Posted on 11/03/2008 11:22:44 AM PST by drzz
For five years Ali and Mohammed have lived alongside US soldiers in their Baghdad neighbourhood near Rasheed Street, a prominent commercial artery running through the heart of the Iraqi capital. During that time American culture and politics have become familiar to them, and they say that if they could, they would vote for Republican candidate John McCain in next week's US presidential election.
"McCain would be best for Iraq because he would ensure stability," said Ali, 66, an expert on the Sumerian era.
The personal qualities and political platforms of McCain and his Democrat rival Barack Obama are of little import to Ali, however. His focus is on Iraq and its neighbours such as Iran.
"The Iranians believe that if Obama is elected he will not take action against them despite their nuclear ambitions. That worries me," said Ali, sitting on an old bench in Al-Zahawi coffee shop.
"If the Iranians get the bomb they will become the Tarzan of the region," said the former teacher and lecturer at the University of Baghdad, referring to the vine-swinging strongman of the jungle in old Hollywood movies.
Mohammed, also a professor at the university, said he too preferred McCain "because Obama supports a rapid withdrawal of US troops."
"Our army is still too weak and Turkey and Iran are threats. Iran's President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad has warned Iran would fill the void left when US troops depart," he said.
Rasheed Street with its 1920s-style buildings is still closed to vehicles, and groups of anti-Al-Qaeda fighters guard the stretch that runs north to south.
The street was the scene of major attacks by insurgents after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003 to US-led invading forces. But even before that many business establishments had begun to move away from the thoroughfare.
Today, a few hundred metres (yards) from Al-Zahawi coffee shop, is the famous Al-Mutnabi books market, the only place where Baghdadis can find English books and magazines.
Booksellers display a range of computer publications, periodicals, works of fiction and school textbooks on wooden shelves.
Barack Obama's image peers out between two editions of "Vanity Fair" magazine kept next to the memoirs of former US president Bill Clinton.
But "The Audacity of Hope," one of Obama's books, has yet to find a buyer.
"I have no customer for this book. Iraqis are interested in the campaign, but they prefer to read texts translated into Arabic," said bookseller Shallan Zaidan.
Such Arabic versions, translated and published by Lebanese companies, include "My Year in Iraq" by Paul Bremer, the former US administrator of Iraq, and "Bush at War" by renowned investigative journalist Bob Woodward.
But there are no translations of books on the two candidates bidding to enter the White House.
Iraqis prefer instead to rely on the latest issues of weekly news publications such as Time and Newsweek, said government official Whamith Shadhan, who was browsing through second-hand books and magazines.
"I trust the Republicans more. They're more capable of establishing democracy in the world, especially in Arab countries," said the 33-year-old. "Obama is far too left."
Sanity in Iraq. Insanity in the good ol USA. Who woulda thunk it ?
The ultimate reason why every sane American should support the GOP is simple: They are the only party the believe in “republicanism” even with a small “r.”
The Democrats and their leftists masters are now totalitarian fascists to the core. Obama thinks he is King Charles II reborn.
Wow. Iraq a free country. Forming their own opinions. Not afraid to state them. Just amazing.
I wish I could see this being reported all over the airwaves but I know better. But I’ll be satisfied just reading it here. Thanks for posting.
Hmm.
Should Obama win, Iraq might become an option alongside Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
I for one, believe that is one major reason America has image problems in the world, because we go in an free an entire nation and then elect democrats who screw up everything we did there.
There is no consistency and people see our lack of resolve as a real weakness.
That thought has crossed my mind more than once.
It is after all, a free country. ;-)
P.S. Fair warning - it gets a little hot in the summer here.
Sensible news from Iraq, brought to you from the Agent France Press
lol.
New Zealand?
Ok there are fjords :-)
Good to hear. Too bad democrats and the young skulls full of mush don’t think the same way.
Couldn't agree with you more.
I don't think its just perceived weakness. The weakness and indecision is all too real and we are going to pay a terrible price for it.
Won’t this make the M.E. scorecard;
Iran - 0bama
Syria - 0bama
Hamas/ Hezbollah terrorists — 0bama
Iraq — McCain.
What I always enjoy is when an Iraqi gets all heated up about something their leadership has done and starts venting about it.
They're emotional and expressive and remind me of the southern Italians. They'll get going on something "that stupid Maliki" said or did and I just love it.
They did not dare utter one peep like that in Saddam's day. But it didn't take them long at all to get used to freedom. :)
Some day I’ll get over there and walk the streets of Haqlaniyah. Maybe that’ll be sooner rather than later.
“Won’t this make the M.E. scorecard;
Iran - 0bama
Syria - 0bama
Hamas/ Hezbollah terrorists — 0bama
Iraq — McCain.”
You forgot:
Israel - McCain
I know everyone is down on President Bush for other issues, but the changes in Iraq could not have happened but for him.
You have a front row seat to what has got to be one of the most impressive transformations in history. It must be a wonder to see those citizens getting their country back and making it work.
I saw an article here on FR last week about a play that is currently running in what is described as Iraqi theatre that is very popular...and it is political satire!!! Nothing like that would have been possible there six years ago. Keep up the good work...and stay safe! :-)
Good Luck Sandy!
All the good people of the world are holding y’all in their hearts tonight.
God Bless.
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