Thursday, December 15, 2005

Pink Ink Finger

For the past two days, we've seen lots of TV coverage of the the elections in Iraq.  We knew there would be very tight security, and we knew there would probably be some terrorist attacks.  But I don't think anybody had a clue about the Pink Ink Finger. 

In the first few TV news reports I saw of the Iraqi people voting, I noticed something very strange - they all had an index finger that had been dipped in ink; in most cases, pink ink.  I just found out today why they all had an ink-stained finger.  To prevent people from voting more than once, before they place their ballot in the box, they dip their index finger in a very powerful ink that cannot be washed off for a few days.  That way, if someone tries to stuff the ballot box by voting a second time, the election officials would see their ink-stained finger and know they are up to some election shenanigans. 

If you ask me, I think we should use this here in the U.S.  The first place where this would be beneficial would be at Sam's Club or other big stores where they give out samples.  The store could set up ten booths for the samples, and each booth would have a different color of ink - ten colors of ink for each of the ten fingers and thumbs.  That way there would be no double dipping into the Boca Burger samples.  If the little ladies in their crisp, white shirts and black pants saw you come back to their booth with their ink color already on a finger, then you'd suffer the consequences of public humiliation.  They could also use these at stores for first-come first-served items.  That way nobody would be able to get another free pound of coffee or a second free pack of hot dog buns.  Yep, I think it would work. 

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