Replies

The problem I have with these western polls being done in Iraq is that I question the reliance on Iraqi's being willing to suddenly be honest and open about their opinions. Remember, that not to long ago, they were all lining up to vote for Saddam. How can a poll such as this measure their honesty?

As a sales person, I spent some time in direct sales to Russians who had come to this country after the fall of the wall. This was several years after that event, and these Russians all spoke English, yet it was clear from talking to them after a longer period of time that as much as they were happy to be in America, many of their old reflexes remained with them, particularly the paranoia acquired under a relatively strict regime. I even had one woman who's son left the house during the sales talk, and when we leaving he was not in sight. She couldn't keep herself from running out to my car to look inside in the back seat to make sure we hadn't taken him. Under a strict regime, the only strangers that talk to you work for the government, and people quickly adjust their habits to this.

I basically disagree with both of them. I think a year from now people will be thrilled to see that Iraq is becoming a truely free country. I'm not sure what their elections will be like but I expect the Iraqi people to take to democracy like fish to water. This can already be seen in the local councils as they try to understand the parameters of their own power.

This is why it is so important to keep the UN out of it. The people have to learn that their government must respond to them because they have the most powerful think in Iraq.....the vote.