Back to the Compromise of 1877.

Congress made a deal. Congress would ignore the popular vote and elect

Hayes as president in exchange for "Home Rule" in Southern states;

that is, the end of Reconstruction. This opened the door for Jim Crow

laws, segregation and the violation of blacks' rights as citizens. It

took almost 100 years for the civil rights of all people to be restored.

So here we are today, in a

presidential election where there was a large minority vote. The popular

vote is clearly for Gore. Electoral votes are split. We are hinging on

Florida, where there is blatant violation of voters' rights, orchestrated

Those who call for an expedient

end to the election process versus an accurate vote count don't seem to

have an appreciation for the violation of one's rights. Vice President

Gore and Congress need to do all that the Constitution allows to ensure

that Florida's vote is accurately and completely counted.

We are not going back in time

quietly. The civil rights of minorities, women, gays, the poor and the

disenfranchised are at stake. A Compromise of 2000 is not an option.

Lisa Alston

Fayetteville