Free Republic

The term "gerrymander" derives from Elbridge Gerry, a Founding Father and vice president who, as governor of Massachusetts, approved an oddly drawn state senate district to benefit his Democratic-Republican Party over the Federalist Party. Both parties do it. Both parties complain when the other party does it to them. Consider recent GOP "gerrymandering" efforts. Former President Barack 0bama accused Republicans of "passing laws designed to prevent American citizens from exercising their right to vote. And drawing congressional maps that drown out the voice of ordinary people." 0bama added: "Rather than argue, based on ideas, they are trying to tilt the...

Forget about the New Black Panther Party case; it is very small potatoes. Perhaps the Panthers should have been prosecuted under section 11 (b) of the Voting Rights Act for their actions of November 2008, but the legal standards that must be met to prove voter intimidation — the charge — are very high. -SNIP-   Get a grip, folks. The New Black Panther Party is a lunatic fringe group that is clearly into racial theater of minor importance. It may dream of a large-scale effort to suppress voting — like the Socialist Workers Party dreams of a national campaign...

Just announced!The Justice Department has said the GOP Map, redrawn this summer, meets all the standards of the Voting Rights Act!