Take note of the following Tweet [goodness, I hate that expression] from the head coach of the UConn women’s basketball team about the troubles his mother is apparently having in Pennsylvania trying to maintain her right to vote in the upcoming election:
Says Geno Auriemma:
“my 81yr old mother in Pa has no dr license no chkbook no credit cards now no rught to vote.”
And…
“people fought and died for our right to vote. we should make it easier not harder to cast our ballot.Vote Nov6.”
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55 Responses to Geno’s Mother Being Denied Her Right To Vote
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Geno should stay away from politics. Geno of all people knows how to get an ID for his mother if that what it takes. She’s not being denied.
Unfortunately their are organizations and people that are abusing the right to vote by voting multiple times, voting when not eligible and even dead people are voting.
People are required to have ID’s when cashing checks, using Credit Cards at times. There are multiple circumstances where people are required to have an ID to prove who they are.
The idea of voter fraud is a myth. In the state of PA an investigation found exactly ZERO cases of voter fraud. The only reason for voter id laws is to discourage people from voting and, sadly, it’s working.
I suspect this is Geno’s daughter and what the PA State Government has stated that they have not investigated a single case of voter fraud. They are not saying that there hasn’t been any.
Its naive to believe that there aren’t people who are illegally voting when the voting rolls are filled with thousands of people who are ineligible to vote for a myriad of reasons. Every State that has ever investigated voting fraud has found cases. I doubt that Pa is any different.
Dave, In PA, there is almost no documented voter fraud. Geno’s mother is in one of the targeted groups being denied convenient access to obtaining voter ID. She most get to a DMV site, hope it’s open (hours have not been extended), and hope she has the required documents. The state has once again changed the necessary documents, has sent out mailers telling voters to go to the gov. org website (not everyone has computer access, Dave). The law was hastily passed and the state was not, and is still not, prepared to handle the hundreds of thousands who still need ID.
PS…college IDs are also not valid unless they contain an expiration date. 15 universities do not…
Dave, I believe that your second paragraph should have read, “Unfortunately there are ….”, instead of “Unfortunately their are ….”. I hope you’re able to see the difference.
I know Geno’s a staunch Democrat but in this case his position is wrong, his Mother is not being denied to vote. If people weren’t abusing the voting rights then it wouldn’t be necessary to show a form of ID. If anything Geno could be pleased that someone else couldn’t vote in his mother’s place.
Also John this is a sports blog and IMHO you shouldn’t be delving into politics in this forum. Just my opinion, but you have the right to do what you want.
On a national stage this is a joke. These types of stories make CT’s political views look stupid. This is the type of story that makes CT and Geno appear completely ridiculous.
Dave—If anyone knows how to get an ID it’s Geno. I am sure he and his mother both have valid Passport–ID. I’ve had a Picture ID since I went into the National Guard, then the Navy, and in many places I worked. I’ve had my ID stolen in Conn. so I’ve gotten a picture Credit Card. Illegals get picture ID’s they are available to everyone.
You are right that GEno and by association John should stay out of the Political arena. Geno will be getting beat up by Obama for being one of the “rich guys” you pays no taxes. Is Geno going to publish his tax returns?
Geno–Many generations of MY family have fought for your right to speak–but that does not mean you have to be stupid about it. How many generation of YOUR family fought for that right? (Yep John, I am ducking on that last line). Obama who was brought up in Indonesia and has a different slant on America. Geno you were brought up here.
Allie—Has any state, as of today, enacted a voter ID law?
If not how can the “ID” law be working. Was it in place during any election, local or national as of yet. Or is this political posturing about nothing??
I’ve always believed if you aren’t doing anything illegal or immoral why not get an ID–even if you have to call a “community organizer” to get one with you. Call any political party and they will be more than willing to help you get one –to get your vote.
Mythical
There are 17 States that require some type of ID to vote, some are more stringent then others. I believe Pa is the latest State to enact a Voter ID Law and primarily the Democrats are in court hoping to get it overturned or delayed.
I could find any fault with anything Geno ever did. But Politics and religion really should not be part of what Geno talks about in any arena except church or his Union hall.
Geno, more so than even professors, speak loudly to a large audience and therefore must try to be A-political or A-religious or A-moral.
He should discuss his mothers lack of ID with on his Democrat or Republican Party friends and Swoosh–it will be fixed. And bets on that???
Got to love Geno! He’s the best.
There’s an easy solution, make states requiring voter IDs to make it extremely easy to get one via multiple sources and being available to register to vote. Let’s call their bluff and but in laws that will work toward aggressively registering ALL eligible voters.
Everyone knows the is just a new version of the poll tax because the country’s demographics are moving away from the republicans. Pretty pathetic when you have to resort to this tactic because you can’t win on the basis of your argument.
Dave -
While I appreciate your celebration of the ignorance of the facts, it’s hard not to address your spreading of misinformation. Even the PA’s have said there’s no evidence of fraud and that this is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise certain groups of Americans. Do a little research before you spout off. (http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/11/13236464-new-database-of-us-voter-fraud-finds-no-evidence-that-photo-id-laws-are-needed?lite)
As for Geno staying out of politics — why? He’s an American. Are you suggesting the job someone holds should prevent them from having an opinion and voicing it? How unpatriotic are you?
Helen
Sorry to disagree with you and here are my facts. http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/pennsylvania_voter_id_no_in_person_voter_fraud.php
Your reference states that there have been voter fraud, but not enough to impact an election. A big difference from saying that there isn’t voting fraud.
Geno has a right to say what he wants. I also have the right to question or recommend that he should stay out of the political arena due to the high profile job he has.
BTW I also believe Geno’s statement is inaccurate. I recall that Geno’s mom did obtain an American Citizenship. If that is true; must be otherwise she’s ineligible to vote; then she was issued a Certificate of Naturalization which is a Federal ID and does contain a photo. Federal ID’s are acceptable under the new PA Voter ID Law. I also find it highly unlikely that Geno’s mom does not have a US Passport but will admit that its definitely possible.
Dave,
The ID is required to have an expiration date according to the new PA law. Certificates of Naturalization do not have one. Even military IDs are NOT suffcient because they do not have an expiration date. That’s one way PA legislators have chosen to reward our soldiers; they cannot vote at the polls with their ID.
Pam
I’m not sure if the Certificate of Naturalization has an expiration date but I suspect it doesn’t as I don’t see a need for one.
However, Military ID’s do have an expiration date and its normally when a Soldier’s date of enlistment ends. When they reenlist or retire they get new or updated ID Cards with a new expiration date.
No one is being denied the right to vote, they may have to obtain a Photo ID and IMHO that’s not an unrealistic requirement.
“WHO DA THUNK IT?”
The new law is the Republican way in Pennsylvania to disenfranchise voters. A women went to the DMV in Pa to get her “Non Driver Photo ID”, it took her 4 hours of waiting in line to get it.
http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2012/09/pa_supreme_court_must_overturn.html
Let’s remember that state House Republican Majority Leader Mike Turzai made this now-infamous remark “Voter ID, which is gonna allow Gov. Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.” It doesn’t get more overt than that. Turzai’s comments were a rare moment of political honesty about what the voter ID law truly is — a partisan scam intended to rig a presidential election for the Republican candidate.
Even the Commonwealth Court judge called Turzai’s statements “disturbing” and “tendentious.” Unfortunately, the judge glossed over Turzai comments. The Supreme Court should not make the same mistake. This law clearly was never about preventing voter fraud, as there have been zero instances of in-person voter fraud in Pennsylvania — the only type of fraud this law would prevent.
During the last five years of the Bush presidency, 196 million votes were cast in this country in various elections. There were 86 substantiated cases of voter fraud during that time frame. Voter ID laws sound like a solution for a problem that does not exist. It is not coincidental that Of the 33 states that either have or are proposing voter ID laws, 32 have Republican legislatures and Republican governors. This recent spate of voter ID laws has one purpose, to make it difficult for the elderly, the young and minorities to vote, because these groups overwhelmingly vote Democratic. Any one who believes otherwise is being naive. If you can’t sell your message to all the electorate, the obvious solution is to eliminate the oppositions biggest supporters. Pretty pathetic tactic.
In a Democratic society voting is the bedrock of a citizens ability to participate. No one, including Geno, should hide their head in the sand when that right is infringed upon. If its the Republicans trying to trying to block the vote today, it could be the Democrats tomorrow. Good for you Geno.
Check the records, Dave. In the most important elections there has been very little voter fraud.
OMG – I am outraged that some of you feel Geno “should stay out of politics” as you put it. Sorry if you do not agree with his position, but on his personal twitter account he has every right to say what he wants about the political arena (or any other topic he wishes to expound on) just as your and I do. He is not speaking for the university or for his team, but for himself! It is up to JA to decide if he wants to disseminate this info to a much wider audience than those who are Geno’s twitter-followers.
Get off your high horses – don’t read it if you don’t like his political position, but don’t deny him the right to it.
http://justice-integrity.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=453%3Acutting-through-vote-fraud-claims-hypocrisy
http://www.minnesotamajority.org/TheIssues/ElectionIntegrity/tabid/188/Default.aspx
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/story/2012-03-19/voter-ID-Texas-fraud/53658158/1
These and many more posting over the Internet are proof the voter fraud exist. With identity theft so has come voter identity theft
It is ridiculous to say that Geno’s mom can’t vote. There are churches, synagogue, temples etc. and social services as well as Geno who can get her proper I D and help her get to and form the voting station…or if she so chooses, get her signed up for absentee balot. Geno is either lazy or stupid
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/dozens-charged-with-election-fraud-in-va-in-connection-with-the-2008-election/2012/04/24/gIQAkqwueT_blog.html
Any idiot that uses the internet as a source of truth –should come with me to Brooklyn and I’ll sell them a bridge.
Basketball is basketball–politics are politics. People with National audiences have no right to use that bully pulpit to broadcast their personal views–especially when they have the exceptional contact with those that may provide Identifications to their mothers should they need one. Also waiting 4 hours in the DMV for anything is not uncommon–why should one without ID expect different treatment??? Disenfranchised is the word all those that try to impose their views of a reasonable rule, also using the ” VOTER-TAX” argument is old and decrepit argument that dishonors those that really had to go thru that violation of their rights.
When the same “disenfranchised” Voter Tax statements are used it is obvious these are not people who think or think for themselves.
These same people have never been involved with the voting process at the vote taking level. The number of people who use the addresses and names of long dead people is a reality. Take part in the process and become an election official and do your town, state, and country a service. It’s a 14 to 18 hour day and the pay is small but you will see what you don’t know.
until the electoral college is abolished voting on a National level means nothing
It is funny that one side of this discussion refuses to see the others point of view. The side that figure that out is not the side in question
let’s just agree to disagree and leave this vitriol for the people who care
“Geno is either lazy or stupid.”
Wow! You got Geno`s essence nailed.
He`s probably on the court right now screaming at Stephanie while your butt is glued to that chair trolling.
I know some of you did not watch the DNC, so here’s Congressman John Lewis from Georgia speaking at the DNC about the GOP Trying to Disenfranchise Voters.
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/lewis-says-gop-trying-to-disenfranchise-voters-elA6bpSCSNm9ifabDFPEoQ.html
Everyone who wants the USA to move forward instead of backward should listen to this. It is one of the best statements I have ever heard about the rights of every American.
A little more info on vote blocking.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/22/voter-id-laws-gop-college-student_n_1791568.html
Cuzvinny…and others. Geno and you have the freedom of speech and all the first amendment rights given to citizens, work visas, green cards and illegal. A few million very excellent men (and now women) have given their lives and many others have given body parts to give you that right. But rights need to be used thoughtfully, it is a responsibility too. But the comment about becoming an election official is valid. Checking ID’s 14 to 18 hours on election day is a difficult job. ID’s will make it an easier task and assure voter fraud does not occur. When losing many politicians scream voter fraud–be it true or not. ID’s may minimize the screams. r
Photo ID’s are not the issue! It’s the HOOPS that the Pennsylvania Republicans (and some other states) are FORCING people jump through. They have to stand in a DMV line for hours with folks doing the regular DMV business, many folks like Geno’s mother are older and have VOTED 30, 40, or 50 years. There are no special ID only lines setup for these “Non Driver Photo IDs”. There are no special extended hours that the DMV is open for these “non Driver Photo ID’s”, WORKING PEOPLE have to take time off from work to get these “Non Driver Photo ID’s”! Sorry but the thousands of VOTERS being inconvenienced far out weight the hundreds of election officials.
The video of Congressman John Lewis’ speech at the DNC (that “cuzinvinny” linked for us) is very powerful.
To all of you who are in support of the new “voter ID” efforts in the country ( and not coincidentally in the important “swing states” ) I say this: view the video ofMr. Lewis’ speech; then- call it what you want, reframe it how you want, justify it in whatever way you care to, BUT remember ” you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig” ! Any efforts to supress voting rights is dangerous and unjust.
Like I said above. The Photo ID’s are not really the issue. It’s the HOOPS that the Pennsylvania Republicans (and some other states) are FORCING people jump through. WORKING PEOPLE have to take time off from work for these photo ID’s, because nothing special is being done to make it easy access wise to acquire these ID’s.
Two things – first this is a sports blog, not a political debate blog and 2nd. the lobbyist of the corporations do not care if you vote 20x for a candidate because one of their puppets that they sponser with money is going to win, plus at 81 who really cares much about anything beyond their children and grandkids.
Geno: I’m with you!!
To Uconn Fan: I guess you should tell JA that his blog is a sports blog and not a political one – - it is he who initiated this dialogue by choosing to post Geno’s twitter; and since it is JA’s blog, I guess he can do whatever he wants, just as Geno can on his personal Twitter account!
I have never heard so much mentioned of voter fraud, tea party, libertarian, big government, Muslim, birth certificate,racism, gay,………………….as I have now that the repubs are so desperate to get a black man out of office.
First off, voting is NOT actually a “right” as we are prone to calling it.
Voting is a privilege. You must register before you can vote, and the registration and voting laws are different state to state. In some states they purge the rolls every few years (Utah as an example ), and if you didn’t vote since the last national election, you must re-register again. And register again when you move. (more “suppression” I suppose).
I am greatly amused how some see a racist behind every differing viewpoint ,simply because our Pres. is only half white. A cheap and intellectually lazy approach at best- when unable to defend a position with logic, call the other guy a raaaaaaacist.
The reason for all the voter ID enthusiasm coming to a head is the massive voter registration campaign leading up to the 2008 general election. The cases of ineligible, dead, and fictitious registrations is well documented.
That’s not to say that these ineligible registrations actually voted. But THERE is the rub, as there is no way to check an ID to the list of eligible, registered voters, if there is no ID.
We’ll fight and die for the privilege to vote, but every year we have cases where votes are cast by, and for the ineligible (fictitious, non-citizens, convicted felons, and the dead).
Instead of vigilance, we invite fraud, and cheapen the sacrifices made to preserve one person = one vote.
I suppose it’s difficult to remove the politics from a political process.
Let’s just look at Florida THIS YEAR. (Miami Herald for some initial reading)
The Fla. elections division was going through the voter registration rolls, and listing names noted to be: non-citizens,convicted felons, and the deceased, and referencing them to their respective county election supervisor to confirm eligibility. If a person was confirmed to be deceased, a non-citizen, or a convicted felon, their names were purged from the voting rolls.
Sounds sensible right? I mean, why would we want votes cast in the names of the dead for goodness sake?
Why then did the current DOJ send a letter demanding the they STOP?
Well, it seems this DOJ is concerned about “suppression”.
Is it now wrong to “suppress” illegal voting?
Is it also racist to require ID to cash a check, or attend an Obama fundraiser? (You can check, it’s indeed required)
Photo IDs are easier to get now than ever before. The time has come for a national requirement for a positive ID for national elections.
I would think that everyone would like to ensure the integrity of our votes.
Just keeping it simple here. The Photo ID’s are not the issue, the access to acquire them is. People are forced to jump through HOOPS if they want to vote. WORKING PEOPLE have to take time off from work most likely without pay because nothing special is being done access wise like extended hours or dedicated lines to ease the process to acquire the ID’s.
Here’s a story by Ann Gerhart from the Washington Post that talks about the access issue.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/for-some-pennsylvanians-voter-id-quest-is-an-ordeal/2012/09/16/758d4f52-0027-11e2-b260-32f4a8db9b7e_story.html
Just read the article and am now more convinced that voter id is a waste of time and money for all concerned except those who see no other way to win an election.
Have a suggestion for 2016 for all of you democrats and republicans out there: Hillary and Caroline Kennedy for Pres. and VP as well as Ann Romney for senate and Michele Obama for congress. Having women as the majority would mean working with each other across parties instead of the bickering and blocking of what is good for Middle Class and Poor Class citizens because you are of one or the other party affiliation. Instead of a divided country under Satan, we would once again be one country under God.
What’s the big deal – voter fraud while minimal will be there regardless of whether there are photo id’s or not. All one has to do is get a birth certificate of some person whether through burglary or some othe method like an unscrupulous worker in a town hall who gets paid for selling birth certificates or stealing someone’s wallet and making a fake id out of it – ordinary people who work the polls couldn’t possibly know it was a fake. One could make a fake id probably without stealing someone elses. Just have to put a picture and birth date with a deceased person’s name and use it to vote. Unless you are in a small town, who knows who has died.
Besides, Geno has a right to be upset about it – his mother would have to stand in line even if Geno was with her for 4 or more hours to get a photo id. The US is getting more stupid every day – no wonder over a million and a half Americans have decided to retire overseas.
As for politics and sports shouldn’t be mixed – how about banning gay people from walking down the same street as straight or putting them on the back of the bus, train or plane like in the days of slavery. Face it, we live in a nation where just about anything goes and sports figures are voters so why can’t they come out and say what they want politically or not. Amen, alleluia!
First-off, the DMV isn’t the only place to get an ID. Last week I had to get my drivers license renewed, and simply went to a local branch of AAA. I was third in line, and was in and out in less than 10 minutes. Three minutes of that was spent waiting for the picture to be processed.
Nobody cries “access” is an issue when it’s time to get a driver’s license, open a bank account, or cash a check. Yet somehow we are to believe that the young, the old, and minorities wander through life without any identification OR the ability to obtain it.
Nonsense.
So, just so I understand your point here Pat. We shouldn’t require ID to vote in a national election because…
” All one has to do is get a birth certificate of some person whether through burglary or some othe method like an unscrupulous worker in a town hall who gets paid for selling birth certificates or stealing someone’s wallet and making a fake id out of it”
That’s your point? Because that’s “all” one would have to do? Whereas right now all one ( anyone, perhaps a felon, or non-citizen, who aren’t allowed to legally vote)has to do is simply walk-in and vote, multiple times if they choose, using names found in the public records like the obituaries.
That’s your argument? Really?
Basically the arguments against voter ID come down to one of convenience. Do you meant to assert that people that are able to leave the home every couple of years to vote, are somehow unable to leave JUST ONCE to obtain an ID?
Nonsense.
I work in home healthcare, specifically with those classified as “home-bound” elderly. Almost without exception, they have IDs, checking accounts, electric bills, and so-on. They have the ability to make their doctor visits, and trips to the drug store either with help from family, friends, church, or local senior centers, or by calling Dial-a-Ride.
Anyone who values one person = one vote, and takes an active role in the voting process, will be able to obtain an ID.
Somehow, these folks are all able to get out to vote, but still unable to get out to get an ID huh?
Manufactured nonsense.
As far a Geno goes, he can say whatever he wants. But I strongly disagree that somehow his mother is being “denied the right to vote”.
Remember, voting is NOT a right, it’s a privilege. One that’s earned as a citizen reaching the voting age, then registering to vote, and re-registering whenever you move.That privilege can be taken away if you commit certain crimes, and it expires when you do.
I respectfully suggest that Geno take his Mom to the local AAA branch the nest time they’re out for a nice dinner. Oh, and she can even bring her passport.
Hi Mr Gee, Geno’s mother lives and votes in Pennsylvania not Connecticut. We were talking about Pennsylvania and other states with new ID laws.
I don’t think that AAA wants to get involved in issuing a “Non Driver Photo ID” for voting purposes, there’s a lot of working checking different sources. It’s way different that taking your old driver license then giving you a new one using a state generated form.
Understood Cuz. But the documentation required to obtain an ID is the same as what’s required for a drivers license. If someone is a naturalized citizen, that document is valid, along with her SS card, to obtain her ID.
My point is that..
1) I actually think it’s a good idea to be required to provide a legal ID in order to vote, for reasons I’ve already stated.
2) Obtaining an ID is not the insurmountable task that it’s being made out to be. At all.
Somehow, this simple idea has been made out to be some eeeeevil, raaaaacist , hatemongering scheme.
It’s nothing of the sort.
One additional point.
I keep hearing those opposed to voter ID laws, typically framing this as a repressive, racist scheme to “deny” or suppress the votes of Latinos.
If they emigrated from Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, they are already familiar with voter ID laws as all those countries require it. Brazil is currently in the process of instituting a national voter ID law. Heck, our neighbor to the north ( Canada ) requires and ID to vote.
Are those countries “denying” votes as well?
Understood Cuz. But why force this issue just because a black man is in office? This was never an issue any other time. Incidentally, I just heard this morning that a repub election org – can’t remember name – was charged with voter fraud. Just saying.
this is so wrong whats wrong with this country denying someone their rights also at the same time this coutry refuses to make bullying a felony crime or any crime that gets any time this country has their priorities wrong takecare all godbless gouconn
sorry but its a communist and nazzi move trying 2 deny someone there rights and while the law and this country deny people their rights they dont do something right like make bullying a felony crime takecare all godbless gouconn