Local Elections Taken Over? Election "Observers" being filled with Out-of-State Thugs.

Am I the only one who's got a bad feeling about volunteer "election observers" watching our every vote, or how with a few tweaks, things can get way out-of-hand? 

WISCOSIN ELECTION: On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Senate Elections and Urban Affairs Committee heard testimony on proposed administrative rules regarding the conduct of elections observers in the State of Wisconsin. The rule would allow the observers area to be no less than three and no more than eight feet away from the sign-in table which is consistent with Act 177 along with prohibiting the use of video or still cameras while the polls are open for voting. 

The drummed up fear mongering around a recent Racine election was the impetus for reform, and gave us our first glimpse into the what "election observer" intimidation is going to look like. As reported back in June of 2012 by the Root River Siren:

A complaint has been filed with the Government Accountability Board by a Racine resident which stems from an alleged act of voter intimidation by a poll observer at Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School polling place. The poll observer has been identified as Willard Helander who turns out to be the County Clerk of Lake County, Illinois. Helander reportedly harassed and intimidated voters and even tried to prevent one voter from putting her ballot in the voting machine by following close behind and shouting at the voter.

That's not all:

The best part is the conclusion by the investigator: "Overall, the complaints filed with this office in regards to what the election observers did observe on 6-5-12 do not prove voter fraud or that a crime had occurred at any polling place. Many of the complaints received the observer had made assumptions of fraud...with no proof that had occurred. Most of the observers themselves have written in their observations that they violated those rules stated they would abide by."

So would it be crazy to believe "observers" at our polling places would start us down a very bad road?

Mary Ann Hanson of Brookfield testified on the proposed administrative rule … (that from) previous experience as an election observer during elections from the past three years that include the 2011 and 2012 recall elections … there has been a large influx of observers outside of the State of Wisconsin due to the status it holds as a battleground state in federal and some statewide elections.

Wisconsin embarrassed again by new voter intimidation, "election observer" law signed by Scott Walker.

Should we really let Republican legislators think we’re that dumb?

Has anyone else noticed that every restriction and attempt to suppress voting is meant to “safeguard fairness and the integrity of the vote?” When does this start to sound suspicious to those defending our right to vote. Yes, it should straddles party lines.

What used to be called a “poll watcher,” is now a much softer sounding “election observer.” You have to be comatose to ignore the possible and inevitable voter intimidation tactics that will result soon and years out.

Rachel Maddow noticed, and featured Wisconsin’s new Scott Walker voter intimidation tactic. Pretty soon, voting will become more and more inconvenient and almost inconsequential.

jsonline: Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that would allow observers to stand 3 to 8 feet from the table where voters announce their names and addresses and are issued voter numbers, or from the table where people register to vote … changes current law, which lets the chief inspector or municipal clerk designate areas for election observers to stand … the law will safeguard the fairness of elections by ensuring observers can see how they are being conducted.

In recent debate in the Senate, Democrats argued the bill could lead to longer lines at polling places and voter harassment.

Republican Poll Watcher Fearful of Voter who could have had gun, but maybe didn't.

Republicans successfully passed unreasonable gun legislation in almost every state. But the issue that once turned out the vote and energized the base, has now created a new area of stark raving fear; armed liberals! Or at least, "alleged" armed angry Democrats.

Check out this fictional story manufactured by a conservative poll watcher:

Vicki McKenna found this story of victimhood...

WashingtonTimes: GOP - Poll watcher in Detroit threatened with gun, 911 call rejected: According to the Michigan GOP the poll watcher's 911 call was rejected. Below is a press release from Michigan Republican Party spokesman Matt Frendeway: This morning, a legally credentialed poll watcher was threatened and intimidated … The poll watcher, a lawyer, was confronted by a voter in line, who demanded the poll watcher produce his credentials, which he did.

However, the voter said that wasn't good enough and that he had “a badge and a gun” and told the poll watcher get out of the precinct. Rather than allow the situation to escalate, the poll watcher left before the voter produced a badge or brandished a gun. Fearing for his safety, the poll watcher exited and called 911, however the Detroit Police refused to respond to the call – neglecting the fact that a voter alleged to have a ‘badge’ and a ‘gun’ in a precinct, putting other voters at risk.

That’s right, “alleged.” Scary! But crying wolf too many times has consequences. The guy had no witness and never saw a gun, so…it’s another grim fairy tale. And even if this particular voter did have a gun, and maybe serious about using it, get used to it. That’s what “stand your ground” is all about, isn't it, defending yourself from a possible threat? 

Yet this “alleged” totally fictional tale of victimhood is just assumed to be true by the insanely paranoid party of authority, and their irresponsible media sources:

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak issued a statement: “I can only hope that this morning’s outlandish, reckless and dangerous behavior, was not part of a coordinated effort by the Democratic Party and therefore, I am calling on Mark Brewer, Democratic Party Chairman, to condemn these threats of violence and pledge to ensuring all election workers, volunteers and citizens remain safe.” 

About as threatening as a Grimm Fairy Tale.