12 November 2000 - who can know?

Jay Scott : Daily Whale : archive : 2000 : 12 November 2000

Who can know the future?
Who can know the past?
Who can know the present
However long it lasts?
Even Aristotle,
Even Thomast Nast,
Even HAL 9000
With the help of Gormenghast
Could not count the ballots cast.

clue:

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) was a great American political cartoonist.

give me a clue so sweet and true