To: The Dallas Morning News 
Date:  October 26, 2008
Subject: Early voting
Result: not printed

Dear Editor,

I am ambivalent about the practice of early voting, based on the idea that it leaves room for shenanigans, and the possibility of artificial effects on the results. Plus, a lot could happen during the early voting period, before Election Day, that could change everything, including how people might vote. Plus, as one who has stood in long lines on Election Day in the past, it has always been kind of fun standing there with my fellow citizens, and like it was a benefit of the democratic process.

I accept early voting, just because I realize the logistical difficulties of having everybody vote on the same day, when they may be intimidated by the large crowds, or there may be terrible weather that day, or whatever. I myself take advantage of the convenience.

Nevertheless, I am totally against the practice of reporting on the results of the early voting as it goes along. As far as I am concerned, when I see The Dallas Morning News saying, in a headline, "More Democrats hitting polls early," and quotes a guy saying, "If one candidate has the momentum at an early stage before Election Day, it's going to favor that candidate," that is a message to artificially inspire Republicans to get out there and support your recommended candidate, John McCain, or he may lose.

It's just one more example of The Dallas Morning News trying to control the world, not just report on it and be the watchdog you are constitutionally supposed to be. And we are now living with the results of those "reporting" practices, where all the people and policies you have supported and pushed in the past, largely excluding alternate views and contradictory evidence of your views and your self-serving program, have helped bring us to the calamitous times we are now in.

Thank you, John Vehon