It Turns Out That

[bamabake]

Arabs not only like the idea of democracy but looks like they were willing to risk their lives for it. What say you out there that said that democracy was impossible for that people in that part of the world. Speak up. I even saw pictures of dads holding their kids up to put the ballot in. Amazing huh? What think you now?

 

[Queasy1]

All the media keeps talking about is how happy the Iraqis are, how high turnout was, and how "freedom" has spread to Iraq. I had to turn off CNN because they kept focusing on the so-called "voters" and barely mentioned the resistance movements at all. Where are the freedom fighters today? Are their voices silenced because some American puppets cast a few ballots?

I can't believe the Iraqis are buying into this "democracy" bullsh--. They have to know that the Americans don't want them to have power, because they know that Bush is in this for the oil, and now that he finally has it he's not going to let it go. This election is a charade. The fact is that the Iraqis have suffered during the past two years more than any people on earth at the hands of the American gestapo. Maybe they're afraid and felt they had to vote. That's the only way I can explain it to myself.

Oh wait. That's not me. That's from the Democratic Underground

 

[Pachydermatous]

Oh wait. That's not me. That's from the Democratic Underground

You mean they have been driven underground? It is only simple justice. It was inevitable. It was kismet. Allah willed it:biggrin2:

 

[Piglet]

I say pessimists have only pleasant surprises, and this was one of the best. Good for Iraq!

 

[bamabake]

Agreed. I do remember a few months back, many here on this board, that said that it was oversimplification, or expecting alot to expect people in the middle east to even understand democracy. Looks like they are all getting the blue finger. I am genuinely curious what they think now.

 

[TommyMac]

I read somewhere that they had a 60% turnout of eligible voters. Is that true? If so, that's phenomenal. Makes Americans look apathetic.

 

[bamabake]

And their whole country has had disenfranchised voters for 50 years.

 

[blackumbrella]

and the oscar for best performance in a glib internet post goes to...

 

[blackumbrella]

All the media keeps talking about is how happy the Iraqis are, how high turnout was, and how "freedom" has spread to Iraq. I had to turn off CNN because they kept focusing on the so-called "voters" and barely mentioned the resistance movements at all. Where are the freedom fighters today? Are their voices silenced because some American puppets cast a few ballots?

I can't believe the Iraqis are buying into this "democracy" bullsh--. They have to know that the Americans don't want them to have power, because they know that Bush is in this for the oil, and now that he finally has it he's not going to let it go. This election is a charade. The fact is that the Iraqis have suffered during the past two years more than any people on earth at the hands of the American gestapo. Maybe they're afraid and felt they had to vote. That's the only way I can explain it to myself.

Oh wait. That's not me. That's from the Democratic Underground

 

[bandersnatch45]

"glip"?

 

[blackumbrella]

"glip"?

oops--glib

 

[bandersnatch45]

thot it wuz some new innernet slang......

 

[Pachydermatous]

After surveying the Iraq ballots, I don't know if I could vote in that country. The average Jefferson County presidential ballot --- with local and judicial races, maybe congressional candidates, and constitutional amendments --- is formidable enough, but Iraq's defies comprehension by a westerner. Whoever composed it, without inciting revolution in the masses, is a master politician.

 

[goallinestand78]

Agreed. I do remember a few months back, many here on this board, that said that it was oversimplification, or expecting alot to expect people in the middle east to even understand democracy. Looks like they are all getting the blue finger. I am genuinely curious what they think now.

I was probably one of those people. I've felt all along that democracy can't be exported on the end of a gun barrel (though I've never thought that the problem was that people in the middle east can't understand democracy). I've also said that no one will be happier than me if I'm wrong. Yesterday was strong evidence that I might be. It remains to be seen what kind of government comes out of this, whether it will be the bastion against terrorism and islamic extremism that we'd like it to be, whether it can hold the country together, whether it will remain democratic for long, etc. But January 30 gives hope, and for that I am grateful.

 

[bamabake]

I was probably one of those people. I've felt all along that democracy can't be exported on the end of a gun barrel (though I've never thought that the problem was that people in the middle east can't understand democracy). I've also said that no one will be happier than me if I'm wrong. Yesterday was strong evidence that I might be. It remains to be seen what kind of government comes out of this, whether it will be the bastion against terrorism and islamic extremism that we'd like it to be, whether it can hold the country together, whether it will remain democratic for long, etc. But January 30 gives hope, and for that I am grateful.

Well I hope you are wrong on this one too. If the Iraqis contine to get trained to secure their country then it will work quicker I would think. You are a class act sticking to your guns. If only all of the posters were as thoughtful as you. Most are !
I was listening to Speaker Gingrich tonight. He referenced a body of work by a guy that suggested that this endevor n Iraq was nothing more than an extension of an American ideal that all men are endowed by God to be free, American, Japanese, Iraqi, Chinese. It started with the revolution, through the Monroe Doctrine and so forth. It is interesting to concider.