[Vision2020] Other opinions

[Deborah Gray]

Wow. How absolutely fascinating that different people within the *same* country can have completely opposing views, even those that basically share the same religion (give or take a few debates over who did or did not inherit Mohammed's Mojo)...  

Just incredible. You'd think they'd be lockstep with the rest of their countryfolk. Mind boggling. Now I am curious if other countries, even, *yes*, "democracies" have such dichotomous opinions about political events in their own countries? 

Hmmm. </ponder>
Debbie
p.s. still supporting the "troops" (my 20 yr old nephew among them) but NOT the war. You know, the one that was started over something called WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION? The one that has morphed into the 'Let Freedom Shine It's Everloving Light on Ya'll!!' movement.


----- Original Message -----
From: Pat Kraut <pkraut at moscow.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2005 11:08 pm
Subject: [Vision2020] Other opinions

> "When I look at the ink on my finger - this is a mark of 
> freedom... I didn't
> think I would live long enough to see this moment." - Kassim Abood 
> (Duringthe Iraqi elections voter's index fingers were dipped in 
> indelible ink to
> indicate they had voted, the terrorist gangs in Iraq threatened to 
> beheadanyone found with the mark.)
> 
> "We had all kinds of feelings in our minds while we were on our 
> way to the
> ballot box except one feeling that never came to us, that was 
> fear. We could
> smell pride in the atmosphere this morning. Everyone we saw was 
> holding up
> his blue-tipped finger with broad smiles on the faces while 
> walking out of
> the center. I couldn't think of a scene more beautiful than 
> that..." - Iraqi
> Citizen
> 
> "I have been waiting for this day, I have been dreaming of this 
> day to tell
> my grandchildren that in the first election in the history of Iraq 
> I was the
> first woman to vote." - Lamaa Jamal Talabani
> 
> "This is democracy... This is the first day I feel freedom." - Karfia
> Abbasi, Iraqi Citizen living in the so-called "triangle of death"
> 
> "My family and my children are very happy. The people should be 
> united and
> not be afraid. We were afraid for 35 years under the oppression of 
> Saddam,and today is our chance." - Muhanned Fadhil
> 
> Recent headlines concerning the war in Iraq have focused on the 
> loss of
> human lives, the ongoing insurgency, and the possibility of increased
> terrorist activity leading up to the Iraqi elections. However, the 
> electionstook place over the weekend, on schedule, and with 
> limited disruptions.
> 
> Results of the voting will be revealed during the next 10 days as 
> votes are
> counted, those candidates elected to the 275-member transitional 
> NationalAssembly will choose a largely ceremonial president and 
> two vice-presidents.
> They, in turn, will pick a prime minister and a cabinet that must be
> ratified by the assembly. The newly elected assembly, which will 
> serve an
> 11-month term, must then begin the arduous task of drafting a 
> constitution.Iraqis will hold a national referendum in October to 
> accept or reject the
> constitution. If the document is approved, Iraqis will vote in 
> December for
> a permanent government under the constitution. If the document is 
> rejected,Iraqis will repeat the whole process, voting for a new 
> transitional assembly
> to draft a new constitution.
> 
> The old regime is gone. Saddam and members of the former 
> government will be
> prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity. In addition 
> to war
> crimes committed against the people of Iran and Kuwait, Saddam has 
> beenaccused of innumerable crimes against his own people. 
> Including the killing
> of thousands of Shia Muslims and the death of over 100,000 Kurds 
> during the
> Anfal campaign, in which Saddam employed the use of chemical weapons.
> Reports have emerged of some 270 mass graves across Iraq, which 
> are believed
> to hold the remains of possibly tens of thousands of people. The 
> graves are
> sobering evidence of nearly 30 years of brutal oppression.
> 
> The time has come for a fresh start, although Iraq still has many 
> challengesto overcome. Insurgents remain a threat to the nation's 
> stability and
> disagreement among religious and political leaders could be a 
> stumblingblock to further democratic reform. However, in the short 
> time that has
> passed since the beginning of the US-led occupation an 
> unprecedented and
> dramatic change has taken place in Iraq. Iraq has come further and
> accomplished more in six months than Germany did in seven years or 
> Japan did
> in the nine years following World War II. Much more must be done 
> before Iraq
> becomes a truly democratic nation. There will be more terrorism, more
> attempts to discredit the election, and more casualties. But 
> Sunday brought
> hope to many, hope that Iraq can indeed live freely and 
> peacefully. It was,
> without a doubt, a turning point in history.
> 
> Please continue to pray for the brave men and women, both military and
> civilian, who are working to rebuild Iraq in the face of fierce 
> criticismand violent opposition.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we 
> look so long
> at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been 
> opened for us."
> Helen Keller
> 
> 
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