24 Hours: Iraq Votes.

Any articles with commentary on the election in progress are welcomed.

Here's one.
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Polls Open, Voters File in Across Iraq
16 minutes ago Top Stories - AP

By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Voters trickled into polling stations under tight security Sunday in Iraq (news - web sites), casting ballots despite promises by insurgents to sabotage the country's first free election in a half-century.
Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer was one of the first to vote at election headquarters in the heavily fortified Green Zone, calling the action his country's first step "toward joining the free world."

Across the nation, the nearly 5,200 polling stations opened on schedule, with workers checking voter identifications and police standing guard.

There were no immediate reports of violence, but an explosion was heard at the U.S. military base at Kirkuk in the north. Scattered small arms fire was heard near another U.S. base near Baghdad's airport.

As poll workers watched, al-Yawer marked two ballots ?- one for the 275-member National Assembly and the other for provincial legislatures ?- and then dropped them into boxes. A poll worker handed him an Iraqi flag as he left.

"I'm very proud and happy this morning," al-Yawer told reporters. "I congratulate all the Iraqi people and call them to vote for Iraq."

His wife, Nesreen Mustafa Berwari, a minister of public works in the country's interim government, followed him shortly afterward. "This is a shinning day on the road to the new Iraq."

Even before voting began, mortar fire boomed across Baghdad as the world awaited the vote that will echo from militant Islamic Web sites in the Mideast to the halls of the White House. Insurgents rocketed the U.S. Embassy late Saturday in Baghdad, killing two Americans. Seven people were arrested in the attack.

Me, too, Lash. Emotions all over the place LOL.

Watching. Hearing stories that would rip your heart out.

I'll never sleep.

Me, either. Gonna be an all-nighter here.

Guess I'll see you around tonight?

Here's the first photo I've seen.

Ooooh. Yummy avatar is back!


Fox just showed a line of top Sunni officials making sure they are among the first at the polls and that this is captured on TV!

CNN has Nic Robertson up with the Kurds. Showing Kurdish men and WOMEN voting!

OMG!! Sunnis voting! Such a good sign. I know I get all hyperbolic when people take the reins from oppressers--but I swear--there is nothing like this. Such a natural high. I can cancel this weekend's bag of weed.

LOL!!!!

First explosion at a polling place. No details.

I'm a member at a rather gruesome message board...and they polled to see how many casualties there will be today.

Bad form, for sure. But, I did estimate about 70. I really think the insurgents are going for their last gasp today. I think they'll throw everything they have. But, I'm so hoping against it.

Do you think high casualties, or are you more optimistic?

Friends of Democracy are going to be on CNN tomorrow (live) from 2-4pm EST. They're taking questions and comments from readers for the broadcast.

CNN showing live pics of Sadr City. Looks like people are going in to vote.

Lots of security.


<If Amanpour comes back, I'll have to switch back to Geraldo on Fox. Can't stand her LOL> Yep! They just said she's next up. Geraldo, here I come!

Just hearing about the explosion. Yeah - the scum will do their best. I just have a feeling, that the Iraqis and the US Marines may have some surprises in store for them.

Didn't escape notice how fast they caught the ones who earlier bombed the Embassy.

30,000 polling places across Iraq. The terrorists can't be everywhere.

Explosions being heard in Baghdad.

Oh my! They are lined up in Sadr City! Women on one side - men on the other!

OMG! You're right. And that was a random drone. They certainly know the locations of activity. They are sure to have surveillance, and a rapid reaction force. This may be how we catch and kill those good for nothing motherfuckers.

Another explosion.

Ali (my friend at Free Iraqi) wrote yesterday:

"Tomorrow I and the Iraqis that are going to vote will rule, not the politicians we're going to vote for, as it's our decision and they'll work for us this time and if we don't like them we'll kick them out! Tomorrow my heart will race my hand to the box."

Praying both his heart and his hands remain safe...he's in Baghdad.

Oh good Lord. Jesse Jackson on Fox - twice he's used the phrase "Democracy at the point of a gun".
Whining about "exit strategy".

Sheesh.

LOL. On another msg. board some poor girl is begging for news from Fox. She can only get CNN LOL.

Ali has just gone off to vote. He said he would post when he gets back.

Jesse for Prezizzle in '08!!!

Sheesh. They...don't....get it....

Geraldo is so excited he can hardly talk LOL. He's near tears. He's so proud of the job the Marines are doing with security.

Said the polling place is PACKED! Women voting for the first time!!! (We know how much he likes women LOL)!!!