Guest blogged by Fin
From Christopher Allbritton at his always insightful Back to Iraq
I’ll be out in the thick of it for a while at least… Out with my photographer and seeing what goes on. Not sure if I’ll be driving or walking. That will depend on my security guys. This is a free election? Insurgent pamphlets are being distributed that anyone walking to a polling center is a target. Several centers have already been blown up. The fear is thick enough to cut with a knife. The Iraqi security forces—with their American patrons—have tanks at the end of my street. Old Soviet T-55s, but tanks, nonetheless.
He goes on to give a detailed prediction on how the vote percentages might play out and what might happen next. He finishes with this far from ringing endorsement of freedom’s march:
Now, I may be surprised by the turns of events here. And Lord knows I’ve been wrong before. But from here in Baghdad, people are voting not because they want democracy, but because they’re grasping onto anything they think will help. For Iraqis, hope is fleeting and life is short. This isn’t optimism, it’s desperation, and that’s no basis for a democracy.
The whole post is worth a read.
May Allah, God, the force, whatever, be with these dear folk who have been so terribly wronged for so many decades … so they can heal.
It really is not their fault that oil was in the earth under the soil upon which they toil.
" if you’re an insurgent and you hit a car tomorrow, you’re bound to get someone vaguely important."
I suspect the cars will stick out like Dick Cheney at Auschwitz
I read somewhere about a rumor going around in Iraq that if they don’t vote, they won’t get food coupons next month. If they do try to vote, they run the risk of being shot or blown up. Die slowly of starvation or quickly from a bullet. I can’t help from wondering what I would choose.
I do feel awful for these people. I would probably not go and vote.
I just know, I just know it because Bush is so incredibly predictable, that no matter what, he will make a state saying it was a "huge success".
And the Republicans will eat it up. I don’t believe a word that comes from that man’s mouth anymore.
Did anyone else hear a brief clip on the news today that they were sending 12,000 more troops to Iraq after the election. Didn’t Senator Kennedy just say he thought they should immediately withdraw 12,000 troops to show the people that we are serious about not continuing to occupy the country,
maybe I was hearing things.
I feel so sorry for the Iraqis – they surely need a miracle – may God in Heaven help them, because we surely haven’t. It makes me ashamed to be a part of the human race.
Well put y’all, I feel exactly the same way. I can’t even imagine living the way these people do – and especially having to watch your children live and die that way. It just breaks my heart.
Okay, so I heard they’re marking the thumbs of Iraqis who vote with indelible ink, to prevent double voting.
Is this such a good idea?
I mean, isn’t that a little bit like putting a bullseye on their back?
It is so sad. Tragic.
I agree, Peggy. What a shameful human race.
The only good thing right now is the sorrow and full awareness that you are expressing right here.
Bubble. bubble, oil and trouble.