IrresponsibleUseOfFr's Journal: Iraqi Elections

Today is the day of the Iraqi elections. The question still remains whether or not they have any legitimacy, Iternational election monitors are in Amman, Jordan. The U.N. washed its hands of the whole situation. The Kurds and Shi'ites seem to have no problems voting, but Sunnis in the middle part of Iraq are under a constant threat of violence, reinforced with mortar and rocket attacks along with car suicide bombings.

Iraq is on the road to democracy and this is the latest step. But, I don't know under what criteria you would use to judge this election as a success or failure and what meaning does it have if the canidates themselves are too scared to even admit they are running for fear of assasination. Iraq's citizens are allowed to vote, but on what basis are they making their decision?

One thing is clear, Iraq is a long way from stable democracy. Iraq represents a large investment for America in both monetary costs and human life (not just American but also the Iraqis themselves). I don't know if the American people are fully aware of the huge investment it is. Or how its ultimate success or failure depends on factors that are external to anything America does. The Iraqis are beholden to make democracy work, something they didn't exactly ask for.

So we wait and see, but have no doubt that we were cursed to live in interesting times.