Author Topic: History in the making in Iraq (Read 1107 times)

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #30 on:** January 30, 2005, 01:56:36 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SOB
I wonder. Who really gives a watermelon what the Iraqis think?

Kinda the point of having an election ... isn't it?

babek- · « **Reply #31 on:** January 30, 2005, 02:00:40 AM »

The problem is that most of the sunnite minority, who had ruled Iraq since it was created after WW1, will not go to the election.
The major sunnite party had withdrawn from the election.

Its expected that no more than 20% of the sunnites will vote.

On the other hand nearly all of shiites will vote - they follow the order of Grand-Ajatollah Sistani who asked them to go to vote, because he knows that one of his candidates will win the election if they do so.

And so its not surprising that in these first hours of the elections there have been suicide bomb attacks in shiite iraqui cities.

Sarkawi and his gang try to stop Sistani.

I fear that this will be a very bloody day.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #32 on:** January 30, 2005, 02:08:08 AM »

But other Sunnis say:

Quote

Saddam Neighbors Believe in Ballot

ALAM -- Many Iraqis living near Saddam Hussein's hometown said they will vote today because the ballot -- not violence -- will end Iraq's occupation by U.S.-led coalition troops. The small town of Alam, 10 miles northeast of Saddam's home city of Tikrit, is relatively quiet, unlike other Sunni Muslim areas west and north of Baghdad that roil with fierce opposition to the national elections.
The local leader of one of Iraq's largest clans here is bidding for a seat in the 275-member National Assembly. Mashaan al-Jbouri, who heads the Liberation and Reconciliation Front, has said the country can be freed from occupation only through peaceful means.

babek- · « **Reply #33 on:** January 30, 2005, 02:29:15 AM »

While radicals like Sarkawi or Al-Sadr were making their stupid attacks against the US-troops and iraqui policemen, Grand Ajatollah Sistani had worked politicly for this day.

And so his candidates - like Abd al-Asis al-Hakim or Adil Abd al-Mahdi or Hussein al-Schahristani - have good chances to win the election.

There are still sunnite candidates - like the 81 years old Adnan Patschatschi - but I doubt that they will get much votes when so many sunnites wont go to vote.

And I also doubt that people like Ahmad Tschalabi or Ijad Alawi will get many votes.

But no matter, who wins today. Lets just hope that there will be not too many suicide bombings.

People who are standing in a row waiting to vote are perfect targets for murderers.

SOB · « **Reply #34 on:** January 30, 2005, 02:43:19 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Kinda the point of having an election ... isn't it?

OK, good point. Beyond Iraq, who really gives a watermelon what the Iraqis think?

JB88 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 30, 2005, 02:52:46 AM »

civilized persons, i suppose.

SOB · « **Reply #36 on:** January 30, 2005, 04:45:11 AM »

Yeah, and I don't wear Right Guard either.

mechanic · « **Reply #37 on:** January 30, 2005, 04:55:35 AM »

man, i think im with SOB on this one.

i really dont give two chits.

get it over with and find some 'news' to report.

Iraq, iraq, iraq.

Boring, Boring, Boring.

its good that a 'victory' has come from this nasty business, but i wonder how long it will last.

America and Aliies, but its time to cut your loses.

let them kill eachother for a few years, then go back when we run out of oil.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #38 on:** January 30, 2005, 05:11:35 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by mechanic
i really dont give two chits.

But maybe you do give one? I knew you cared on a pseudo-freudian-cathexistic level.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #39 on:** January 30, 2005, 07:37:15 AM »

Quote

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Millions of Iraqis turned out to vote Sunday, defying anti-U.S. insurgents determined to drown the historic poll in blood.

Suicide bombs and mortar fire shadowed the event, the first multi-party election in 50 years, killing at least 22 people. But still voters came out in force, many with resolve, some with fanfare and others with their faces hidden.

Even in Falluja, the devastated Sunni city west of Baghdad that was a militant stronghold until a U.S. assault in November, a slow stream of people turned out, confounding expectations.

"We want to be like other Iraqis, we don't want to always be in opposition," said Ahmed Jassim, smiling after voting.

In Baquba, a rebellious city northeast of Baghdad, crowds clapped and cheered at one voting station. In Mosul, scene of some of the worst insurgent attacks in recent months, U.S. and local officials said turnout was surprisingly high.

Outstanding

JB88 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 30, 2005, 07:42:16 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SOB
Yeah, and I don't wear Right Guard either.

i would hope not. that stuff is ghastly.

please dont tell me you wear old spice. oh please oh please.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #41 on:** January 30, 2005, 07:46:25 AM »

Wow. Even the NY Times is headlining this as one of its headlines

"Big Turnout in Baghdad Points to Success in Iraq Voting "

And CNN whos reporting has been largely negitive on the elections from what I've seen is even saying this

" With polls nearing closing time in Iraq's historic election day, Iraqi election officials are reporting a turnout of 72 percent nationwide, despite a spate of attacks and threats aimed at disrupting the vote. At least 16 people were killed in a string of attacks, some of which targeted voters waiting in line to cast their ballots. "

72% nationwide. We dont get nearly that kind of turnout here.

Guess you can "force a democracy" on a people after all

JB88 · « **Reply #42 on:** January 30, 2005, 07:55:09 AM »

a. i dont see why that would surprise you. again, just because you disagree with something on principle... i.e. lie or present false data to justify an action doesnt mean that you dont want the best possible result.

b. having an election does not a democracy make. oh no. thats a long, long road.

but this is definately a start, unfortunately the bloodshed isnt over by a longshot.

the nice thing seems to be that the iraqis seem to appreciate it more than we do.
(the vote)

today is thier day.

theyve earned it.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #43 on:** January 30, 2005, 08:11:37 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by JB88
a. i dont see why that would surprise you. again, just because you disagree with something on principle... i.e. lie or present false data to justify an action doesnt mean that you dont want the best possible result.

b. having an election does not a democracy make. oh no. thats a long, long road.

but this is definately a start, unfortunately the bloodshed isnt over by a longshot.

the nice thing seems to be that the iraqis seem to appreciate it more than we do.
(the vote)

today is thier day.

theyve earned it.

Im surprised only by the positive coverage of these particular media outlets

What was it I was dissagreeing with on principle or presented false data on??

Your right one election doesnt make a Democracy. But it is a start.
And at 72% I'd say a farly substantial one.

They appreciate it because its somoething they havent had in a very long time I would imagine.

For us its become almost old hat. so we take it for granted

Shuckins · « **Reply #44 on:** January 30, 2005, 08:25:55 AM »

There appears to be a large voter turnout, even in Sunni areas. Much larger in fact than "some" news sources and political pundits have predicted.

An unbiased observer might see this turnout as a repudiation of Saddam's regime, with its massacres, fostering of international corruption, and thumbscrew/acid-bath justice system.