Originally posted by: DearQT
Originally posted by: tss4
Iraqis Defy Attackers in Historic Election
It appears the Iraqis really do want democracy in their country. Despite some violence they are voting in large numbers. Lets hope this is the beginning of a long lasting democracy in Iraq.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqis danced and clapped with joy Sunday as they voted in their country's first free election in a half-century, defying insurgents who launched eight suicide bombings and mortar strikes at polling stations. The attacks killed at least 36 people.
An Iraqi election official said that 72 percent of eligible Iraqi voters had turned out so far nationwide. The official, Adel al-Lami of the Independent Electoral Commission, offered no overall figures of the actual number of Iraqis who have voted to back up the claim.
Don't we ever learn from our past? Do we all remember how the media and US government showed pictures and made so much noise about the Iraqis being elated that the Saddam regime had fallen? Indeed, there were pictures to back up that claim. However, how long did it take before the people became resentful? Do we not know why they were resentful?
Have we not learned a lesson from even that one event? For a second time, we have hyped the response from Iraqis. Indeed, I believe they were elated, but you know why? Some are hoping that this means the end of occupation, but most I believe have been passed on an illusional idea of democracy. Democracy is broadcasted by the media and the government as some magical thing achieved with no efforts except making choices on a piece of paper (i.e., voting). Most of the Iraqis are excited because they're expecting a magic, and they think that this is democracy. It isn't. Democracy is a process achieved with efforts (that infers patience) and honesty.
Here is my prediction: Unless the US leaves the country early and a new so-called elected government in installed--with prompt changes made to improve the lives and freedom of the average people, there will be a significant increase in distrust, resentment, resistance, and support for resistance. However, being as realistic as we can for those who know what democracy truly means, we know that things aren't going to change quickly. There is no such thing as an emergency democracy, for even our country in its early years experimented twice with failure in her system of government before accomplishing something. Hence, I?m afraid the future is dull.
P.S. Before a political affiliation war begins, I am not affiliated any political parties and couldn't give a rat a$$ whether a democrat or republican is in power.