Iraqi Election~~~~~ Live thread.

All of us | Jan 29 2005 | Various Freepers

[Dog]

It is now 3 am in Iraq the polls will be opening in the next few hours as the world watches and hold's it breath. Iraq is about to undertake a historic vote.

Lets wish them well....... please post all comments and election photos to this thread.

[stlnative]

LOOK AT THE LINES!

A member Iraqi National Guard stand near villagers villagers queueing to vote for the national polls in a polling precinct in Al Anbar province 23 kilometres west of Baghdad,Iraq (news - web sites) January 30, 2005. A suicide bomber strapped with explosives killed two policemen in the latest attack on polling centres during Sunday's election, police sources said. At least eight suicide bombs exploded outside Baghdad polling stations, killing at least 19 people. Seven of the suicide bombers walked up to the voting stations on foot and one used a car bomb. REUTERS/Erik de Castro


An Iraqi villager raises his arms to show he's not armed during security check while queueing to vote for the national polls in Al Anbar province 23 kilometres west of Baghdad,Iraq (news - web sites) January 30, 2005. A suicide bomber strapped with explosives killed two policemen in the latest attack on polling centres during Sunday's election, police sources said. At least eight suicide bombs exploded outside Baghdad polling stations, killing at least 19 people. Seven of the suicide bombers walked up to the voting stations on foot and one used a car bomb. REUTERS/Erik de Castro

[lainde]

When you compare the Left's position with the fact that before this, people never voted at all, they look like the jackassses they are. I almost said dumb jackasses, but I caught myself on the redundancy.

Well said...LOL!

Goodnight all. Major historical events are just more special and FUN with Freepers!

[goldstategop]

Now that gives Islamists and Leftists ulcers. If there aren't 10,000 dead on Election Day, its a quaqmire.

Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."

[goldstategop]

You notice the reason police officers and national guardsmen are wearing masks? Its to prevent them from being targeted by terrorist insurgents.

Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."

[MMkennedy]

It was 17 but about 15 minutes ago FOX reported an eighth suicide attack. After that report the number of dead went up to 27. 27 is the correct number so far

[goldstategop]

We have almost three hours left for people to vote and they've killed 27. Sounds like a typical day's work and here al Zarqawi was promising the media a made to order bloodbath. What a let-down!

Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Oh, those are fantastic pictures....

[advance_copy]

You know, I just saw a reminder that sKerry is on the whole hour of "Meet the Press" this morning. That guy IS an ulcer. Wonder what he's got to say for himself... on second thought, nevermind. I don't care what he says. Secretary Rice will be on Fox News Sunday.

[ghost of quidam]

From an AP report......

By HAMZA HENDAWI

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqis voted Sunday in their country's first free election in a half-century and insurgents made good on threats of violence, launching three deadly suicide bombings and mortar strikes at half a dozen polling stations across Iraq. At least 14 people were killed, including five policemen.

Casting his vote, Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi called it "the first time the Iraqis will determine their destiny." The country's mostly ceremonial president, Ghazi al-Yawer, said it was Iraq's first step "toward joining the free world."

Despite the heavy attacks, turnout was brisk in some Shiite Muslim and mixed Shiite-Sunni neighborhoods. Even in the small town of Askan in the so-called "triangle of death" south of Baghdad - a mixed Sunni-Shiite area - 20 people waited in line at each of several polling centers. More walked toward the polls.

"This is democracy," said an elderly woman in a black abaya, Karfia Abbasi. She held up a thumb stained with purple ink to prove she had voted.

In a potentially troublesome sign, however, the polls were deserted in heavily Sunni cities like Fallujah, Ramadi and Samarra west and north of Baghdad. Sunni extremists, fearing victory by the Shiites, have called for a boycott, claiming no vote held under U.S. military occupation is legitimate.

The governor of the mostly Sunni province of Salaheddin, Hamad Hmoud Shagti, urged voters over the radio: "This is a chance for you as Iraqis to assure your and your children's future."

END OF QUOTE

I wouldn't expect heavy turnout in Fallujah, not alot of
people have gone back anyway. It'd be more dangerous to have a blue thumb there, I'd think.

From later int same AP story....

A ticket endorsed by the country's leading Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, is expected to fare best among the 111 candidate lists. However, no faction is expected to win an outright majority, meaning possibly weeks of political deal-making before a new prime minister is chosen.

END QUOTE

This is the best part - and also the trickiest. The Iraqis themselves will have to make it work, but if they do, they'll all have somehting invested in it together, Sunni, Shia, Kurd, etc.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I would be surprised if Kerry shows up , if he does, I would expect his appearance to be shortened.

[BCrago66]

Treat yourself to the vocal intonations of Michael Feinstein.

[Bahbah]

Secretary Rice will be on Fox News Sunday.

Secretary Rice. That has such a nice ring to it.

[baseball_fan]

Ted Kennedy said Iraq is now another Vietnam for America. With Bush beating Kerry and with the elections now looking in hand in Iraq, there are many from that era deserving of a victory lap - they were not defeated on the battlefield then even as we have not been defeated now. This time, however, we had the conservative media with us.

good night all.

[advance_copy]

Sunni extremists, fearing victory by the Shiites, have called for a boycott, claiming no vote held under U.S. military occupation is legitimate.

When AP writes about what constitutes a "legitimate" election, do they look for an answer from people who supported Saddam Hussein and/or Abu Musab Al Zarqawi?

[goldstategop]

I guess those are the folks the AP/Reuters bunch considers "authentic" Iraqis. They wouldn't know what a legitimate election was if it bit them on the ass.

Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."

[piasa]

27 is the correct number so far

The 27 figure includes at least 8 terrorists according to the phot captions above.

[goldstategop]

Subtract the terrorist insurgents and we have less than 20 civilians, cops & national guardsmen killed! And there are three hours to go in the balloting.

Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."

[MMkennedy]

Well then the number of humans who have died is 19 + 8 animals.

[stlnative]

A U.S. marines stand on guard near Iraqis queuing to vote in the national polls in a polling precinct in Al Anbar province 23 kilometres west of Baghdad,Iraq (news - web sites) January 30, 2005. REUTERS/Erik de Castro


Iraqi villagers walk to a voting precinct to vote in the national polls in Al Anbar province 23 kilometres west of Baghdad,Iraq (news - web sites) January 30, 2005.


A U.S. marines stand on guard near Iraqis queuing to vote in the national polls in a polling precinct in Al Anbar province 23 kilometres west of Baghdad,Iraq (news - web sites) January 30, 2005.


Iraqi villagers queue to vote in the national polls in a polling precinct in Al Anbar province 23 kilometres west of Baghdad,Iraq (news - web sites) January 30, 2005

[GOP_Proud]

bump