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? -- * To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, * * etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html * * To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, * * etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *