January 28, 2005

• when i got up this morning, i included the iraqi people in my prayers.

  i once read this question in a forum and asked of somebody:
  who do you think should lead iraq?
  a) saddam, b) al-zarqawi (he's not even iraqi, is he?) c) allawi

  i was told: that's up to the iraqi people.

  and i agree. it's their choice. that's why i'm happy for them that they are having an election. after all, being under a dictator is not a choice.

  i just hope that there won't be a lot of bloodshed. that people don't get killed just for voting.

  it sounds ridiculous at some level, but who knows how he "insurgents" think? would people, committed to sowing terror, think twice about killing their own people? (oh, but of course, some of them are not
  really iraqis...)

  bloody elections happen. last year's elections in the philippines was it's bloodiest and we've been a democracy for some time now.

  in my mind, i still can see the picture of the man who chained himself to the ballot box so that it can't be snatched away from him by people think of as government soldiers. this was just before marcos fell.

  i don't see pictures like that anymore. but it's still dangerous. teachers, paid a pittance for manning voting precincts and spending
  at least a sleepless night for the ballot-counting, are harrased and always have this feeling of fear around them. (i know because my mother was one and was part of the municipal electoral board for years).

  and yet, the fear that surrounds the iraqi people now must be greater. a great feeling of fear for what might happen
  if they vote and yet, also a great feeling of hope for what could be if they indeed do.

  i'm happy for them and i fear for them.

  i pray that they survive this elections and the years to come with less bloodshed.

  God bless them.

  (sarmad, a blogger from iraq (http://www.roadofanation.com), hasn't blogged for sometime. i hope he is still ok.)

  • 1:06 pm
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