I just don't get why Americans get so excited about the alleged 72% Iraqis going to the polls.
Well, in many ways it's a vindication of democracy. Plus so many were so pessimistic about the Iraqi resolve to take charge of their own nation; and even those on my side were getting gloomy, but it is so refreshing and such an inspiring thing. It gives us hope to keep up the struggle for democratic involvement even within our own borders.
When I said europe, I should have been more specific; I mean France and Germany's current governments which seem to want to be appeasers (as well as corruptly invovled in the OFF scandal.) I meant maybe the voters in those countries would take heart and elect stronger leaders. (Like those in Poland, Britain, the former government in Spain, Italy, South Korea, and all the other nations involved in this).
It is also a psychological reward for Americans; we are terrified of being hated, and seeing the Iraqis, even the ones that don't like us very much, reaching out and endorsing a new form of government that we helped set up with our blood and money, well, it makes us feel good.
It also means this: This war can be won. We are winning. There is a better future, and this is the way we are getting there. The experiment, this daring innovation, is actually starting to succeed; and if it manages to clear the next few hurdles... ah, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Our tactics are working, those of our enemies are not succeeding. And those who would pay any price for "peace" should be ashamed when seeing those brave Iraqis risking their lives just to vote.
Plus, like Simon said, 72% invovlement in ANY democracy is impressive. It's a ringing endorsement by the Iraqi people for a democratic government.
Mostly I just feel an overwhelming sense of relief. Deep down, all the gloomy predictions made by the Left were starting to weigh on me - what if all those soldiers really HAD died for nothing? What if we really COULDN'T win against the terrorists? What if there was simply no way to start democratic reform in the Middle East and we were doomed to wait for annihilation of our culture and civilization?
But it has started, thank God, and it is a concrete foundation that all of Iraq can build on. By God, even those opposed to the war can still be proud of what has happened today. Even in the face of dissent, the democratic world showed that it will not be cowed by fear. That we are strong enough to tolerate dissent and discussion even in the heat of battle. That should be a powerful lesson for all of us.
Whoof, I need to sleep.
CZAR