If the reported Iraqi turnout percentage (first 80%, then 70%, then 60%, now closer to 40%) were a stock, you could make a fortune short-selling it. I wonder what the final number will be. Along the same lines, what is the definition of a "successful election"? Could we please find out now, before all the facts are in, rather than defining "success" to be whatever the hell ends up being the final version of the facts?
Thanks to First Draft for the link.
Posted by Observer at February 3, 2005 06:27 PMComments on entries can only be made in pop-up windows while those entries are still on the main index page. Sorry for the inconvenience this causes, but this blocks about 99.99% of the spam the blog receives.
40% is pretty typical for the US...
Posted by: Humbaba on February 4, 2005 12:49 AMYeah, Hummer. But we're complacent and lazy, not "aching for democracy" or some such thing.
Posted by: Perkusi on February 4, 2005 09:06 PMI'd say that 60% in the US who don't go to the polls have reasons other than "afraid of being shot".
Anyway, maybe this will turn out to be one good day. We're about due for one after two years in Iraq, I think. I wonder how many people knew who they were voting for. Weren't the candidates identities hidden for their protection? How will they be protected once they get elected?
And this is just some sort of committee to elect a committee to choose the rulers. Do the Iraqis know about the shell game?
Posted by: Observer on February 4, 2005 10:30 PM