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Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade"
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Pollyannuh
1/30/2005 8:49 AM
Report abusive post | Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade"
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[link to www.iol.co.za]
January 30 2005 at 11:31AM
´What a bloody charade´
By Robert Fisk
Baghdad - In Baghdad on Saturday they were supposed to be preparing for an election. But they were preparing for war.
The American Bradley armoured vehicles on the streets, the United States foot patrols, the old Russian personnel carriers that Saddam Hussein bought on the cheap from the Soviet Union - now dressed up in the dull camouflage paint of the new Iraqi army - the hooded and masked policemen: they do not look like the prelude to an experiment in democracy. They are all waiting for the rivers of blood of which insurgents have warned. But there will be democracy in Iraq.
The mortars rained down yesterday morning on the Green Zone where the US and British embassies are located, a "thumpety-thump-thump" that brought the American Apache choppers over the surrounding highways in less than 30 seconds - but the insurgents had disappeared.
Then a fierce gun battle broke out in the very centre of Baghdad between Americans and insurgents. Too late again. The gunmen got away. Fantasy attacks before a fantasy election. Many Iraqis do not know the names of the candidates, let alone their policies.
The media boys and girls will be expected to play along
But there will be democracy in Iraq.
The media boys and girls will be expected to play along with this. "Transition of power", says the hourly logo on CNN´s live coverage of the election, though the poll is for a parliament to write a constitution, and the men who will form a majority within it will have no power.
They have no control over their own oil, no authority over the streets of Baghdad, let alone the rest of the country, no workable army or loyal police force. Their only power is that of the American military and its 150 000 soldiers whom we could all see on the main intersections of Baghdad yesterday.
The big television networks have been given a list of five polling stations where they will be "allowed" to film. Close inspection of the list shows that four of the five are in Shi´ite Muslim areas - where the polling will probably be high - and one in an upmarket Sunni area, where it will be moderate.
The majority Shi´as, oppressed under Hussein, are expected to take a majority in the polling at the expense of the formerly dominant Sunnis.
The reality is that much of Iraq has become a free-fire zone
Every working-class Sunni polling station will be out of bounds to the press. I wonder if the television lads will tell us that today when they show voters "flocking" to the polls.
In the Karada district, we found three truckloads of youths on Saturday, all brandishing Iraqi flags, all - like the unemployed who have been sticking posters to Baghdad´s walls - paid by the government to "advertise" the election. And there was a cameraman from Iraqi state television, of course, which is controlled by Iyad Allawi´s "interim" government.
The "real" story is outside Baghdad, in the tens of thousands of square kilometres outside the government´s control and beyond the sight of independent journalists, especially in the four Sunni Muslim provinces which are at the heart of Iraq´s insurrection.
Right up to the election hour, US jets were continuing to bomb "terrorist targets", the latest in the city of Ramadi, which - although US President George Bush and Britain´s Prime Minister Tony Blair do not say so - is now in the hands of the insurgents as surely as Fallujah was before the Americans destroyed it.
Every month since Allawi, the former CIA agent, was appointed premier, American air strikes on Iraq have been increasing exponentially.
There are no "embedded" reporters on the giant American air base at Qatar or aboard the US carriers in the Gulf from which these ever increasing and ever more lethal sorties are being flown. They go unrecorded, unreported, part of the "fantasy" war which is all too real to the victims but hidden from us journalists.
The reality is that much of Iraq has become a free-fire zone (for reference, see under "Vietnam") and the Americans are conducting this secret war as efficiently and as ruthlessly as they conducted their earlier bombing campaign against Iraq between 1991 and 2003, an air raid a day, or two raids, or three. Then they were attacking Hussein´s "military targets" in Iraq.
Now they are attacking "foreign terrorist targets" or "anti-Iraqi forces": I especially like this one, since the foreigners involved in this violence happen in reality to be Americans who are mostly attacking Iraqis.
Yes, I know how it´s all going to be played out. Iraqis bravely vote despite the bloodcurdling threats of the enemies of democracy. At last, the US and British policies have reached fruition. A real and functioning democracy will be in place so the occupiers can leave soon. Or next year. Or in a decade or so. Merely to hold these elections - an act of folly in the eyes of so many Iraqis - will be a "success".
The Shi´as will vote en masse, the Sunnis will largely abstain. Shi´a Muslim power will be enshrined for the first time in an Arab country. And then the manipulation will begin and the claims of fraud and the admissions that the elections might be "flawed" in some areas.
But we´ll go on saying "democracy" and "freedom" over and over again, the insurgency will continue and grow more violent, and the Iraqis will go on dying. But there will be democracy in Iraq.
Iraq closed its borders and imposed stringent security on Saturday but could not stop insurgent strikes that killed at least 19 people in the final hours before the country´s election.
Cities were like ghost towns as most of the population waited nervously at home to see if it would be safe enough to take part in the first election since the ousting of Hussein by the US-led forces in April 2003.
A rocket hit the US embassy inside Baghdad´s fortified Green Zone late on Saturday, killing two people and wounding at least four, a diplomatic source said. A suicide bomber in Khanaqin killed eight people, and nine police, soldiers and civilians died in other attacks across the country.
Iraq´s land borders and Baghdad airport have been closed for the election weekend as authorities sought to counter threats by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who has replaced Hussein as Iraq´s most feared man, to wreck the election. - Foreign Service, Sapa-AP and Reuters |
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scimitar
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
But Hey!...... I´m sure that after the elections and they have their elected leaders in place that all of the insurgents will all lay down their arms and say....... aw shucks too late they have an elected government now, what can we do?
If we don´t put a little more effort here in the U.S. to make sure we hold on to our freedoms we will be approaching the unthinkable. Anyone here ready to fight an oppressive government the founding fathers warned us about?
BE BUDA BEEP |
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Shadow
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Morning Pollyannuh, scimitar :)
"I wonder if the television lads will tell us that today when they show voters "flocking" to the polls."
An AC said on your other thread that ABC is reporting a 75% turnout. I don´t know whether to laugh or cry?
>>US Troops Will Never Beat Insurgents - Sr. US Officer
[link to www.telegraph.co.uk] |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Who is Robert Fisk?
nobody
why should we believe him?
we shouldn´t
we should use our own brains
why do so many not want the elections to succeed?
I smell a rat
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Sirrurg
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
At least 20 civilians killed by suicide bombers,yet.
Election in Samarra canceled.
Freedom and democracy?
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Hi, Good morning, Shadow!
I´ve been looking around for info by bloggers or reporters not connected with US media, and I´ll post a seperate link to some blogs. If you or anyone else finds some blogs from INSIDE Iraq, please, post them!
I noticed the 75% figure given by ABC was downgraded to 72% online, and on a pro-bush blog, they were chortling about keeping the numbers up because it would "irritate" liberals if the turnout is reported as higher than our November 02 elections where the turnout was approximately 61%. Go figure the mind-set needed to continue rubbing salt into an open, festering wound.
Apparently, the Kurds are the ones able to get to the polls in relative safety, and those are the majority of people being shown on the news. If I remember correctly the Shi´ites and Sunni turnouts were portrayed differently in different blogs.
What a scarey day it must be in Iraq.
Thanks for the link! I´ll check it out. |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
polly, you suck as a propagandist. |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
A.C. 9:27
Good.
Just looking for truth.
At least I´ll never be called an ostrich with my head in the sand. |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
i know one thing...
your all gonna get what you deseve. |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
A.C. 9:33
Elaborate. |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Guess WHO provided the voting machines some areas will be using? |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Not Diebold, A.C.!! |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
CHARADE THIS!!!
72% DESPITE UNGODLY ATTACKS BY TERRORISTS
With polls now closed in Iraq´s historic election day, Iraqi officials are reporting a turnout of 72 percent nationwide, despite a spate of attacks and threats aimed at disrupting the vote. At least 24 people were killed and more than 70 wounded in a string of attacks, some of which targeted voters waiting in line to cast their ballots. |
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Sirrurg
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
72% DESPITE UNGODLY ATTACKS BY TERRORISTS
I did not know, that US soldiers are allowed to take part in that election...obviously the G.I.s are voting at least twice...
And for whom are they voting?
GeorgiePorgie and his junta? |
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scimitar
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
so Pollyannuh........ Do you believe it is possible for Iraq to exist as a democratic society, even if a majority seem to want it?
One Truth...... many realities |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Scimitar, I believe every human being on earth wants to live in a society which respects human life and individual rights. The name, or banner under which it exists may be different from a democracy.
All people should be free of oppression not matter what the form of government.
The people in the mid-east have lived with certain, in-grained hostilities and alliances for thousands of years, generation after generation. What bothers me, all the positives aside, is that we dare (under this administration) to think that just because we invade a country, just because we remove a dictator or despot, that all other grievances between a country´s people will be resolved immediately.
Think about Bosnia, Croatia, they still have problems there, yet they are not headlining the news.
There are so many places on earth where human rights and civil liberty doesn´t exist. The problems the US has encountered in such a small country as Iraq should give pause to attempts to forcing immediate change elsewhere, but bush has thrown down the gauntlet and I fear the future holds more death and destruction in the name of world peace and freedom.
We, as citizens of this small planet called Earth, need to use a tool called diplomacy and set examples for those who ignore the basic needs and desires of humanity. Elsewise we will be embroiled in wars far into the future. |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
how can you possibly believe that the election today is not better than the last one hussein held?
...you know, the one where he won 100% of the vote because people knew if they didn´t vote for him they (and their families, and their friends) would be killed?
you are probably one of those "cup is always half empty" types, huh? |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
people are even voting in fallujah! fer chrissake |
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Dr P
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
I, for one, take great pleasure in rubbing salt into the Dumbocrats´ wounds, and I look forward to inflicting more wounds. |
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scimitar
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Pollyannuh, I agree with you 100%. Sometimes our perspective on how things should be accomplished is warped. An example:
I would NEVER wish that a child in a mother´s womb should ever have to die because the mother chose not bear the consequences, however I fervently believe that peoples energies are misdirected when they apply anger and hatred toward the mother who makes that choice. I wish people could focus on the actions that bring about the problems, focus on the cause not the result.
We cannot or should not force our will in the manner in which we currently are. It is our own fault, or should I say "TPTB" in many cases that these conditions exist in the first place. In other words the previous manipulations didn´t work out so well.
Anyway just my thoughts.
One Truth....... many realities
BE BUDA BEEP |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Scimitar, I happen to be a Democrat who is very, very pro-life. Due to my involvement in the political world, I´ve come to learn that MANY, many Democrats are also pro-life. The national Democratic platform on abortion does not represent all of those of us down here in the trenches.
Because of the position I´m in, I´ve been able to speak with and, in some cases, convince those Democrats who are pro-choice, those who are on the fence, and those who turn a blind eye to the issue. It´s a tough subject to debate, but this is an excellent example of using diplomacy, tact, and logic to effect a different perspective and to achieve a positive change in an individual mind-set.
Diplomacy works. Force and evil methods only begets more of the same. |
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born1star
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
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I wonder
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
When corporate criminals steal elections, is the name Democratic elections a lie to keep people pacified?
Have corporate criminals taken over most of the elections on the planet?
Are we all pacified by Democratic elections of corporate criminals?
White collar crime in its most public mask. |
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Mystified
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
How did the Iraqi "Election" turn into an abortion issue? Did I miss something here? |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Just a sidebar conversation, Mystified.
You can turn it back to the original topic if you have a comment, remark or question. |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
This is a Great Day for the 70% of brave Iraqis who turned out to vote for a government of their choice after the yoke of a Brutal Dictator was removed by a Brave Coalition of Troops from freedom loving nations, led by the USA and Britain. The only sad people today are the Democrats, led by the pitiable husk Teddy Kennedy and the Cadaverous Lurch Kerry.
Let Freedom Riiiiiiinnnnngggggg!!! Loudly!!!
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scimitar
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Hmmmm..... strange things afoot here.
I was making reference to our involment in Iraq by example! I just finished a long disertation when connection crashed and wiped it out before I copied it...... so I´ll try again.
It may be Utopian to think that we can lead by example to change things. But generally we tend to be manipulative...... force our thoughts and will on others. We gave Saddam to Iraq by putting him in power, we made him an evil monster by giving him chemical & biological weapons and sicking him on Iran. Now we remove him....... I do believe that absolute power will corrupt absolutely. He was corrupt absolutely...... I wonder who else is corrupt....absolutely?
One Truth...... many realities |
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Here is a case in point:
[link to www.newsmax.com]
Kerry: Iraq Election No Big Deal
NewsMax.com ^ | 1/30/05 | Carl Limbacher
A bitter-sounding Sen. John Kerry dismissed the historic Iraqi election on Sunday, warning Americans not to "overhype" the watershed event.
"No one in the United States should try to overhype this election," Kerry told NBC´s "Meet the Press." The failed presidential candidate questioned the historic referendum´s legitimacy, saying, "It´s hard to say that something is legitimate when a whole portion of the country can´t vote and doesn´t vote."
Kerry also pooh-poohed reports of a surprisingly high 72 percent turnout by Iraqi voters, insisting instead that the election has "gone as expected."
Asked if he thought Iraq was now less of a terrorist threat, Kerry at first said, "No, it´s more. And, in fact, I believe the world is less safe today than it was two and a half years ago."
But he changed his answer moments later, after "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert pressed him on the bizarre claim.
"I´m glad Saddam Hussein is gone, and I´ve said that a hundred times," he insisted.
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Anonymous Coward
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
biggest proof of the success of the iraq elections is that the msm, which usually paints a grim picture in iraq, cannot find any quotes from disgruntled iraqi´s. they all love it.
case in point, pic of woman at reuters holding up "iraqi people happy today, thank you thank you, usa!" sign.
look, i also question our motives over there (and i´m glad i live somewhere i´m allowed to question). but can´t you people at least acknowledge positive news when it happens? |
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Pollyannuh
12/8/2005 10:12 AM | | Re: Iraq Election - "What a bloody charade" | Quote |
Oh, Dear God, I just saw a clip of bush speaking about the Iraqi elections.
He looked as though he was about to jump out of his skin with joy, delight, and glee.
What is wrong with that man?? At least 40 people DIED on their election day!
I wonder if he even considers the fact that 14 million Iraqi people were eligible to vote, and consider the fact that the Sunni participation did not materialize. Does this mean a civil war is on the horizion?
I´d love to see some realistic numbers on the total of voters broken down by region. |
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