To introduce a little music into the thread: one of the Iraqi musicians I have been working with over the last few years(in England) has put on his national dress, taken a drum for a bit of music, and gone to Manchester to vote, and sing some celebratory songs. I know it is fashionable for people on the left to sneer at these elections, but I would like to put it on record here that Iraqis I know are taking this very seriously and are delighted to get a chance to vote. I am just off to work this afternoon with several Iraqis, so I will report back here if anything interesting is said about the elections.