It's with some what delicious (no, not Del.icio.us, the recent purchase made by Yahoo!, but rather delicious, as in tastes so good) irony that I read news, belatedy reported that it is, that voting in Iraq is proving to be a more popular sport than Bush bashing is in this country.
Yet again soon after an article by the local automaton troll detailing that "Bush screwed up Iraq" we find the real truth is that the news from Iraq is that voting is going well there -- even though there were reported cases of attempts to import fraudulent ballots into the country from Iran -- so well in fact that polling places have had to extend hours to allow for all citizens to get out and register their votes.
Iraqi citizens are showing up in mass numbers at the polling places because they do understand democracy, and because they want to decide for themselves what the shape of their government will be. These citizens are going to polling places despite the stories of threatened voter intimidation that they might face, despite the possibility of violence on their way to the polls, and despite the fact that media back in this country, in tandem with their liberal pals here and abroad, has told these citizens that they living in an undeclared civil war with insurgents determined to defeat democracy and expel the infidel dogs that are unwanted guests in their country.
I've written it before. I guess I may too be sounding a bit repititive (like that damned automaton troll), but Iraq is a democracy in bloom. Over the next few decades if they stay on path, Iraq could well find itself a model for it's neighbors. It won't be easy, but nothing of value ever is. It may continue to require help from outsiders such as the U.S.A., the U.K. and other allies. But it can and will (if allowed) succeed.
Patience is a requirement along the way as we continue to help the Iraqi's prepare to take responsibility for their own security. They'll need to be able to protect their own leadership, their own citizens, and their own country from neighbors such as Iran and Syria. They'll have to maintain well controlled borders and try to keep out the likes of the Al Qaeda castoffs and scum that have been stirring up much of the trouble within their country now, but again, they are showing the desire to do these things if given the opportunity and support.
