Purple Finger for freedom....

[Tigger_Magic]

I don't get it. Do the Iraqi's have to be fingerprinted to vote? We don't do it in this country, we only fingerprint criminals and Church volunteers (j/k). Why would the Iraqi's have to be fingerprinted to vote? Is there no voter registration?

They are not being fingerprinted -- at least not in the way you seem to be thinking of it. They dip their index (or other finger) into some purple ink to mark them as some who has already voted. That way someone can't come back and vote again (or as in Chicago vote early and often!). For many Iraqis the purple finger is a sign of courage and freedom... many of them have been showed proudly displaying thier finger, probably partially in protest to the insurgents who wanted to stop this historic day.

 

[Galahad]

They are not being fingerprinted -- at least not in the way you seem to be thinking of it. They dip their index (or other finger) into some purple ink to mark them as some who has already voted. That way someone can't come back and vote again (or as in Chicago vote early and often!). For many Iraqis the purple finger is a sign of courage and freedom... many of them have been showed proudly displaying thier finger, probably partially in protest to the insurgents who wanted to stop this historic day.

Perhaps we would do well to adopt the practice.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

For many Iraqis the purple finger is a sign of courage and freedom... many of them have been showed proudly displaying thier finger, probably partially in protest to the insurgents who wanted to stop this historic day.

I heard on NPR this morning that even the insurgent groups were getting involved with the elections and threating to kill any group who attacked Iraqis on this election day...unfortunately, there is no moratorium on attacking US soldiers, but it is a step in the right direction.

 

[Free4Life11]

Now if my brother saw this thread I'm sure he'd turn it into "Pull my Finger for Freedom day."

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Now if my brother saw this thread I'm sure he'd turn it into "Pull my Finger for Freedom day."

I sort of prefer "Give 'Em The Finger for Freedom Day."

 

[momof2inPA]

Perhaps we would do well to adopt the practice.

If that would make people stop harrassing black voters and voters in poor districts, I'm all for it, but I'm also reminded of the mark of the beast for some reason.

I was speaking to someone from Australia the other day who was disgusted that election day in the U.S. isn't a national holiday, and couldn't believe there is no mandatory voting. There's also mandatory voting in Brasil.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I was speaking to someone from Australia the other day who was disgusted that election day in the U.S. isn't a national holiday, and couldn't believe there is no mandatory voting. There's also mandatory voting in Brasil.

Maybe because in America voting is one of the citizen's civic duties, along with being a right. Making voting mandatory is contrary to the concepts America was founded upon.

 

[cardaway]

If that would make people stop harrassing black voters and voters in poor districts, I'm all for it, but I'm also reminded of the mark of the beast for some reason.

I was speaking to someone from Australia the other day who was disgusted that election day in the U.S. isn't a national holiday, and couldn't believe there is no mandatory voting. There's also mandatory voting in Brasil.

IMO people not voting sends an importnant message. One that says the parties are not promoting people that get people to the polls. I don't blame anybody that doesn't feel they should pick the lesser of two evils and becomes part of the large percentage of no-shows. And lets not kid ourselves, there is usually only two options if one considers the canididates that have a chance to win.

I know I refuse to pick the lesser of two evils.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

IMO people not voting sends an importnant message. One that says the parties are not promoting people that get people to the polls. I don't blame anybody that doesn't feel they should pick the lesser of two evils and becomes part of the large percentage of no-shows. And lets not kid ourselves, there is usually only two options if one considers the canididates that have a chance to win.

I know I refuse to pick the lesser of two evils.

I often don't care for some choices offered on the ballot, however, I prepare to vote as best as I can, then go into the voting booth and perform my civic duty. At least then I have some justification for whining and moaning about the outcome.

 

[cardaway]

I often don't care for some choices offered on the ballot, however, I prepare to vote as best as I can, then go into the voting booth and perform my civic duty. At least then I have some justification for whining and moaning about the outcome.

I refuse to accept that voting for somebody they don't care for is anybody's "civic duty". Adding to the number of non-voters achieves the same thing IMO.

 

[momof2inPA]

Maybe because in America voting is one of the citizen's civic duties, along with being a right. Making voting mandatory is contrary to the concepts America was founded upon.

I don't agree. Making voting mandatory would assure that everyone elligible has been given a chance to vote. There could always be an option of "none of the above" as a candidate choice.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I refuse to accept that voting for somebody they don't care for is anybody's "civic duty". Adding to the number of non-voters achieves the same thing IMO.

By not voting you fail to speak up and the government, while normally hard of hearing, is certainly not going to pay any attention to silence. There are times when my vote has been "against" a candidate rather than "for" a candidate. At least I make the attempt to "speak up" with my ballot, even if the choices are less than ideal.

Also, if too many people follow your route, then your end up being governed by a minority. While I may not like the choices I have, I will, at least, participate in the electoral process to ensure my voice is heard.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I don't agree. Making voting mandatory would assure that everyone elligible has been given a chance to vote. There could always be an option of "none of the above" as a candidate choice.

Brilliant! We'll have a government of "none of the above."

 

[momof2inPA]

Brilliant! We'll have a government of "none of the above."

In the case of the current administration, "none of the above" would have been a better choice.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

A big thank you to our President, our troops, and allies for your brave and proactive stand against terrorism.

A big thank you to the Iraqi's for their bravery and for sticking a purple finger into the eyes of terrorists and the cynics throughtout the world that think that their freedom from tyranny and terrorism is not worth the effort.

 

[cardaway]

By not voting you fail to speak up and the government, while normally hard of hearing, is certainly not going to pay any attention to silence.

Like hell they don't. Many candidates have focused on the people who didn't vote in the same election the previous term.

While there are reasons beyond the candidates, IMO the majority of the non-votes are based completely on the lack of somebody worth voting for.

Knock yourself out, but I refuse to vote "against" somebody. But I'm not one to give much credit to the voters anyway. Some punch straight tickets despite some real bad folks on that side.

 

[JimB.]

IMO the majority of the non-votes are based completely on the lack of somebody wrorth voting for.

With respect, I disagree. IMHO, people that don't vote are too lazy to take 15 minutes out of their day to take a left turn into a precinct & vote. It's out of the way & they wanna' get home or to lunch or to Wal-Mart.