Iraq election

The newspapers are reporting that the voter turnout in Iraq was expected to be around 57%. Preliminary estimates of the actual vote are around 60%, so that is a little encouraging. Although there were a few Sunni-majority areas where the turnout was virtually nil, it seems that this was less because of the death threats and more because the religious leaders in those areas called for a boycott. (Or-- what is more likely the case now that I think about it-- those areas where folks received death threats may be the same areas in which the leaders oppose the vote?)

There were 9 suicide bombers. Reports I read were a little vague but it seems 35 people were killed altogether.

I still have my worries, but the vote gives me a little hope that something good can come from all of this violence and madness. It really says something about the people when they turn out despite everything. Twenty-two months of American occupation after Saddam's regime was toppled-- a feat the Iraqis had nothing to do with-- they finally get to do something for themselves. The New York Times had this quote today in an article about the elections: "The election was a victory of our own making," said Mr. Rubaie, the security adviser. "Today, the Iraqi people voted with their own blood."