More Media Failures

I just read an AP article proclaiming that 95% of those who voted in Crimea on Sunday selected the option to join Russia.  That is true, but it is a very misleading fact.  Here's why:  voters did not have the choice of leaving things where they were before the vote.  The ballot had only two choices.  The Crimea could be annexed by Russia or Crimea could reduce its ties with Ukraine and get autonomy.  On top of that, there is ample proof that many of the ballots distributed to voters on Sunday were already marked as selecting union with Russia.  So we have an election where the paper ballots were marked in advance with the outcome Putin wanted and the only choices involve Crimea leaving Ukraine to join Russia or to be on its own.  It is a ridiculous vote.  Even so, the AP reports the vote as if it were a valid choice made by an informed electorate that was not under the threat of tens of thousands of armed men.

Good job, AP!