Single What? Female...

Duck...and Cover...

In two days, Iraq votes...well, some of them will. The ones who are closer to a truly secure voting area. The ones who have actually figured out who of 750 candidates they want to vote for and what their platforms are. The ones who actually did sign up for absentee ballots abroad.

Now I understand wanting to get out there and vote no matter what the circumstances, but I do think that what people are about to do this weekend is pure suicide. And also could turn out to be purely futile.

As I mentioned in a previous entry, even the Administration, who has been touting this election as the ultimate symbol of "Freedom On The March" (to the point of George not mentioning the helicopter crash yesterday as he wanted to keep a speech about the Iraq vote "positive"), actually started talking down the elections saying that it's more the action-the action of defying the insurgents-than the actual numbers that's important. It appears they are now telling the Iraqi voters that if you don't get out and vote, the insurgents have won...and you're not patriotic. Much like if you disagree with the President, you're not for freedom ("no medal of freedom for you!"). I'm sorry, but does it not seem like these people voting under a little (a LOT of) duress? Sure there are some that think this is a great idea-that this is a symbol of their independence after being under a horrible regime, but when the candidates can't campaign for fear of getting shot, the information on candidates and their platforms is sketchy at best, insurgents are threatening anyone who goes out to vote to "cut of their heads and the heads of their children", and people literally could be bombed or killed on their way to a voting booth, I can only see this as fruitless, not to mention dangerous. The idea that Bush could not push this election back til things are at least a little more settled...I find it positively disturbing...and I'll find the speech he'll make on the day and day after the election about this "great moment on the road to democracy and freedom" even more disturbing.

MSNBC
CNN

and of course, in response to Ted Kennedy requesting that we start a pull out from Iraq, George says "Well, they'll want us to stay after the election"...I don't think they want us there NOW George..

NYT

And speaking of disturbing...Dick Cheney was the Untied States representaive at the Auschwitz rememberance yesterday. Most leaders there wore dark formal coats and "gentleman's hats". Not our guy. Nooo, Dick showed us why our Admninstration is the one people feel they can have a beer with:
Washington Post

IN THE MEANTIME...

Even these guys gotta eat...but dude, in the same place? You would think that after creating a Homeland Security Department, they might have created a law against all these guys eating together. Then again, with the amount of security, who could get at them?
Washington Post

can you imagine the kitchen sweep there?

Condoleeza Rice is on the road claiming that the best way to promote democracy is (drum roll please) DIPLOMACY!! Guess they realized that this whole pre-emptive strike plan and alienating all your friends before-hand wasn't working so now they're trying something new and exciting.
NYTimes

And cause George wants to make sure EVEYRONE knows and agrees with his ludicrous Social Security Plan, as well as his proposal of an amendment to ban gay marriage that he's actually started appealing to the people he's tried to keep from voting

black people

Okay, after all this we could use a chuckle. Just remember, you may have had mudslides and rain on the West Coast, or you're dealing with the snow and frigid cold here on the East, but at least be glad that you are not in Milford, Nebraska where a cow manure pile has been burning for three MONTHS now...(I think some people near 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue can somehow relate to this):CNN

And to keep your mind of the smell, KEEP E-MAILING!!! E-Mail, Call, Fax, Write your friends and family, the press and your Congressfolk and let them know that you are PAYING ATTENTION!!! And, as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on!

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 7:24 AM