:: ::

:: MAX BLACK ::

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." --C.S. Lewis

"The Swiss pocket knife of conservative thought on the web..." - Eli Kardrakian

"Bookmark Max and dump your subscription to the newspaper; if you don't have a birdcage you really don't need it anyway..." - Shirley St. James

:: Sunday, January 30, 2005 ::

Winning the hearts and minds?

Some post election commentary from Iraqi bloggers:[Update: Do not miss Florida Cracker's excellent roundup of pictures of people voting--so far the best I've found--they literally crawled to the polling booth!]

"On the top of our privileged today are those who were killed in their way for voting. Their names should be perpetuated for ever! Their names should be written in Gold in Al-Fordos Square in Baghdad!

Our thanks go to George W Bush who will enter the history as the leader of the freedom and democracy in the recent history! He and his people are our friends for ever!"

{...}

"God bless Iraq and America!"

--Hammorabi

"I bow in respect and awe to the men and women of our people who, armed only with faith and hope are going to the polls under the very real threats of being blown to pieces. These are the real braves; not the miserable creatures of hate who are attacking one of the noblest things that has ever happened to us. Have you ever seen anything like this? Iraq will be O.K. with so many brave people, it will certainly O.K.; I can say no more just now; I am just filled with pride and moved beyond words. People are turning up not only under the present threat to polling stations but also under future threats to themselves and their families; yet they are coming, and keep coming. Behold the Iraqi people; now you know their true metal. We shall never forget the meanness of these bas…s. After this is over there will be no let up, they must be wiped out. It is our duty and the duty of every decent human to make sure this vermin is no more and that no more innocent decent people are victimized."

--The Messopotamian

"I walked forward to my station, cast my vote and then headed to the box, where I wanted to stand as long as I could, then I moved to mark my finger with ink, I dipped it deep as if I was poking the eyes of all the world's tyrants. I put the paper in the box and with it, there were tears that I couldn't hold; I was trembling with joy and I felt like I wanted to hug the box but the supervisor smiled at me and said 'brother, would you please move ahead, the people are waiting for their turn'".

--Iraq the Model

Let me end today's posts with a picture I found of a woman who was so overcome with emotion at voting that she cried. I believe this picture symbolizes every Iraqi's feelings today.

--Hussayn

"...a press lady who started asking voters about their choices and when answered she made sneer comments about the party in question. The voters started complaining to the staff, and she was ushered outside to be reminded politely of the code of conduct. She gave the excuse of freedom of press, Umm yeah no one said dont ask questions but its a NO GO Lady when you interefere with the voters choices and belittle them."

--Neurotic Iraqi Wife

"I did it, I voted
YES,YES, I did it. I have the courage to do it.

--Diary From Baghdad

"To all the men and women who have served and serving in Iraq, to all the families of those who have paid the ultimate price to all those who have suffered during their service in Iraq, my family’s and my deepest thanks, gratitude and pride both from the U.S. and Iraq for all the sacrifices, endurance and service for our great country and Iraq and the Iraqis. God bless all of you and keep you safe."

link via Arthur Chrenkoff

Iraq, January 30th, 2005.

Related: Speaking of winning the hearts and minds, the election in Iraq has not gone unoticed in Iran.

More here: As usual, Arthur Chrenkoff and Tim Blair are way out in front of MSM in reporting the Iraqi election status. Sure is nice to know I no longer have to rely on the talking heads or a stale newspaper for my fix.

:: Max 9:34 AM [+] ::
...

---