Liberty's Blog

Pulling it off

We get fed a stream of information about Iraq. and the Iraqi people. I have found myself wondering whether the Iraqi people even deserve democracy. After all, they didn't overthrow Saddam, and aome of the people are supporting the bombers and terrorist. Election day is aproaching quickly, Seems as though only 6 months ago the biggest of the Iraqi supportors were expressing doubt whether we and the Iraqis could pull this off. Powerlines posts this report:

72.4 % of all of those polled said they would participate in the elections. [Ed.: If so, Iraqi voting will vastly outstrip participation here in the U.S., where 56% of eligible voters contributed to a record turnout in 2004.]
97% of Iraqis in Kurdistan said they would participate in the elections.

96% of Iraqis in the southern provinces (mainly Shiite areas) said they would participate in the elections.

33% of Iraqis in the central provinces (Sunni Area) said they would participate in the elections.

10% of Iraqis in Central provinces (Sunni Area) said they have not yet made their mind if they were going to vote or not.

62.1% of those polled said that the elections will be neutral and free.

17.8% said elections will not be neutral and free.

66% said that the elections must take place under current circumstances.

53.3% said the security is good in their area..

21.7% said that security was average in their area.

25% said that security was bad in their area.

The figures are staggering. I have no doubt that people may die, in their attempts to vote. Iraqis know this. Voting will be a dangerous activity in Iraq. We are not talking about solders, idealist, or political zealots here. These are the people, ordinary people who proclaim extraordinary courage. The Iraqis are proving to be be worthy of democracy, worthy of our support. Perhaps even of our sacrifices.

posted by Liberty @ 5:35 AM