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A disenchanted first-time voter
Thursday, February 7, 2008 6:51 AM PST
As a lifelong member of the Lodi community as well as a young first time voter, I was outraged by the treatment I received at the Hutchins Street Square polling station on Tuesday.
It was my first time voting and I was very excited. I had registered absentee because, as a college student, I never know what my busy schedule will be like. It turned out, however, that I would be able to go to the poll and vote like a good American. When I arrived I was greeted by unwelcoming, dirty stares. The woman whom I was directed to speak to first was confused and annoyed by my ignorance about the absentee ballot. A man quickly took my ballot from my hands and began writing on it, without ever informing me of what he was doing.
By now I am very confused. I get shuffled down toward another man and woman. She hands me a sticker that says, "I voted," but I hadn't voted. Finally, the man realizes this and looks at the ballot that was taken from me earlier. "Nonpartisan" he reads out loud. He then mumbles something about, "what is this world coming to?" Eventually the woman gets me a new ballot and as she is telling me what to do with it the man chimes in again, "Sometimes I feel like I am powdering a baby's bottom." My pride has now been hurt and I am very embarrassed. I quickly fill in my choices on my ballot and turn it in to the box with a small slit in it. All the while the woman who had given me my ballot earlier hovers over me as I place my "secret ballot" in the box.
I left the polling station angry and in tears. These days all you hear about is "young people need to get more involved —get out there and vote." It is becoming clear to me why we don't. Age discrimination. I came into the polling station an excited new voter and left feeling humiliated.
This is America and discrimination at the polls, or anywhere else for that matter, should not be tolerated anymore! I can only hope that my discriminators will be removed from their positions and reprimanded for their conduct against the American voting youth.
Natalie DeJong
Lodi
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Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 12, 2008 10:56 AM:
citizen wrote on Feb 10, 2008 9:18 AM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 8, 2008 10:44 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 8, 2008 10:42 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 6:20 PM:
Earl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 6:16 PM:
Here's to a great weekend. "
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 5:44 PM:
I never said their behavior was ‘right.’ Of course it was wrong. But it wasn’t illegal; it wasn’t immoral. It was stupid. And the world is full of stupid, ignorant, rude, crude and disgusting people. The point is, we share the world with them. Our children will share the world with them. We teach them to do as much as they can to resolve the problem (as stated above) and then they should ignore them.
I do not refer to you as to those statements that I find irresponsible and/or intellectually void. It is beneath contempt for me to print their ‘names’ here. A reading of the posts regarding this letter clearly indicates who they are.
Finally, one definition of 'argument' is, ‘an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation.’ This is precisely what you claim an argument not to be. It is when the arguments contain lies and falsities that are proven as such and yet are as accepted as truth that the argument fails. The purpose of the LNS providing this forum is for us to argue. Unfortunately, the rules outlined at the bottom of the page don’t prohibit people from lying.
After all this, I’ve said all I can. I can only agree to disagree with you. "
Earl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 5:12 PM:
To whom do you attribute the irresponsible, intellectually void comments that lower the debate and the falsities and/or lies? Where is there an argument? Every discussion with differing opinions is not an argument.
You say she is literally screaming for answers in her letter. I don‘t hear her. She is making a statement and she has that right. Just as I do and so do you
You state “The fact is, these things WILL happen again, there is no getting around it. Civil servants are not generally known as the most intelligent or caring people- look at the DMV“
Gerard, that does not make it right. Talk about screaming, IT DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. We do not know and can not know if she is prepared, or not, in the private sector. No citizen should be prepared for “rude and crude” treatment by a government employee. Surely you get it, just because it happens, does not make it right.
.
No woman wants some geezer referencing powdering her bottom. But some jackass at the polling place did that. Sorry to be repetitive, but that was not right and she has a legitimate complaint.
No, the solution is not to go beat them up. The solution is to complain and correct it with mature people agreeing with the young voter that she was not treated right at her polling place. To continue to insist that it happens so therefore it’s OK is ludicrous.
"
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:37 PM:
The fact is, these things WILL happen again, there is no getting around it. Civil servants are not generally known as the most intelligent or caring people- look at the DMV.
The advice for her to prepare herself for what inevitably will occur throughout her life is absolutely logical.
Is the solution, as one vaguely alluded to, simply to go and beat them up? "
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:28 PM:
While it should go without saying that I never once implied and I do not believe that this young lady was at fault in any way, as the sum of my contributions attest, it is this type of irresponsible, intellectually void comments that lower the debate.
Once falsities and/or lies enter an argument, and are then accepted as truth in the face of proof to the contrary, the argument must end. "
Earl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:18 PM:
Earl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:15 PM:
No I did not suggest that she not expect to come across “rude and crude” in the private sector. I said in essence that from her narrative we do not know just how much “rude and crude” comes into this citizens life in the private sector or how she deals with it. We don‘t know and it is not a topic for this discussion . This discussion is about “rude and crude” behavior by government employees and how they handled a novice voter and her rights to complain. It’s not important that she read this. What is important is that a person paid by the government with my and your tax dollars was treated “rude and crude” simply because she is young and inexperienced. Standing firmly on “it happens” or “develop a thicker skin” does not make it right and it should corrected before the November elections.
"
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:13 PM:
You seem inexplicably to be insulted by my compliment of your method of treating young ladies.
I'm sure you didn't intend for it to, but your post might lead a reader to believe that you think only other peoples' daughters need to be toughened up by coarse, insulting treatment.
You need to pick one lane and drive in it, Ger-bear. Tell us all how you toughened up your own daughters. When they were sad, did you "give 'em something to cry about"? Did you push 'em down again? "
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:54 PM:
I refer you to a previous post here that stated, 'Fascists of Lodi have spoken and this episode has been judged to be the fault of the victim.'
You may want to research the post's origin and decide for yourself as to whether it deserves merit. "
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:49 PM:
You've now joined two other folks here who will no longer bait me into ludicrous 'conversations.' Your intellectual void prevents me from continuing to waste my words and time on you. Because I know that you don't care what I think, don't waste your time responding further to my posts. "
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:37 PM:
"
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:32 PM:
Her coping abilities, as you reference, are rightfully in play. She herself stated, '[she] left the polling station angry and in tears,' clearly indicating that there is an issue here.
I am confused with your comparison of 'rude and crude people' in government vs. public sector. Are you suggesting that she should not expect to come across these types of people in both segments? "
Earl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:19 PM:
No one has suggested that there was an inference that the young voter was at fault. Her complaint is legitimate about how she was treated at her polling place, Hutchins Street Square. For anyone to suggest this be considered a life’s lesson is ridiculous. The employees at the polls are paid with tax dollars and it’s not their job to teach voters “that the world is full of crude and rude people who are not very nice” and that they “will need to cope with this type of behavior as an adult‘“. There is no information in her letter to suggest that she can not cope with the boors that happen to come into her life in the private sector.
Every voter, old and experienced, young and inexperienced, has the right be treated with respect when they arrive at their polling place. It should not take a history lesson to realize that many voters, including “experienced” voters, can have some confusion at the polls. The remarks made to Natalie were said due to her age and inexperience and therefore clearly discriminatory. If the polling official’s mother arrived with a question about the ballot, what remarks would be reserved for her?
Natalie had no obligation to use the absentee ballot if she was willing to surrender it in exchange for a regular ballot with out the official hovering over her as she voted.
To make it clear, simple and honest, you, me, Natalie, and everyone else, as tax payers, should not have to put up with rudeness, crudeness or discrimination at any Government funded facility. It’s not fair to simply like it or lump or get a thicker skin.
Please do not draw and quarter any buffoons using my tax dollars to cover the costs.
"
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:17 PM:
Lodian wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:04 PM:
danielh wrote on Feb 8, 2008 2:13 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 1:55 PM:
However, nowhere in any of my (or Cogito's) posts has it been suggested that this young lady was at 'fault' for anything.
What has been suggested is that she should begin to understand that the world is full of crude and rude people who are not very nice; that she will need to cope with this type of behavior as an adult.
What is the alternative to this? Draw and quarter the buffoons operating the polls? "
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:34 PM:
nylodian wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:13 PM:
danielh wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:31 AM:
danielh wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:40 AM:
wtf wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:35 AM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAcxGD6-c-E
Mike Rivero rocks! "
danielh wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:35 AM:
But criticizing other people who remind you of yourself is pretty cheap. "
Earl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:33 AM:
As an aside, Hutchins Street Square is in Lodi, not Berkeley or San Francisco. Citizens of Lodi do not deserve Berkeley or
San Francisco treatment unless that is a new goal. Voters of any age have the right to a courteous explanation of the voting procedures. The remarks from the election official were clearly aimed at Natalie’s youth and were age discriminatory. These people need a few lessons on voting regulations and common courtesy before our next election. "
danielh wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:28 AM:
The website whatreallyhappened.com has George H.W. Bush at the scene of the JFK assassination. "
dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:01 AM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 10:08 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 10:01 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:58 PM:
This young lady wasn't threatened or physically harmed; she just wasn't treated as nicely as she had obviously expected. By the way, I have four daughters, three grown, so I know what I am talking about. "
Scrutiny wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:45 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:22 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:21 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:16 PM:
Neo wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:12 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:06 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:01 PM:
"
Neo wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:53 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:34 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:08 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:06 PM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 7:55 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 5:56 PM:
I truly want to know the meaning behind your statement here. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 7, 2008 5:00 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 4:42 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 7, 2008 4:21 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 3:37 PM:
You've demonstrated your disrespect and lack of honor toward men and women who volunteered to fight a war on our nation's behalf. This, like the rest of your 'thoughts,' is indicative of someone so miserable and useless that he can only launch such morally offensive diatribes on those who deserve nothing less than our thanks and admiration.
I feel sorry for you, but I'm happy that I am not you. "
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 3:30 PM:
You conveniently avoided answering anything about your apparent hatred of the military - I'm not surprised there.
Finally, I never 'attack[ed]...a young, first-time voter.' My posts were designed to offer advice as to what to expect from aging, tired, disenchanted old voters and to suggest that to not take their actions and words personally would be of benefit to her.
You are an excellent poster boy for the far left. Keep up the good work. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 7, 2008 3:06 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:56 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:31 PM:
Her youthfulness, while obviously innocently attractive, doesn't always bode well with cranky old folks who are no longer starry-eyed youngsters presented with their first ballot.
I would imagine a number of them are tired, disenchanted citizens who just may no longer believe that their vote means anything. It is apparent that most of these 'oldlings' were there only to retrieve their stipend at the end of the day. "
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:14 PM:
From the letter it didn't appear that anyone was attempting to thwart her right to vote. The recommendation to develop 'thicker skin,' is a wise suggestion in light of the vitriol and animus in the political arena today regardless if one is the candidate or the voter.
In virtually all aspects of life, the ability to not take all things personally is a big advantage. "
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:08 PM:
Just what in the hell is that supposed to mean?!? Your comment made a certain amount of sense (although I didn't agree) right up to the point where it turned to your apparent hatred for the military. The 'cogs' that you referred to are obviously missing from your head.
There is no doubt that the far-left liberal crowd are the most mean-spirited hateful people in politics. "
Earl wrote on Feb 7, 2008 1:54 PM:
She was clearly treated with a discriminating approach.
dis·crim·i·na·tion [diss krìmm? náysh’n] n
1. treating people differently through prejudice: unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about race, ethnic group, age group, religion, or gender
2. ability to notice and value quality: the ability to appreciate good quality or taste
3. attunement to subtle differentiation: the ability to notice subtle differences
4. electronic engineering signal selection: the selection of a transmitted signal with a particular characteristic, such as frequency, by elimination of signals with other characteristics, using a discriminator
Jerk attitudes can be found everywhere, underpaid and overpaid. No one, young or old, should be required to develop a thicker skin in order to vote.
Cogito remains incognito while Natalie tells it like it is. The one thing you are right about is that she is a princess incognito. Think about it.
"
Billy Rubin wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:32 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:30 PM:
girard74 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 12:27 PM:
29647 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 11:00 AM:
Retired and Glad of it! "
Taxpayer & Citizen wrote on Feb 7, 2008 10:29 AM:
Would you want a 72 year old has been like McCain shaping this country for you and your children? It's you and your generation who need to get involved immediately and shape the future of this country for yourselves, and not those old fogies in congress and the white house.
I'm an old fogey myself and we need drastic changes immediately in this country unless you want these old grunts to carry on their decades old regimes. "
Neo wrote on Feb 7, 2008 10:21 AM:
Cogito wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:18 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.