You know, I'm not entirely certain that will be the case. I'm nervous, and a whole lot of other people are really nervous about it, I know. And I know it sounds really naive, but I'm not sure having Hamas in office will be disastrous. Its taking a risk, but I think they're far more organized than the government has possibly ever been, and while I condemn their violent tactics, their non-military arm (no pun intended) has done far more for the people than the PA ever did.
I have mixed feelings about having these feelings about it, but there ya go.
you know, I lived in Northern Ireland for a four months and I watched the political process a lot. Having the IRA involved as (or at least repersentated by) Sinn Fein really has done a lot of good in Northern Ireland. They've become less radical, and a lot less violent because they are being held accountable. I know the situation is complicated and that criminality remains, but the situation is so much better than it was.
I wonder if something similar will happen to Hamas.
"Commondreams" had a story a few weeks back (I'd have to dig for it) about the double standard that is applied to those who seek "democracy." The US Congress passed a resolution giving a big old tut-tut to the very idea of Hamas being represented in the Palestinian political process, and of course Isreal totally discounts their legitimacy. BUT... for better or worse, they have a great deal of popular support, and who are we to say that they shouldn't field candidates, etc?
I might not be doing justice to the article, but that's the gist, as I recall it. Interesting.
To be in Ramallah on voting day... or in Bil'in - they had 3,000 at last Friday's anti-wall demo, including 300 Israelis.
Looking very interesting the elections. Although Hamas are scary in many ways, I think a Fatah-Hamas coalition might not be such a bad thing - if Hamas can be brought on the inside of any negotiating process, rather than an unpredictable outside force. Mind you I'd probably vote 3rd Way or Mustapha Barghouti's list if I were Palestinian.
I haven't heard anything concrete yet, and the polls close in about fifteen minutes, according to NPR (they mentioned this morning the polls will close at noon, EST). Haven't heard any reports of major snafus, violence, etc, which I take as a good sign. I don't think I have enough of an inside view to really form opinions on who might win, or what they might do once they're in office.
I'm desperately praying, however, that this election will lead to good things all around. Vague, idealistic, but.... its all I got right now.
Actually, when there were primaries a few months ago a polling station was set up in the Tuwani school, which I thought was really cool. In fact, the day of the primaries in Hebron conflicted with the day the Massfar Yatta folks had their demonstration for CPT in Tuwani, which is why none of the media showed up to it except a couple! Apparently, they did the primaries in waves. I understood from discussion that it was just a Fatah primary that day, but I'm not sure.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2006-01-25 03:47 pm (UTC)CPT Hostages: Two Photographs, by Scott Marratto
Kind thoughts and hopes for peace, good will, and freedom for all political prisoners.
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Date: 2006-01-25 03:50 pm (UTC)I took that picture, the second one with the kids :-) Interesting piece of trivia, is all.
We're still waiting, hoping. Thanks for the good thoughts.
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Date: 2006-01-25 03:55 pm (UTC)The bad: Hamas is going to win, and plunge the entire region into hell.
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Date: 2006-01-25 04:44 pm (UTC)I have mixed feelings about having these feelings about it, but there ya go.
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Date: 2006-01-25 08:26 pm (UTC)I wonder if something similar will happen to Hamas.
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Date: 2006-01-25 10:52 pm (UTC)I might not be doing justice to the article, but that's the gist, as I recall it. Interesting.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-25 03:56 pm (UTC)To be in Ramallah on voting day... or in Bil'in - they had 3,000 at last Friday's anti-wall demo, including 300 Israelis.
Looking very interesting the elections. Although Hamas are scary in many ways, I think a Fatah-Hamas coalition might not be such a bad thing - if Hamas can be brought on the inside of any negotiating process, rather than an unpredictable outside force. Mind you I'd probably vote 3rd Way or Mustapha Barghouti's list if I were Palestinian.
What do you reckon to how it's looking?
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Date: 2006-01-25 04:46 pm (UTC)I'm desperately praying, however, that this election will lead to good things all around. Vague, idealistic, but.... its all I got right now.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-25 09:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-25 09:33 pm (UTC)