Kirk, I wish you good fishing.
However, you are wrong in contending that all votes are counted. In the case of absentees, they are NOT counted unless they could potentially affect the outcome. For example, if candidate "A" has a 30,000 vote plurality, and there are 10,000 absentess ballots. The absentees ballots are not counted becaause they could not have any possible affect on the outcome. If the plurality lead by candidate "A" were 5,000 votes, then the absentees ballots would be counted as they would obviously have an impact. Therefore I repeat that NO ONE KNOWS WHO WON THE POPULAR VOTE IN 2000.

As for the courts getting involved... It was regrettable. However, remember who started the process. For those with a sense of history, Nixon, showed more class than the dems in the 2000 election--he was encouraged to protest the votes in Cooke County, and Chicago Ill in the 1960 election. There were many irregularities, and his case might have won. However, he chose not to put the country thru that mess. Imagine, Nixon showing more class than.....anyone.