I heard something on the radio this morning that seemed unbelievable, thought I would see if anyone else had heard anything about this. Evidently, although elections are currently slated to go forward as planned on the 30th, fear over the insurgency has resulted in an absurd level of secrecy in Iraq. Specifically, the [b]identity[/b] of many of the fucking candidates have still not been made public. Apparently, these little nuggets of information will not be made public until [b]after[/b] the election.

I realize that this is Iraq's first go at this and that we can't expect perfection or anything close to it right off the bat (especially when we here in the states haven't got the process mastered after 200+ years), but this sounds like a complete farce. I guess folks will just vote for the Shia party, and the party will figure out who gets what position?

I don't mean to be cynical, but this just seems ridiculous.

all because a bunch of scumbags dont want everyone there to have a voice in how the country moves......... so they bomb, kill, kidnap, and terrorize the innocents....

Re: Freedom is on the March!!!

[quote]I heard something on the radio this morning that seemed unbelievable, thought I would see if anyone else had heard anything about this. Evidently, although elections are currently slated to go forward as planned on the 30th, fear over the insurgency has resulted in an absurd level of secrecy in Iraq. Specifically, the identity of many of the fucking candidates have still not been made public. Apparently, these little nuggets of information will not be made public until after the election.

I realize that this is Iraq's first go at this and that we can't expect perfection or anything close to it right off the bat (especially when we here in the states haven't got the process mastered after 200+ years), but this sounds like a complete farce. I guess folks will just vote for the Shia party, and the party will figure out who gets what position?

I don't mean to be cynical, but this just seems ridiculous. [/quote]

Do you realize there are 200 plus groups out there that have registered to take part in the election? And from what I've heard, everyone is excited to vote, and it's starting to show more and more every day. Journalists in Iraq have stated that there are political rallies in every town almost every day that involve more than 2 to 3 parties at one time, so that the public has a chance to see the competing parties' messages.

There are signs on every street that promote the different political affiliations, and from what I hear, the political tolerance is much better than what we have in America at the moment. Let's remember, there were elections in the US in which 10-13 states weren't able to participate.

Are you listening to NPR?

WHATEVER happens in the next few days, the world's leading nations should show goodwill towards the country and send in a load of military for the election to provide safe places for voting and a secure ballt count. it would be nice to see everyone try to help the country begin anew and get off to a godd start.

They should be able to put a face with the vote, this is intolerable. Yes, I know it would take severe security measures, But I think it would be worth it. Most votes are based on trust in the person thar represents the party one is voting for.

How can you trust the party you voted for to let someone capable do the job? They may be totally wrong in their decision, and dissapoint their voters greatly...

Ha!

The simple fact is that Iraqis DON'T want a say in their own lives. If they did, THEY would be fighting the 'terrorists', not Americans.

They're all ignorant fucks, and I hope their new president is worse than their last. At least that will own Bush--own him in the face.

[quote=White_Hindu]Ha!

The simple fact is that Iraqis DON'T want a say in their own lives. If they did, THEY would be fighting the 'terrorists', not Americans.

They're all ignorant fucks, and I hope their new president is worse than their last. At least that will own Bush--own him in the face.[/quote]

That is the most ignorant, arrogant post I've ever wasted time on reading in my life. I wish I had the last minute of my life back. Check it:

[url]http://powerlineblog.com/archives/009103.php[/url]

I'm strictly referring to Sunni Iraqis. I saw on the news YESTERDAY that 80% of them are staying home during elections.

Oh yeah, and that whole thing about how they let Saddam push them around and didn't do a god damn thing.

[quote=White_Hindu]I'm strictly referring to Sunni Iraqis. I saw on the news YESTERDAY that 80% of them are staying home during elections.

Oh yeah, and that whole thing about how they let Saddam push them around and didn't do a god damn thing.[/quote]

hahahahahahahah

Maybe because it's the Sunni's themselves who are attacking coalition and Iraqi forces, and even Iraqi civilians?

It's obvious why 80% of Sunni's are staying home instead of voting.

Re: Freedom is on the March!!!

[quote=cosmo]Do you realize there are 200 plus groups out there that have registered to take part in the election? And from what I've heard, everyone is excited to vote, and it's starting to show more and more every day. Journalists in Iraq have stated that there are political rallies in every town almost every day that involve more than 2 to 3 parties at one time, so that the public has a chance to see the competing parties' messages. [/quote]

I think this is all great and encouraging news. All I'm saying is that voters ought to at least know who they are voting for for the election to really have any legitimacy. "You vote and we decide afterwards who you voted for" isn't democracy. Obviously, they know in general what kinds of policies will be advanced by the party they vote for so it isn't a complete crapshoot, but is a far cry from ideal.

Re: Freedom is on the March!!!

The election is just a U.S. PR campaign. Most reasonable assessments of the situation in Iraq do not deem an election to be prudent. But, the U.S. can not abandon the official time lest they receive more criticism from the international community. Will the elections provide, in Bush's words, a mandate from the Iraqi people? The interim government that has been assemble, by the U.S., does not provide sufficient representation for the various sects of Iraqi society. If this hasn't been enough of disincentive, any person going to the polls will be risking their life. . .