News reports that 60% of eligible voters turned out to select representatives to a new legislature that will craft a democratic constitution. While the violent insurgents have killed 35 through bombings it was hardly the "washing the streets with the blood of voters" these jerks had promised. There has been much enthusiasm throughout the North and South but with many Sunnis boycotting as promised. In my view, if you boycott an election (like many Sunni leaders had insisted they would) you are voting to stay out of the process.The fact is, the Shia have a majority in the country and the Sunni domination of the government SHOULD end.
Congratulations to President Bush and Prime Minister Blair on making today possible. Congratulations to the thousands of US and UK soldiers for overthrowing a totalitarian regime and giving the Iraqi people the opportunity to select their leaders. Congratulations to the millions of Iraqi voters who have defied the insurgents by voting today and seizing on what so many of us take for granted. Congratulations to Ayattola Sistani (Shia) for not pursuing a course of retaliation against Sunni insurgents bent on igniting a civil war prior to this great day.
While some will be quick and enthusiastic to point out anything negative, we should all be thankful that we finally made it to election day and that the Iraqi people have finally made their voices heard.