Will people be influenced by armed guards at polling places?

[techs]

I am fully expecting and support the use of the National Guard at polling places in some areas of the country. In fact I think between the local police and other law enforcement most polling places will be guarded.
Do you think the site of say a policeman or National Guard member holding an M-16 posted outside a polling place will influence many peoples vote?

[amyb]

I am fully expecting and support the use of the National Guard at polling places in some areas of the country. In fact I think between the local police and other law enforcement most polling places will be guarded.
Do you think the site of say a policeman or National Guard member holding an M-16 posted outside a polling place will influence many peoples vote?
No.

[Cleetus]

To some people it will mean more safety, to others it will represent a weakness. Yes it will influence, but honestly, by the time they are there they know how they are voting. It might keep a few wishy-washy's away or allow some an excuse for not voting.

[techs]

I think that, sad to say, we will be voting amidst armed guards for many years to come.

[Ya_know]

I think that, sad to say, we will be voting amidst armed guards for many years to come.

Absentee ballots for me! I won't wait in a line for an election if I can help it!

[techs]

Absentee ballots for me! I won't wait in a line for an election if I can help it!

This could be the beginning of internet voting.
That really scares me.

HACK THE VOTE

[paraflyer]

Depends on what said Guardsman's reaction would be if I walked up and voted just after a couple of hours at the range, with rifle slung over my shoulder.... :devil:

I've said it before, I'll say it again....I place no trust in government to provide for my personal security and safety.

[imaeditedbysowulo]

I don't have a problem with armed guards being present, but I am against them searching everyone or having them go thru metal detectors or slowing the process down in any way at all. The number of people voting would decrease drastically.

If all they want to do is stand around, I would consider it a huge waste of money but it wouldn't change my vote one way or another.

[edball]

That's ridiculous. Have any of you ever felt the need for armed guards when you went to vote ?

[meatwad]

That's ridiculous. Have any of you ever felt the need for armed guards when you went to vote ?

Cleetus wants and armed guard present when he's using a truckstop bathroom. Man in uniform and all.

[edball]

Cleetus wants and armed guard present when he's using a truckstop bathroom. Man in uniform and all.
Well, we already knew he has problems.....http://forums.windrivers.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[RejectionMan]

why am I reminded of the USSR, or the fishy voting that got 100% in favor of sudam, or some of the roumers that come out of Cuba......

Do you have your papers? .... No? no vote for you!

or

No papers? (well he must be a terrorist, send him to the gulag (or siberia))

[jitBob]

why am I reminded of the USSR, or the fishy voting that got 100% in favor of sudam, or some of the roumers that come out of Cuba......

Do you have your papers? .... No? no vote for you!

or

No papers? (well he must be a terrorist, send him to the gulag (or siberia))
It's the Canadian meatpuppet again under a new alias!

[Ya_know]

why am I reminded of the USSR, or the fishy voting that got 100% in favor of sudam, or some of the roumers that come out of Cuba......

Do you have your papers? .... No? no vote for you!

or

No papers? (well he must be a terrorist, send him to the gulag (or siberia))

You are blowing this way out of proportion. In my community Our lives haven't changed one single bit. The city I live in has an estimated 4 million people, and my freedoms are just as intact as they were before the terrorist attack on 9-11. So, although things like the airport, sporting events, tourist spots, and civic events are a little bit precarious, we all get along great, and there is no hassle...

[Wayward Clam]

I dunno if I believe that armed guards will be present at voting booths. I fear that there is some chance of it.

You're damned straight it will influence voters. Voters are idiots. It will influence them in all sorts of different ways--some will retreat and not vote, others will vote to change the status quo because they hate the guards, others will see it as a sign of strength and vote for Bush. The real question is how MANY will change in each direction.

[Jediab]

Absentee ballots for me! I won't wait in a line for an election if I can help it!

In my experience, my area has the long lines for registering. The election after I had registered, I went right on through. In and out in 5 min.

[Major Kong]

I'm sorta confused by some of this. The polling place I voted at in VA there was always the presence of the County Sheriff's Department (especially if it was an election year for the Sheriff ;) ). Plus do y'all know how many voting precincts there are in the USA? I'm willing to bet it's more than 2 or 3.

I've also got to agree with Ya_Know. Although the community I live in is only ~250,000 folks I haven't noticed one iota any change in my life in the last 3 years, except my salary doubled+! :thumbs: :thumbs: I do fly an awfully lot (average 25,000 miles a year :eek2: ) and I will say that instead of an hour in the airport it is now an hour and a half. :)