Iraqi Elections

I'm glad to see that the elections in Iraq went off relatively well. There were obviously a few problems but at least there wasn't the threatened bloodbath and 400 suicide bombers Zarqawi and his fellow nutbags threatened.

I'm just happy for the Iraqi people. Happy and in admiration of their bravery. Unlike so many of us here in the west who treat our democracy in a blase fashion, these people truly appreciate democracy at work even while under imminent threat of danger and death. It's a good thing to see and brings me hope that other nations will follow suit and begin democratic institutions and reforms across the globe.

The only thing that annoys me about the Iraqi election coverage are those reporters (many from supposedly more enlightened western European nations) who are still predicting doom and gloom even now that the polling stations are closed in Iraq. Many still keep implying that Arabs and Muslims are incapable of creating, running, and maintaining a democracy without Western "guidance" but at the same decry very said same "guidance" as imperialism. That to me is a contradiction in terms. That aside I find the notion that Arabs can't create or run democracies ridiculous. Democracy isn't just for one culture or religion or race, it's for all humanity. Sure there is still going to be violence in Iraq by the die hard Baathists and Islamic terrorists who fear democracy, but it's obvious those people are in the extreme minority.

Anyway, my best wishes and hopes to Iraq's future democracy and with it a speedy (and safe) return home to our troops.