There is a nine hour difference between Missouri’s and Iraq’s time zones (if the “international” clock on the wall of the Missourian [which was put up in 2003 to help us think globally in the revving up to the second round of the Gulf War. It has since had the dateline city Baghdad replaced with Tehran and Damascus, though the London clock to its right has remained unchanged – except for batteries]). Night owl Americans go to bed hearing about the budding news of the day and wake up to find out things turned out in the east. It’s like seeing the opening of an all night marathon, falling asleep, and waking up in time to catch the final 15 minutes when the guy get the girl, the bully gets his comeuppance, and the wised mentor (who may or may not have died partway through hour four) appears to smile down on our hero (either from their rustic porch or from amongst the clouds, depending on the previous sce-nario).
Iraq’s had a happy ending Sunday. However, that was only the end of this chapter. “The Next Generation” sequel is already under production and we’ll be watching closely to see what happens next.
FLASHBACK POST: Carpe diem-ed!
Congrats, Iraq!
You had an opportunity and you seized it.
Once again, you trumped the experts’ pessimistic expectations.
- Turnout was higher than previously estimated. Roughly 72 percent of the country of 14 million turned out to vote.
Granted, it was less than the 100 hundred percent turnout in the last Saddam-run “election,” but this time the num-bers and the results are less suspect than the elections that proved every single person voted for Hussein (though I might ask, what kind of jerk with an over-inflated ego expects us to buy such a vote anyway? Oh yeah… the spider-hole-hiding kind).
(Note: Once more accurate numbers came in, and were better adjusted to the percentage of people eligible to vote, 62 percent of the country was said to have participated in the democratic process. This is equal to
I have a few, different links that you could consult to look at the American voter percentage turn in 2000 and 2004, but let me summarize those numbers: Iraqi voters turned out in the same percentage as American crowds, if not a little better. Considering this was the first real election in decades, voting stations were being conjured from scratch, terrorist threats were well known, and security was a big question throughout the day, the fact that voters turned up, let alone in the millions, was a miracle.
What percentage of Americans would still strive to vote under similar circumstances? I don’t want to know the answer, but it’s certainly something to ponder.)
The violence was far reduced than predicted. It is very sad that anyone had to brave bombs, bullets, and any other form of violence to cast their vote, but it shows they believe in hope. Even those who paid with their own lives ensured their voices were heard.
The pages in the history books are turning faster than ever.
This signals the ending of a darker chapter of history. The next few papers appear to be comprised of lighter fare. Granted, it’s like when the witches show up in Shakespeare’s Macbeth; things remain dark, but at least the black comedy is a nice departure from the blood and gore of the previous few acts.
Things are changing, and while that remains a constant, it is important to note they are changing for the better in Iraq… thanks to the coalition partners who are trying to provide a protective sanctuary for the country to grow its own form of freedom from within.
May they all be successful in their endeavors.
Keep going out and seizing that good day.
'Let_freedom_reign'
