Iraqis Decide 2005

Eleven months ago Iraqis elected a constitutional convention. Two months ago they ratified the resulting democratic constitution. And today, under that constitution they elected a new government of, by, and for the people of Iraq.

From all reports (check the upper lefthand sidebar), it is little short of a national celebration:

We have also noticed some interesting events and gestures in Babil today, like:

-Several polling centers distributed sweets and soft drinks to the voters while men and women cheered and sang celebratory songs.

-An election official refused to let the governor of Babil cast his ballot until he showed his id card!

-Some voters marked their choices with blood by pricking their fingers in a demonstration of patriotism.

NRO's man on the scene, W. Thomas Smith, Jr., echoes Pajamas Media:

As Iraqis queue up at polling stations, some of the scenes look more like a series of regional block parties than what most Westerners would associate with an election day. Children can be seen waving flags or playing soccer. Adults are cheering, clapping hands, beating drums, singing, dancing, and waving at passing U.S. and Iraqi military vehicles. There simply seems to have been more energy in the run-up to this election than in previous ones....

I spoke with some of those soldiers and Marines Wednesday evening as they returned from routine street patrols and other duties, and prepared to move into the wings — just behind Iraqi Army and police forces — for what may prove to be one of the most important parliamentary elections in modern history. All say the festive atmosphere of the elections stems from a variety of factors, including the Iraqis' pride in their new nation, newfound freedoms, and trust in their Americans allies.

"On this side of the world, saying something and coming through and doing it means a great deal," U.S. Marine Major Neil F. Murphy Jr., spokesman for Multi-National Force West at Camp Fallujah, tells National Review Online. "Iraqis know that we mean what we say by staying and helping them get on their feet." [emphases added]

At least eleven million Iraqis cast ballots - almost half again as many as in last January's canvass, which was considered a smashing success. Iraq's newfound democracy has taken root even in former terrorist strongholds. Over 120,000 votes were cast in Fallujah. Cap'n Ed relays that...

[in] Ramadi....the violence has not kept the voters there from going to the polls - a major shift from January, when only one person cast a ballot in this Sunni terrorist area. The "militias" have [actually] provided the Ramada residents with security to get them to the polls....

Ed also links to a Washington Times story indicating that the Coalition may have succeeded in co-opting the "native" branch of the "insurgency," which would leave the already ragged al Qaeda remnants of "Emir" Zarqawi in even direr straights than they were already.

According to Mr. Smith, that's what our senior commanders believe:

U.S. troops also see the success of today's election is a death sentence for the insurgency. "This is where we turn the corner; where the Iraqi people make the decision to collectively put the insurgency in the ground," says Lieutenant Colonel Scott Morrison with the 5th Brigade.

"Now, we will witness the power of the individual Iraqi citizen as they slough off the burdens of their past; discount the present feeble attempts of the terrorist and assume responsibility for their future," says Colonel Michael C. Cloy, 5th Brigade commander and the senior military adviser for the 2nd Iraqi army (light) infantry division.

Double-H funnels his readers into what the top milbloggers are saying about this history in the making.

It seems, as you probably expected, that the only people on the face of the planet who are unhappy at the unstoppable march of Iraqi freedom are those who hate "the Great Satan" - the terrorists, and their American Democrat cheerleaders.

Decision '08 has the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the Kos-hacks. Protein Wisdom covers pretty much the rest of the fever-swamp-o-sphere, which included this delightful bit of candor from the infamous Juan Cole:

“There really isn’t anything to write about. If I had not linked to memorandum or pj, I would have had nothing to say.”

Sounds like the pre-emptive epitaph of the Democrats' McGovernik 2006 campaign strategy. Maybe after they get hammered yet again, they can take some junkets to Iraq and bone up on how democracy is supposed to work from people whose appreciation of the subject is far superior, and whose knowledge of it is far less stale.

UPDATE 12/16: This note from an Iraqi expat to Powerline says it all:

I just hung up with my dad in Nejaf. He said it went phenomenally well. He spoke to my Grandmother & my uncles aunties etc. in Baghdad and they all voted. Even my cousin who did not vote in January voted. They are all grateful and full of hope. He said Iraqis are very impressed and honored to be given such coverage all over the world. Iraqi TV is talking about all the world watching them and rooting for them. It was very impressive and very moving he says. The world seems to be behind us and with us. Iraqis had no clue of the magnitude of the international support.

Aljazerah is being condemned by even the Sunnis for lambasting Alsistany (senior Shiite reference). Arab Sunni & Shiite unity is emerging from this elections. Iraqis see Alzerqawi's days numbered in Iraq. He will end soon very soon my father said. It appears that Alsader the jr. is maturing and joining the rest of modernity in Iraq.

The picture looks so good it is hard to believe my ears as my father is telling me all this. Iraqi media is very upset and angry at Ramsey Clark who they feel is giving the enemy fuel for their fire. As well as the Scottish MP George Galloway is doing tremendous damage to the democratic movement in Iraq. The Iraqi media accuses them both of taking "Oil for loyalty" money as they call it.

A great thank you again to this great country of ours from the Ajinas in Iraq & the U.S.A for freedom, self rule and a bright future.

And we know which part of the U.S.A., don't we? Something to keep in mind should Dems try, once again, to jump on the President's bandwagon to get in on the credit for the "miracle of Mesopotamia." This time there should be no room at that inn.