The stunning and emotional hearing (an unofficial forum since Republican members refused to attend) of the House Judiciary Committee today demands action. Regarding the Ohio Vote primarily, the hearing was at times unbelievable, at times emotional, and very disturbing. The Spirit of the Ukraine seemed Alive and Well (and evoked several times). Several moments felt almost like the re-birth of democracy in America.

The sheer volume of problems cited, the number of violations, instances of suppression, documented statistical evidence, testimony, was greater than many have previously suspected. Most of the major players were there, except, of course, Blackwell and all Republican members of the Committee.

Here’s a shocker: The problems with voter suppression only occurred in heavily Democratic, African-American, or Hispanic districts. Here’s another surprise: Not one incident of voter intimidation, suppression, or grievance occurred affecting Republican voters.

Signaling how our own government had failed us, Representative Owens (NY) argued that “the cutting edge for democracy is in Ukraine. Keep the pressure on. We have ignored the election problems for the benefit of those in power. Put it on the international stage.” He also recommended putting it on the UN agenda.

Here was hard evidence of charges flying around in the blogosphere made manifest through submitted documentation and testimony. It was an extraordinary moment for many. Probably the most salient point made, by Jesse Jackson, Sr., was the earnest and emotional call for action rather than just a session on venting.

Two problems I see in the harsh reality of the post-election aftermath fall into two categories: viable recounts are specious if the machines have not been impounded or secured since November 2; action on this issue requires massive citizen pressure on Republican Congressional members to listen. Neither of these precludes efforts in both areas, but citizens should proceed with eyes WIDE OPEN.

Below are a few brief highlights from the hearing, some of the suggestions that surfaced today, and some useful links for those who want to channel their energy into direct action.Extensive discussion over the need for a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing the right to vote and to re-count was lengthy. Eloquently argued by Jesse Jackson, Jr., this clarion call was one of those legal threads that Conyers wanted to deflect to another forum. The right to vote is already a federal guarantee, but Jackson noted that Bush v Gore specifically established that the right to vote did not mean the right to vote for Electors.

One suggestion from the floor even stopped Conyers in his tracks, as he was desperately (and sometimes impatiently) moving forward to feature all the witnesses and speakers. Citing that in 15 red states no law requires all electors vote for the popular vote winner; only tradition mandates this. He said Democrats can win this election NOW, legally, merely by getting electors not to vote for Bush. Conyers response was: "This is the most amazing proposition ever put forward by a non-voter" and added that it's worth looking into if the statement is true. (It is.)

Admittedly, this is a hill to climb. Review the list below for the 15:

ARIZONA - 10 Electoral Votes
ARKANSAS - 6 Electoral Votes
DELAWARE - 3 Electoral Votes
GEORGIA - 15 Electoral Votes
IDAHO - 4 Electoral Votes
ILLINOIS - 21 Electoral Votes
INDIANA - 11 Electoral Votes
IOWA - 7 Electoral Votes
KANSAS - 6 Electoral Votes
KENTUCKY - 8 Electoral Votes
LOUISIANA - 9 Electoral Votes
MINNESOTA - 10 Electoral Votes
MISSOURI - 11 Electoral Votes
NEW HAMPSHIRE - 4 Electoral Votes
NEW JERSEY - 15 Electoral Votes
NEW YORK - 31 Electoral Votes
NORTH DAKOTA - 3 Electoral Votes
PENNSYLVANIA - 21 Electoral Votes
RHODE ISLAND - 4 Electoral Votes
SOUTH DAKOTA - 3 Electoral Votes
TENNESSEE - 11 Electoral Votes
TEXAS - 34 Electoral Votes
UTAH - 5 Electoral Votes
WEST VIRGINIA - 5 Electoral Votes

Even Zogby was there: Shawnta Walcott, Communications Director, though her testimony was not charged with present specific evidence on the “Armageddon Election", said, "it has become increasingly clear that this election has produced unprecedented levels of suspicion about its outcome."

Some citizens have already taken specific action. William Moss, laid out his lawsuit against Blackwell "based on nefarious activity on part of public officials, that day, too, in Ohio (Nov 2) will live in infamy." Moss has been elected to the State Board of Education 5 times, and his wife is a judge. They are the lead plaintiffs: “We will seek simple justice for the nation. We will petition against Blackwell (conflict of ethics) who intimidated, disenfranchised, suppressed the vote.” The suit will be filed tomorrow.

So, what can you do? It’s time to test whether we live in a democracy.

Here are Ways to Take Action:

Contact electors in the above 15 states appealing to them to cast their vote for Kerry.

To sign a petition for a nationwide recount, see here. [An important sidebar here: a national recount supercedes the Electoral College vote.]

To congratulate C-Span for this important coverage, which the SCLM missed totally, send comments

To contact representatives who refused to attend the hearing (all Republican members of the Judiciary Committee and of the HOUSE refused Conyers’ invitation) go to .

To review the evidence Jeff Fisher turned over to the FBI regarding the intention to defraud the 2004 Election, here’s the link.

For a complete transcript of the hearing, including the questions from the floor, check out the C-Span website on the House Judiciary Committee.