How many here think that Iraq elections

[whosinpower]

Will change anything in regards to the insurgency currently exploding over Iraq?

IF, and that is a very big IF - the upcoming elections were seen as impartial to the US occupation - then perhaps the insurgency would lose a great deal of its wind...but I fear that is not going to be the case.

I cannot see it changing anything substantive. The occupation will continue. Iraqi's will continue to be killed, as are US and allied troops and contract workers. I read somewhere that the insurgency is estimated to be over 200 000 strong - with around 50 000 hardcore fighters. This is NOT foreign influence. This is about people - everyday Iraqi people who have had it with the occupation and the empty American dreams and promises of better days without Saddam.

Thoughts any Duers?

[Solly Mack]

1. it will go from "appointed" officials dying to "elected" officials dying

so, the wording will change

but the dying will continue

[greyfox]

2. Exactly!!!

If they go ahead as the Shrub is PUSHIING THEM to do... death will ensue over and over and over and over...

[Solly Mack]

4. He'll keep pushing, too...he's not the one doing the dying.

[greyfox]

7. Ya got that right....

he is hoping it will all go well for HIM, and besides, he SAID he would have electons there in Janaury so he HAS to push to save face... the * hole!!!

[Bouncy Ball]

3. You actually think the election is going to happen?

If it does, and that's a HUGE if, it will be a total sham of an election. Hell, there are large parts of Iraq without consistent water and electric, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs---basic needs come first, everything else is secondary.

Plus we've got a TOTAL of 150,000 troops in Iraq, give or take. They've got at LEAST 200,000 fighters, and I really wouldn't be surprised to find out the number is actually FAR higher than that.

No way. Elections will not take place, and if they do, they will be done with such a TINY portion of the population as to be meaningless.

And the Iraqi people are not stupid: they know EVERYTHING is controlled by the US right now, including the election. Anyone who wins will be suspected of being a puppet for bush. And they'd probably be right.

The Iraqis want us out. We've wreaked more than enough havoc on them.

On edit: you know what I don't understand? We had 600,000 troops mobilized for Desert Storm. The objective was to get Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. And to take over the WHOLE country of Iraq, secure and stabilize it, we've got 150,000 troops? INSANE!

[ktowntennesseedem]

5. There WILL be something that loosely resembles and election,

because Bushit is so stubborn he and his buddies will push it through no matter what the circumstances. And when it does happen, any outcome will make Ohio 2004 look pristine! Doesn't matter anyway, Bushit and Co. have so much control over the process, one would have to be a fool not to see that they'll have the same control over the outcome.

On edit, one would have to be a fool, or a Bush supporter, but then again, I'm describing the same people, aren't I?

[barb162]

6. I think it will change a lot. The Kurds and Shiites will be happier,

they really want these elections I think. The Sunnis are going to be very unhappy as they are now.

Since I have never been there all of my knowledge is based on reading or media coverage.