Voting Al-Qaeda in Ohio
But even before the 2004 elections it was found that Paul’s accomplices who had already been charged had active voter registrations in Ohio, even though Nuradin Abdi was never a U.S. citizen and thus ineligible to register in the first place, as Jon Craig of the Columbus Dispatch reported:
Among supposedly eligible voters in Franklin County are suspected terrorists arrested for alleged plots to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge and a local shopping mall. As an imprisoned felon, one is ineligible to vote. The other, from Somalia, is not a U.S. citizen and thus broke state and federal laws when he registered in 1999, officials said. …
“That’s really disturbing,” said Ohio State University law professor Terri Enns. “There certainly are potential problems, but there are a lot of [Election Day] safeguards to keep it from swaying the election.”
Accused terrorists Nuradin Abdi, 32, and Iyman Faris, 35, are registered to vote in Ohio. An indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in June said Somali immigrant Abdi and admitted al-Qaeda member Faris plotted with a third Columbus man to attack a mall.
Fred Alverson, a spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department, said Abdi’s false registration may violate state and federal law. In fact, the application he signed — swearing he is a U.S. citizen — notes that election falsification is punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine of $1,000, or both.
Faris, a Columbus truck driver, is serving a 20-year sentence after admitting that he scouted the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and other potential targets for al-Qaeda as recently as March 2003. As an incarcerated felon, he will not be allowed to vote. Faris, from Kashmir, became a naturalized citizen in 1999. (“Long Gone But Still Registered,” Columbus Dispatch, October 24, 2004)
At that time, Democrats charged that the active registrations of Faris and Abdi were proof of the supposed corruption and incompetence of then-Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a Republican. But it is highly doubtful that these same critics who assailed Blackwell will be equally as vocal now that similar corruption and incompetence are occurring under current Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat noted for her opening up Ohio voter rolls to widespread fraud prior to last year’s presidential election.
With more than a week before this year’s election, Christopher Paul still might have sufficient time to have his voice heard by casting his absentee ballot. But Ohio voters might want to ask if convicted al-Qaeda terrorists still have the ability to cast a ballot along with the rest of the electorate, who else might be on the voter rolls?
Maybe I’m naive, but I believe in government by the governed. Shouldn’t convicts have the right to vote?
In my opinion anyone on the governemnt dole should not be alowed to vote. That would include convicts. If you are on the government dole you will vote for people who will get you more money for doing nothing. That is one reason the liberals want to hand out more money, and keep people on welfare, etc.
Convicted criminals have no rights,Philip. This guy looks like he would be a typical oblammo voter. Why isnt he on death row- or eating a bullet?
In the old west days criminals were declared outlaws for living outside the law and were deemed to no longer have rights. They could be gunned down or hung by anyone who had the opportunity due to the criminals lack of rights. This unfortunately led to a few innocents being killed but it sure kept those that thought about becoming criminals in line.
Fast forward to present day and you will find in several states and puerto rico that even convicted felons not only keep their rights but have voting rights as well while in prison. Not long ago a new law to deny bail to career criminals was on the ballot in PR(too many witnesses to crimes were being murdered)but was voted down. Funny how that works.
Macko-
I never met another “Macko” outside of my immediate family… I guess sharing a discussion board counts as a meeting.
Steve
a pleasure to meet you although it is an alias
At that time, Democrats charged that the active registrations of Faris and Abdi were proof of the supposed corruption and incompetence of then-Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a Republican.
Really? Do you have proof of this? Who were these Democrats?
I suppose it’s bad taste to bring this up, but I’ll say it anyway: The article doesn’t tell us what party they’re registered under.
Don’t worry, in 72 hours ACORN will have him registered to vote 14 more times! One quess for which party those folk will vote!
Another Republican terrorist?
Gitmo for all of PNAC.