Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

We complain about long lines and having to wait to vote.

This should put things into perspective as to what an honor it should be to vote.

Women in black abayas whispered prayers at the sound of a nearby explosion as they waited to vote at one Baghdad polling station. But the mood for many was upbeat: Civilians and policemen danced with joy at one of the five polling stations where photographers were allowed, and some streets were packed with voters walking shoulder-to-shoulder to vote. The elderly made their way, hobbling on canes or riding wheelchairs; one elderly woman was pushed along on a wooden cart, another man carried a disabled 80-year-old on his back.

''This is democracy,'' said Karfia Abbasi, holding up a thumb stained with purple ink to prove she had voted.



By It's all relative

Just thinking the same

I was reflecting along those same lines this morning.

In the last election people complained they were ''disenfranchised'' because they said they had to wait hours in line to vote, and some left the line because they had other things to do that they believed took precedence over voting.

How many Americans would have gotten in line to vote, knowing the threat of being shot at or blown up was very real? How many would have waited hours in line, and, HORRORS! actually had to have their finger stained with ink to prove they voted. That last part would probably have put the ACLU and their ilk up in arms because it would ''reflect badly'' upon those who chose to sit out the election, or some such nonsense.

I hope, for everyone's sake, this is only the first of thousands of free elections in Iraq.

The talking heads were stumped

It was an absolute joy to watch the talking heads on the networks stumble over themselves to find something negative yesterday morning. A turnout greater than that of our own elections in spite of driving restrictions (image what our turnout would be if everyone had to walk to the polls) and threats of suicide bombers, etc.

The election was truly a success and progress is being made. Our troops will be home, probably not soon, but they will be home at some point and they can take pride in what they accomplished.

Hoo rah! and Semper Fi !!

last step or first step?

How many in Iraq think that the results of their election was the last needed step to corecting the wrongs and evils of their past? How many here think that that recent election in Iraq was and is all that it takes?

Different foot, same question - Have we corrected our past wrongs and evils in only one election?
Does it take more work than just the election results themselves?

Is Irag now ahead of us? Or do we too have more work to do here?