Historic Iraqi Election

[Grantref]

One can applaud an end result without agreeing with the methods used to achieve it.

[Aristotle]

Originally posted by Grantref
One can applaud an end result without agreeing with the methods used to achieve it.

Of course. I agree with that statement completely.

But what amazes me is how few people are even willing to applaud the end result.

That was the whole point of the thread. No matter what you think of the war in Iraq, the fact that they held democratic elections is an AMAZING accomplishment.

It is probably the greatest positive accomplishment in the middle east since the Camp David Accords, and perhaps even better than that (since the Camp David Accords really did not accomplish much in the long run). Time will tell on that count.

[Jarkis]

I got this comment from a mosque-goer.

"Amazing. Imagine the infidels are the ones that will help unite the people of the middle east."

I pondered over it a bit. Thought is was better then "infidels must all die." line that I always hear at the beginning of the war

[Grantref]

Originally posted by Aristotle
Of course. I agree with that statement completely.

But what amazes me is how few people are even willing to applaud the end result.

That was the whole point of the thread. No matter what you think of the war in Iraq, the fact that they held democratic elections is an AMAZING accomplishment.

It is probably the greatest positive accomplishment in the middle east since the Camp David Accords, and perhaps even better than that (since the Camp David Accords really did not accomplish much in the long run). Time will tell on that count.

My personal opinion is that it isn't the first election that is most important. It's the first election in which the incumbents lose, and the degree to which they peaceably relinquish power, that is most critical.

[Aristotle]

Originally posted by Grantref
My personal opinion is that it isn't the first election that is most important. It's the first election in which the incumbents lose, and the degree to which they peaceably relinquish power, that is most critical.

And then when that happens, will that too be discarded as "not important" in lieu of some other future goal?

Honestly, a failure to admit how incredible of a development this is amounts to pure head-in-the-sand-ism.

More information about the amazing effects of just this first election:

The march of freedom

It boggles my mind that so many people will FIGHT acknowledging how positive this development is.

The more people try to diminish it and stand apart from it, the more credit they cause to pile onto one person, George Bush. If success continues, he will get more credit than he deserves because so many people insist on making this into such a George Bush thing. Why people do that amazes and confuses me.

Get on board. This is a very historic and amazing thing happening. Be a part of the success rather than trying to pretend it is no big deal.

Share in the credit by being a part of it now!

[Jarkis]

Wow... Its Ari's 2000th post...

Anyhow. Yeah, agreed. The elections are still a big thing. As long as Iraqis are taking a different view on their freedom and want out of dictatorship, it is a big thing.

And remember, it is not only Iraq. The democratic 'bug' will spread to other parts of the Middle East. Right now its in Lebanon soon, Syria, then Libya, then Eygpt... it may take years, but this election will be the catalyst. And its not the only one. With the death of Yasser Arafat, we saw Palestine having elections. Since the fall of the Taliban, the Afghan also held elctions. These blibs on the radar will be even more constant given time.

Sorry for sounding like a broken record. But I am really hoping to see a united and peaceful Middle East.

[Aristotle]

Originally posted by Jarkis
Wow... Its Ari's 2000th post...

DOH! Heh. I didn't even notice.

Originally posted by Jarkis
And remember, it is not only Iraq. The democratic 'bug' will spread to other parts of the Middle East. Right now its in Lebanon soon, Syria, then Libya, then Eygpt... it may take years, but this election will be the catalyst. And its not the only one. With the death of Yasser Arafat, we saw Palestine having elections. Since the fall of the Taliban, the Afghan also held elctions. These blibs on the radar will be even more constant given time.

Exactly.

One only has to look at history to see this is how democracy and freedom spread.

Is it any surprise that soon after the American Revolution in 1776 the French followed suit in 1789?

Soon after, all of Europe and the western world followed.

That's how it happens folks. Afghanistan and Iraq are the first important holes in the dam that will let the river of freedom run through.

[Aristotle]

Wow. Just wow. this is amazing:

Iraqis Elect Jalal Talabani Interim President

They chose a Kurd!

BAGHDAD, Iraq — After two months of wrangling, Iraq's new government began to take shape Wednesday with the election of Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani as the country's new president, and the promise to name another longtime foe of Saddam Hussein to the prime minister's post — all in a historic parliamentary session watched by the jailed former Iraqi dictator.

After two years of the media telling us how the new government would just end up being Shiite or Sunni theocracy that crushed the minorities, it is pretty exciting to see them choose a Kurd as their first president!

[drasoini]

Holy crap! This is going to be interesting.