>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm not aware of anywhere that counted them a fourth time and most places didn't do a third count.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Actually, I think that the "four times" reference that keeps coming up has to do with the counties where a sample of districts were hand-counted to determine whether the larger recount was needed. Those same districts were recounted again, as per law, as part of the larger recount.

Personally, though, I am not sure what the fuss is about. This is how close elections work. We're not used to it in a presidential election, which is why it seems such big news, but in local elections this isn't so uncommon. As we've seen, there are many laws, regulations, and statutes guiding the process, precisely because it is so important. Those laws, as is often the case with laws, can be interpreted different ways, which is why the courts come in. A lot of people seem outraged by that -- as if Bush and Gore were suing each other over whose willow tree was hanging over whose property. But, these lawsuits, on both sides, are not frivolous. I know it's quite in vogue to hate lawyers and lawsuits (god knows, I tend to), but there's a reason that the american government has been a relatively stable one for over 200 years -- we have judicial branches on many levels that are charged with intepreting laws and the application of laws. What's the alternative? Roll the tanks into Tallahasee???

Anyway, if Miami and all of Palm Beach had been included, and Gore had been certified the winner last night by 9 votes, you can be sure that the Bush forces would not have conceeded or withdrawn their lawsuits -- understandably so. I may not be a huge George W. supporter, but the guy has every right in the world to ask the supreme court, and local courts, to look into these matters and assist with interpretation. This is important stuff, and this, to a large degree, is exactly what US courts do and why the country has fared better over two centuries that most experiments in democractic republicanism.

Whew. Okay, done now. Must get back to work.