Left-wing commentators, in Britain as in much of Europe, have focused disproportionately on the difficulties that any state must undergo during a transition process. To many of them, every terrorist bomb, every murdered election official, every sign of heightened military alertness — even the loss of a British aircraft — makes a nonsense of Iraq’s democratic aspirations. (Source)
Substitute Britain and British with America and American, and the paragraph applies to leftists in the United States as well.
The Iraq election is now a part of history. Over 70 percent of the electorate turned out. In our lifetimes we’ve seen the fall of a brutal dictator under the watch of a vilified and hated American president. But even the New York Times (reg. req.) had to concede that election day in Iraq was a success:
Courageous Iraqis turned out to vote yesterday in numbers that may have exceeded even the most optimistic predictions. Participation varied by region, and the impressive national percentages should not obscure the fact that the country’s large Sunni Arab minority remained broadly disenfranchised – due to alienation or terror or both. But even in some predominantly Sunni areas, turnout was higher than expected. And in an impressive range of mainly Shiite and Kurdish cities, a long silenced majority of ordinary Iraqis defied threats of deadly mayhem to cast votes for a new, and hopefully democratic, political order….This page has not hesitated to criticize the Bush administration over its policies in Iraq, and we continue to have grave doubts about the overall direction of American strategy there. Yet today, along with other Americans, whether supporters or critics of the war, we rejoice in a heartening advance by the Iraqi people. For now at least, the multiple political failures that marked the run-up to the voting stand eclipsed by a remarkably successful election day.
Aside from this editorial, I won’t be linking to news stories. The biased headlines tell you all you need to know about MSM’s coverage of the elections. But if you must read the stories, do so with delight as jaded leftist journalists try to spin the overwhelmingly positive news coming out of Iraq into something negative. They’re so predictable, it’s boring.
The rule of partisan politics, at least where the left is concerned, is that whatever your opponent is for, you must come out against. That’s why the liberal blogosphere was either silent yesterday or overwhelmingly negative. In that regard, I won’t hold my breath as I wait for a group like the NAACP to release a positive press release (for a change) about the elections.
Speaking of the NAACP, last year in Watch Out For Jim Crow, I blogged about this fossil-like relic of the past and a ridiculous report they threw together called The Long Shadow of Jim Crow (PDF). The absurdly dramatic title produced unintended laughs as I flipped through the “report.” I thought to myself, “Groups like the NAACP reinforce the stereotype that blacks are low achievers.” This is only one of many reasons I’m embarrassed by them. Blacks are held to a lower standard, and dreck like that report is partially to blame.
While people are literally losing their heads over the cause of freedom, the NAACP’s limousine liberals living high on the government hog are planning their next social event, but not before adding a little racial hysteria to the mix for good measure. With exaggerated or straight up false claims of “voter intimidation,” the NAACP is a joke.
Iraqis, threatened by throat-cutting Islamofacists, still managed to vote. Yet the NAACP regards blacks as impotent children incapable of casting a simple ballot for fear of the white man at the polls. (The butterfly is so confusing!) You can’t punch a simple hole on a simple ballot? Try it with no fingers or hands or arms, for crying out loud. That’s disenfranchisement.
Pictured are the NAACP’s ranting chairman, Julian Bond and former president Kweisi Mfume. That’s all I have to say. Making fun of the NAACP is not as fun as it used to be. It’s just sad.
Surprisingly, they spoke out against the juvenile hosts of a black radio station after they made some bone-headed remarks about the tsunami victims. When the NAACP actually does something useful, which isn’t often, it should be noted.
——————————————————————————————————–
Iraq election coverage around the blogosphere: Arthur Chrenkoff, Day By Day…
Classic Scappleface: “We use that word ‘terrorist’ to marginalize and demonize people whose way of expressing ideas is culturally different from ours,” said Mr. Kerry. “But when a man takes up the scimitar to behead an innocent civilian, or straps on the exploding vest for a walk through the marketplace, he’s just passionately stating his philosophy. Who are we to judge his methods?”
Update: Speaking of the NAACP, go read Black Taliban. A new black conservative in the blogosphere. I like it.
{ 25 comments }
Spot on as usual, LaShawn.
I seem to recall in 2000 that the NAACP complained that black voters were “intimidated” by the mere presence of police cars. The Iraqis had alot more reason to be intimidated and they showed up in droves. Goes to show you how soft and hypersensitive some people have become in this country.
Yesterday was a great day for the Iraqi people. As marcus points out above, those of “us” spoiled Americans who are afraid because a police car is in the area should take note.
Some of our ancestors were once in similar shoes as the Iraqi’s and they defied the odds. The crap that we complain about as “disenfranchised” these days is a disgrace to the memory of all they fought to acheive.
How many of us living in a free world that have been given the right to vote for so long, a right won and defended by democracies with the blood of their young sons in war, would now risk their own now to vote.
The Iraqis’ first vote in their new democracy is an inspirational reminder to us all of the value humans place on freedom and the personal price/risk they are willing to pay for it.
It is amazing to me that the Iraqi’s would go thru anything, including the prospect of being the next causualty, to be able to VOTE! They endure a whole lot more than we American’s….
In Oregon, we used to go to the Poll’s to vote…now everything is for our ‘convience’…and we vote by mail. Of course, that can be ripe for fraud. I really would rather go to the poll’s, than sitting at home.
I don’t mail mine in though. I take it to the election’s office on election day.
The Iraqis have shown the Americans how much democracy should be appreciated.
All this talk about disenfranchisement of the Sunnis is pure crapola. When people boycott or chose not to vote, they still have made a choice, so how is that disenfranchisement?
Watching the reportage yesterday, I was struck by Geraldo’s enthusiaism contrasted by the gloom & doom that eventually gave way to grudging acknowledgement by others. The MSM/Donks looked & sounded as if by concentrating real hard as a group, into one astral plane, they could make the disaster happen.
Almost 20 years ago, the band Rush had a song called Freewill, rather prescient in this day & age.
“
There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance,
A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance.
A planet of playthings,
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
“The stars aren’t aligned,
Or the gods are malign…”
Blame is better to give than receive.
Chorus
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill;
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose freewill.
There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand,
The cards were stacked against them; they weren’t born in Lotusland.
All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate.
Kicked in the face,
You can’t pray for a place
In heaven’s unearthly estate.
Chorus
Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete.
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that’s far too fleet.
Chorus“
As usual, Pres. Bush has the left spinning its heads in response. Now they have to be against democracy itself to oppose him. Not a comfortable position to be in, I would think.
BTW, yesterday morning I painted my right index finger with dark blue nail polish, so I could be in solidarity with the Iraqi peoples who are finally getting a chance at freedom. I’m going to leave it blue all week to remind myself just how important liberty is that people would risk their lives for something as simple as the right to vote.
Thanks again, LaShawn, for your wonderful insights.
[channel Batty Boxer]
But, but, people had to stand in the rain!
ChimpHitler made it rain… but Iraq is a desert, so even the Skull and Bones black magic couldn’t make it rain there…
But people in Ohio got WET!
[/channel Batty Boxer]
Last Friday, I sent out an email to family & friends:
When you think about it, Iraq today is pretty much like anything west of the Appalachians and the wild West frontier back in the early 1800 to early 1900s. From Andrew Jackson dueling for the honor of his wife, to Hatfields/McCoys or outlaws like Billy the Kid; from Rancher Kings to Robber Barons; from “insurgent” Indians to Generalissimo Santa Anna & Pancho Villa etc, etc.
It wasn’t the elites, politicians and intellectuals that challenged the West, rather t’was the common man who wanted a better future for his children and freedom from whatever oppression he escaped from, whether the slums of NYC or European serfdom.
It wasn’t the laws on the books that tamed the wild beyond, it was the common man from the Indian Fighters to Buffalo Soldiers and Rough Riders, from local Sheriffs to Federal Marshals and of course the Texas Rangers that backed the law, however imperfectly, with the business end of the gun, while the fearful townsfolk anxiously cowered in the “safety” of their homes.
Cleaning out Dodge City: http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1106828705.shtml
Voting Rights in Iraq: http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/archive/t/tremoglie/2005/tremoglie012805.htm
Anyhoo, Adam Keiper took Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and created a video slideshow — it rawks. Check it out at http://adamkeiper.blogs.com/comparevideo/2005/01/the_iraqi_elect.html
Andy,
Thanks for the link to the beautiful pictures. I’m going to get some blue nail polish and wear it on my right index finger in honor of the elections. Evon
As I was going to sleep Saturday nite watching the early voting in Iraq, I told my wife that I was sure that our Demorats would now be complaining that the lines were too long!!!
Did the insurgents try to disenfranchise the Iraqi voters by slashing get out the vote van tires? Oh sorry that happened in Milwaukee by some democrats trying to prevent republicans from voting. Funny I didn’t hear any outcry from the NAACP.
Leviticus 25:10
Michael, a jubilee indeed
Man, this is really gonna get the MSM/DNC’s goat!!!
The man replacing the mayor of Baghdad — who was assassinated for his pro-American loyalties — says he is not worried about his ties to Washington.
In fact, he’d like to erect a monument to honor President Bush in the middle of the city.
“We will build a statue for Bush,” said Ali Fadel, the former provincial council chairman. “He is the symbol of freedom.”
Fadel’s predecessor, Ali al-Haidari, was gunned down Jan. 4 when militants opened fire on his armor-covered BMW as it traveled with a three-car convoy.
Fadel said he received numerous threats on his life as the council chairman, and expects to get many more in his new post.
“My life is cheap,” Fadel said. “Everything is cheap for my country.”
Read the rest @ http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/39526.htm
We had a higher election turnout in South Vietnam in 1967. Hope your occupation goes better than ours did.
“Disenfranchisement” is losing its meaning just as the term “racism” has — in large part thanks to the NAACP.
One would think it would be better to help the NAACP instead of attacking it…especially you being one of the recepients of it’s history and work.
LaShawn Barber, you amaze me.
I do? Thank you.
(Sarcasm off)
Candyce, your naiveti had me ROTFLOL.
Oncet eyes trys helpin’ dat NAACP ins 98/99, buts deys was happy up dere ins
Massa’s hause n ditna wanna git on boards de Cluetrain,
http://www.cluetrain.com/index.html
Deys say dey don nee no helps gittin’ battr, deys jus nee my moneys. Deys
say dey kno wha dey’s doin’ so’s eyes says bye.
Tell ya a secret, we’re recipients of a whole lotta folks’ history & work –
white, black, brown and purple. In their ever diminishing way, the NAACP
helped contribute, so we ain’t only indebted to them. In fact, the longer
they hang around in their state, the more they’re gonna drag us all down.
IRAQ: WELCOME GENERATION-CHOICEMAKER !
Man is earth’s Choicemaker. Psalm 25:12 He is by nature
and nature’s God a creature of Choice – and of Criteria.
Psalm 119:30,173 His unique and definitive characteristic
is, and of Right ought to be, the natural foundation of
his environments, institutions, and respectful relations
to his fellow-man. Thus, he is oriented to a Freedom
whose roots are in the Order of the universe.
See the complete article at Homesite:
“Human Defined: Earth’s Choicemaker”
http://www.choicemaker.net/
To Andy,
While your song amused me, it doesn’t erase the fact that the NAACP helped in the struggle. But I’m sure you probably think the struggle was self-induced and we should have helped ourselves! Get off dat boat! Personal responsibility right? Toby shoulda threw down Massah!
You forget your history and that leaves you with nothing.
I think the NAACP has become a shell of what it was due to people who like to stand back and criticize and not lend a helping hand.
Independent thinkers are what we need. This neo-con-speak about liberals being racists and black leaders being corrupt is enough already.
*Going to pull up myself up by my own bootstraps*
Of course, I’ve made it all by myself. (sarcasm)
Candyce,
Aside — Glad you like the song, I got another good one in the archives. Look up the 6 Dec 04 post entitled “Ignorance And Laziness In The Blogosphere, Historically Black Colleges, Etc.” It’s a hoot.
While you’re there, do look around at the rest of LB’s archive on dinosaurs and do tell us what you think.
I remember & love history, I just prefer not to look at it thru multi-culti colored glasses, since one starts to see things that aren’t there.
I don’t deny that the NAACP contributed. I contest the notion that we are indebted to primarily them for bringing us out of wherever. I say that everyone in one way or another, by doing their part, however small, contributed to the world we inherited.
IOW, we’re indebted to our founding fathers, we’re indebted to Andrew Jackson, we’re indebted to Booker T, Dubya Carver, we’re indebted to the Indians, to the Chinese, everyone up thru history till today and we’ll still be indebted to person that gonna make an impact tomorrow.
Simply put, it didn’t start & end with NAACP. In that sense, the NAACP is about as useful as the unions, delaying the inevitable. As Rod Paige once said, “You do not own, and you are not the arbiters of, African-American authenticity,â€
I done told ya, that I thot about lending a hand, but as long as it’s run by the DNC & white limosine liberals and their stooges, why bother? Dat boat is full of woodworms, dryrot and sinking.
There’s plenty of other orgnizations that aim to bury NAACP in the strata of the Jim Crow era with a good sales pitch emphasizing personal responsibility, “acting white” (3 Rs), independent and critical thinking — all necessary tools for the 21st Century.
Seems that’s what Coz’s talking about (got hooked on phonics?), yet getting dissed by Massah’s houseboyz. Pleeeease.
FWIW, my dad picked up 5 degrees during Jim Crow and before civil rights or MLK came along. According to him, all the credit goes to God and the support of family and friends of all shades. It’s my distinct impression he didn’t feel indebted to NAACP, so I guess I’m just a chip off the old block and couldn’t care less about a thug club premised on white guilt and victimology. (no sarcasm)
Bootstraps Theory
Typical
Candyce – What do you keep coming back to my blog? You obviously don’t like me or my views.
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