Iraqi Elections

Right now turnout is said to be around 72%, or 12% higher than we apathetic Americans managed on November 2. Turnout is said to be extremely high in Shiite and Kurd areas and low-to-moderate in Sunni areas, depending on the level of power the insurgency has in the vicinity.

Around 30 people were killed and 70 wounded across the country by terrorist attacks, but this is a far cry from the promise of Zarqawi to bathe the streets in the blood of voters. If you'll remember, the terrorists had managed to kill hundreds or close to a hundred people in a single day several times previously.

Iraqi Voting Disrupts News Reports of Bombings
by Scott Ott


(2005-01-30) -- News reports of terrorist bombings in Iraq were marred Sunday by shocking graphic images of Iraqi "insurgents" voting by the millions in their first free democratic election.

Despite reporters' hopes that a well-orchestrated barrage of mortar attacks and suicide bombings would put down the so-called 'freedom insurgency', hastily-formed battalions of rebels swarmed polling places to cast their ballots -- shattering the status quo and striking fear into the hearts of the leaders of the existing terror regime.

Hopes for a return to the stability of tyranny waned as rank upon rank of Iraqi men and women filed out of precinct stations, each armed with the distinctive mark of the new freedom guerrillas -- an ink-stained index finger, which one former Ba'athist called "the evidence of their betrayal of 50 years of Iraqi tradition."

Journalists struggled to put a positive spin on the day's events, but the video images of tyranny's traitors choosing a future of freedom overwhelmed the official story of bloodshed and mayhem.
http://www.scrappleface.com/MT/archives/images/fingervote.jpg

This is a day comparable to the fall of the Berlin Wall or the liberation of Paris. Just what do the naysayers and outright Islamic fascist supporters have to say now? The United States keeps talking, and it keeps delivering contrary to what they're ranting.

Just what do the naysayers and outright Islamic fascist supporters have to say now? The United States keeps talking, and it keeps delivering contrary to what they're ranting.

Yeah, shit is getting done, but it doesnt matter. There will be something else for everyone to complain about. We did this, we didnt do that. We did too much, we didnt do enough. Etc ad nauseum.

Yeah, shit is getting done, but it doesnt matter. There will be something else for everyone to complain about. We did this, we didnt do that. We did too much, we didnt do enough. Etc ad nauseum.

Shit, it's a hard life...but that's what you get if you propose to dictate law and order to the whole world...

These elections are a positive step; however, it will not mean much if the Iraqis cannot take hold of security responsibilities on their own. They are not ready yet and there is much work and fighting left to do. I do not think this election is as strong a blow to terrorist regimes as some would like to think. The aftermath of events to come within the next year will determine that. BUT, as I said, the election was the right step in the only hopeful direction Iraq has right now. Quibbling over whether we should be there or what things we are doing right or wrong is just beating the dead horse. The U.S. cannot fail in its orchestration of the creation of a new nation for the people of Iraq.

I just hope that if we succeed that they can maintain this new government by themselves

Dont count on it. There is a lesson to be learned from Russia, but nobodies listening.

Dont count on it. There is a lesson to be learned from Russia, but nobodies listening.

It might turn out to be more of a lesson learned from Vietnam. Americanization and elections did not motivate the South Vietnamese to uphold their country.

Dont count on it. There is a lesson to be learned from Russia, but nobodies listening.

That has caused the fall of many great countires/empires in history, including Rome. Not learning from mistakes