More on "Election-Gate"

Last week, Fort Wayne Left reported on Steve Shine's odd definitions regarding the fraudulent acts committed by Doug Foy. Apparently this is a growing phenomenon among the local "right-tilters". In an editorial piece in tonight's News Sentinel (I have to line the cat box with something), Bob Caylor voiced his surprise that the GOP election fraud story is a "bombshell". He added "This is starting to look like a five-alarm response to a stink bomb".

He's right, of course. These sort of things happen all of the time here in the Summit City; particularly within the Republican Party. The fact remains that this story truly is a bombshell for one very good reason:

This time they got caught.

The "good old boys" have suffered a black eye and, having not experienced one before, are unsure of just what to do. So they rely upon their usual game of "funny definitions" and "spin". Mr.Shine, already aware of the details of the offense, immediately came to Doug Foy's defense when this story initially broke, yet turned against him when he realized it couldn't be swept under the rug this time.

Kevin Knuth is correct to question why 8 out of the 11 candidates refused to answer questions by the election board, and a special prosecutor should be employed due to the obvious influence that the local GOP exerts throughout the local legal system.

Mr.Caylor, you are correct about the fact that something stinks. However, that which is just beginning to permeate the surface, has been smoldering underground for a very long time. A "five-alarm response" may not be enough if the wind is right. . .

And, by the way, Scott's has a great sale on thick steaks this week. Just in case you need one for that eye of your's, Mr.Shine.

Souder Signs Violate City Ordinance

Congressman Mark Souder is blatantly violating the city's ordinance regarding political signs. That ordinance prohibits campaign signs from being placed in the public right of way and requires that they may only be placed on private property. It further states that these signs can be no closer than 40 feet to any intersection. Souder has signs that violate these definitions in at least two areas that I observed today - The intersection of Covington and Scott Roads, in front of the city fire station

. . . and at the intersection of Covington and Dicke Roads.

Steve Shine's definitions

Apparently, the local GOP is using a different dictionary than the rest of us folks. Last time I looked into things, signing another individual's signature to a legal form (without having legal power of attorney) constituted "fraud". Mr.Shine, in commenting on party Executive Director Doug Foy's commission of the above action, called it "an honest mistake" and stated that Mr.Foy was "merely trying to help the GOP candidates meet the July 3rd filing deadline".

It seems to me that neither the words "honest" or "mistake" apply to this situation. Mr.Foy deliberately signed other parties names to legal documents without the authority to do so. No mistake there. This obviously was to be kept quiet due to the illegal nature of this action. Nothing honest about that.

Steve Shine fired Doug Foy, as well he should have. But why did it take six days for that to happen? Foy's dismissal, and full disclosure of his actions to all board members, occurred on Monday, August 7th, yet Republican election board members were notified of his actions on Wednesday, August 2nd. Once again, the words "honest" and "mistake" seem to not apply.

Was it the local GOP's intention to sweep this under the rug and be complicit in this blatant commission of fraud? That will be for the election board to decide. It appears that a select number of them had a few extra days to think about it. That must have been an "honest mistake" too . . .