It seems (here, here, here and here for example) that the first free election in more than 50 years in Iraq was wildly successful. Pictures of elderly, infirmed and cloaked women greeted me on most of the news sites that I frequent. I saw video of 3 men carrying an elderly woman in a plastic deck chair down the street so she could vote. I saw pictures of blue fingers everywhere. I think that’s very cool.
I also find it interesting that there is talk of erecting a monument to Bush in Baghdad. This article quoted the Mayor of Baghdad to that effect. While I’ll trust that it’s their own idea (as I have no reason to think otherwise), others won’t. There will be skeptics that believe the U.S. suggested such a move. If they wait 10 or even 25 years for such a move, it will have much more meaning as a decision of their own accord. It’s unfortunate, but Bush II will likely not see much credit come his way for what he helped usher into (and out of) Iraq.
In any case, I anxiously wait for the official results of the Iraqi elections. They have a large, daunting task ahead of them. They must curtail and control the insurgencies that plague some remaining areas. They must establish their own self-sufficient government and rule. They must build, perhaps most difficult of all, confidence in their people in the government, the country, and themselves.
Finally, I pray and trust that the battalion chaplain that I posted about earlier had his prayers answered. It seems that his comrades did their jobs effectively in delivering the election equipment. I hope that there were no casualties in the process. What costs there were to his team, I hope they continue to see them as worth it. The Iraqi people sure seemed to appreciate the opportunity on Sunday.
Later.