It is ironic to consider that if it hadn't been for the undemocratic process
of the Electoral College overriding the popular vote this voting process in
Iraq would not have happened.

-----Original Message-----
From: Denys Beauchemin [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 5:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [HP3000-L] OT: Iraqi elections

I am always amazed at the moral flexibility exhibited by the critics 
of a democratic Iraq.  Whether you like it or not, that is what it is, 
a democratic Iraq.  In the last year, the Iraqis went to the polls 
three times, in ever increasing numbers, to first vote for an interim 
government, then a constitution and finally a permanent government.

Each time, they braved reprisals from the terrorists for voting and 
marking themselves in indelible purple ink.  Most of them had to walk 
sometimes many miles to get to the voting stations and then back home 
with their fingers marked with the ink, almost as an invitation to the 
terrorists.

I understand your disdain for the Iraqi democracy since it was made 
possible by the evil American Military, I'm not sure that I understand 
the concept of imposed democracy, after all, no one came into their 
houses to force them to vote; they chose to do that willingly and 
thereby placed themselves in jeopardy as I described earlier.

I will say however, that I am amazed at and disappointed by people who 
profess to be democrats (with a small d) simply dismissing the Iraqi 
elections as rigged and pissing on the people who voted and are 
literally embracing their newfound freedom and democracy.

So, how do you feel about a democratic Germany and a democratic Japan 
and a democratic Italy and a democratic Afghanistan?

I suggest to you the election in Iraq was a lot more free and 
democratic than the one that will be held in the People's Banana 
Republic of Canada next month.  The Iraqi election will have also had 
a higher turnout than said Canadian election.  You will need to ask 
yourself why that is.  I have a few ideas, but that's for another post.

Denys
-----Original Message-----
From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On 
Behalf Of James B. Byrne
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 11:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] OT: Iraqi elections

On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:36:58 -0800, Shawn Gordon 
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> yea, democracy is so much worse than living under Saddam.

Strange logic, to equate invasion, alien conquest and puppet rule 
under foreign military occupation, with indigenous democracy.  What 
sophistry is next? Enslavement equals salvation?  Indebtedness equals 
prosperity? 

-- 

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