US troops tell Iraqis to vote! "Give freedom to Iraq"!

[theresistance]

Absolutely incredible story from Reuters here (not sure if its been posted before). See full report from Samarra: http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7468060

(snip)

A rumbling column of U.S. Bradley fighting vehicles grinds to a stop in a rebellious Iraqi neighborhood of scarred houses and mud streets.

Heavily-armed troops jump out and begin searching homes as loudspeakers blast in Arabic: "On Sunday you should go out to out. Vote to give freedom to Iraq. Vote to save Iraq." A soldier hands out fliers to a group of untidy children.

(snip)

Isn't this a joke? How can anyone believe this sham of an election? Remember that Russians in Afghanistan organised elections there in the 1980's.

But Reuters also tells a lie when it says: "several election officials have resigned after receiving death threats."

The entire election staff in Samarra actually quit to support the boycott call from the Association of Muslim Scholars: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayArticle.asp?col=%C2%A7ion=focusoniraq&xfile=data/focusoniraq/2005/January/focusoniraq_January52.xml

[ck4829]

1. Every Iraqi should be given a bodyguard if they are going out to vote

I want Bush and all the Neo-Cons to go over to Iraq to do just that.

[MrMonk]

2. "Vote, and help us get the hell out of here!"

[cliss]

3. A game of charade needs participants....

You can't have a big hoax without people taking a part. The US knows this, and so troops roams around desperately, trying to convince everyone to take part in this game.

It's just so wretched, what depths we're stooping to. They're making the troops run around like Life Insurance hustlers, trying to get some takers.

Just pathetic and pitiful.

[theresistance]

5. Yes well said

I hadn't given it that spin but you're right. They must have orders to hustle around like election canvassers...

[Malva Zebrina]

4. Vote to give freedom to Iraq

or we will kill you, your children and your wife.

What else does the American military represent to the Iraqi people but barbaric occupiers, killers and thiefs?