Freedom's Fidelity

Friday, December 16, 2005

Iraq Elections III (Part II)

From Iraq the Model, who has a boatload of great pictures.

This guy looks great for 105.



Muhaisin Bidairy Abdullah who was born in 1900 and I think he is the oldest amongst the voters came leaning on his grandsons and could hardly breathe with tears visible in his eyes... maybe because he won't be able to attend the next elections.


It's difficult for me to understand how and why so many Democrats are choosing this moment to start pronouncing defeat..... It sure doesn't make political sense and it is hard to see any morality in abandoning the Iraqi people to those that indiscriminately murder civilians, especially after they have come so far. Turnout was high, probably over 70% and more importantly the Sunnis came to the realization that ballots, not murder, is the way to achieve government representation. Though difficult times are still ahead, there is a long road behind.

Predictably the Kossacks trivialize democracy taking root where it never has before and ask

But do we know yet what this is going to get them?
Can all the purple fingers in Iraq solve the question of Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish integration? Given the level of distrust, violence, and hatred we've seen thus far, I'd say not yet.

Well, there are lots of things it gets them, for one it's yet another step towards a representative government and claiming their rights as individuals and self-determination. For the last 30 years, Iraqi citizens were slaves to a mad man, not even allowed ownership of their own personality. By any historical standard, the progress made in Iraq over the last 3 years is astounding. Is that not worth something?

History is on the move, and thanks to the magic of blogs, I spent most of yesterday watching it happen almost live, through eyes slightly blurred by tears.... it is that inspiring, and also humbling. Yet others see those same images and it evokes nothing but cynicism. I'm not sure what that says about them, but it's not flattering. Such is the state of today's 'progressives.'

As I was telling a friend the other day, I've pretty much given up on reasoning with those that refuse to see this struggle beyond the context of George W. Bush, WMDs, and party politics. In some ways, I feel bad about it, like I'm caving. Then again, maybe it's best to simply let them revel in their own ignorance, let their shrieks get so loud, glib, and shrill until they eventually knock themselves out... again. Given that the extremists (on either side) haven't been able to win any elections, I'm content to ignore them. Events and truth will eventually run them over. For now, let them choke on their own cynicism. Or as a 77 year old female Iraqi voter so eloquently put it:

"Anybody who doesn't appreciate what America has done, and President Bush, let them go to hell!"

Amen. Freedom Marches On.


Just voted

Iraqi Soldiers


Another great round-up of pictures here.

UPDATE: Did I say choking on cynicism? Top Ten Kos Kidz Reactions to the Elections

posted by Paul  permalink | |