US election under scrutiny

[octothorp]

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10...s.ap/index.html

I thought this was a really interesting article about observers from emerging democracies around the world being brought in to observe the US election. Not suprisingly, the Democrats welcome this, while the Republicans see it as an outrageous infringement of US sovereignty.

.....

In a slightly related event, I was watching an article on Newsworld last night that talked about the upcoming elections in Afghanistan, and the problems caused by the fact that 80% of the population is illiterate. The words of one grape-farmer they talked too were particularly telling to paraphrase: "It is not our job to pick a ruler, it is God's job. I will go to the booth, and mark one of the boxes. If God sees that I am going to mark the wrong box, he will move my hand to the candidate that he wants."

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by octothorp@Oct 7 2004, 07:13 PM
In a slightly related event, I was watching an article on Newsworld last night that talked about the upcoming elections in Afghanistan, and the problems caused by the fact that 80% of the population is illiterate. The words of one grape-farmer they talked too were particularly telling to paraphrase: "It is not our job to pick a ruler, it is God's job. I will go to the booth, and mark one of the boxes. If God sees that I am going to mark the wrong box, he will move my hand to the candidate that he wants."

That was actually from a CNN report, the quote contained in this story:

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/...tion/index.html

By and large, the population sounds excited about the chance to vote, even if the UN is struggling to get them to understand how to do it:

"What a voter registration card is, what a ballot paper is, how to mark a ballot paper, what it means, how to identity the candidate whom you wish to support," says U.N. election worker, Julian Type.

Cowperson

[troutman]

What if Afghanistan elected all Taliban candidates?

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by troutman@Oct 7 2004, 07:33 PM
What if Afghanistan elected all Taliban candidates?

What if wishes were fishes?

There doesn't seem to be any - or many - Taliban candidates. The most serious challenger to Karzai promises an Islamic government but has also clearly stated his rabid enthusiasm for the concept of democracy.

Credible and independent opinion poll has Karzai with much of the popular vote but he might be under 50%, which would mean a run-off in three months.

Women make up 40% of the vote and they seem to think men suck at keeping the peace. Here's their story:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6193966/site/newsweek/

Cowperson

[troutman]

Thanks for the info. That was really my question. I did not know whether there were Taliban candidates.

[Cube Inmate]

Originally posted by octothorp@Oct 7 2004, 01:13 PM
Not suprisingly, the Democrats welcome this, while the Republicans see it as an outrageous infringement of US sovereignty.

Why is this "not surprisingly?"

Are you not surprised that the Dems welcome it because many believe the election was stolen from them last time? Or is that a comment on the general beliefs of Dems vs. Republicans...sort of along the lines that Democrats are a little more humble?