the corner office

The Iraqi elections seem to have far exceeded anyone's expectations and it raises hope that Iraq's future as a stable democracy isn't just a pipe dream. It's a lesson for the world and a moment of pride for Iraqis that they ignored the threats of terrorists and thugs, and braved attacks which killed over 33 people, to participate in their new democracy.

At the same time, the comments have been made that neoconservatives will take this as validation of Bush's policies and what has happened in Iraq over the past 2 years. Yes, it'll happen, but I think it's BS. The issue shouldn't be whether elections were held or not, but to ask honestly whether these same elections could have happened with less bloodshed, less violence, and less destruction to Iraq, its infrastructure and its society. Also, the elections don't change the fact that the country is in effect embroiled in a civil war and that there are a lot of violent people who aren't just going to pack away the guns and explosives because the masses have spoken. And if Bush takes this as his cue to hightail the US military out of the country (possibly to gear up for spreading "freedom" in Iran), then Iraq could still go up in flames, even more so than now.

But I think the elections promise hope for that country and will prove to ordinary Iraqis that they and the majority of their countrymen and women do want to exercise peaceful control over their destinies, and that's the most positive news to have come from Iraq in a long time.