"The carnival of elections has begun"

"The carnival of elections has begun in Erbil under strict security measures," reports Pajamas Media correspondent W.Z in Erbil. "I have talked to a number of voters after they cast their ballots and most of whom said they gave their votes to list 730 the Kurdish alliance . . . because it is the list that grants us a federal Iraq and protects our rights.” (Uncaptioned photo posted at Iraq the Model)

"The correspondents' names will be hidden, and only initials will be used for reasons concerning their personal safety," writes Omar of Iraq the Model re Pajamas Media's first real scoop. PJM and ITM are co-anchoring a "Special Report" featuring you-are-there election reports, informal exit polls and photos throughout the day from eight correspondents based in eight different Iraqi provinces. "Mohammed and I will also be doing our usual reporting," writes Omar, "and this large amount of reports will be cross-posted on ITM and Pajamas." A taste of the anticipation and excitement from Omar's first report:

The deployment of Iraqi security forces on the streets was heavy, with a noticeable absence of American forces except for their presence in the skies; there are many Apache helicopters and jet fighters as well as small surveillance planes all over Baghdad.

The number of voting officials, independent observers and political bodies’ representatives is higher than what we saw in January.

From what we saw, people feel safer walking to the voting centers this time; many of them were carrying Iraqi flags.

There are no cars moving on the streets except for those of the police and army and of course there are children, lots of them playing soccer on the empty streets.

Also, tearing posters seems to have been taking place everywhere last night!

Democracy, Iraqi style. It doesn't sound half bad.

Comments

[Jim]

I thought you guys would love this. Because of the events in Iraq this week I thought this was great! I saw a pretty cool website Thepurplefinger.org They are selling t-shirts and posters and donating proceeds to veterans charities. The phrase on the items support the Iraqi people and the troops by stating "Give Terrorism the Finger!" Very appropriate. I'm spreading the word.

Thought you might like to know!

Jim

[Notta Libb]

Check out a funny site dedicated to the absurdity and satire nature of saying "It's All George Bush's Fault!"

http://www.itsallgeorgebushsfault.com

Regards,
Notta Libb