Is the situation "perfect?" Hmm... Is democracy every pretty?Iraqis Vote on New Constitution
Early Estimates Show Turnout
Was Strong, Even Among Sunnis
By FARNAZ FASSIHI in Baghdad and PHILIP SHISHKIN in Fallujah
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
October 15, 2005 5:59 p.m.
Iraqis turned out in large numbers today to cast a ballot in a national referendum on the country's new constitution. Voter turnout was estimated at 66%, with more Sunni Muslims in the provinces turning out to vote.
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The capital was calm despite preparations by Iraqi and American military officials for widespread attacks.
Wow... So I guess we don't get 100% of the population voting for something - just like back in the good-old-days with Saddam.The country's Shiite majority -- some 60% of its estimated 27 million people -- and the Kurds -- another 20% -- support the approximately 140-article charter, which provides them with autonomy in the northern and southern regions where they are concentrated.
Last-minute amendments to the constitution, adopted Wednesday, promise Sunnis the chance to try to change the charter more deeply later, prompting one Sunni Arab group -- the Iraqi Islamic Party -- to support the draft. Most others reject it.
We shall see...
I love looking at the headlines of the New York Times and Washington Post in my neck of the woods. There's always a top page story about the failure of it all in Iraq. This morning the Washington Post was wringing their hands about the poor, disenfranchised minority Sunnis whose views may not be properly represented. You know...those nice former Baathists who raped, tortured, gassed, and murdered Shia and Kurds for a few decades.
It's good to know someone is out there siding with "the underdog."
Meanwhile, remember when Jordanian born al Zarqawi threatened to cut the fingers off of voters? Well...do you think these Iraqis give a damn?
Maybe the insurgents were a little intimidated by the big, burly guys showing up to vote...
Truth be told, I think they had a hard time killing Americans on voting days, what with all the IRAQI soldiers around...
And it's a little tough getting the Baathist any momentum, what with Sadr City residents such as these protesting against them.
Looks like politics as usual to me. DEMOCRATIC politics...
Eat your heart out, France! Protest this, UN!!!
- Bill