Does it not seem strange that just days and hours after the election, the insurgants are killing innocent Iraqis but do not do so on election days?
I think it is clear that the terrorists believe that bombing votes would be counter productive. That it would turn not only Kurds and Shites against them but Sunnis as well.
That leads me to believe that the bombings and killings are not designed to influence Iraqis.. they are designed to influence Amercan public opinion. If the terrorists really thought they could frighten Iraqi citizens into surrender to the old Bathist regime, election day would have been one constant bombing report and a sea of dead bodies.
No the old time supporters of Saddam only hope to make We Americans go home so they can continue the fight against us here on our own soil.
And the reactionaries on this forum wanted them all bombed to Kingdom come.
Hope they've reconsidered.
Excellent post.
Brilliant post.
This is why the Left continues the drumbeat for the USA & the coalition to pull out of Iraq - and use the old Vietnam buzz words.
The Left needs our defeat as much as the terrorists need us to be defeated - they both crave power as an addict craves his drug of choice and they will do anything - including endangering their own lives - to have that craving satisfied.
Defintely the bombings are designed for influencing Americans.
The media types are the very best friends that the insurgents have these days over there. We don't have to be concerned about the safety of our Media over there by and large because they are mostly all safely holed up in their hotels while under the protection of Iraqi (Yes Iraqi Troops) Troops who are supported by Americans.
Additionally, security is really tight during these processes. Few bombers are likely going to get through the very strong measures.
Another thought is that not all Sunnis want a return to the days of Saddam. Many were conscripts themselves. Only the Feyadeen, the high ranking officers who benefitted with special favor, and the brutal ones want Saddam back.
"I can't help but consider why the terrorists do not bomb polling places and kill lots of people on election days.
Does it not seem strange that just days and hours after the election, the insurgants are killing innocent Iraqis but do not do so on election days?"
Always look for the obvious explanation. On election day there was heavy security, curfews and cars banned from the streets. Why launch attacks on the day when they will be hardest to pull off?
Just heard a correspondant on NPR say that the insurgents had planned on standing down in order to let the Sunnis go to the polls and vote "no".
FWIW