[nabs-l] proposition for amendment to constitution

Mon Jun 20 21:56:43 UTC 2011

Jorge,

Unfortunately, this really is a "Life's not fair" scenario.

Criptographics are horrendously expensive, which is why Joseph is
saying they aren't logical.

While the NFB does have considerable funds, we have to decide whether
we want those funds to go toward advancing the lives of all blind
people, including nonmembers, or getting more votes on policies.  It's
a scenario where even people who don't vote can be assisted by our
policies, if we have the funds to advance them.

This entire situation reminds me of what happened to a Hollywood
scriptwriter once.  He wrote this scene with horsed knights battling
at Stone Hinge.  The director came to him and essentially said: look
buddy, you can have the knights or Stone Hinge.  We can iether pour
buckets of money in to having a wider voting pool, and end up with
many of our policies becoming little more than hot air, or we can have
large impact policies.

And Joseph, excellent point about 08 fraud; those were just the
elections I thought people would be most familiar with *smile*
Courtney

On 6/20/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
> So if the cryptographic id isn't practical, and others aren't logical,
> then what *would* you *recommend?
>
>
> On Jun 19, 2011, at 11:47 PM, T. Joseph Carter wrote:
>
>> The cryptographic solution I suggest?  Not practical.  Anything short of
>> it?  Not logical.
>>
>> As to the implication of passing it and what impact it would have on other
>> divisions, the NFB as a whole, the purpose, scope, and justification for
>> national convention…  I can only say that I think the impact would be huge
>> and largely undesirable.  I wouldn’t vote for it, if I were voting.
>>
>> As I said earlier, I would not be voting even if I attended the NABS
>> meeting because I am no longer a student and I believe the future of the
>> student division must be shaped by those who are.  But I can’t really see
>> other students passing it either.
>>
>> Joseph
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:03:17PM -0700, Darian Smith wrote:
>>> In the  end,  do you think Nabs  as a division  will pass this?
>>>
>>>
>>> On 6/19/11, T. Joseph Carter <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Courtney, there was at least as much fraud in 2008 as the previous
>>>> two presidential elections.  The reason why 2008 was not the circus
>>>> the previous elections were is that Obama clearly carried by such a
>>>> wide margin that the obvious fraud in the election could not have
>>>> changed the outcome for either party.
>>>>
>>>> The only electronic voting system I’ve seen not prone to tampering
>>>> and voter integrity issues is the Automark, because it marks a paper
>>>> ballot which is then counted.
>>>>
>>>> If each student in the organization had a digital credential with
>>>> cryptographic security issued by NABS at the time you pay dues, that
>>>> credential could sign your ballot electronically.  Until you lose it
>>>> in a hard drive crash, of course.  Then how do you replace it in such
>>>> a way that NABS knows the replacement credential is going to you and
>>>> only you?
>>>>
>>>> I’ve nothing useful to add regarding the non-technical aspects, but I
>>>> certainly do not dispute a thing you said about them.
>>>>
>>>> Joseph
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Jun 18, 2011 at 01:20:06PM -0500, Courtney Stover wrote:
>>>>> Hi all:
>>>>>
>>>>> Many of the cogent points have already been discussed here.  However,
>>>>> there are a couple which I'd like to cover in greater detail.
>>>>>
>>>>> As someone who attended National convention several years ago because
>>>>> of the extremely hard and diligent work of my chapter President to
>>>>> procure financial aid, I can vouch that what a great deal of the
>>>>> membership are saying about getting some of your expenses covered in
>>>>> this manner is definitely doable, especially if you begin planning in
>>>>> advance.
>>>>>
>>>>> As evidence of why this measure would be an absolute nightmare I
>>>>> submit exhibit A: the 2000 Presidential election, and Exhibit B: the
>>>>> 2004 Presidential election.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am not attempting to begin a political discussion here, but due to
>>>>> some voter fraud and logistics issues, those elections were a
>>>>> nightmare no matter which side you were on.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't like how this amendment would discourage people from gaining
>>>>> the full experience of the NFB through the communal aspects showcased
>>>>> to such great effect through convention.  If all we have to do to
>>>>> influence policy decisions is press a button, why would we, especially
>>>>> those of us who struggle financially, attempt to find the funds for
>>>>> convention.
>>>>>
>>>>> In closing, there's a factor I think very few of those in favor of
>>>>> this amendment are considering: stage presence.  We want people who
>>>>> can not only articulately and passionately represent the NFB in
>>>>> writing, but in person, too.  Extremely articulate letter writers may
>>>>> become rather tongue-tied and shy in person...any of you who know me
>>>>> well can vouch for the truth of that one.  So, to my mind, to make the
>>>>> best possible decision, we need written platforms such as those posted
>>>>> to the list over the last few days, and face to face interaction,
>>>>> which we will gain at convention.
>>>>>
>>>>> Courtney
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Darian Smith
>>>
>>> “My secret?  See it, and stay focused on it.”
>>>
>>> — Shaquille O'Neal
>>
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