Posted on 01/31/2005 5:39:59 AM PST by beaureguard
Much to the dismay of the mainstream media and many in the Democratic party, including John Kerry, voters turned out in Iraq in record numbers with minimal violence to make Iraq's first election in 50 years a smash success. Here are the final statistics, with results expected in 7 to 10 days:
* 8 million Iraqis voted in the election * Unofficial estimates put the turnout at between 60 and 70%, higher than our most recent presidential election * 44 people were killed in attacks on election day. While tragic, nowhere near the doom and gloom predicted by the left
Some voters walked for miles to be able to cast their votes. One 75-year-old man traveled three miles in his wheelchair for a shot at democracy: "My poor nephew pushed me all the way. But I had to come. Now that the criminal Saddam is gone this could be my only chance to vote." I wonder what Hillary Clinton would say to this man right now? After all, she was the one that said people, and specifically women, were better off under Saddam Hussein.
Another group of people watching this election closely are the other Arab nations in the region. They want no part of democracy, because it threatens their power base. The idea of Muslims living in a free society frightens them to their very core. Yet as they watch the success in Iraq, they know it could mean their days are numbered.
Yesterday was a historic day for Iraq, America, the region and the rest of the world, naysayers be damned. By the way, if Iraqis had their fingers dipped in purple ink to
Now the work of drafting a new constitution begins. Terrorist threats in the Sunni triangle seemed to work. Sunni Muslims didn't exactly flood the polls. This presents a challenge to coalition advisors and a great opportunity to the Shiites and Kurdish majority that almost certainly captured control of the government this weekend. The constitution must show the value of rule of law and protection of individual rights. This constitution must establish a framework of rights to all Iraqis, including Sunni Muslims, and a system of law that will protect those rights against the desires and demands of the majority. When the Sunni people see that there is no desire or intention on the part of the majority to deny them basic rights they will become participants in this great experiment of freedom in the Middle East.
AND KUDOS TO THE AMERICAN MILITARY
I wasn't sure it could be done ... but our American military did it. Our men and women in uniform, with the help of dedicated Iraqi security forces and our coalition partners, placed an umbrella of security over Iraq on election day that allowed millions of Iraqis to avoid the violence that had been promised by the enemies of freedom.
There was one intriguing story that received widespread publicity, here and in Iraq, at the very beginning of the voting process. The U.S. military released a video of insurgents firing a missile at the American Embassy. The video was taken from an unmanned aerial vehicle with night vision capability. The drone then followed the terrorists back to their safe house and we could see the video of them going inside. Minutes later that house was surrounded by Marines. I think you know what happened next. That video was soon seen on television throughout Iraq, and insurgent terrorists were certainly in the audience. Common sense would tell you that they were probably a lot less eager to leave their safe houses and launch attacks with these little drones flying around taking pictures and making videos.
A free Iraq with a popularly elected government is a giant step toward a Middle East free of the elements that breed Islamic terrorism. Make no mistake. There are rough times to come. The insurgents will be trying to prove that they're sill a force, and that the vote doesn't mean anything. American troops will still be needed until the Iraqi security forces are capable of carrying the load. American troops will remain for the time being ... but over the weeks and months their role will evolve more toward training and less direct confrontation with terrorist elements.
DEPRESSED -- DEPRESSING DEMOCRATS.
Now ... let's discuss Democratic reaction to this historic weekend. In short, this is not what Democrats wanted to see. They wanted negative news this weekend, not positive.
Did you see those Iraqis dancing in the streets? Did you see the incredibly long lines? Hours! They waited for hours. On crutches, in wheelchairs .. the waited hours for the chance to cast their vote in Iraq's first democratic elections in over 50 years. Islamic terrorists had told them that they would be killed if they voted ... but there they were, waiting in line nonetheless. After they left the polling places they joined celebrations in the streets ... holding their ink-stained fingers aloft as a badge of honor and a symbol of freedom.
Of course with the Bush administration experiencing such overwhelming success in Iraq yesterday, the Democrats couldn't stand it. Remember, what's good for America is good for George Bush, and that's not good for the left.
First up: John Kerry.
Perhaps the most pathetic performance of the weekend was The Poodle's appearance on 'Meet The Press,' The Poodle said "It is significant that there is a vote in Iraq. But ... no one in the United States should try to over-hype this election." He then went on to repeat the same nonsense about how the administration was not reaching out enough to the international community, and even said Iraq would fail if they didn't take his advice. The only difference between John Kerry and the insurgents is he doesn't wear a mask and carry a rocket launcher during his television appearances. What's this "over-hype" nonsense? Iraq has its first free election in history and John Kerry can't see the significance? The Iraqi people defy death itself t go to the polls to tell the insurgents to bite sand, and Kerry tries to downplay it? But it was Kerry, wasn't it, who said "wrong war, wrong time, wrong place." The Iraqi people have now voted for their own government as a result of this wrong war at the wrong place at the wrong time. How sad that must be for Kerry. His only response? "Hey, let's not make too big a deal about this. It's only an election."
Michigan Senator Carl Levin was wringing his hands about the record turnout: "I'm afraid there were some areas where the turnout is extremely low, and that's the Sunni Triangle areas or parts thereof. And that's the challenge that we now face." It wouldn't have mattered if there was 100% turnout in Iraq....that wouldn't have satisfied the Bush-bashers either. The loony left knows that this election is a validation of not only the war in Iraq, but of George Bush.
We have reached a point in this country where one of our own political parties is rooting for the enemy. Their side lost. Stand by for the whining.
I LIKE THE STAINED FINGER BIT
The Iraqi election officials wanted a way to prevent Iraqis from voting twice. It turned out to be easy. You just dip your pointy finger in some India ink. That means you've voted. Show up at another polling place with an inky finger and out you go. What would be wrong with doing this in the United States? Instead of those little "I voted" stickers, just dip your finger in the ink!
Who would oppose such an idea? Well, I'll tell you who. Democrats. Year after year Democrats fight any initiative that would prevent people who are not eligible to vote from voting ... and that means voting as many times as they possibly can. Well ...it seemed like a good idea.
boortz ping!
If you want on or off the Boortz ping list, FRmail me.
I assume the print media will publish President Bush's approval ratings using the smallest typeface possible, and the MSM will whisper them - once - at 2:30 a.m.
>>Perhaps the most pathetic performance of the weekend was The Poodle's appearance on 'Meet The Press,'<<
That sums it up.
BUMP!
And the spin.
Watch for the Negative Party to spin the Iraqi election. Negativity is all the Dems have to offer.
..."... This constitution must establish a framework of rights to all Iraqis, including Sunni Muslims, and a system of law that will protect those rights against the desires and demands of the majority."...
The bully-boy Sunnis are going to get a better shake from this new constitution than they ever afforded to the Kurds and Shiias. The best advice abount dealing with bullies---'when they're down, don't let them up off the floor'.
I like the inked finger idea too.
I thought during the Afghanistan election when they applied permanent ink to a finger to prevent voter fraud that it should be an idea we adopt.
Now with the Iraqis all portraying their purple fingers proudly, it makes more sense.
I read a suggestion on FR yesterday from another poster. He/she suggested that during the State of the Union Address all the Republicans should show up with their forefingers conspicuously inked purple.
I haven't heard if Saddam was allowed to vote.
Does anybody have info?
I like it!
This is outstanding. Anyone have a link where this may be seen?
The Democrats are correct about one thing, there is a lot of voter fraud going on in this country. I think it is time we bring it to an end.
Besides the finger in the ink well, I noticed they were requiring proof of indentity, we need to do that as well.
We also need to purge our voter registrtion records. I think for the good of the country, the current registration records should all be thrown out, and everyone be required to re-register, and not by mail. When you register you must show a picture ID.
I think the law should be if you do not vote in any election, your name is removed from the rolls.
I would also like to see voter registration cross referenced where large number of citizens maintain two homes, such as New York and Flordia.
I would like to see real harsh penalties for voter fraud, here I am talking mandatory jail time.
Last, any non-citizen caught voting would be deported and would never be allowed to apply for citizenship.
Uhhh huh!!!
What a chore this would be with all the snow-birds and travel of Americans. We not only need this blue finger thing. We need a data-base of ALL registered voters!
BUMP
I like the stained finger validatation too!
So you saw him again?
Must like the punishment :)
He's everywhere, he's everywhere...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.