Free and Fair Elections in Iraq?

There seems to be much confusion from the administration regarding voting in Iraq. Seems to reason, this is NOT how we should implement democracy. Can you imagine if this happend in the states? Oh wait, it is! More voter suppression.

Let's face it, if the elections in Iraq take place on time, it would be a miracle. The UN can't even get into the country to start any processes since the violence is so out of control.

Rumsfeld:
"If there were to be an area where the extremists focused during the election period, and an election was not possible in that area at that time, so be it. You have the rest of the election and you go on," Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Armitage:
Armitage said the elections scheduled for January will not be perfect, but they should encompass the entire country, while Rumsfeld had suggested earlier that some violent areas may have to be excluded.

There also seems to be confusion on who is calling the shots in Iraq. Is the US planning to micro manage the decisions of Allawi or what? This week, two of these issues arose. One concerning release of Iraqi women prisoners, or not. The other regarding the trial of Saddam.

Psssssssst, aren't YOU sending mixed signals? Especially Donny - so, now our new plan is to leave before there's peace?

Oh George, I thought this may be helpful in your war on terror. When naming a terrorist during your speeches, it would be wonderful if you could get the name right. You're seriously misleading your flock.

Oh, on the subject of misleading your flock, this headline caught my eye today: Bush Twists Kerry's Words on Iraq It's been a summer of this kind of wrangling, the press FINALLY points it out, however, they did get something wrong in the previous article. Since I watched your side show with Allawi on Thursday, I too heard your comment in the Rose Garden regarding Right Track Wrong Track having a better percentage in Iraq versus the US in a poll. By the way, is THAT something to really be proud of?

It looks as though the hostage from Britain was killed today. Confirmed reports are pending. The other sad news is, they've already kidnapped 10 more people. In other stories today: Hepatitis Outbreak in Iraq due to our inability for proper reconstruction. And, it's only 8:05 am and we already have 4 Marines, 7 Iraqis killed in Falluja fighting. For those of you who only think I pick the gloom and doom stories, I'm sorry - I can't find a crumb of good news post when people are being kidnapped, beheaded and shot at on a minute by minute basis.

Kerry continues to make the case for Iraq being a diversion to the real war on terror. We finally have a candidate who wants to make Osama a priority!

And, thank god, I do mean thank god we nabbed that evil doing terrorist Cat Stevens this week. Is this really the best we've be able to reform our security screening in 3 years? If so, we're in some serious shit, eh? But, hey! We have Saddam!

Lastly, I found this blog from a soldier in Iraq this morning. We can live in spin or hear an opinion from someone who is actually there, serving our country.