Eyes on Target and a voting update

In response to Target's astonishing emergency contraception policy, word of a Planned Parenthood boycott of the store, and a Dan Savage (last item) column that shamed me into action, I phoned their customer care center for a chat about the policy. After having a surprisingly thorough conversation with the phone bank fellow, I heard Target's response to the issue. They are assuring customers that, while their pharmacists can cite religious reasons for not filling a prescription, it falls to the objecting pharmacist to find an alternate location for the customer. The otherworldliness of this "solution" is stunning. In many, many communities small pharmacies have been put out of business by the big box department stores, thereby making places like Walmart and Target the only game in town. But even if a woman trying to fill a prescription is lucky enough to live in pharmacy-ville, the inevitable delay -- the looks, the knowing that this pharmacist objects to her choice and the medical intervention of her doctor -- is unacceptable. For anyone who feels the same, Target can be reached at 800.440.0680 (fair warning, many layers of phone menus before an actual person takes the call).

Regarding the likelihood of voting irregularities in this latest election, still investigating the distribution of voting machines in Richmond's poorer neighborhoods. On the national front, in an examination of the role of electronic voting machines in Ohio this report from the GAO, shows that, among other things: "studies found (1) some electronic voting systems did not encrypt cast ballots or system audit logs, and it was possible to alter both without being detected; (2) it was possible to alter the files that define how a ballot looks and works so that the votes for one candidate could be recorded for a different candidate; and (3) vendors installed uncertified versions of voting system software at the local level." The report is beginning to get some blog-driven attention, but any mainstream attention in the near future seems unlikely.

On a more optimistic note, Mr. Deeds may yet go to Richmond. The race for Attorney General remains up in the air, with the two candidates separated by less than 500 votes. Deeds remains resolute and does not plan to conceed. Looks like we'll be getting a recount for Christmas.