Journal Entry NO.1 - The Election in Iraq

Article: “Courage and euphoria as Iraq votes”
Author: Paul Wood

BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/4224435.stm

    The article wrote by Paul Wood from BBC News tells what was happening on polling day. For most of Iraqis, it’s an important day; they show the whole world their courage and determination to continue on the path to democracy, just as the voice from an Iraqi “I would have clawed there if I had to”. Although the insurgents threatened to behead anyone who took part in the polling and used suicide attacker to try to affect the election process, people still cast their ballots unhesitatingly, even in certain dangerous area where the insurgency was dominative. People do aspire to having an autonomous government with ample powers and resources to restore operations of utilities, like water and electricity, and stability from the current state of disorder. The massive turnout expels the fear of assumption of low turnout of US government, nevertheless, the lager numbers of turnout primarily come up in Kurdish and Shia areas, Sunnis almost don’t participate in the election for obvious reason. It seems to indicate that engaging the Sunnis properly is the most important thing for the interim government; otherwise the election possibly makes the country get into a civil war. No matter how bloody the election is and how much people need to pay for final outcome, it’s a right step for Iraqis and will be a success for everyone who loves peace. It’s a declaration against insurgency and terrorism. Admittedly, the election won’t bring about big changes for some time, whereas anything begins with a single step, so this may be the beginning toward a really, completely independent and self-governing Iraq .