Notice how the goalposts are shifted by the MSM. Notice how the Iraqis have more courage and integrity in their pinkie than the entire MSM.
A smooth election could encourage supporters of a fast-paced withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by next year, but any major irregularities or bloodshed in Saturday's main voting could raise worries about the readiness of Iraq's institutions.
It also included prisons and many hospitals, including a maternity ward in the southern city of Najaf where 21-year-old Salwa Majid filled out a ballot with one hand and cradled her hours-old son with the other. "It's my duty to vote for a better Iraq," she said, showing off her index finger tinted with purple ink -- used in Iraq to identify voters.
In prisons across Iraq, inmates in orange jumpsuits filed in one by one to vote. Faraj al-Haidari, the head of the election commission, said voting was open to any detainee awaiting trial -- even those accused of insurgent attacks or links to al-Qaida in Iraq -- but those sentenced to more than five years in prison were not eligible.
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
01/29/2009 17:54 ||
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#1
Vote early and often!
Posted by: Richard Daley ||
01/29/2009 21:11 Comments ||
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#2
In prisons across Iraq, inmates in orange jumpsuits filed in one by one to vote.
Kinda like... well, never mind.
Posted by: Richard Daley ||
01/29/2009 21:12 Comments ||
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Actually, Southern Iraq has a significant number of Black inhabitants (a result of the slave trade). In fact, there is even an Afro-Iraqi style of music.
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
01/29/2009 17:46 ||
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#1
I hear they are both Muslim but differ on selling plates and hats with their picture on them
#2
LOL airandee. Ironic isn't it who wanted to stop this man's liberation from a dictator. God bless the men and women who sacrificed to make this man's campaign possible.
BAGHDAD -- Iraq will not allow Blackwater Worldwide to continue providing security protection for U.S. diplomats in Iraq, Iraqi and U.S. officials said Thursday.
Blackwater's image in Iraq was irrevocably tarnished by the September 2007 killing of 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisoor Square. Five former Blackwater guards pleaded not guilty Jan. 6 in federal court in Washington to manslaughter and gun charges in that shooting.
The decision not to issue Blackwater an operating license was due to "improper conduct and excessive use of force," said Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf. Blackwater employees who have not been implicated in the shooting have the right to work with a different employer.
"We sent our decision to the U.S. Embassy last Friday," Khalaf told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "They have to find a new security company."
A U.S. Embassy official confirmed it received the government's decision, saying that U.S. officials were working with the Iraqi government and its contractors to address the "implications of this decision."
Neither Khalaf nor the U.S. official gave a date for Blackwater personnel to leave the country and neither said whether they would be allowed to continue guarding U.S. diplomats during the interim.
A U.S.-Iraqi security agreement approved in November gives the Iraqis the authority to determine which Western security companies operate in Iraq.
In the 2007 shooting, Blackwater maintains its guards opened fire after coming under attack after a car in a State Department convoy broke down. The Iraqi government has labeled the guards "criminals" and is closely watching the case.
#2
Actually, RW, the Marines are usually posted to guard embassies. The problem with hiring Blackwater to guard INSIDE the compound is that they can't LEAVE the compound under this new rule. You need to have someone that can travel with the diplomats wherever they go. Since things are winding down in Iraq, there isn't much need for the Blackwater people. I see this as more or less an exercise of sovereignty more than anything else.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
01/29/2009 11:37 Comments ||
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#6
Despite the name, Marines don't "guard" embassies in the way most people think. They are the final line of defense and have a very specific mission. They do not stand at the front gate and screen visitors. Nor do they perform PSD-type jobs as bodyguards for ambassadors. The need for PSDs will not go away but looks like BW in Iraq will.
Posted by: Bnagkok Billy ||
01/29/2009 13:17 Comments ||
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#7
I'm curious about the security for the massive new embassy complex, which I watched being built but never set foot in. One side fronts the river, the other side presumably will have the road well blocked and regulated.
Blackwater's contract with Dip. Security is worldwide, I believe (sort of like the global contract that KBR has for LOGCAP). But I'd think DS could just hire Aegis or DynCorp or some other similar outfit for Baghdad. During 2005/2006 Blackwater was not used for security inside DOS areas - that went to Global and other companies. So this shouldn't be a big deal.
Aswat al-Iraq: The office of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Diala's Mandali district has allegedly prevented more than 40 employees in the customs department from casting their votes today, according to the department's head.
"The main office of the commission's office in Mandali district, Khanaqin (155 km north of Baaquba) has prevented over 40 voters from participating in the electoral process," Col. Salah al-Anbaki told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "Those employees were barred from voting on the pretext of not having the province's ration cards," Anbaki explained.
Meanwhile, the director of the IHEC's office in the province, Aamer Lateef, denied receiving any complaints in this regard. "We have heard of violations in some electoral centers, but these are inaccurate accusations as no official complaints have been made to the commission," Lateef said.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/29/2009 00:00 ||
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Aswat al-Iraq: Police forces on Wednesday foiled an attempt to bomb an oil well near Basra city, according to the media office of Basra police. "A force from the anti-explosives department defused an explosive charge planted near an oil well in Talha area (80 km north of Basra)," the office told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "Another force conducted a raid search in different parts of Basra, during which four wanted men were arrested on criminal charges and a stolen car was found," according to the office.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/29/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Well done, Basra police! It's nice to see that the Army isn't having all the successes.
Aswat al-Iraq: Two policemen on Wednesday were killed in an armed attack on a polling center in Touz Khormato district, according to a security source. "Unknown gunmen opened fire on an electoral center in Touz Khormato district (80 km south of Kirkuk), killing two police personnel, including an officer," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "An investigation is currently underway," the source added.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/29/2009 00:00 ||
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Thousands of Iraqi soldiers, police officers, hospital patients and prisoners have cast their ballots as provincial elections begin. About 617,000 Iraqis went to polls on Wednesday, three days before the main polling day.
Government officials say early voting aims at avoiding problems that the country faced in the last national elections held in 2005 as well as ensuring that security forces would be on duty to protect polling stations on Saturday.
"I'm happy to confirm there has not been any violations or irregularities whatsoever and the turnout was huge", chairman of the Independent High Electoral Commission Faraj al-Haydari told reporters after the polls closed.
Over 14,000 candidates are competing for 440 seats on provincial councils in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. The election will be delayed in Kirkuk and the three Kurdistan provinces. The local councils, which function much like state legislatures, have significant regional powers and are responsible for selecting governors and provincial police chiefs.
Iraq is tightening security ahead of Saturday voting. Airports and borders will be closed on the eve of the poll as transport bans and night-time curfews will be imposed.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/29/2009 00:00 ||
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WASHINGTON -- As President Obama moves to redefine the nation's mission in Iraq, he faces a difficult choice: Is he willing to abandon a campaign promise or risk a rupture with the military? Or can he finesse the difference?
Since taking office last week, Mr. Obama has recommitted to ending the war in Iraq but not to his specific campaign pledge to pull out roughly one combat brigade a month for the first 16 months of his presidency. His top commander in Iraq has proposed a slower start to the withdrawal, warning of the dangers of drawing down too quickly.
On Wednesday, Mr. Obama visited the Pentagon for the first time since becoming president, and he seemed to be looking for an option that would let him stay true to his campaign promise, at least in theory, without alienating the generals. The White House indicated that Mr. Obama was open to alternatives to his 16-month time frame and emphasized that security was an important factor in his decision.
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Posted by: Steve White ||
01/29/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
", they're entitled to their opinion, but that shouldn't be our policy."
So of course Medea Asshole Benjamin and the idiot left think she knows more about military ops and stability than the military?
#4
Others said the timetable was less important than the goal.
More and more bypocrosity. The timeline means nothing, nothing at all. Obama is simply conducting a Kabuki dance with the left and the MSM in order to give them time to adjust their focus and story-line rhetoric. As you may recall under the Bush Adiministration there was very little in the MSM about the character of the GITMO detainees. It was "Close GITMO" morning and night. Now that Obama is the decision maker, the GITMO detainees are all of a sudden portrayed by the MSM as the most dastardly of murderers and scoundrels who have unacceptable recidivism rates and bear the closest of watching.
#5
Someone mentioned to the One that unless he was willing to abandon billions [trillions after he and the Donks inflate the currancy] of dollars of equipment and supplies that just the physical and lift ability to move all the material and gear out of country and redeployed is going to take a lot of time?
#7
The "goal" (withdrawal) is an outrageous, dangerous, inexcusable strategic catastrophe that also pours waste on the graves and hospital wards of those who have (successfully) sacrificed to achieve our REAL goals.
As several acquaintances still in uniform have told me for some time, they carefully avoid awareness of most domestic political developments in order to maintain their morale.
#8
"If there are some military people who feel we should stay there, they're entitled to their opinion, but that shouldn't be our policy."
"If" ??? He's been BRIEFED by senior military leaders regarding the dangers of a premature turnover and withdrawl. He never misses an opportunity to disrespect or attempt to disenfranchise the military.
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BAGHDAD -- Iraq will not allow Blackwater Worldwide to continue providing security protection for U.S. diplomats in Iraq, Iraqi and U.S. officials said Thursday.
Thousands of Iraqi soldiers, police officers, hospital patients and prisoners have cast their ballots as provincial elections begin. About 617,000 Iraqis went to polls on Wednesday, three days before the main polling day. 
