[Superman]

Len, one of our recounts was statewide, where each county recounted. I think Florida wanted to, and did, recount selected counties. It was the statewide recount that never happened, but should have. At least, that is my recollection.

My recollection also includes the impression that Florida's governor is Duybya relative, and that the ultimate decisions came down to the Florida Attorney General, who headed Dubya's Florida campaign. We've got none of that here, no Gregoire relatives, no folks running elections or interpreting policies who also ran Gregoire's campaign.

Indeed, the Secretary of State, who oversees elections, a Republican whose performance as Thurston County Auditor has been impeccable (I've voted for him several times), has taken heat because he is moderate and wishes his party would return to its more rational roots, and who has taken ENORMOUS heat for not screwing up the current election process in favor of Rossi.

There are a few questions about particular ballots. Questions I'd be surprized to NOT find when you administer an election where millions of ballots are considered. The military thing is interesting. Military folks get some substantial leeway when it comes to elections. Their ballots are certainly valid if they are posted on or before election day, and the post mark becomes meaningless if the certify that they voted on or before election day. They can vote by fax or email. And the current controversy involves some ballots from a few small counties being sent out, like October 18 or something. The rest were sent out before that.

If you listen to the most partisan of commenters, you might get the impression that, just like Florida got to make, and interpret, the rules to favor conservative votes, today Washington State (a socialist republic) is twisting the rules to favor their hopeful. If that were true, it'd be Quid Pro Quo. It isn't true, but there are some conservatives here who want to paint that picture, and also appear to be responsible civil-minded. Nobody here is fooled. Or at least, the proportion of fooled people here is smaller than the proportion of folks who are paying attention.

Well, I was hoping to hear more whining. Dan's remarks come the closest, but I happen to know he's an intelligent person making stuff up.

Still, we need to decide whether we want Canada or not. They don't know how to brew beer, that's for sure.