I think this has literally been the most mind-blowing article I’ve read today. Not because it is anything I didn’t know already, but because it’s being reported as the front story on CNN’s website. Although most say they don’t know who the candidates are or where to go to vote, they say they will vote come January 30. That doesn’t sound so much different from the U.S. Except that they’ll actually be voting. What a cool step forward for this country.

The new NGO “Friends of Democracy” website has been setup, and they collect news from locals in Iraq. Very cool stuff. But what I like even more is that they have photos!

Chrenkoff did some statistics analysis of negative media coverage in Iraq. And just like he thought, the bad is oft more told than the good.

The blogger from Democracy In Iraq (Is Coming) has posted his thoughts on the recent Zarqawi “declaration of war.” He says that democracy is evil, and that it goes against Islam. Of course, in his version of Islam everyone you disagree with must be killed, he doesn’t really follow Islam, but facism, the problem is that he is too stupid to distinguish the two. … I would like nothing more than to hear tommorow that he has been captured and decapitated just like so many of his victims. Even if he continues to live he will never win. He should…

Hat tip to Sisyphean Musings for finding the Iraqi television ads up for download. Pretty cool!

We have a lot about Iraq going on with the runup to the elections, so here’s a rundown of what’s on in the news and what some of the bloggers are saying. News: –Purported al-Zarqawi tape: Democracy a lie –Iraq Details Security Plans for Election Day –Civil war erupts online as Iraqis prepare for a great experiment –Iraq ads promote united nation –Iraq PM hopeful calls for U.S. pullout –Germans hold two suspected of dirty bomb plot Blog commentary: –Zarqawi Suckered by Austin Bay Blog –More Zarqawi “Wowee” by Roger L. Simon –Minutemen by Andrew Stuttaford –Zarqawi Tape Commentary at…

The Belmont Club has an excellent thusfar three-part piece called “The Lost Elections.” Here is part one, part 2, and part 3. The title sounds negative, but they are very positive pieces. Check’em out.

According to the Financial Times, the UN will not oversee elections in Iraq. The UN says it cannot observe the January 30 poll because it played a role in setting up the elections, and no other international organisation has stepped in to offer assistance. The absence of international monitoring could undermine confidence in the results of elections that are already threatened by widespread voter intimidation and the boycott of Sunni Arab parties. But I’m sure the New York Times will be right at the forefront ready to declare the election a disaster. In fact, put me down a few bucks…

Ali from Free Iraqi made a post over a week ago with his thoughts on if Islam is compatible with democracy; or any religion for that matter. To begin with I must say I have a problem with the question itself and to clarify this problem in short, I’ll instead ask this question: Is Christianity compatible with democracy? Or is Judaism compatible with democracy? Before anyone starts yelling at me I would like to provide my answers. I think that one can answer both questions with “yes” and “no”. “Yes” if we consider western societies as Christian societies and “no”…

It’s not like we didn’t know this already, but it’s coming out at a very opportune time for making the case against Iran.

It looks as if the U.S. military and the interim government are finally instituting how they will make the elections safer. Here is a quick run-down of what they will do: -Seal the borders (I’m skeptical as if this is possible). -Extend a curfew. -Restrict movement.

This article could have been written any time since the summer of 2003. Of course they’re going to try their hardest to screw with the elections. This isn’t anything new. And they make this foreign fighter issue seem like it’s new as well.

The Financial Times is reporting that after several phone calls between Bush and Allawi, they have decided to not put off elections in Iraq by a month. This comes amid increased violence in the region, when about 4 mostly Sunni provinces are considered not safe enough to vote in. But let’s refer back to my last post about Iraq with statistics saying 78.3% of Iraqis will turn out to vote because of security concerns. For every action, there is a reaction, and the large majority of the Iraqi population is fighting back with the vote. I seriously applaud the decision…

As seen in the World Tribune. The proposal was made to delay the elections about a month and would not be rescheduled after that. In order for this to go into effect, all sides would need to agree upon it. This may be a good idea, but it really shows a vote of no confidence by the government in its own abilities to conduct its operations. They are apparently very worried about insurgency attacks: Officials said Alawi and other senior ministers have assessed that the rise in insurgency attacks in Baghdad and the Sunni Triangle would dissuade most Sunni voters…

Norman Geras has found a report from Women for Women International that is an extensive public opinion poll of 1,000 women in Iraq. Now, the fact that there is now a country in the Middle East where a poll performed on women can be performed is incredible enough, but hear these responses… > 94% of women surveyed want to secure legal rights for women. > 84% of women want the right to vote on the final constitution. > Nearly 80% of women believe that their participation in local and national councils should not be limited. Due to the Interim Constitution…