Hopeful Iraqis living in U.S. vote in national election at Irving hotel

The Dallas Morning News ^ | March 7, 2010 | Joe Simnacher

[Rastus]

RVING – Joyful Iraqi citizens from across the Southwest lined up at an Irving hotel Saturday to vote in their national election.

"I feel free," said Asaad Alsaaidi of Arlington. "I feel I have the choice to vote for anybody I want. I feel freedom in Iraq."

. . .

Children accompanied their parents wearing the colorful clothing of their heritage and reflecting the festivity of the occasion. Some proudly displayed the adult accessory of the day – the ink-stained finger of an Iraqi voter.

"I vote, my wife vote, and my children put their finger in ink," said Alsaaidi, a truck driver who has lived in Arlington since 1991.

Political observers say the election may be the conclusive evidence of what kind of democracy is likely to form in a country that is attempting to emerge from seven years of war.

. . .

Alsaaidi, the truck driver from Arlington, said the election is important in stopping the deaths of his countrymen and bringing American troops home to their loved ones. He said times have changed from the era of a dictatorship.

"That's what everybody needed in Iraq," he said.

[Rastus]

All possible because of Obama. /sarc

[albie]

Isn’t it a tad strange that they can vote here for an election there? We’re getting carried away with the “absentee voter” thing. Will his vote go the same way OUR absentee votes go? In the trash if it’s not for the “right” candidate?

[Jedidah]

It’s not strange, it’s heartwarming to see so many Iraqis who love their country and are determined to participate in the democratic process.

There were people who drove all the way to Texas from Denver to vote.

Would you do that? How many times have you forgotten to vote or stayed in because the weather was bad?

Quit complaining and count your blessings.