http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/15/iraq.elections/index.html

Despite threats of violence, so far it's been mild, they are turning out in droves to vote. Sunni's , Shiites and Kurds all are being represented in the voting crowds.

/applause Get'er done!!!

Fandros

Yes! Well done Iraqi's:)

Democracy is the best revenge against tyrants and terrorists.

Violence has been mild during previous elections, so no surprise there. I've heard of good turnouts; hopefully real numbers match rumor and we'll achieve some stability from all this.

We won! Time to come home...BBC: 'This is stability, at last' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4531830.stm)

Definitely not a headline I would expect from the BBC.

I honestly think we've done good there. I hope that once we've trained Iraqs soldiers to keep the Peace, that it really IS time to come home.

It's a bit early to declare Iraq stable. The government lacks a native force capable of enforcing its decisions, the insurgency is still strong, political leaders are as routinely subject to assassination as oil pipelines (necessary for revenue) are to demolition, and ethnic/religious divisions still run deep.

Which would suggest that the US needs to stay (at least according to the administration's "stay the course" philosophy), except that a large part of the turn out (especially among Sunnis and Sadrists) may be due to the support of candidates who want the US out.

There's also the realization that Iraqis themselves aren't sure what they want. According to the latest ABC/Time poll (http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/1000a1IraqWhereThingsStand.pdf) (pdf), 90% of Iraqis believe their country needs democracy, but 91% believe Iraq needs a single, strong leader. 48% want the mullahs to rule, but only 13% want an Islamic state. 48% think religious leaders should rule, while 49% think their military leadership should be in charge. I don't think they've figured out this democracy thing quite yet.

So, high turnout is a good thing. It'll lead to a government that allows the Iraqis to make their own decisions (if not necessarily enforce them). They may vote to give us the boot, but I think that even if they set a long term for that it may deflate the insurgency, since in effect the Iraqis would be ridding their country of "the occupation." After that it comes down to how well the ethnic and religious factions can function with one another amidst the influence of their neighbors (particularly Iran, who will probably turn out to be the real winner here).

BTW, anyone read about a truckload of fake ballots caught coming over the border from Iran? From what I understand, the Iraqi election commisar says the ballots were real and from a proper organization, but reports conflict.

Good for them. I hope they get this figured out sooner rather than later. I'd like our troops to come home. The sooner they figure out what a democracy is the sooner the country will be in control of itself, and won't have a dictatorship. Bye bye Saddam.

Democracy in the middle east, the best idea since booze and guns (http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/algeria.html)

Read the link for a preview of the future of Iraq

BTW, anyone read about a truckload of fake ballots caught coming over the border from Iran? From what I understand, the Iraqi election commisar says the ballots were real and from a proper organization, but reports conflict.


The story I read also stated that the driver of the truck, under "questioning", revealed that three other trucks had also entered Iraq from Iran carrying false ballots at three different border crossings. The ballots were allegedly partially filled out.

Am curious as to whether we hear any more about this.

Edit: spelling sux on short coffee breaks.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/15/iraq.elections/index.html

Despite threats of violence, so far it's been mild, they are turning out in droves to vote. Sunni's , Shiites and Kurds all are being represented in the voting crowds.

/applause Get'er done!!!

Fandros

Now if we can get most Americans to show up in droves to vote. *sigh*

Aye Starry Eyed One, wish we had that drive to vote.


Fandros

My favorite quote of the day in regards to the voter turn out:

"The middle east just got a democracy enema".....

One man hoped the election would bring an end to the occupation, but this would depend, he said, on maintaining unity.

"Stability can only come from unity. When we have stability," he said, " then the Americans can go."
There's a feel-good statement.

Ali al-Musawi, a Shia Muslim originally from Sadr city said: "Iraq is like a ship in a storm being tossed form left to right, and now we need a new captain to take us to land and to safety."

I wonder if Ali actually said "form" or they need a grammar nazi at BBC. Maybe I should apply?

God what will the liberal socialist democrats do now if Iraq actually successfully voted for their own government!!!! If America/Iraq succeed how will they win elections in '06!!! OH NOEZ!!!!!!!!

Yay?

Not sure it'll stop hundreds dying every month (or week?), but eh, fuggedaboutit.

So, think they'd be holding their own elections if John Kerry was Pres...

Of course you can't celebrate Halo, you can't admit perhaps staying the course was the right plan of action...

Fandros

So, think they'd be holding their own elections if John Kerry was Pres...
Nostrafandros knows all! ;)

On the truckload of bogus ballot story, last I heard the other day is now they are saying the story was fabricated and there was no such truck. Of course different people have different agendas about that so there is no telling what the truth is.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Now now Thor...did you see me answer the question I asked?

Fandros

A few hiccups (http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5358965-103681,00.html) along the way.

To be honest I'd have been suprised if there weren't these noted violations. Glad a process was put in place to monitor them.

Fandros

I suspect the truck load of ballots that was stopped at the Iran border was done more to raise doubts about the election's results than actually be used in some polling place... or maybe both since whoever did it wins either way.

Very possible right, akipt, given that the Iraqi elections will most likely favor Iran anyway. There's an outside chance of a more secular coalition forming, but it would still be composed in large part by Shiites.