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Show Viewpoints. THE PARK RECORD WED/THURS/FRI, AUGUST 3-5, 2005 A-ll EDITORIAL Utah should take another look at possiblyflawedvoting machines he stakes couldn't be higher. The current debate over what type of electronic voting machine Utah counties should purchase cuts to the heart of America's democracy -- the right to cast a confidential ballot and the confidence that each ballot will be accurately counted. Nevertheless, the average local citizen doesn't seem too concerned about recent decisions that have been made about those voting machines. Other than a few ardent poll watchers like Park City's Kathy Dopp, no one appears ready to think about the next round of national elections. Dopp, however, has consistently argued that the type of machine that Utah's are poised to buy, is flawed. According to her research, she says, the Diebold touch-screen, ballot-counting machines are vulnerable to tampering and do not produce a reliable paper trail in the event of a recount. But her complaints have largely fallen on deaf ears. This week, though, Dopp's claims were echoed by California's secretary of state who said that after testing the Diebold product he found its 10 percent error rate to be unacceptable. So do we. The 2002 presidential election hung roughly a two percent margin and plenty T YEESH, YOU'D THINK THOSE OLD CODGERS HAD ENDURED tn A GREAT DEPRESSION AND A sa WORLD WAR OR SOMETHING! of city and county elections are decided by far less than 10 percent. This week in the wake of a significant power outage that knocked out computers throughout the county, and with our own small scale municipal election season about to begin, we are beginning to have similar doubts about electronic voting machines in general, and the Diebold machine in particular. Given the unpredictability of computers and the vital importance of preserving each citizen's confidence in the democratic system, we would urge Utah legislators to demand a much higher standard than a 10-percent error rate. Given the uncertainty of today's electronic voting technology, Iraq's system of dipping a finger in purple ink -to both create an indelible mark on a tangible ballot and to ensure each citizen votes only once - seems like a good idea. When it comes to voting we may ultimately find that low tech beats high tech, that the act of manually punching a paper ballot and putting it in the box is the best way to preserve our democracy. In any case, given California's experience with the Diebold touch screen, we would urge Utah to reevaluate the alternatives. JOHN KILBOURN/«4/7A'/?£i£CW£> LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Fair trade, not free trade Editor: Park City's U.S. Representative, Republican Rob Bishop, caved in to the heat in the kitchen from Team Bush. So did Utah Democrat Jim Matheson. Both voted for passage of CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement) on Thursday, July 28, 2005. Result: 217-215. One wonders what horse trading went on for their votes on CAFTA. I have spent long and short periods in mission work in Central America for over 20 years, and I wish Rob Bishop and Jim Matheson could have been with me on any one of those ventures. They certainly would not have voted for CAFTA. Their votes will bring more misery to Central Americans, and more problems in their Utah districts with future job losses and increased immigration from the poor people iwipingjiloygttrviwn3:hat's been -the effect in these Districts since NAFTA was signed in 1994, especially with the influx here of thousands of Mexicans with similar hopes for survival. "Free trade" has nothing to do with promised benefits for all, as the presence of so many Mexicans in Mr. Bishop's district evidences. "Free trade" has everything to do with transferring wealth and decision-making power from the public to private, unaccountable elites n the U.S. and in Central America. "Free trade" is glib rhetoric for corporate rule. "Fair trade," not corporate globalization's "free trade," will increase security and jobs for North and Central Americans. Ironic that even as debate was mounting about CAFTA in the House of Representatives recently, local news announced that hundreds of jobs in Draper were being transferred to Mexico. That was NAFTA at work. Now CAFTA will follow a similar course. Are U.S. Representatives accountable to the Bush team or to their clients who stand to lose their jobs - and even to the larger issue of dignity for human beings in Central America? Mayor" signs and urging him to run again. Why do so many people support Dana Williams for a second term? Because he is doing a good job and we know it! Liza Simpson Park City A warning to seniors Editor: I finally caught up with a concert at Sundance's outdoor amphitheater last month on a Friday evening. The setting was awesome, the classical music marvelous, but negotiating the treacherous uphill terrain to reach the amphitheater, downright SCARY! SUV's were provided to drive you up upwards, but you were still left with a fair distance to walk up a set of rickety wooden steps in need of repair, I did not recall any word of caution along with the details of the night's program, warning senior citizens to come at their own risk or stay away. I happened to be in the company of my elder granddaughter, and at intermission we decided to descend and hear the music at a lower level instead of attempting to return to the amphitheater. On my return home I contacted the individual in charge of programming. When I complained about the footing, without a moment's hesitation she agreed that a special warning be directed to seniors. I asked her about Sundance's liability insurance, but she was unfamiliar with the exact amount of coverage. She promised to look into the problem herself and at the same time would report it to her governing superiors. At a minimum she felt that a warning label about the terrain should be included in the amphitheater's literature. right hand, and the thumb, pointer, and some of my middle finger on my left hand. However, my ringer finger and pinky, have no feeling due to the nerve damage, and they have a claw look, and no muscle tone. Every day I struggle, but things are looking up as I have been traveling to Dartmouth Hitchcock, where they are looking into nerve graphing as well. I just want Britney to know, that she's not alone, and she's a very strong girl, who I admire very much. Like Britney, I missed a lot of school, but they knew when I was back. I'm a very strong leader, and even with my arm being a damper, I'm still going to fight for all I have. Thank you for writing that story on Britney... it has inspired me very much! Sincerely, Tamara Hart Wells River, Vt. tainly suggest" curtailing the right to vote of the "less-than-clear-thinking majority" who elected the current "knucklehead" and "goon" president. Despite their intellectual arrogance, those who subscribe to this school of "rational" thought appear to be incapable of grasping the concept that in a representative democracy, denial of the right to vote makes all other rights a moot issue. Personally, I find the idea of disenfranchising the majority because of how they voted tantamount to political terrorism! Respectfully, Mary Ann Vennett Park City Self-righteous hypocrisy has been quoted as saying that Roberts is "a good man for the job") on the Supreme Court is someone whose thinking is not at all in alignment with Strazdins1 thinking. Then we are more likely to have a person of integrity in the position, much to the dismay of Strazdins and other liberal thinkers, who seriously believe that they know more than everyone else on the planet, including our president. Wendy Malr Heber City Karl Rove and the president Editor: . It amazes me that when someone in the Bush administration is the "perpetrator11 of a crime or at least extremely negligent in their actions the story changes. No longer is firing the person an option. I am disgusted at the arrogance of our leaders in the White House. How dare they put someone's life in danger and make excuses for it. Karl Rove should be fired, as President Bush promised. Editor: Extreme liberal thinkers resemble Hitler much more closely tHan President Bush evercould. Hitler was a self-righteous environmentalist'and organic vegetarian who thought he was doing the Editor: Park City Recreation celebrated 27 world a great favor by getting rid of the years of soccer tradition this month with dissidents who marred his hopes of a the return of Randy Farris as head coach delusional Utopian society. Peter for our Park City Soccer Camp. The past Strazdins' letter in the July 27 Park Carolyn Knoll few years, Randy has added an element Record, expressing his opposition to Heber City of giving to the camp as a supporter of Judge Roberts, nomination to the Kids Alive International, a nonprofit Supreme Court is the perfect example of group that helps children in the that same kind of self-righteous hypocritDominican Republic stay off the streets. ical liberal thinking that so closely resemThe recreation department and Randy bles Hitler-like thought processes. would like to thank all of the children Even though Strazdins doesn't yet have who participated in this year's camp, and enough information to know if Roberts PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard their families who gave so generously to will be a good Supreme Court Judge or Editor Nan Chalat-Noaker Kids Alive. We received donations of not, he has already made up his mind. His Staff writers Jay Hamburger money, clothing, shoes and sports equip- dire predictions about Roberts' positions Pat Parkinson ment that will provide less fortunate chil- are based on information that he has Joe Lair dren the opportunity to participate in taken totally out of context and has disJared Whitley sports and attend school. Thanks again to torted to support his own biases. Adia WaJdburger everyone who helped support this worthy By saying that ANY nominee's credenMatt James cause! tials chosen by President Bush (who, by Anna Bloom Sol Browdy the way, is a "knucklehead" and a "goon" Contributing writers Tom Clyde according to Strazdins) must be senously Teri Orr Park City Jessica Moran questioned, reveals that Strazdins, critiJay Meehan P.S. I'll believe it when I see it! Park City Recreation cisms of Roberts are not coming from the Joan Jacobson unbiased thinking of a person who is Silvia Leavitt seeking to understand the nominee's genUnda Jager uine credentials, qualities and character, Respectfully, Ed Nor'a assistant Courtney Herzinger but instead his criticisms are based upon Rev. James E. Flynn Classified advertising Inkama Black his own personal biases and judgments. Kristi Ruppert St. Mary's Catholic Church Editor: Holly VanDenAmeele Editor: Park City Strazdins goes on to say that "the Office manager My name is Tamara Hart. I am a 17In 1835, de Toqueville described goon's decisions are "aligned with the Circulation manager Michael Duffy year-old female at Blue Mountain Union American democracy as a system of gov- thinking of the current administration, Accounting manager Kate Fischer High School, located in Wells River, VT. Deming ernment, which reflects the will of the who have been put in power by the lessAdvertising director Valerie Jan. 24, 2005, I was in a car accident, majority with respect for the minority. than-a-clear-thinking majority of the Wendy Halllday Advertising sales Anne Anderson where a guy traveling opposite me came Since the birth of our nation, the majority country, most of whom any rational, irreonto my side of the road and cleaned my has been determined by eligible citizens ligious and thinking person would almost Cheryn McNicol whole driver's side out. The result of the exercising their right to vote. Editor: Teresa Chavez certainly suggest should have their rights I was delighted to read, in Jay accident was damage done to my left foreLacy Brundy However, in his letter to The Park to vote curtailed or perhaps in some cases Hamburger's article, "The mayor waits arm. My ulna bone was broken right in Record editor (Opposition to Court even revoked, less civil society, as well as Chris Gill for a challenger" July 27, quotes praising half, and my ulna nerve, ulna artery and Nominee - July 27-29, 2005), citizen the existence of species besides humans, Annie Macdonald Mayor Williams from Candy Erickson the tendons were all severed in half. Lori Gull Strazdins offers the premise that "lest as we know it, be driven to extinction." and Jim Doilney. Praise, coming from a Kat James Like Britney Malone, not only is my civil society... be driven to extinction," Heil Strazdins! Editorial production Scott Sine council member who works with the favorite color pink, but there were a lot of most of the "rational, irreligious and I personally hope that Sandra Day Photographers Grayson West mayor and from a gentleman who ran things I loved to do, that I can't do any- thinking" minority "would almost cerO'Conner's replacement (by the way, she against him, is high praise indeed. Matt Gordon more. For example, my love for basketball Production director Scott Schlenker Jay failed to mention, and The Park now consists of shooting with one hand, Production Jason Plawecki r Record failed to cover, the crowd of and constantly looking around to make Kyle Burress cheering supporters in City Park on the sure my arm is not in danger. And even as Kim Vance Fourth of July, waving "Dana For I type this e-mail, I am only able to use my Jon Smedley Andy Bernhard • ab@parkrecord.com Becky Larsen Nan Chalat-Noaker • editor@parkrecord.com Chris Anderson SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Valerie Deming • ads@parkrecord.com Distribution Todd Kendall 1 Year inside Summit County, $37, outside Summit County, $70 Jay Hamburger • citynews@parkrecord.com Antonio Contreras 6 Months inside Summit County, $20, outside Summit County $39 John Kllbourn Patrick Parkinson • countynews@parkrecord.com Cartoonist - Mastercard Jared Whitley • education@parkrecord.com Exp. Date: Matt James * arts@parkrecord.com > or Visa No. Contents of the 77ie Park Record OK copyright © 2005, Diversified Suburban Newspapers. 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We ask that the letters adhere to the folpost office in Park City, Utah 84060, under the Act Inkarna Black • classifieds@parkrecord.com of March 3, 1897. Subscription rates are $37 inside lowing guidelines:They must Include the address and telephone number of author. No letter will be pubJoe Lair • scoreboard@parkrecord.com Summit County, $70 outside Summit County, Utah. Jlshed under an assumed name. They must not contain libelous material. Writers are limited to one letter Subscriptions are transferrable; $5 cancellation fee. -every 28 days. Letters must not be longer than 300 words (guest editorials, 550 words) and should If posOffice Manager/Front Desk • holly@parkrecord.com Phone (435) 649-9014 or fax (435) 649-4942. In regard to Britney Malone Soccer tradition The Park Record Staff In defense of democracy Praise for the mayor ParkRecord e-mail addresses sible, be typed. 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