Re: Colorado Banning Trump from Ballot

This falls under the category of 'too late now', but I think mail-in ballots should never have been allowed. There was already a vote-from-home mechanism in place called absentee ballots.

Those absentee ballots required a request along with an address to get one and then voter registration verification. That's very different than shotgunning out ballots to old addresses with no real viable verification methods that the voter still lived there and was the actual registered voter that filled out the ballots.

Here's little data to digest... 154.6 million turned out for the presidential election in 2020 - 135 Million mail-in Ballots Processed and Delivered.

www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/2020-presidential-election-voting-report.html

More voters (154.6 million) turned out for the presidential election in 2020 than in 2016 (137.5 million), the largest increase between consecutive presidential elections since the inception of the CPS voting supplement in 1964.

Jan. 19, 2021

U.S. Postal Service Releases Updated 2020 Post-Election Analysis Highlighting Extraordinary Lengths to Deliver Ballots During Historic General Election Season
On Average, Ballots Delivered From Voters to Election Officials in 1.6 Days during General Election and in 1.9 Days for Georgia Run-off Election
136 Million Ballots Processed and Delivered Amid Historic Political and Election Mail Volume

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today released an updated 2020 Post-Election Analysis that outlined the steps the agency took to deliver a record 136 million ballots and Election Mailpieces during the 2020 General Election and the two run-off elections for the United States Senate in Georgia.

Read the full report here: about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/usps_postelectionanalysis_1-12-21_georgia.pdf

“Throughout the 2020 election, the Postal Service faced unprecedented challenges, but the commitment of our 644,000 men and women to deliver the nation’s ballots never wavered even in the face of the pandemic,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “We take great pride in the Postal Service’s performance which is thanks to our hard-working employees who went to extraordinary lengths to fulfill our public service mission, meet the public’s high expectations and uphold the Postal Service’s promise to deliver the nation’s Election Mail securely and in a timely manner.”

Key 2020 General Election Performance Statistics:

about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0119-usps-releases-updated-2020-post-election-analysis-report.htm

135 Million Ballots Processed and Delivered. The Postal Service delivered at least 135 million ballots, including both blank ballots delivered from election officials to voters and completed ballots returning from voters to election officials. 

99.89 Percent of Ballots Delivered to Election Officials Within a Week. Overall, 99.89 percent of identified ballots mailed after September 4 were delivered within seven days, consistent with the Postal Service’s recommendation to voters. The overwhelming majority of ballots were delivered in far less time than that. Specifically, based on internal processing scores, 97.9 percent of ballots mailed from voters to election officials were delivered within three days, and 99.7 percent were delivered within five days.

1.6 Days Average Delivery Time for Ballots from Voters to Election Officials. While the average delivery time for First-Class Mail, the class of mail by which nearly all ballots from voters are mailed, was 2.5 days in October, ballots generally traveled even faster. On average, the Postal Service delivered ballots from election officials to voters in 2.1 days and ballots from voters to election officials in 1.6 days.

4.6 Billion Political and Election Mail Mailpieces. Total mail volume surpassed 4.6 billion mailpieces for both Political Mail and Election Mail tracked, representing a 114 percent increase above the 2016 election cycle.

Key Georgia Runoff Election Performance Statistics:

1.1 Million Ballots Processed and Delivered. The Postal Service delivered at least 1.1 million ballots, including both blank ballots delivered from election officials to voters and completed ballots returning from voters to election officials. 

99.42 Percent of Ballots Delivered to Election Officials Within a Week. Overall, 99.42 percent of identified ballots mailed from voters were delivered in seven days or less, consistent with the Postal Service’s recommendation to voters. The majority of ballots were delivered in far less time than that. Specifically, based on internal processing scores, 92.9 percent of ballots mailed from voters to election officials were delivered within three days, and 98.5 percent of ballots mailed from voters were delivered within five days.

1.9 Days Average Delivery Time for Ballots from Voters to Election Officials. On average, the Postal Service delivered ballots from election officials to voters in 3.4 days and ballots from voters to election officials in 1.9 days.

The total may greatly exceed 135 million, as the figure includes only those ballots that were properly identified as ballots using the correct electronic identifiers, and does not include many of the ballots that the Postal Service diverted from its processing network or otherwise handled outside of normal processes in an effort to accelerate delivery.
ii As with the figure above for the general election, the total may greatly exceed 1.1 million, as the figure includes only those ballots that were properly identified as ballots using the correct electronic identifiers, and does not include many of the ballots that the Postal Service diverted from its processing network or otherwise handled outside of normal processes in an effort to accelerate delivery.

###

I view this as intent, context, contradictions, 'legal' deniability and doing nothing. People on both sides can conduct an autopsy and dissect it for the parts that prove their side of the argument. There are plenty of facts both sides can use to prove murder, manslaughter, mayhem, legal guilt or legal innocence. Sort of like O. J. Simpson was legally not guilty too.

I look at it like this...

My biggest takeaway is not what Trump actually said, it's more intent as evidenced by what he did and did not do. It's also context and contradictions vs legal disclaimers setting up plausible deniability. Sort of like tobacco companies saying their products are 'may be harmful' and then giving them matches to light up, all while still advertising to get customers to smoke more.

Other than the Trump's speech's context and contradictions, there's great big 'nothing' part. Trump did nothing to stop the riot for at least 90 minutes and then gave a speech hours later. His first tweet came around 90 minutes after the rioters stormed Congress. He did absolutely 'nothing' to help stop the riot and the destruction and death occurring on federal property at our nations capitol. 

So, Trump saying 'march peacefully and patriotically' is sort of like him filling up a bucket with gasoline and then putting a 'Water' label on it.  He then he starts a small fire in a crowded theater, yells "fire" ... then throws gasoline on the fire from his "Water" bucket, claiming he thought it was 'water'. It might work as legal deniability but intent is clear. 

Context and timeline:

Capitol riots timeline: What happened on 6 January 2021?
2nd August 2023, 01:54 EDT
www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56004916


Time 2:02/video - Watch: Officer Harry Dunn is still traumatised by the attack on the Capitol

Former US President Donald Trump has been charged with plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

He is accused of four counts including conspiracy to defraud the US, tampering with a witness and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.

The indictment caps an inquiry into events which led up to the 6 January 2021 riot at the US Capitol - when supporters of Mr Trump stormed Congress in a bid to thwart the certification of Joe Biden's election victory.

Mr Trump, who is again running for president, denies wrongdoing.

Here are the key moments from 6 January 2021.

    - Four takeaways from Mr Trump's indictment
    - What happened to these Capitol rioters?

08:17
President Donald Trump tweets allegations of vote fraud ahead of his rally in Washington DC.

C-SPAN An image of President Trump's tweet about Mike PenceC-SPAN

10:58 - video
Members of the Proud Boy movement, a right-wing militia, are seen heading towards the Capitol. Speaking to Newsnight's US correspondent David Grossman, one member of the group says: "We're taking our country back."

One of the group has a radio. "It was clear he was communicating - getting messages, sending messages to somebody," our correspondent said.

12:12
What the Proud Boys were doing before Trump's speech that day

12:00
President Trump begins his speech to supporters in Washington. Some 15 minutes into it, he starts urging them to converge on the Capitol.

"I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard," he said.

1:25
"We will never give up, we will never concede", Trump tells supporters

12:53
As the president speaks, a crowd outside the Capitol is swelling. They begin marching towards the police barrier and get past officers. The police, outnumbered, try to contain them.

Trump supporters wield flags and weapons. One man stands on a makeshift gallows, complete with a noose. The crowd chants: "Fight for Trump."

Getty Images Trump supporters near the U.S Capitol, on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DCGetty Images

Some have argued in court that they went to the riot because Donald Trump told them to
Minutes later, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi commences the certification process.

13:10
Mr Trump ends his speech with the words: "We fight. We fight like hell and if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore. So let's walk down Pennsylvania Avenue."

Shortly afterwards a Capitol police officer calls for backup.

"They're throwing metal poles at us," he says. "Multiple law-enforcement injuries," he adds in a panicked voice.

Capitol police send an evacuation warning.

13:45
Protesters surge past Capitol police protecting the west steps, the side facing the White House.

Minutes later, an officer declares there is a riot at the Capitol. "We're going to give riot warnings," he says. "We're going to try to get compliance but this is now effectively a riot."


Contains upsetting scenes.

2:42
Contains upsetting scenes.

Watch dramatic new footage of police under attack at the Capitol riot
Meanwhile Vice President Mike Pence is continuing to preside over the session.

14:13
Secret Service quickly and suddenly evacuate Mr Pence from the Senate floor.

The protesters break through the windows. They push inside, hopping through the broken glass. They then kick open the doors to let others in. Some wear hoods and helmets, some hold cameras or Confederate flags.

An immediate recess of the Senate is called.

A minute later, Officer Eugene Goodman runs to respond to the initial breach. He warns Senator Mitt Romney that the mob is approaching. Mr Romney turns and runs through a capitol hallway to safety.

The mob, a floor below them, has already begun to search for the Senate chamber.

Officer Goodman makes his way down to the first floor where he encounters the mob.

Igor Bobic Officer Eugene Goodman confronts a rioter Igor Bobic

The officer was seen confronting a rioter during the attack
He lures the armed rioters away from the upper chamber. Many of these individuals have been calling for Mr Pence to be hanged.

By that point, the rioters are "within 100ft" (30m) of Mr Pence and a foot away from one of the doors to the chamber. Many senators are still inside.

A map showing Mike Pence, rioters and Eugene Goodman's location

Presentational white space
At the same time, Ms Pelosi is rushed from the house floor. She is evacuated entirely from the Capitol complex to a secure off-site location.

Her staff barricade themselves into a conference room, hiding under a table.

Staff members of the House leader speak softly, frantically, to each other. Just outside, rioters are spreading out across the building, searching for Ms Pelosi herself.

The rioters chant: "Where are you Nancy?" In an audio clip, we hear one staff member whisper: "They're pounding on doors trying to find her."

One man breaks open the outer door to the office where the staff are hiding, but not the inner door. Another tries as well, but eventually moves on.

14:24
President Trump tweets about Mr Pence.

C-SPAN Presentation by the Democrats shows Donald Trump's tweet and footage of the attackC-SPAN
At the same time, Mr Pence is evacuated to a secure location.

Rioters start to spread through the buildings. Others break in from outside through various doors around the building.

They open the east side door of the rotunda to let more people in, flooding through the doors and overwhelming the officers.

3:15 -Video
See how close the mob got to Mike Pence, Mitt Romney and other lawmakers

The House floor debate is suspended to update members. House members are told to reach for tear gas masks and be prepared to use them.

The House is called back into session in the hope of continuing the count.

- Did Trump's words at rally incite the riot?
- The 65 days that led to chaos at the Capitol
- 'They tried to break in - then I heard a shot'

But minutes later the House is abruptly recessed. Members are told to get down under their chairs if necessary.

"Folks have entered the rotunda and are coming this way," lawmakers are told.

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell sends a text to his wife: "I love you and the babies. Please hug them for me".

The mob outside the chamber grows larger and they get within feet of the house door.

14:26
President Trump called Senator Mike Lee, according to the Utah Republican who has provided the trial lawyers with a copy of a log from his mobile phone.

According to his office, he received a call from the White House switchboard number - and the call lasted four minutes. Mr Lee has said that apparently the call was meant for Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville, and that he handed his phone to his colleague.

Mr Tuberville told reporters that he informed Mr Trump that Mr Pence had been evacuated from the Senate floor. "I said: Mr President, they've taken the vice-president out. They want me to get off the phone, I gotta go."

House impeachment managers say it is further evidence that the president knew how much danger his vice-president was in.

14:41
Ashli Babbit is seen turning the corner towards the House lobby doors as members are leaving.

House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern is spotted by the mob as he leaves the House floor.

In a hallway outside the House chamber, a group attempts to force its way through a set of locked doors. The glass window panes on the doors are shattered. A rioter uses a baton to smash through as the crowd around him chants "break it down, break it down".

Footage shows the hands of an officer on the other side, holding a gun and pointing it toward the mob. We hear a shot and see Babbitt fall to the ground.

People still inside the gallery of the chamber are trapped. They tell each other to take off their congressional pins.

In the meantime, a number of rioters reach the inside of the Senate gallery.

"Is this the Senate?" one demands to know. "Where are they?" another asks, apparently referring to the evacuated senators.

Video footage shows some rioters rifling through papers and materials left behind by lawmakers. "There's got to be something we can use against these scumbags," one says.

15:13
Trump tweets asking for people to "remain peaceful".

C-SPAN Presentation by the Democrats shows Donald Trump's tweet and footage of the attackC-SPAN
Meanwhile the mob are still at the Capitol.

Footage shows a sprawling mob, a sea of people on the Capitol grounds. A Confederate flag waves in the foreground.

16:17
Trump releases a video in which he tells the mob to go home.

CSPAN A grab showing Trump's video and his remarksCSPAN
18:00
Fifteen minutes after police confirm Ashli Babbitt has died, Trump tweets again.

He refers to those at the Capitol as "great patriots".

CSPAN Trump's tweets referring to mob as 'patriots'