Peaceful Iraqi Elections and Hopes for the Future
The War in Iraq started back in 2003, I believe. I was still pastoring the Santa Barbara church back then - which means a lot of water has run under the bridge since then. Barack Obama came into office pledging to bring American combat troops home in 16 months. That process is beginning, as I understand things.
The good news today is that the Iraqi's held provincial elections, with 14000 candidates vying for 440 regional council seats. They did this with a minimum of violence, and with security provided not by American troops, but by Iraqi troops and police.
So, whatever one's view of the war and its conduct, this is good news and portends the possibility of a fairly seamless draw down. Perhaps if things go well, we can bring the troops home even quicker.
The Iraqi's seem to want sovereignty. They don't want to be an occupied territory. All of which means, it's time for us to leave.
Leaving Iraq, of course, means that we don't control its destiny. It is led now by a Shiite dominate government that has relatively close ties to Iran. I don't think that this eventuality was what Bush and Cheney had in mind when they decided to invade, but given freedom to form governments, it's not surprising that the majority Shia population has chosen to go this route.
Funny thing, democracy!
Let us hope that the counting goes well and without incident!
The good news today is that the Iraqi's held provincial elections, with 14000 candidates vying for 440 regional council seats. They did this with a minimum of violence, and with security provided not by American troops, but by Iraqi troops and police.
So, whatever one's view of the war and its conduct, this is good news and portends the possibility of a fairly seamless draw down. Perhaps if things go well, we can bring the troops home even quicker.
The Iraqi's seem to want sovereignty. They don't want to be an occupied territory. All of which means, it's time for us to leave.
Leaving Iraq, of course, means that we don't control its destiny. It is led now by a Shiite dominate government that has relatively close ties to Iran. I don't think that this eventuality was what Bush and Cheney had in mind when they decided to invade, but given freedom to form governments, it's not surprising that the majority Shia population has chosen to go this route.
Funny thing, democracy!
Let us hope that the counting goes well and without incident!
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