Do they not realize they are really not voting for

[greenbriar]

anything important?


this election is a FARCE and doesn't mean squat...

can't they see that?

[ComerPerro]

1. That is my biggest problem with this election

Not many Iraqis know who they are voting for. They are voting for party names.

And, at the end of the day, no matter who wins what seats, one man will be Prime Minister. We all know who he is...

[greenbriar]

3. they are not even voting for a prime minister

they are voting for a council that will appoint a prime minister

[ComerPerro]

4. Well, yes, I know. That's what I meant

They are voting to appoint a body which appoints a committee who appoints a prime minister.

And, the worst part is, they don't even know who the parties are, or what they believe.

If only our president weren't such an asshole.

[Just Me]

15. May as well just do a lotto draw!!!

[RoeBear]

2. The video that I have seen

of Iraqis who live in the US voting shows them to be very entusiastic. I think they sense this is the beginning of the end of the misery that their country has been going through.

[ComerPerro]

5. To be fair, part of the reason they have only optimism

is because they are in the US.

It doesn't matter to them what happens in Iraq. They don't live there.

[RoeBear]

8. Many interviewed said

that they want to go back their as soon as things settle down.
They were hopefull it would be soon.

[ComerPerro]

9. I know, but why aren't they over there now?

Helping to rebulid, helping to make sure that Democracy takes root.

I mean, its so safe over there...

[RoeBear]

11. Who is claiming

that it is safe over there now?

[ComerPerro]

13. Sorry, I wasn't specific

To answer your question, just about every pundit I see is claiming this.

Did you claim or even imply this though? No.

This is just an issue that has been bothering me for a while. I just don't think that it's right for these people to be able to vote in the safety and comfort of other nations, while thousands of people without the resources necessary to seek refuge have to put their lives on the line.

[RoeBear]

14. I can't recall any reporter

saying that it is safe in Iraq right now. Do you have a link?

[guajira]

6. How Would they Know?? American Media??

People believe what they hear on TV. Cable News is making this election sound like the biggest thing since the moon landing!

Remember how the media made everyone mad at Clinton for pardoning Marc Rich - even though no one knew who the hell Marc Rich was?

How about all the Americans who still believe Saddam was connected to 9-11 and was on the verge of nuking us??

I agree this election probably means nothing to Iraqis, but is US propaganda. Will be interesting to see if anything changes afterwards.

[havocmom]

7. Most Iraqis probably know it's a farce. The SHOW is for people in the US

many of whom also think our last election was real. Those folks need to have their delusions fed or there might be trouble here.

[RoeBear]

10. I think turnout will show whether

you are right or wrong about that. That is if you are willing to believe the media when they report on it.

[havocmom]

12. I don't believe the media. They are part of the machine

that grinds up people to make $$

[Just Me]

16. The media reported merely a 10% registration in the US,...

,...that is, approximately 25K of 250K of Iraqis eligible to vote registered to do so (according to CNN).

Of course, then, you hear that a majority of registered voters cast a vote and THAT is better than in the US. So, a majority of a quite small minority of eligible voters cast a vote here.