All I hear from Gore supporters is, “We must have a fair and complete count.” Mr. Twombley even emphasized the “must.” They believe that a slight error in the counting machines combined with “chad” problems and allegations of discrimination have manifested into an unfair election.

The democrats seem to only want a “fair and complete count” in three heavily democratic counties where democrats count the votes, and if they don’t get the results they want, they’ll go before a democratic state Supreme Court to get another count. Never mind their version of a “fair and complete count” throws out hundreds of military ballots. If you call that fair then I want you as my spades partner.

The problem with “chads” has resulted in hand counts. Only it seems that one could have written the Bible in Braille on the ballot, but if Gore is punched it will count. But a Bush vote is held for questioning if even a shred of “chad” is left.

Where’s the “must” when it comes to anybody except democratic voters? Where’s the “must” when it comes to military voters? And where’s the “must” when it comes to holding voters responsible for their mistakes? Nobody wants to let the thousands of Bush voters that walked away from three-hour lines, after the media falsely predicted Gore the winner in Florida clinching the election. Recounting only democratic-dominated areas to achieve the results you want is not a fair and complete way to run an election; it is just plain cheating. And if you don’t think so, I’ll go nil.

Jake Pierson

Senior

Journalism and mass communication