[krispos42]

3. Be careful with the scrapbooking... it's pretty cutthroat!

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. -- They called her "labelwhore," this 28-year-old rising star in the world of scrapbooking, with a silver stud in her lip and a tattoo in Latin on her left forearm: "Art is long, life is short."

Before the Internet bullies bashed her and judges revoked her title in the scrapbooking Hall of Fame, Kristina Contes basked in a reputation built on making pages dedicated to her designer handbags, her Converse sneakers and the word "dude." She showcased her avant-garde designs on websites like ScrapInStyleTV.com, traveled the country teaching classes, and turned down offers to go to Paris, London and Norway.

<snip>

But Contes -- inadvertently -- had cheated.

Someone else had taken pictures that ended up in her portfolio. When Contes called Creating Keepsakes to request that her friend receive a photo credit, the staff member approved it without realizing she had broken an entry rule: Submissions had to be solely the contestant's work. The book came out in October with both names published -- to the dismay of thousands.

Disgruntled scrapbookers besieged the Creating Keepsakes chat room threatening to cancel subscriptions, boycott and sue. Scrapbooking bloggers called it "Hall of Fame-Gate," naming it the top scrapbooking scandal of 2007. They compared it to the performance-enhancing-drug controversies involving major league baseball player Barry Bonds and Olympic track star Marion Jones. Someone wrote that Contes was as polarizing a figure as Martha Stewart.

<more>

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:Bpe0H8WRR4YJ:www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-scrapper12jan12,0,2864452,full.story+scrapbooking+site:latimes.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

[Kurovski]

4. I'm a brazen sort when it comes to my arts and crafts.

They call me "The Scrapbooker Hooker". Paper cuts mean nothing-- NOTHING--to me.

All ur stickers r belong to me.

Now get the hell out of my way!

[krispos42]

5. Better watch your lip, boy...

Or I'll scallop your edges so much you'll be begging for mercy!

[Kurovski]

6. Pfft!

Promises, promises.

Bring it on, KrispyKream!

[krispos42]

7. It's on!

I... just... gotta... get... this... can... open...


....



Okay, scallop scissors aren't cutting it. I THOUGHT THEY HAD PULL TABS NOW!?!?!?!?

[Kurovski]

8. OH YEEEEEAH!

*here...lemme help you* IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER BAYBEEEEE!!!

[Melissa G]

9. DUzy Alert !!! DUzy Alert!!!

:rofl:

[Kurovski]

11. Oh

You. You laugh at anything. You're the ER giggle-puss.:hi: :hug:

[krispos42]

10. Ummm...

It's a can of whup-ass, not the Kool-Aid guy...





Try again.

:rofl: :-)

[Kurovski]

12. You're only making me madder...

[krispos42]

13. Read the tag next time!

[Kurovski]

14. Oh!

On top of everything else, you want to take me to the cleaners!!?

I'm just super-spittin' mad!!!

Where's the nearest mod? This crap ends NOW!

[krispos42]

15. Well, the DRY cleaners

You've been guzzling the green beer and it's not even Saint Paddy's Day yet!

[Kurovski]

16. I'm ALLERGIC to beer!!

Will this scourge of outrage NEVER end!!!? *hic*

[krispos42]

17. Then just kill yourself now

Without beer, there is no spark of happiness in the darkness of dreary existance.

:toast:

[Kurovski]

18. Lemme tell you somethin' KrispyKritter, vodka ain't chopped liver.

:toast: :hug:

I luhve yoooo, man...u ahrrrr tha greates'an'I luhuf yooooo....

[krispos42]

19. Unless it's Grey Goose...

then it's high-octane paté!

:rofl:

:hug:

:beer:

[Kurovski]

20. Stewed livers, cooked gooses,

whasis thread 'bout again?? Whereamaye? Zissizint GD:P izzit??I LUHHFFF U man!!!!...reeeelee, yuo know u are, I luuhhff UUu!!assa bus?izzat myBUS??!!wharez my dollar???didjoo take my DOLLAR?!!?Igotta eat sumpthin...WARES MY DOLLAr?!!!

[krispos42]

21. You put your last dollar in the g-string of that Equadorian stripper....

...10 minutes ago, Mr. President-Elect. Remember how I had to get a Wet-Nap for you right afterwwards?

It's time to go now, sir, anyway. The inaugeration is tomorrow and you need to get some rest. Let's go use the bathroom, then we'll leave. It's down that hallway, remember.

And be careful, that Senator Craig may still be hanging around in the stalls!

[Kurovski]

23. he whassa "Ecuadorian", an he whassa dancer, notta "stripper"

show sum respec for tha arts, goddamit!show itnow!

"VICE-PRESIDENT!!!--vice-presiden es what jobI'ym suppose to do-so--HAHAHAHQHA!! who'sa drunk now, smart-guy!?? Wetzelbill is my might y prEsident--AND YOURS!!

I'kin hanel that ol'troll Craig, sittin' upon 'iss watery throne like a godam super-anmputated prom QUeeeen. Dontyuo worry bout that, Rye-Krisp.weare gonna be allright. you'l l see...you l l Ineedadollar!!

[krispos42]

25. I'm over here...

You're hitting up a life-size cardboard cutout of Bobby Lebonte. And male strippers don't have camel toes, sir.

I think it's time to get home so you can worship at the porclein alter in private...

[Kurovski]

26. Itza...I'm...I'm a..Wha time zitt??

Youuu godda nazzzzzcar or izza cab??> howza...um...za, ahhh za...zz...zzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[caesartoday]

22. Interesting

Interesting way of thinking. I like it.

[Kurovski]

24. he wasso yung!!! !

:cry: