Posted on 02/01/2005 6:37:55 PM PST by nuconvert
January 31, 2005
Greetings friends,
What we have witnessed is something amazing. I am an Iraqi and a Baghdadi and should know, and deep down in my heart I knew; yet I must admit that I did not expect all this. The common Iraqi citizen has taken all by surprise, including those of us who are indigenous to this land.
It was expected that relatively secure areas in the South and North were going to see heavy turnout. Yet Baghdad; subjected to a terrorist and intimidation campaign of unprecedented scale and cruelty; Baghdad, deprived of electricity, fuel and lately even water( which is more dangerous than anything else); Baghdad, that lacks security, where the citizens face mortal danger every moment of their daily life; Baghdad, where life has almost ground to a standstill; that citizens of this Baghdad should line up at polling stations braving very real dangers, with mortars raining down and scores of suicide bombers sent out to blow up people, and moreover that many even brought their children: this Baghdad was a revelation even to Baghdadis.
There were amazing scenes; not very likely to seen anywhere else. There were acts of heroism. Abdul Amir Kadhim, saw a man whom he suspected to be a suicide bomber, he threw himself on the man before he could get to the waiting line of people; and sure there was an explosion and this young man gave his life to save the others. Prime Minister Allawi paid tribute to this heroism. At one station there was a suicide attack and several people fell; when people of the neighborhood heard of this, the waiting line suddenly swelled to three times in size; people rushed out of their homes and came running to wait in line; it was their way to express their defiance and anger at this crime. The examples of bravery and courage are too numerous to recount. People took courage from each other, as people came out others watched and did not want to be left out. It was something incredible to watch. Yes this was a historic day, a day to remember until our dying day. With one stroke, in a single day, the silent majority spoke and answered all the pundits and doubters, and those who spoke on their behalf. Yet we have been telling you this all along; we have been telling you ever since this blogging movement started. Do you now see that we were not representing minority views, that we were not some CIA agents trying to make propaganda?
I find it difficult right know to write coherently; I just want to convey to you some of the tremendous feelings overwhelming my soul now.
As for some of the Arab scum and other detractors, they are appearing on TV screens looking like they have just swallowed a cockroach, or perhaps had some awful lizard creeping up their backsides; They fidget, they try hard to find some words, some way to get round this, to belittle, twist to distort facts; but it is not easy, not easy when the entire world, the entire humanity are watching intently this incredible event.
Finally, we heard the speech of President Bush Loud and clear. He, and the American people and their British and other valiant allies have much to do with this event. All I can say is that this man has all the essential traits of character that distinguishes the great men of history; the insistence and utter conviction and the perseverance and steadfastness in the face of all doubters and detractors. This was no ordinary election, and it was not simply to elect a constituent assembly. It was the answer of the people, what they really thought about the liberation, what they really thought of the ideas preached by the president. This was a message by the Iraqi people to the American people and their great president. It was the heart of Iraq answering the heart of America that voted to give the President the mandate to finish the task; it was the answer that the common people of Iraq gave by braving danger and exposing their life and that of their children and families to death, this was their way to make their voice heard.
Well, thank you Mr. President, we heard you; and I am sure you also heard us.
Peace be upon you all and the mercy of Allah and his blessings.
bttt
Exquisite.
bump
This sounds like an Americanized Iraqi, one who has spent time in the U.S. Note the use of the phrase "silent majority," not just the excellent American English.
If Brit Hume, etc. don't use it, it may be that this person is not considered to be a true representative of the thoughts of the Iraqi people.
It's very nice. I do like the concept of the heart of the Iraqi people speaking to the heart of the American people...
Great passage and well worth repeating.
Small differences aside, most people from Bagdad to Boston have a lot in common. The large turnout of people voting in Iraq don't identify with the Jihadists.
Our president has the forsight to see that.
The president is certainly leaving a mark in Mesopotamia.
Thanks for the ping Jeff
Bless that Iraqi. He gets it.
Yes he is! An A+ !
You are weclome my friend. Sunday was a watershed, historic, and momentus occassion that has the possibility of rocking that part of the world over the coming years.
Thank you, I have passed it on.
Didn't notice if anyone had pinged you.........
"We have lost many men and women in this war and we will probably lose many more."
Indeed.
Yet we should not overlook that the Iraqi's on freedom's side have lost thousands of their own fathers, sons and brothers in this fight, and despite (or because of) those losses they were on the march on Sunday. In the end they will have won their freedom with their own blood and courage.
Let us never hear of "President Hitlery" again!!!!
Thanks for the ping!
Outstanding! Thanks mesopotamian!
dennis the menace was having a fit on H&C tonight.
That's always a good thing.
good news for America is bad news for the left.
What got to me was all the celabrating, and they didn't know if their candidate had won. Just the fact they could vote...AMAZING.
I alternated between wanting to jump up and cheer, which I couldn't really do having a ten year old and my wife in bed, and sitting on my couch weeping with unabashed pride in what my country had done.
Think about it, Jeff. In the last 24 months, 50 million human beings have been liberated from the yoke of some of the most despotic leaders since the 3rd Reich was having its fun. They are free because of an American President who actually believes that it's a good thing to try to spread freedom around the world.
The pictures and videos I saw of Iraqis dancing in the streets as they voted made my cynical old heart just melt. I wept unashamedly with pride.
I wept over the loss of 1500 American troops, and I wept as I saw those brave Iraqi citizens lining up for blocks to cast the first votes of their lifetimes in spite of the threats to their very lives.
You know me pretty well Jeff, so you know I'm not much for praying. I don't believe in asking God for anything. He has his own designs and His own purposes, so I think it's pretty impertinent to 'ask' Him for much of anything.
But Sunday night I got down on my knees and asked God most humbly to protect the Iraqi people and to guide them on the path towards self determination and that they would form a government that respects the rights of all their people.
It's a prayer that I most fervently hope is answered. If any people deserve Gods help, it's the Iraqis.
Just as a quick aside, I'd like to tell you how fortunate I consider myself to count you as one of my friends Jeff. My life is much richer having you in it.
Thanks for letting me vent in your direction Jeff.
Take care of yourself. You're one of the good guys and we need all of those we can get.
Regards,
L
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