961. Whew, that's a relief. I thought we had sumpin' to worry 'bout there.

Regarding the latest security hole discovered in Diebold voting machines, this time in Emery County, Utah....

Diebold spokesman David Bear says the so-called security hole is really a "functionality" that allows the software to be efficiently updated. What critics call a fix, Bear prefers to call a "redundant enhancement." "Keep in mind, this is not a vulnerability," Bear says. "[Election officials] are just asking for an enhancement to the existing system." The machines are already well-protected through standard procedures, including integrity tests, seals and, of course, honest elections officials, Bear says.

"It's only a vulnerability to those who would commit a felony [tampering with an election]," he says.

Read all about this Orwellian fantasy at The Brad Blog....

Image, Rand Careaga, "Diebold Variations"