Iraqi voting has started

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Predictable. First, there was no way that the interim government could take over by July 1.

By what definition has the interim government "taken over"? There is no police fore to speak of. The national guard has been depleted by desertions and executions, and infiltrated by spies. They were unable to provide security for their own elections, and even with our help, 35 people died (I mean, holy crap, the targets were known, the time window was known, the methods were known, and there was still nothing that could be done about it). Bush has said he doesn't expect the new government to ask us to leave after the elections. Well, freaking duh! It's not because they love us so, it's because if we leave they know chaos will ensue.

It's not a democracy, it's an occupation. There is no evidence of a viable government in that country. The people have not stepped up in an effort to defend themselves. The citizens have by and large shown that they have no desire to put their life on the line to defend their freedom. Until I see an Iraqi military and police force step up to the plate, I will not consider it a legitimate government.