You won't read this in the Times

Friends of Democracy sponsored a debate of the candidates in Samawa, Al Muthanna province. They provide pictures which show Iraqis passionately discussing the issues and a narrative of the event.

Here's a sample.

The first two debaters were Mr. Mouhammad Al Zayadi from list No. 185 of the Al Mathna block and Mr. Hakem Khazal from list No. 118 of the middle Euphrates block.

The debate started with a reading from the Holy Qur'an for Iraq martyrs. The moderator then gave 10 minutes to each candidate to present himself. Mr Hakem Khazal thanked the audience for attending in spite of the heavy rain that filled the street of Al Samawa. He accused the governorate council of being a failure and of being corrupt. He said he had a clear view of the ideal program for the governorate, changing insecurity into reconstruction. He added: the citizens must not hinder our efforts by following those who take advantage of religion and of people's unawareness.

(And you thought the Iraqis couldn't even admit who they were for fear of dying!)

Reading the narrative sounds a lot like American politicians, even down to the criticism of the other's record.

Meanwhile, over at Iraq the Model Mohammed longs for the 48 hours to pass so Iraqis can prove their mettle to the world.

In 48 hours from now, the dying dictatorships and their filthy tools, the terrorists, will find themselves facing an elected legitimate government in Iraq.

The tyrants nightmare is becoming reality, now they will have to deal with the scariest word in their dictionaries; THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE.
The terrorists have challenged the bravery of the Iraqi people but they messed with the wrong people. The people have accepted the challenge; democracy and elections are not a luxury for Iraqis, it's an issue of life or death. And the terror brutal campaign has only made the people more determined to go on with the change.

The results of some recent polls that have shown how determined Iraqis are to hold the elections might have surprised you, but they weren't a surprise for us; we're not the kind of people that kneel to terror and the sights of blood and beheadings.

Saddam had tried all tools of oppression, killing and torture he could find against our people (including WMD's) but he failed to make the people believe in his hateful regime. And that's why the people abandoned him and now, he and his regime are just a bad old tale from the past.

On Sunday, the sun will rise on the land of Mesopotamia. I can't wait, the dream is becoming true and I will stand in front of the box to put my heart in it.

Doesn't that bring tears to your eyes?

Two days left until the Iraqis cement the process of implementing democracry for the first time in 5000 years!