# I Pit the ID-demanding GOP vote-suppressors (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943 "2012-06-12T19:15:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 251
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5001 "2014-05-31T16:56:17Z")
To Bricker’s credit, he has previously said that he supports thumbprints or cameras in lieu of voter ID. To his detriment, and the reason this entire line of talk is a distraction, is that no one is even talking about actually legislating that. Bricker supports the laws as-is, and saying that he supports something like thumbprints is of no consequence, it will never happen while the current iteration of the GOP is here. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5002 "2014-05-31T18:43:55Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > To Bricker’s credit, he has previously said that he supports thumbprints or cameras in lieu of voter ID. > > To his detriment, and the reason this entire line of talk is a distraction, is that no one is even talking about actually legislating that. Bricker supports the laws as-is, and saying that he supports something like thumbprints is of no consequence, it will never happen while the current iteration of the GOP is here. To be honest, I was asking about the technical aspects of implementation with the goal of punchlining with “Now, regarding this calm discussion of implementation, do you know of any politician who is speaking out against voter fraud who is also even hinting at anything like the mechanics of preventing it such as we have been casually doing these last ten posts or so, because if not, then that is why your ideas remain firmly in the realm of propagandist fantasy.” But then he asked how I felt, so I went with that instead. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5003 "2014-05-31T18:59:10Z")
I asked a very similar question, but he couldn’t answer because liberal hypocrisy. Nonetheless, the answer is obvious, they didn’t do it because they didn’t want to. There was, IIRC, an exception, and I think it was Rhode Island, wherein the push to voter ID was accepted but with appropriate safeguards and outreach to negate any possible partisan impact. I emphasize that is only on the basis of a memory weakened by age and youthful chemical enthusiasms. Nonetheless, I stand ready to heap praise upon the Republicans of Rhode Island who have met the dreadful threat of voter fraud and its corrosive impact on voter confidence in a reasonable and sensible fashion. Further, I commend their example to others of their, ah, ilk. For reasons I cannot fathom, their splendid example was not followed by other Republicans. Actually, I can understand it quite easily, perhaps its only that I wish I didn’t. That the party of Barry Goldwater is now the party of Ted Cruz. Alas. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5004 "2014-05-31T19:12:18Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I asked a very similar question, but he couldn’t answer because liberal hypocrisy. I asked too, back in 4344. Unfortunately, I fell into the sucker trap of letting Bricker answer a question with a question, then foolishly answering his question in a manner that he could nitpick, thus giving him a chance to evade mine. I should have held a tougher line, or just not forgotten the nature of the person I was dealing with. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5005 "2014-05-31T19:15:38Z")
I had asked previously if anybody had any sort of “box score” compilation so that we might have some idea how this was all playing out in the broader context. Here is something by way of _Daily Kos_, well known distributor of liberal cooties… [http://projectvote.org/images/publications/Threats-and-Opportunities/Election-Legislation-2014-Threats-and-Opportunities-May%202014.pdf](http://projectvote.org/images/publications/Threats-and-Opportunities/Election-Legislation-2014-Threats-and-Opportunities-May%202014.pdf) Disclaimer: your correspondent from the conservative wing of the extreme left has not read nor reviewed said compilation, and will not put his spotless reputation at risk. It is offered for review, criticism, and rebuttal as need be. I suggest Dopers might best focus on what it says about your own resident state, and see if it comports with your personal knowledge of same. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5006 "2014-05-31T19:17:54Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I asked too, back in 4344. Unfortunately, I fell into the sucker trap of letting Bricker answer a question with a question, then foolishly answering his question in a manner that he could nitpick, thus giving him a chance to evade mine. > > I should have held a tougher line, or just not forgotten the nature of the person I was dealing with. _Egotist te absolvo_. Boy is as slippery as a catfish in a barrel of motor oil. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5007 "2014-05-31T19:51:09Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I asked too, back in 4344. Unfortunately, I fell into the sucker trap of letting Bricker answer a question with a question, then foolishly answering his question in a manner that he could nitpick, thus giving him a chance to evade mine. > > I should have held a tougher line, or just not forgotten the nature of the person I was dealing with. You’re not a programmer. But do you understand what programmers mean when they talk about IF…THEN statements? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5008 "2014-05-31T20:31:32Z")
IF\*\* Bricker \*\*does not like the line of question AND/OR reasoning, THEN he will invite you on to a tangent that, with any luck, will lead you as far away from your original point as humanly possible. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5009 "2014-05-31T20:32:35Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I asked too, back in 4344. Unfortunately, I fell into the sucker trap of letting Bricker answer a question with a question, then foolishly answering his question in a manner that he could nitpick, thus giving him a chance to evade mine. > > I should have held a tougher line, or just not forgotten the nature of the person I was dealing with. > [@Bricker](#): > > You’re not a programmer. But do you understand what programmers mean when they talk about IF…THEN statements? What an absolutely elegant example. **Bricker** : You’re not a fisherman, but do you know how to clean motor oil off a catfish? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5010 "2014-05-31T20:40:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > You’re not a programmer. My degree in software engineering, mentioned earlier, might indicate otherwise. > [@](#): > > But do you understand what programmers mean when they talk about IF…THEN statements? Yes. Feel free to elaborate on the relevance to the discussion at hand. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5011 "2014-05-31T20:47:49Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > You’re not a programmer. But do you understand what programmers mean when they talk about IF…THEN statements? =IF(Bricker=unabletoargue, misdirectingtangent, belligerent\_twattery) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5012 "2014-05-31T23:06:21Z")
Dude is totally 286. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5013 "2014-06-01T01:11:28Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Yes. Feel free to elaborate on the relevance to the discussion at hand. I thought you were joshing about that degree, given your apparent inability to parse the following exchange. This exchange is relevant to your post 4344, which you complain I evaded: > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Putting aside weasel words like “slightly”, what **if** the number of very few people unable to cast votes is historically larger than than the number of very few known cases of voter fraud? (color and bolding of the word “if” added for emphasis) > [@Bricker](#): > > “Unable?” > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Umm… “yes?” > [@Bricker](#): > > **Then** I’d be extremely supportive of mandating additional resources towards removing whatever barriers were creating the inability. This would preserve the benefits of Voter ID, and almost certainly have ancillary benefits as well: life is surely difficult without ID for reasons apart from being unable to vote. (color and bolding of the word “then” added for emphasis) Now we get to Post 4344, your post: > [@Bryan Ekers' Post 4344](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > > [@Bricker](#): > > > > > > “Unable?” > > > > Umm… “yes?” > > > [@Bricker](#): > > > > **Then** I’d be extremely supportive of mandating additional resources towards removing whatever barriers were creating the inability. This would preserve the benefits of Voter ID, and almost certainly have ancillary benefits as well: life is surely difficult without ID for reasons apart from being unable to vote. > > Great. Got any examples of politicians who are advocating for voter ID laws who are also advocating for streamlining of the issuing of said IDs? See, in an IF…THEN construct, the portion following the THEN is executed only IF the condition in the IF portion is true. So, **IF** the number of very few people unable to cast votes is historically larger than than the number of very few known cases of voter fraud, **THEN** I’d be extremely supportive of mandating additional resources towards removing whatever barriers were creating the inability. See? IF…THEN. So before I start naming politicians, you need to name the person who is unable to vote. I even asked you, specifically, whether you really meant “Unable.” Remember? IF there’s a person unable to vote, THEN I can name the politician that is supportive of mandating additional resources. IF…THEN. Say it with me. If you weren’t lying about that degree, then you’d be absolutely justified in demanding a tuition refund. Of course, since the preceding sentence is framed with an IF…THEN structure, you’ll need someone to explain it to you. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5014 "2014-06-01T02:11:20Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > IF…THEN. Say it with me. > > If you weren’t lying about that degree, then you’d be absolutely justified in demanding a tuition refund. Of course, since the preceding sentence is framed with an IF…THEN structure, you’ll need someone to explain it to you. I am not a programmer, so I welcome the chance to learn a skill. Let me try: “IF \*\*Bricker’s \*\*daughter is a prostitute, THEN her cunt smells like spoiled mackerel.” Do I get a gold star? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5015 "2014-06-01T03:20:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I thought you were joshing about that degree, given your apparent inability to parse the following exchange. Nope. I can prove it and everything. > [@](#): > > This exchange is relevant to your post 4344, which you complain I evaded: You did evade it. I direct your attention to posts 4347 and 4350: > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > [Sure](http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201306/how-new-laws-are-preventing-voters-casting-their-ballot-27424). > Now having answered your question, please answer mine. > [@Bricker](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > [Sure](http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201306/how-new-laws-are-preventing-voters-casting-their-ballot-27424). > > I didn’t read anything in that long article identifying anyone who was unable to vote. Please quote the text that you are relying upon that shows someone unable to vote. Very convenient, focusing on the “Sure” and ignoring the sentence that followed it, since it was about naming “politicians who are advocating for voter ID laws who are also advocating for streamlining of the issuing of said IDs”, i.e. actually doing what you claim you would support. Your focus on the IF THEN part is misplaced. It’s the follow-up question about actual efforts to install voter ID laws _and then taking steps to not disqualify or discourage legitimate voters in the process_ that matters. In fact, it’s been what matters since the very beginning of this thread, you’re just too locked in your ideologically self-limited outlook to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5016 "2014-06-01T03:34:21Z")
By the way, using stupid logic to try to claim that I am stupid is too stupid to inspire my anger, only my further contempt. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5017 "2014-06-01T03:35:12Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > …So before I start naming politicians, you need to name the person who is unable to vote… Right there, that’s the _non squirter_ thing I was talking about. Sez who? Is this written somewhere? You have some special dignity, some privilege? Who gave it to you, and when do we get some? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5018 "2014-06-01T03:44:28Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I had asked previously if anybody had any sort of “box score” compilation so that we might have some idea how this was all playing out in the broader context. Here is something by way of _Daily Kos_, well known distributor of liberal cooties… > > [http://projectvote.org/images/publications/Threats-and-Opportunities/Election-Legislation-2014-Threats-and-Opportunities-May%202014.pdf](http://projectvote.org/images/publications/Threats-and-Opportunities/Election-Legislation-2014-Threats-and-Opportunities-May%202014.pdf) > > Disclaimer: your correspondent from the conservative wing of the extreme left has not read nor reviewed said compilation, and will not put his spotless reputation at risk. It is offered for review, criticism, and rebuttal as need be. > > I suggest Dopers might best focus on what it says about your own resident state, and see if it comports with your personal knowledge of same. In Florida, I see ten bills proposed to expand voting rights/access/etc., one to restrict, all failed. Many other states are similarly stalemated. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5019 "2014-06-01T03:45:57Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I am not a programmer, so I welcome the chance to learn a skill. Let me try: > > “IF \*\*Bricker’s \*\*daughter is a prostitute, THEN her cunt smells like spoiled mackerel.” > > Do I get a gold star? Not until you fish it out with your tongue. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2014, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943/5020 "2014-06-01T04:05:36Z")
Oh, no, not falling for that one again! She’s lyin’, **Fear** , it ain’t in there! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=250) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-id-demanding-gop-vote-suppressors-part-1/624943.md?page=252)