http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...n_mideast_view

However you feel about the war in Iraq, there is no doubt that a democratic seed has been planted. Thousands may want Democracy to fail in Iraq, especially those who stand to lose power if it spreads. If people didn't stand to lose anything, why are they fighting it?

Think of the people who risked their lives to vote yesterday. It means something to them. Think of those in countries who still today don't have the right to vote... that seed is a sliver in their minds.

We have freedom and 50% of us **** on it, so don't forget the 50% of the people that matter.


Frankly, I'm sick of the war. I'd like to see our troops out of there now.
With that said, It is hard to argue with results, though. If we pull out now, we are abandoning the millions of Iraqis that risked their lives to vote.

 

I agree. So far 72% of the voting population has voted according to the current tally! That's 30% higher than when Clinton won in 1998 and 20% than the pre-election prediction.

The only thorn in their side are the damn Sunni majority that didn't vote and other arab countries that may look bad. It's definitely something that could flare but I certainly don't think Democracy is a shot in the dark as of now.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050130/D87UET800.html

 

Salty,

You mentioned 72% showing of voters amid the terrorist threats. That is something that unless I was watching Fox news, would never know. I hate the way most media will depict the situation over there as a loosing battle. When in reality, it is inevitable that we succeed. The media loves to make a mountain out of a moll hill. If one soldier is wounded or killed out there, instead of mentioning how much that soldier has done and what he/she has accomplished, they turn it around and make it sound like we're getting our asses handed to us. That is not the case.

I'll never forget all the good things that were written about Gary Gordon and Randy Shugart even though they both lost thier lives in the line of duty. Reading stuff like that makes you proud to be an American.

It just seems like these days good news doesn't make good ratings. So its a race for the media to get as much sorrow and hate as they can to your television so that you'll stay tuned.

 

Unfortunately it's not inevitable but the groundwork for success has undoubtedly been laid. The proof of hope is in the majority of voters that participated in the election... there’s no denying this.


Without a doubt!


Controversy sells to those that want to believe its bias. The media is a business and business is good.

 

I thought the shiates' were the majority

 

Yep whatever you think about the downsides of this war, the elections are definitely an "UP".

 

They are.

I was refering to the majority of Sunni Muslims that didn't vote.

 

I was watching FOX News today, and I heard them say 60% voted. Preliminary numbers were higher, but these are still impressive.
I also watched CNN, I was curious to see the difference in coverage. There was not one HINT of pessimism or seeing the negative side of things, as you had impled the media could not avoid. Anderson Cooper sounded just as optimistic and proud as Geraldo (well, maybe not Geraldo ). I don't think ANY news reporter would be stupid enough to express doubt or pessimism at such a revolutionary time. They did suggest that it may not turn out well beforehand, but this is only being realistic. Have you ever hard of the danger of being too optimistic? We would be fooling ourselves if we didn't expect any kind of attacks on such an symbolic day. The question was, were the attacks going to be enough to keep the people from voting?

Personally, I am not cursing this day and wishing it all had failed pitifully. Perhaps from your view, anyone that questions anything we do, or dares to suggest something may not work the way we planned , is anti-american, a drag on our efforts, and only wishes for our country's failure.

If it wern't for people expecting the worst and being prepared for it, our military occupation there would have failed long ago. There is a huge difference between airing caution and predicting failure, and you don't seem to see it.

You still haven't shown me you can think for yourself. Just keep believing everything they tell you... ['they' being Shep Smith and his gang]






I'm getting really tired of this crap. People on the right, who apparently can't see anything else, take anything to their left and shove it as far away as possible, creating one giant heap of far-left liberal muck. I suggest you sort through that pile, you'll find some very intersting, useful stuff (I'm sure there's a few nice bongs in there somewhere...) You may think, hey you do the same thing to the right. Well, I don't. I am able to connect with many common values and can agree with lots of conservative views, and will admit that. The two parties are NOT mutually exclusive. There are countless aspects which are common between them. So, before discounting anyone's view as anti-american, listen to what they're saying and at least give it a thought.

[/rant]

 

werd

 

I was watching ABC news for a bit today and some retired general was on. He was saying to not be to optomistic and to wait and see what happens after the elections. Especially to the person that was voted in. He also noted that we might be seeing a increase of insurget action after the election and a lessening during the election. Either way though this a step in the right direction. I just hope they can repeat this process again and again. Well see though but Im a bit cautious.

Ignore the spelling been drinking a bit.

 

No worries, Chrisnonstop assures us 'it is inevitable that we will succeed.'

I guess we've got to have some people thinking in this way. If only they could appreciate those who do the real thinking.

 

I see.

 

anyone else catch how they keep revising the numbers down? haha

regardless it was a good day for all.. (cept those poeople who died)

 

You said:
"Personally, I am not cursing this day and wishing it all had failed pitifully. Perhaps from your view, anyone that questions anything we do, or dares to suggest something may not work the way we planned , is anti-american, a drag on our efforts, and only wishes for our country's failure."

No, that's not true. Definately not my point of vew.

"If it wern't for people expecting the worst and being prepared for it, our military occupation there would have failed long ago. There is a huge difference between airing caution and predicting failure, and you don't seem to see it."

You always have to prepare for the worst. However you must always remain optimistic or you are setting yourself up for failure. This is how "winners" think.

"You still haven't shown me you can think for yourself. Just keep believing everything they tell you... ['they' being Shep Smith and his gang]"

I'm thinking for myself right now, and I think you're the type of person that thinks you're never wrong.

"I'm getting really tired of this crap. People on the right, who apparently can't see anything else, take anything to their left and shove it as far away as possible, creating one giant heap of far-left liberal muck. I suggest you sort through that pile, you'll find some very intersting, useful stuff (I'm sure there's a few nice bongs in there somewhere...) You may think, hey you do the same thing to the right. Well, I don't. I am able to connect with many common values and can agree with lots of conservative views, and will admit that. The two parties are NOT mutually exclusive. There are countless aspects which are common between them. So, before discounting anyone's view as anti-american, listen to what they're saying and at least give it a thought."

Do you think we grew up together? You don't know me, you don't know what I'm thinking and now you've just put me in a group of people you've classified as "People who can't see anything else". Stop it. There are far more constructive ways to get your point accross.

 

I could never imagine living my life as a pessimist. Scoobsport can you tell us what it’s like? Oh and just out of burning curiosity, who are those that do the real thinking? :givingthebird: