Stealing elections the old-fashioned way

By John Calhoun of Portland, Oregon. John is an active Democrat and the CFO of a biomedical company. Previously, he contributed "Gordon Smith: Making Oregon Less Competitive"

Readers of BlueOregon are well aware of the debate regarding the legitimacy of the 2004 election in Ohio. Tomorrow night, Laura Paglin, creator of No Umbrella: Election Day in the City - a documentary film of the 2004 Ohio election fiasco - will be visiting Portland for a one-time screening of her film.

This 26-minute blockbuster exposes the lack of voting machines, the endless lines, the interminable waiting, and mounting anger and frustration of African-American voters in one of Ohio's poorest neighborhoods -- and the heroic efforts of the area's irrepressible octogenarian councilwoman to put things right.

This is an in-your-face look at voter disenfranchisement in Ohio. The film was shown at this year's Sundance Film Festival, won an Audience Award at the just-completed Sydney Film Festival and was named "Best Short Film" at the prestigious Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.

The showing and discussion with Laura Paglin was organized by Veterans in Action. Event details at VeteransInAction.org.

Aug. 15, 2006 Posted in guest column.