Some quick thoughts on the Iraqi election

I have not had the time to sort through the mass of info and opinion regarding yesterday's election in Iraq, so I'll be brief (really, I mean that).

It was truly a remarkable event that does provide some hope. Everyone responsible for the election--including Bush--deserves to be congratulated. The courage and determination shown by the Iraqi people in voting despite all the danger is truly remarkable. I really do hope that the election marks the start of success in Iraq. Still, this is just a start.

One of the best commentaries I read or heard today was from Daniel Schorr on NPR's All Things Considered. You can listen to it here.

I will close with this paragraph from Mark Follman at Salon.com:

It is possible to hope for democracy to succeed in Iraq -- to wish for the best possible outcome for the Iraqis themselves, and for the rest of the world -- while still being fully critical of the Bush administration's numerous disastrous war policies. Setting aside all debate about the war's inception, it is possible to criticize Bush's policies precisely because one wishes for the best possible outcome in Iraq.