Voters said to hunt for polling sites in west Iraq

RAMADI, Iraq (Reuters) - Hours before a crucial referendum on a new constitution, voters in western
Iraq, where many are expected to say "No," were asking themselves a troubling question: where are the polling stations?

"There are no voting centers in cities like Haditha, Hit, Rawa, Qaim, Ana, Baghdadi and the villages around them," Mahmoud Salman al-Ani, a human rights activist in Ramadi, said on Friday, listing locations across western Anbar province.

"There aren't actually any voting centers or even voting sheets in these cities ... Nobody knows how and where to vote if they decide to," he said of the predominantly Sunni Arab region

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051014/wl_nm/iraq_referendum_anbar_dc
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

US-led forces bomb eight bridges over Iraq's Euphrates

BAGHDAD - US-led forces have bombed eight bridges on the Euphrates River in western Iraq to stop insurgents using them, US military spokesman Major General Rick Lynch said Thursday.

"We have been taking out portions of bridges with precision strikes," he told a news conference.

Of 12 bridges between the Syrian border and Ramadi, 110 kilometres (65 miles) west Baghdad, "four remain under control of the coalition forces and Iraqi forces after precision strikes on the others," he said.

"One of the vulnerabilities of this insurgency is freedom of movement," he added.

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=73587
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Blackout Hits Baghdad Area Ahead of Vote

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Electricity went out for hours across the greater Baghdad area Friday evening, and Sunni insurgents launched five attacks on the largest Sunni Arab political party, all on the eve of
Iraq's vote on whether to approve a new constitution.

Insurgents bombed and burned the party's offices and the home of one of its leaders in retaliation after the group dropped its opposition to the draft constitution.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051014/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_051014170149;_ylt=Au6TuwzBEBIGF2f2gqOMR.JX6GM A;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So theres a distinct lack of voting places in numerous cities across Iraq. Whats more is the the US has destroyed the mobility of anyone in West Iraq to reach the East. They could always risk getting gunned down at the US controlled bridges...

This in addition to the Iraqi Paliment changing the Rules to make it easier to pass this constitution.

::sigh::

I personally, am more interested in the fact that the popular vote in America can not elect the President of the United States if it goes against the Electorial College in appx: 18 states. Regardless of what the other 32 states want.

That is here at home.

Bitch about that!

Well it looks like this thing was thoroughly rejected. Still waiting for them to count the votes though. Of course there weren't any polling stations in a large number of cities so its all just Bullshit anyways.

http://www.juancole.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101500469.html

More Us propaganda. Maybe she knows something we dont...

First of all this isn't even an article.
Secondly if she doesn't know they why the hell is she...
a. opening her mouth
b. calling a press conference over it

Maybe the fix is already in.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rice: Iraq Constitution Probably Approved

LONDON (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that Iraqi voters have probably approved a constitution.

``There's a belief that it has probably passed,'' the top U.S. diplomat told reporters Sunday.

``We'll see, but that's the general assessment that it has probably passed.''

Rice said her information came from ``people on the ground who are trying to do the numbers, trying to look at where the votes are coming from and so forth.'' She stressed, however, that she does not know the outcome for certain.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/external/overture/iframe/0,14478,,00.html?overtureID=guardian_generic&displayMode=trail&maxAdCount=3&isSearch=0&siteName=Guardian&div_name=&section_id=105600

October 15, 2005

Rather than concentrating on the negative aspects of the vote in Iraq how about hilighting some of the positive aspects. This is the second of two free votes in Iraq; ;something that is without precident. Almost 2/3 of those eligible to vote are doing so. Sunnis are not boycotting the election. Even the number of attacks attempting to disrupt the election are way down from the last time.


13 VS. 347
That's the difference between now and January. That's how much better things have gotten.

During the Iraq elections last January there were 347 terrorist attacks on voters and polling places. Today there were 13...



link (http://gopvixen.blogs.com/gop_vixen/2005/10/13_vs_347.html)

Guerilla exemplifies the kind of politics that I can't stand.

Here are the Iraqis, who are struggling to get better lives for themselvs, and all people like guerilla can do is point to all that goes wrong because if Iraq going to hell in a handbasket would help Get Bush.


Get Bush first, humanity second.

It's disgusting, dammit.

Anyone have any data on how things went in Japan after WWII & we shoved western civilization down their throats? They seem to have turned out pretty well. So have the Germans, despite the goose-steppers. Even the old U.S.S.R. is coming around, slowly. The middle east will eventually figure it out, one way or another.

Get Bush first, humanity second. No you see that happens to be your tactic. You are pushing this utopian vision of a 'war of liberation' as if the US hasn't murdered over 100,000 Iraqis (not to mention the 1 million from sanctions) for what? A vote where there was no poll booths in a 1/4 of the cities? That is not democracy. Shit we don't even have a democracy here. How are we gonna export it to a country that most bigots over here hate and calls the people terrorists. Yes the Iraqis are happy Saddam is gone. They'd be much happier if the US was gone as well. Votes under occupation are not recognized as legitimate for good reason.

I support the rights of any people, regardless of country or leaders to the right to self determination and the overthrow, violent if need be, of anything that impedes such. The Iraqis are fighting for their freedom. The Americans for lies. It's obvious who will win. A determined people who have faith in their cause will always be victorious in their own country.

Here are the Iraqis, who are struggling to get better lives for themselvs The ones doing that are the ones with a gun in their hands. Support the brave Iraqis defending their homes.

Anyone have any data on how things went in Japan after WWII & we shoved western civilization down their throats? Anyone got the data on the "succcess" in Afghanistan? Or the success of the vietnamese?

Originally posted by es347fan
Anyone have any data on how things went in Japan after WWII & we shoved western civilization down their throats? They seem to have turned out pretty well. So have the Germans, despite the goose-steppers. Even the old U.S.S.R. is coming around, slowly. The middle east will eventually figure it out, one way or another.
================================

I believe fears of the past powers, have to be overcome by the local people.
In Iraq fear is becoming replaced with disgust for the methods of the religious fanatics.
This will help in the transition I think.

Guerilla is an example of that person who will find anything negative he can about what the United States is doing. There are a few people like that on the right and they are justly condemned by the mainstream. There just seem to be so many more of them on the left though. Guerilla will continue to search sites like moveon.org, bartcop, kos and the like looking for anti-American rants he can copy and post.

Hey Frogger,

Have you ever done anything you looked back on and decided you probably shouldn't have done such? Did you change your future behavior accordingly? Because you questioned your actions and found them to be in error did that make you anti-frogger? Or did that help you to become an even better frogger down the line?

Quit calling me anti-American you fucking jackass. It's really quite pathetic and misguided. The government is not the country or the people that inhabit it.

Quit calling me anti-American you (profanities)

Well since you asked him so nicely, i am sure he would be obliged...:rolleyes:

Just as you swear at him freely, so too can he call you anti-american ;)

Endear all with gratuitous profanity, 500, you're almost getting good at it.

I didn't call you anti-American. In your own way you probably think your constant posting of anti-American comments is the height of being a loyal American.

I just think you are a member of that camp that can find little, if anything good to say about your country.

As for the immature name calling and foul language, that is Mr. Jackass if you please. I actually prefer the term Frogger, but if you are into name calling rest assured I can name call with the best of them.

I spent years working with Special Education children so I am quite adept at handling children who like to curse.

This is the second of two free votes in Iraq; ;something that is without precident.
And it still is...

whistles politely seeing as how said "anti-american rants" = the truth...

++++++++++++++++

Vote Totals Under Inquiry in 12 Iraqi Provinces, Panel Says
Published: October 17, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 17 - Iraqi election officials said today that they were investigating what they described as "unusually high" vote totals in 12 Shiite and Kurdish provinces, where as many 99 percent of the voters were reported to have cast ballots in favor of Iraq's new constitution, raising the possibility that the results of Saturday's referendum could be called into question.

In a statement released this evening, the Independent Election Commission of Iraq said the results of the Oct. 15 referendum would have to be delayed by "a few days," because the apparently high totals in favor of the constitution required that election workers "recheck, compare and audit" the results.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/17/international/middleeast/17cnd-ballot.html?emc=eta1

Originally posted by Frogger
I spent years working with Special Education children........

I would not want a child of mine to come into contact with a person of your extreme rightwing (i.e., dogmatic and anti-progressive) mindset........especially in an educational setting.

Back to the topic.............

Iraqi election officials say the formal result of the country's vote on a new constitution will be delayed, amid accusations of fraud.......

............................

...........The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq said it needed several more days to complete the count "after finding that the figures from most provinces were too high".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4351680.stm

There are almost alway accusations of fraud when elections don't go the way certain groups want. Hell, just look at how the Democrats cried foul when the presidential election went to George Bush rather than Al Gore.

They need to send in Bolton and his thugs like they did in Florida '00.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/doprofl.gif (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

I can't tell if the little smiley is of someone laughing or of a child throwing a temper tantrum. Looks more like a temper tantrum to me.:confused:

Originally posted by Freethinker
I would not want a child of mine to come into contact with a person of your extreme rightwing (i.e., dogmatic and anti-progressive) mindset........especially in an educational setting.

That of course is your right. I see little point in mentioning it in this thread, as it's just a petty insult and has nothing to do with the thread. The "Jeffrey Daumer"[sic] quote is about the level of humor I'd expect to encounter on a school bus. Be aware I don't care for Dahmer jokes very much FT. Be careful.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Freethinker
I would not want a child of mine to come into contact with a person of your extreme rightwing (i.e., dogmatic and anti-progressive) mindset........especially in an educational setting.

Main Entry: dog·ma·tism
Pronunciation: 'dog-m&-"ti-z&m, 'däg-
Function: noun
1 : positiveness in assertion of opinion especially when unwarranted or arrogant
2 : a viewpoint or system of ideas based on insufficiently examined premises

If you consider my opinion arrogant, what do you consider 500lbguerilla's. Of course since you are such a fair minded individual you must feel his cursing at people who hold opinions that differ from his the height of dogmatism.

As for my system of ideas being based on insufficiently examined premises; you said it in reference not only to my politics but to my teaching ability. I have a Master's Degree in Special Education and worked for years as the assistant to the director of one of the largest special education programs in New York State. I will put my expertese in the area up against yours any day of the week.

What is it with progressives that makes them feel it necessary to be nasty when they post? Do they have such a paucity of ideas that they they feel they must replace them with anger and nastiness?

There are almost alway accusations of fraud when elections don't go the way certain groups want. Hell, just look at how the Democrats cried foul when the presidential election went to George Bush rather than Al Gore. Yeah I mean Bush got 5 votes and Gore got 4 votes. Simple as that.

PS - Im not a republicrat.