Elections...WOW

WOW, how cool of thing is it to really know that something a country hasn't gotten a chance to do in soo long has actualy happened , and knowing we helped in making this once dream become a true reality. Ok so yah there's a lot of NO WE shouldn't be here or YES WE should. A lot of people yelling at one another and a lot of discontent. I ask simply that for just a moment that you yourself will, STOP, TAKE A QUICK BREAK from all that strife and truly think of what has just happened. There is so much depth and meaning to this. Regardless of weather you think or feel that we should or shouldn't be here doesn't change the fact of what has just taken place. Something that is truly good, fair, and just... (the allowing of people, human beings, to get a chance to have a say in the governing of themselves.)

The role we took in these elections was very minimal on election day. Our orders where to not set foot on any polling station unless absolutely necessary. The purpose for this was that we let the Iraqi Army and Police do all the work and we where only there if absolutely needed. We had staged in a central location of our AO(area of operation) where there where six different polling sites. The entire day was without incident. That says SOO much and is uplifting for myself personally.

Two key things in this to look at. The backing off of force/presence by the coalition and letting the growing and strengthening Iraqi Police and Army to begin to take charge and gain their own confidence. Second A democratic election just took place in a formally Dictatorship run country. An event that was unthinkable 3 years ago to many of the population, and it went with very little incident.