Check these other blogs about Mamta Popat, the photojournalist who was asked to reveal her race by the Secret Service and Vice President Dick Cheney's office:

Wesley Clark
Proof Through The Night
Catch
Vidiot
DiatribeR
MetaFilter
Asylum
Just Orb

Thanks to Jackie Cerretani for this list.

“I never really thought of myself as a threat to national security before…”

Add “racist” to the list of ugly labels that the Bush/Cheney ticket exemplifies. Why you ask? Well, read this story about Mamta Popat, a staff photographer for the Arizona Daily Star (and a friend of mine) that ran last Saturday in that paper.

I understand and accept that the Secret Service has some basic security requirements when approving access to the two highest positions in the government. But when they demand to know a person's race, the Bush/Cheney administration took a huge leap back in history to the days when African Americans were hosed down, dogs set upon them, or worse, lynched. In this one instance I do hope history does not repeat itself.

The racial profiling of Mamta Popat has my blood boiling. I can see it now – the dress code at the Republican National Convention will be casual: white bed sheets and hooded hats. Burning crosses, optional. Harsh, you say? Fuck that. I am sick of the bullshit that's been thrown at us since 2000. The Bush administration has been a sham from the get-go. I say to all who can legally vote in the US – take back YOUR government! Make it your own again. Your vote is your voice. Speak up! Fight for our civil liberties. Register to vote. Find out who your elected representative is and demand to know where she or he stands on issues that are important to you and your family. Write to them if you wish.

Voter apathy and nonchalance towards US domestic and international policy is getting us ALL screwed in the end. So, here is TIFFINBOX's official endorsement of the Kerry/Edwards ticket in black and white (or really off-orange). We will expect great things of them and we do hope is on its way. The alternative is scary, very scary.

If you know an American, check this site out to help put the word out! If you are an American, on November 2nd get off your ass to vote! You have earned that right to express yourself.

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