When this item came across my desk I did a double take.

A University of Nevada Las Vegas Professor has worked some of his mathematical magic on the early results of the Florida recounts and determined the chances that Al Gore could gain 22 hundred votes in the first phase of the recount are less than tiny. They are infinitesimal.

In fact, they are so slim, that Al Gore would have a better chance of either winning the lottery or getting hit 30 times by lightning. In choosing which of those options we might wish upon Gore, I doubt my listeners would demand a recount.

Economics Professor Tom Carroll told his class that random errors through computer ballot counting or harmless human mistakes should have just about evenly balanced out between Bush and Gore.

Interestingly, Professor Carroll is a Democrat and his contentions that the odds against such a lopsided Gore recount are 23 followed by 179 zeroes and cannot be considered partisan commentary.

But the importance of the good professor’s findings extend beyond the realm of mathematical theory. They even extend beyond the borders of political science. They rest squarely in the province of basic human morality.

Because if chance is basically ruled out in the micro-management of the Florida recount that leaves selfish human intent as the only viable option. Bottom line…this Democratic educator has as much as called the Gore effort what many of us have believed it to be all along…partisan chicanery…or if you prefer…vote theft.

Republican officials from Nevada have reacted to the results by calling for close scrutiny of "voting irregularities and potential fraud."

For years we’ve been told that "numbers don’t lie." These days, I’m not so sure.

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