Republicans Ask Prosecutors to Arrest Michael Moore for Vote Bribery

[Questioninggeller]

Quote:

Republicans, Out of Ideas, Ask Prosecutors to Arrest Michael Moore


10/6/04

You may have heard by now that the Michigan Republican Party has called for my arrest. That's right. They literally want me brought up on charges -- and hope that I'm locked up.

No, I'm not kidding. The Republican Party, yesterday, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutors in each of the counties where I spoke last week in Michigan.

My crime? Clean underwear for anyone who will vote in the upcoming election.

Each night on our 60-city "Slacker Uprising Tour" through the 20 battleground states, I've been registering hundreds (and on some nights, thousands) of voters at my arena and stadium events. I then ask for everyone over 23 who has never voted (or didn't vote in the last election) to stand up. I tell these slackers that I understand and respect why they think politicians are not worth the bother. I tell them that I may have been the original slacker, and that I do not want them to change their slacker ways. Keep sleeping 'til noon! Keep drinking beer! Stay on the sofa and watch as much TV as possible! But, please, just for me, on 11/2, I want you to leave the house and give voting a try -- just this once. The stakes this time are just too high.

If they promise me that they'll do this, I give the guys a 3-pack of new Fruit of the Loom underwear, and the women get a day's supply of Ramen noodles, the sustenance of slackers everywhere.

I then close by having them repeat the 2004 Slacker Oath: "Pick nose! Pick butt! Pick Kerry."

It seems to have worked, as each night the volunteer tables are swamped afterwards with hundreds of new and young voters signing up to campaign for regime change for the next four weeks.

The satire of all this seems to have been lost on the Republicans. Or maybe it hasn't. The state of Michigan (where we spent most of last week) reported that over 100,000 young people recently registered to vote, a record that no one saw coming. The Slacker Tour has turned into a huge steamroller with a momentum all its own.

From: http://michaelmoore.com/words/messag...ate=2004-10-06

Quote:

Lansing-AP, October 6, 2004, 8:00 a.m.) The Michigan Republican Party is asking four county prosecutors to file charges against filmmaker Michael Moore, charging that he illegally offered underwear, noodles and snacks to college students in exchange for their promise to vote.

"We want everyone to participate in this year's election, but not because they were bribed or coerced by the likes of Michael Moore," said Greg McNeilly, executive director of the state Republican Party.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.a...9&nav=0RceRgjo

More at:
http://www.migop.org/pressreleases/r...=press&id=2190

[Ladewig]

It appears as if he really broke the law by actually giving small prizes to people who promised to vote. If the law is written that broadly, then I have no problem with his being charged.

Does anyone know what the penalty is for each count if he is found guilty?

[The Fool]

I hope he is charged. I would like this to get to court so the court gets a chance to voice its views on the merits of the prosecutions position.

The land of the free where a stunt designed to get people to vote is a crime. If only Moore could offer them tax breaks it would be all ok....Politicians are the only ones allowed to bribe people.

[demon]

A no-frills campaign?

sorry
sorry
sorry

[KelvinG]

Quote:

Originally posted by The Fool
I hope he is charged. I would like this to get to court so the court gets a chance to voice its views on the merits of the prosecutions position.

The land of the free where a stunt designed to get people to vote is a crime. If only Moore could offer them tax breaks it would be all ok....Politicians are the only ones allowed to bribe people.

It's pretty much the same idea behind banning 527's. The politicians want to be the only ones that are allowed to lie on TV and other media.

[gnome]

I am curious... is it against the law to offer incentives to vote, if you don't require a pledge to support any particular candidate?

[Regnad Kcin]

I personally know one of the original Fruit of the Loom guys.

I think he was the apple.

[peptoabysmal]

Quote:

Originally posted by The Fool
I hope he is charged. I would like this to get to court so the court gets a chance to voice its views on the merits of the prosecutions position.

The land of the free where a stunt designed to get people to vote is a crime. If only Moore could offer them tax breaks it would be all ok....Politicians are the only ones allowed to bribe people.

I don't think the judge will accept a dubiously edited videotape as evidence.

It's not a stunt, Moore is offering goods in exchange for a vote. This is a big no-no in the US, unless you happen to be a Senator

[Tony]

Quote:

Originally posted by KelvinG
It's pretty much the same idea behind banning 527's. The politicians want to be the only ones that are allowed to lie on TV and other media.

It's also the same with gun control. Politicians want to be the only ones who are legally able to defend themselves.

[daenku32]

Quote:

Originally posted by peptoabysmal
I don't think the judge will accept a dubiously edited videotape as evidence.

It's not a stunt, Moore is offering goods in exchange for a vote. This is a big no-no in the US, unless you happen to be a Senator

Shouldn't services be part of that? Since Bush will only give speeches to those who sign a waiver promising to vote for HIM?

However in both cases, since Moore is not going to follow up whether they voted or not, and gives the items purely on a verbal 'promise', I don't see the difference between underwear and verbal consultation.

[Segnosaur]

This isn't the first time Moore has done things of questionable legality....

- During the Canadian election earlier this year, Moore had made comments about how Canadians shouldn't vote for the Conservative party. (In Canada, we have laws against people from another country influencing our elections)

- When he filmed Bowling for Columbine, they had a scene with him purchasing ammunition from a store here, without showing ID. (In Canada you have to show ID to buy bullets.) He might have shown ID before the scene was shot, but the police still wanted to question him about it.

Personally, I think such law suits are A) a waste of time, and B) counterproductive, since they end up giving Moore more attention than he really deserves.

[jj]

Quote:

Originally posted by Questioninggeller
From: http://michaelmoore.com/words/messag...ate=2004-10-06


http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.a...9&nav=0RceRgjo

More at:
http://www.migop.org/pressreleases/r...=press&id=2190

How is this any different than sending "helpers" to rest homes to tell all the people there to vote for Bush? (Yes, in the last presidential election my mother met such a person. He was quite upset with her because SHE insisted on filling out the ballot. She's dead now, it won't happen again. Chilling, I think, though, and if anything is illegal ...)

How is this different than the schoolbus operator in town offering rides to all the senior citizens to vote against the town tax levy?

If the last two are legal, this is deliberate harrassment under false color of law, and should be treated as such.

If the other two I've mentioned aren't legal, why aren't the people who did it in jail?

[Rob Lister]

Quote:

Originally posted by jj
How is this any different than sending "helpers" to rest homes to tell all the people there to vote for Bush? (Yes, in the last presidential election my mother met such a person. He was quite upset with her because SHE insisted on filling out the ballot. She's dead now, it won't happen again. Chilling, I think, though, and if anything is illegal ...)

How is this different than the schoolbus operator in town offering rides to all the senior citizens to vote against the town tax levy?

If the last two are legal, this is deliberate harrassment under false color of law, and should be treated as such.

If the other two I've mentioned aren't legal, why aren't the people who did it in jail?

In the first case, what Moore did (assuming the AP report is true) is illegal.

In your mother's case, you stated nothing that constituted an illegal act - and given that you probably just made it up in the first place, it is par for the course.

In the 'schoolbus' case, it would be illegal under certain circumstances. It is legal to offer rides to the polls, it is [probably] illegal to mandate how they vote once they get to the polls, and unenforceable regardless. I suspect you made that up as well but who knows, maybe you actually told the truth. I would certainly believe that one before I'd believe your first story.

[jj]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Lister
In the first case, what Moore did (assuming the AP report is true) is illegal.


I see. This is different how? He has no way of enforcing how someone votes, just like 'W' has no way of enforcing those contracts that he passes out at appearances.


In your mother's case, you stated nothing that constituted an illegal act - and given that you probably just made it up in the first place, it is par for the course.


Retract your false accusation.

As to the issue, please explain how intimidating someone into allowing another party into filling out their ballot is legal.

I got a call from the nurses on that one, I couldn't even make out what my mom was trying to tell me on the phone. No, I have no idea how she voted. I didn't ask. It's not my business.


In the 'schoolbus' case, it would be illegal under certain circumstances. It is legal to offer rides to the polls, it is [probably] illegal to mandate how they vote once they get to the polls, and unenforceable regardless. I suspect you made that up as well but who knows, maybe you actually told the truth. I would certainly believe that one before I'd believe your first story.

Well, you can confirm the last one by reading the "Warren Township NJ" weekly rag from, oh, about 10 years ago, give or take, for that one.

[Charlie Monoxide]

Wow, it's been a week already and we haven't heard anything about Michael Moore?

Charlie (keep him out there, till at least Nov 1st) Monoxide

[jj]

Quote:

Originally posted by gnome
I am curious... is it against the law to offer incentives to vote, if you don't require a pledge to support any particular candidate?

That's exactly what I'm wondering.

[Rob Lister]

Quote:

Originally posted by jj
Lister: In the first case, what Moore did (assuming the AP report is true) is illegal.


I see. This is different how? He has no way of enforcing how someone votes, just like 'W' has no way of enforcing those contracts that he passes out at appearances.

Enforcement has nothing to do with it. The wording of the law varies from state to state but the commonality is that it is illegal to promise goods or services (beyond varying nominal values) in compensation for voting. Rides to and from polling stations are generally allowed, as is a cup of coffee (IMS), but little else. Which state are you interested in. I'll look it up for you if I get time.

Quote:

Originally posted by jj
Lister: In your mother's case, you stated nothing that constituted an illegal act - and given that you probably just made it up in the first place, it is par for the course.

Retract your false accusation.

I made none, so far as I know.

Quote:

Originally posted by jj
As to the issue, please explain how intimidating someone into allowing another party into filling out their ballot is legal.

Your original assertion, which I didn't believe, was that he was upset with her because she filled out her own ballot. There is nothing illegal about being upset, nor with helping a willing other fill out a ballot. She was unwilling and, according to your own story, filled it out herself.

Quote:

Originally posted by jj
I got a call from the nurses on that one, I couldn't even make out what my mom was trying to tell me on the phone. No, I have no idea how she voted. I didn't ask. It's not my business.

If you couldn't make out what she was saying, how do you know you're repeating it as spoken? You've confimed the probability. I know hold it beyond a resonable doubt.

Quote:

Originally posted by jj
Well, you can confirm the last one by reading the "Warren Township NJ" weekly rag from, oh, about 10 years ago, give or take, for that one.

Gee, I don't happen to have that particular edition handy.

[fishbob]

Quote:

The wording of the law varies from state to state but the commonality is that it is illegal to promise goods or services (beyond varying nominal values) in compensation for voting.

I think that the last few words are missing from this sentence. It is illegal to try to buy votes for specific candidates or ballot measures. It is civic minded and commendable to try to get people to go to the polls. Did Moore bribe people to vote for Kerry or did he offer them underwear and noodles just to go vote?

[pgwenthold]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Lister
Enforcement has nothing to do with it. The wording of the law varies from state to state but the commonality is that it is illegal to promise goods or services (beyond varying nominal values)

How nominal is nominal? When I go to vote, I get little stickers that say "I voted." Are they of sufficient nominal value? Apparently so. So to, apparently, are free rides to the voting place. But a three pack of underwear and Raman noodles are too far?


IOW, the value allowed is somewhere between I Voted stickers and Raman Noodles?

[Rob Lister]

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbob
I think that the last few words are missing from this sentence. It is illegal to try to buy votes for specific candidates or ballot measures. It is civic minded and commendable to try to get people to go to the polls. Did Moore bribe people to vote for Kerry or did he offer them underwear and noodles just to go vote?

It is illegal, in all fifty states (so far as I know) to do what Moore did. It doesn't matter that he didn't demand the vote go a certain way. There was a big to-do about this very thing in Florida (2000 election).

I doubt moore will actually face criminal charges but I'm certain he could if the issue gets pushed. I know he was joking. So would a DA. So would a Judge. So would a jury.

Still, it's illegal.

Quote:

MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)

Act 116 of 1954
168.931 Prohibited conduct; violation as misdemeanor; “valuable consideration� defined.

Sec. 931.

(1) A person who violates 1 or more of the following subdivisions is guilty of a misdemeanor:

(a) A person shall not, either directly or indirectly, give, lend, or promise valuable consideration, to or for any person, as an inducement to influence the manner of voting by a person relative to a candidate or ballot question, or as a reward for refraining from voting.

(b) A person shall not, either before, on, or after an election, for the person's own benefit or on behalf of any other person, receive, agree, or contract for valuable consideration for 1 or more of the following:

(i) Voting or agreeing to vote, or inducing or attempting to induce another to vote, at an election.

[zakur]

Prosecutor: Underwear not worth court time

Quote:

Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick refused to press charges against filmmaker Michael Moore Wednesday for “alleged inducements� to get students to vote at his Sept. 27 speech.

The Michigan Republican Party called on Burdick and the prosecutors of three other counties Tuesday to press charges against Moore for offering college students Ramen noodles and underwear in exchange for their promise to vote.

Burdick wrote Greg McNeilly, executive director of the state Republican Party, Wednesday and stated his rationale for “respectfully declining� to file charges against Moore.

“I have to utilize my discretion in what cases to handle, and in that regard I choose to devote our resources to prosecuting those who are delivering cocaine to our young people rather than underwear,� Burdick wrote.

Prosecutors in Antrim, Ingham and Wayne Counties also declined to press charges, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

[pgwenthold]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Lister
(1) A person who violates 1 or more of the following subdivisions is guilty of a misdemeanor:

(a) A person shall not, either directly or indirectly, give, lend, or promise valuable consideration, to or for any person, as an inducement to influence the manner of voting by a person relative to a candidate or ballot question, or as a reward for refraining from voting.

(b) A person shall not, either before, on, or after an election, for the person's own benefit or on behalf of any other person, receive, agree, or contract for valuable consideration for 1 or more of the following

So I ask again, how valuable does "valuable consideration" have to be? I noted above that it appears you want it to be somewhere between I Voted stickers and Raman noodles. But that might not justified. For example, how valuable is a free ride to the voting booth? Bus fare in my city is 50 cents. Therefore, to and from will be $1. Apparently a free ride, valued at $1, is OK. Since Raman noodles cost less, it now comes to free underwear.

Where is the line? Apparently the Isabella County Prosecutor does not consider free underwear to be sufficient to be considered "valuable consideration."

[Cleon]

Quote:

“I have to utilize my discretion in what cases to handle, and in that regard I choose to devote our resources to prosecuting those who are delivering cocaine to our young people rather than underwear,� Burdick wrote.

I just thought that quote bears repeating.

[Rob Lister]

Quote:

Originally posted by pgwenthold
So I ask again, how valuable does "valuable consideration" have to be? I noted above that it appears you want it to be somewhere between I Voted stickers and Raman noodles. But that might not justified. For example, how valuable is a free ride to the voting booth? Bus fare in my city is 50 cents. Therefore, to and from will be $1. Apparently a free ride, valued at $1, is OK. Since Raman noodles cost less, it now comes to free underwear.

Where is the line? Apparently the Isabella County Prosecutor does not consider free underwear to be sufficient to be considered "valuable consideration."

Regarding the emphsised: I don't know how I appear to be anywhere between here and there. I've expressed no opinion regarding that matter. That said, I'll express my opinion that a "I Voted" sticker is close enough to zero-value as to not be worth considering, and may even be seen as a ligit expense (think of it as a form of receipt). A three-pack of underware costs anywhere between five and fifteen dollars. I don't know what noodles cost but I"m guessing about a quarter.

As previously stated, the laws vary from state to state. In Michigan, for example, the law states that ANY compensation, of value, is illegal. Not even a hired ride (such as possibly a bus) is legal there unless the persons you are transporting cannot otherwise walk (or something to that effect -- I already forget).

IIRC, Florida law differs and not only are hired rides legal, but so is compensation so long as the value of such does not exceed some very small value (I think it's a dollar but memory doesn't serve that well, if at all) such as a cup of coffee while you're enjoying the bus ride and the political speech that no doubt accompanies it.

[Rob Lister]

Quote:

Originally posted by Cleon
I just thought that quote bears repeating.

It certainly does. It indicates (somewhat inconclusively) that Burdick allowed politics to influence his decision. Does he disregard $5 parking tickets as well?

I'm not suggesting he should have charged Moore for his actions -- I wouldn't have -- I'm just suggesting he should have left the rhetoric and spin out of his stated reasoning.

Suppose, for example, that Moore had followed through with his promise of a three-pack of underwear for every voter at his rally and actually set up the system necessary to fulfill that contract. Would it be actionable then? The coke dealers are still out there waiting to be caught, after all.

[pgwenthold]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Lister
Regarding the emphsised: I don't know how I appear to be anywhere between here and there. I've expressed no opinion regarding that matter. That said, I'll express my opinion that a "I Voted" sticker is close enough to zero-value as to not be worth considering,

But it is NOT zero. That's my point.

Now the only question is, how close to zero does it have to be to be "not worth considering"?

(like the old joke, now that we've established the principle, all that's left is to negotiate the price)

You've decided that the sticker is "close enough to zero." How do you determine that Raman noodles and underwear are not close enough to zero?

As soon as you decide that it is not binary, then it is only a matter of degree, which allows for individual discretion as to whether the value is sufficient. The Michigan prosector might have his line set higher than you, but he is allowed that discretion. If he decides that the value of free underwear is "close enough to zero" then what Moore has done is not illegal.

[Rob Lister]

Quote:

Originally posted by pgwenthold
But it is NOT zero. That's my point.

Now the only question is, how close to zero does it have to be to be "not worth considering"?

(like the old joke, now that we've established the principle, all that's left is to negotiate the price)

You've decided that the sticker is "close enough to zero." How do you determine that Raman noodles and underwear are not close enough to zero?

As soon as you decide that it is not binary, then it is only a matter of degree, which allows for individual discretion as to whether the value is sufficient. The Michigan prosector might have his line set higher than you, but he is allowed that discretion. If he decides that the value of free underwear is "close enough to zero" then what Moore has done is not illegal.

Fair enough (not really). Would you agree with the sceniro I put forth in the reply to Cleon? I think we both (all three) agree that this case is not worth pursuing because Moore had no intention of following through. But what if he did? Should the DA charge him then?

Edit to ask: Do you have any evidence that one must vote in order to recieve an "I Voted" sticker? If so, do you have any evidence that the state of Michigan, or any other state that forbids compenstation, issues "I Voted" stickers? Has their been a complaint to such a DA that such stickers were issued? As long as we're going to do this (your way), lets do it right.

[Cleon]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Lister
Fair enough (not really). Would you agree with the sceniro I put forth in the reply to Cleon? I think we both (all three) agree that this case is not worth pursuing because Moore had no intention of following through. But what if he did? Should the DA charge him then?

Honestly, no.

What the DA recognized is that Moore was pulling a cheap, harmless stunt, and the fact that the Republicans wanted to press charges was simply cheap politicking to "get" Moore.

Was it technically illegal? Yeah, maybe. But then, so's driving faster than 55 mph on the highway, and yet cops still make judgement calls about when to pull you over or not.

Even if technically illegal, is it worth spending taxpayers' money to prosecute? As the DA noted, there are people out there selling crack to kids. In the grand scheme of things, publicity stunts like this and giving people money to vote for candidate X aren't exactly the same thing. Yes, it's "just" a matter of degree, but things like that are what DAs base their decisions on whether to prosecute or not.

[AtheistArchon]

- Something else to keep in mind: the people at a Moore rally aren't really swayed by being offered underwear and noodles. It would be kind of like Roy Moore offering a free bible to everyone who votes at his prayer breakfast... big deal, Kerry isn't losing any votes that he didn't already have, nor did he lose even potential swing voters.

- The people at a Moore rally are simply impressed by the gimmick, and Moore is getting the publicity he knew he'd get from the reaction from the far-right Republcians prepared to call down the po-po on him. Even if he was arrested and booked, it would be a large publicity windfall for Moore... a lot bigger one than if the Republicans had just collectively said "Heh, cute. Meh."

[jj]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Lister
If you couldn't make out what she was saying, how do you know you're repeating it as spoken? You've confimed the probability. I know hold it beyond a resonable doubt.


You're confuting two different people. I'm quite sure, given your prior admissions, that you knew that when you did it.


Gee, I don't happen to have that particular edition handy.

Then you're stipulating a lack of diligence. You expressed an accusation without doing diligence, and you've admitted it.

Not too bright, really.

What's a shame is that you've shown that you can engage in dialog, and you've demonstrated your own stalking behaviors and dishonesty again by carrying on a dialog with some, while making preposterous, unsupported accusations of misconduct against others, based on your own admission that you enjoy attacking people, in particular me.

edited for spad belling

[Furious]

Quote:

- The people at a Moore rally are simply impressed by the gimmick, and Moore is getting the publicity he knew he'd get from the reaction from the far-right Republcians prepared to call down the po-po on him. Even if he was arrested and booked, it would be a large publicity windfall for Moore... a lot bigger one than if the Republicans had just collectively said "Heh, cute. Meh."

Hit the nail on the head with that one. Anti-Moore folks would have done better just to yawn it off in the first place.

[TillEulenspiegel]

Well they can certainly arrest Moore for being fat and ugly. They probably could also file a sex discrimination suit - Men get $5-$15 worth of underwear and women a $.30 cent cup 'o noodles , but I still have reservations about the statues wording. Section i does state ANY attempt and not on behalf of any candidate ,ballot initiative etc. I suspect that Moore is technically guilty but any reasonable Judge wouldn't waste their time. Mr. Lister is correct in his quote of 931, but did not include part 4

" (4) As used in this section, "valuable consideration" includes, but is not limited to, money, property, a gift, a prize or chance for a prize, a fee, a loan, an office, a position, an appointment, or employment."

So if he doesn't pony up hehehe, intent is harder to prove then fait accompli.

As for punishment it is a misdemeanor Looked like the sanction was $10,00 or 10 days.

[Dorian Gray]

One giant gaping hole in the prosecution's case is that there is no way they can ever prove that Moore influenced the students, with gifts, to vote for Kerry. Secret Ballot!

Of course, if Moore doesn't give them anything, there's no crime.

The most that should ever happen to Moore is a little rebuke from the Senate Ethics Committee - just like Tom Delay.

[davefoc]

Dorian, with respect, I think you missed the point.

It seems to be the case that it is illegal not only to offer a consideration for voting in a particular way, it is also illegal with certain exceptions to offer a consideration for a person to vote.

I think the practice that these laws were meant to stop are actually similar to what Moore is alleged to have done. People will sometimes go into areas where they suspect that people will vote in a particular way and recruit people to vote with various inducements including alcohol.

States have created laws to prevent this kind of thing and it seems to me Moore is not only technically guilty of a violation he is flat out in violation of the law. The district attorney that made the statement about not prosecuting Moore, especially with regard to the sarcastic comment at the end of his statement acted irresponsibly IMHO.

So I agree with Rob Lister on this (excluding anything to do with the stupid pissing contest that he chose to start with JJ).
.

[Dorian Gray]

I think that before a DA were to go after Moore, he should make sure that his own house was clean. A high-profile case, oddly enough, makes a DA high-profile. That's when the media looks for other more serious election/voter abuse/fraud in the DA's jurisdiction and possibly reaches the conclusion that he chose to go after Moore to take scrutiny off the other abuses.

I'm just saying. BTW, illegal to offer, or to give?

[HarryKeogh]

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/me...ate=2004-10-06

in response to the above...

Thursday, October 07, 2004
Someone Has Stolen Both the Brains AND the Sense of Humor from the Michigan Republican Party
Michael Moore filed a theft complaint with the Lansing City Police today stating that "someone has stolen both the brains AND the sense of humor from the Michigan Republican Party."

The brains were locked in a box where they were placed after the last moderate Republican governor of Michigan retired in 1980. The party's "sense of humor" was not valued at more than $100 and therefore its theft is considered a misdemeanor.

"I am concerned about the loss of these two items," Moore told reporters. "If there is anything I can do to help the Republicans find them, I will."

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the Michigan Republicans' brains or sense of humor is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (269) 273-6467.


man, I love Michael Moore
-HK

[jj]

Quote:

Originally posted by davefoc
It seems to be the case that it is illegal not only to offer a consideration for voting in a particular way, it is also illegal with certain exceptions to offer a consideration for a person to vote.

This creates a question, then. When the Bush administration gives consideration (the privilege of allowing someone to attend a rally or press conference) for signing a paper agreeing to support Bush, how close is this?

I presume that the Bush campaign is on top of this, and asks for "support" not for "voting".

If they ask for voting, now, why isn't Moore pointing this out?

Has anyone here gone to a Bush rally, been asked to sign something, and read what they signed? Well anyone who is willing to break the code of omerta around the repugnican party, that is.