Iraq elections

[Skip N]

Looks like it went pretty well for the most part. Higher than projected voter turnout and not as much vilolence than anticipated. A really great sight to see alot of Iraqi's dancing in the streets with excitment after they cast thier votes Lets hope this is great new start for them all. I will await critizism from the usual suspects on here But i think even they will admit it seemed to go better than we all thought (even I had my doubts) We'll see what happens in the coming days but it was pretty heart warming to see the ecitment in the Iraqi's faces voting for the first time. Makes you want rip into the losers in this country who didnt even bother to vote in our last election

[BigFish]

Its not worth the sacrifice that many soldiers have made as I believe it will never remain a democracy. The Iraqis have to want it for themselves and I do not believe that the majority of them want it bad enough to die for it as many of our own have. I believe it is being force fed to them by our government! Why is it up to the United States to spread democracy, even where it is not wanted or welcome? Many of us believe Vietnam was an unjust cause? This fiasco in my opinion is a shameful waste of American life! What will be the final cost?

[Vectorfisher]

Amen brother I was just saying too my wife last night that when our troops pull out of there it will only be a matter of time before the people are afraid of the insurgents and no longer fight for there freedom, they will not want to die as policeman or soldiers for there democracy and rights of freedom. I hope I am wrong and that a couple of years from now all is well but I dont think so

[BigFish]

I hope we are wrong also VF.....I just feel as though, as you said, when we do pull out from there (whenever that will be) there will be a total collapse of the system that so many have died to install. What a shame that would be.

[Skip N]

I knew it was only a matter of time before people started being negative.....Bigfish, if the US doesnt try and spread democracy then those middle eastern countries will always be terroist nations. Is that what you want? God bless our troops for removing a murdurious dictator and bringing freedom to millions of citizens...They looked pretty happy to be voting in a democrocy to me Bigfish. Lets hope the people stay on the right track and want this. I for one was impressed to see millions of Iraqis face death by going to the polls today. Lets hope this is a good sign of things to come in Iraq and that region

[BigFish]

How old are you Skip N? Can I get a pair of those rose colored glasses? You solicited for opinions and I gave you mine....maybe you should read my reply closer, because I did not state that I was against democracy in the middle east, provided they want it! We are making huge sacrifices not only with human life (and that is too much to pay for their short lived fling with "freedom") but financial responsibility is falling square on the shoulders of the United States! My thinking is it will not be too long before you are swayed to my way of thinking....I will save a seat for you Skip.

[Nebe]

Time will tell... Bigfish hit the nail on the head though.. they have to want this gift we have givin them. Otherwise, something far worse than Saddam could come to life from the rubble.

[BigFish]

That is all I am saying Eben....thanks for putting it in a nutshell for the squirrels who can't read!

[BigFish]

I just re-read my posts and I thought I was being positive yet realistic!

[afterhours]

as the others said- they have to WANT it. they have to be willing to pay the price of freedom, it ain't cheap.

[spence]

Odds are this will end up just like Vietnam. Once Congress stops sending money to Iraq it will fall apart...

-spence

[afterhours]

OMG- i agree with spence!

[BigFish]

Anyone know what happened to that $600,000,000 dollars in cash that was discovered when we first invaded Iraq? I sure would like to know where that went!

[Skip N]

Originally posted by BigFish
That is all I am saying Eben....thanks for putting it in a nutshell for the squirrels who can't read!

Shove it Bigfish What pisses me off with people like you is your totall negativty...You are already assuming the freedom is short lived. At least give it a chance before you start assuming it will fail. We have some very positvie news coming out of Iraq and all im saying is give it more than a day before you assume it will fail. Im with you, I have no friggen clue what will happen nor does anyone else. But we are seeing good signs with this succesful election today. Lets just give them a chance to get the Goverment up and running and take it from there before we start assuming it will fail. But then again some on the left want us to fail so it makes them look like they were right. Lets prove those a holes wrong and make this work. And yes it IS up to the Iraqis to make this work and what i saw today gave me some hope they truly want this to work

[BigFish]

12?

[BigFish]

Skip N...I agree with 99.9% of what you said in your original post. I am hopeful tha the Iraqi people can make the most of this opportunity because it would be such a tremendous waste of lives, (Iraqi and American, British etc.) if it all fell apart. In no way was I demeaning your opimism, but just entering these new waters with a cautious optimism. Sorry about the squirrel crack....just having some fun.

I also was surprised, and gladly, very pleased at the lack of violence.

[Skip N]

I know your a solid guy here on SB so dont take my stuff too personal!....Most know i tend to get just a tad fired up sometimes! That squirrel thing was kinda funny You are being realistic about the future of Iraq and i jumped all over you for being right! I got the sense you were like so many who just want us to fail and keep looking for the negatives and totally overlook the positives. I dont see you as that type. Were in the same boat i guess "hoping" this will work but neither one of have a clue wha'll happen!

[Nebe]

I disagree about Iraq being like a Vietnam.. Iraq is like Korea... in about a year when we go into Iran... now THAT will be like Vietnam.. you watch, the whole thing makes me sick.

[BigFish]

Skip...do you see what I mean by "cautious optimism"? It is so very politcally unstable in Iraq right now, and the people live with such fear, that all it takes is for a cool breeze to blow and they change from freedom loving people to anti-American throngs dancing in the streets every time an American dies. I do hope they can take the ball and run with it over time, but it will take decades to change the face of that region.

[Skip N]

I know what your saying BF and your totally right on. We can only wait and see what will happen. Lets just hope the Iraqis want this bad enough to make it last. The ball is in thier court now.

[Nebe]

Originally posted by Skip N
I got the sense you were like so many who just want us to fail and keep looking for the negatives and totally overlook the positives.

None of use want this to fail...... the failures have already happened at home and the biggest failure is in the whitehouse

[Skip N]

Oh yea BF....I'm 25 not 12

[Skip N]

Oh Eben i just calmed down finally....dont get me going again!

[Nebe]

I was trying... you called it. I miss the SkipN f-bombs

[Skip N]

I save the f-bombs for special occasions only now Maybe you'll get another one one of these days

[BigFish]

As usual Skip I was less than half right!

[Skip N]

Originally posted by BigFish
As usual Skip I was less than half right!

Hahaha....kinda close though i guess!

[BigBo]

Anyone know what happened to that $600,000,000 dollars in cash that was discovered when we first invaded Iraq?

Kofi Anan probably got his hands on that as well!

[Squid kids Dad]

Hey...If you look at the attrcities(sp) that have happened over there in past years,anything is better...At leasts the U.S. is giving trhe people some hope...From what I have seen the people voting has been a lot..Granted we are watching it thru the U.S. eyes..You have to remember not all Iraqis are terrosrists...

[BigFish]

Nobody here has said anything like that SKD!