Mike Lask’s Selected Rants And Other Ravings

Misc bits from the Iraqi bloggers:

"We went around Baghdad today to see how people were voting. We met in a voting center Mr. Raad and asked him about his opinion, he said: I am a government employee I had to walk for 5 km to the voting center, and what I saw made me rejoice. It was an indescribable feeling to put my ballot in the ballot box. I voted freely, whiteout any pressure and in all security. National Guards and police were deployed. I arrived at the center 15 minutes before closure, many people were still there casting their votes. When the polls closed, I stood in front of the center and I could see how the ballot boxes were sealed. People were happy, young and old voted in freedom, groups of people were gathering around the flag chanting patriotic songs and dancing."

"Mr Ali Kazar Al Ziadi, 31 years-old, a journalist, said: "The elections are a historical opportunity to give our children after long years of absence and marginalization. We affirm our determination to take part in the democratic process because it is the only way to regain the rights denied to the people, to make Al Zarqawi and his treacherous and deceived clan go to hell, because we are ready to sacrifice for Iraq."

"How exciting it was to see this old woman, supported by her grand children for a distance of more than 400 meters, coming to do something she wanted so badly to do for 50 years, that is to choose whoever she wants, without pressures or conditions. When I asked her: did you vote? She answered strongly: yes, my son. I asked her: Don’t you get tired walking all this distance? She said: it is an effort that for me is a rest, because it was a dream to choose whoever I want. I never had the right to choose, even when they asked me to marry, because the decision then was not in my hands. And today is the day in which I can offer a service to my country and do something that my sons and grandsons will be proud of and will ensure a good future for the country. I hope my choice will be correct. My father, who suffered a heart attack few days ago, refuses to stay in bed and insists on voting."

“The real competition is that between peace and terrorism. All the Iraqis are in the peace and law trench. As for those on the opposing trench, they are followers of the former regime. As such, I confirm the need to work hard for the success of the elections because the beneficiary of their failure is terrorism and the followers of the former regime.”

"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."

Peter
 

Peter, do you have links to these Iraqi Bloggers?
 

I pick them up from:

http://www.labourfriendsofiraq.org.uk/

and

http://messopotamian.blogspot.com/
http://normblog.typepad.com/normblog/