Afghanistani Election Turmoil
Elections aren’t an easy process, no matter in which country they’re held; remember Bush/Gore? In Afghanistan, Challenger Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the race less than a week before the run-off election was to be held. This provided a one candidate race, clearly a farcical situation, so election commission chairman Azizullah Ludin cancelled the election and declared Hamid Karzai the undisputed winner. At point was perhaps a million votes which were cast out of the first election results as being fraudulent, lowering Karzai’s margin to less than the required 50% of the vote (altho’ Karzai was 6 points in the majority) to forestall a run-off. Abdullah was pushing for a complete change in the election commission, which Karzai would not allow. So, what will the Afghanistani people think of this? BTW, Karzai begged Abdullah to remain in the run-off, probably to legitimize whatever the results would have been, but Abdullah declined to participate citing that transparency in the election was not possible under existing conditions. Recent Afghanistani polls show Abdullah clearly trailing Karzai.
This presents a serious situation for Prez O who was waiting for the election results in order to finalize (or maybe develop?) plans for the USofA’s Afghanistan strategy. We, and the rest of the world, are “stuck” with the old regime which has not responded favorably at all times to our participation there, and has misappropriated much of the funding which we funneled to them. Senior advisor David Axelrod said yesterday on CBS’ Face the Nation, “We’re going to deal with the government that is there, and obviously there are issues we need to discuss, such as reducing the high level of corruption.”
In the meantime, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, among many others, is criticizing Prez O’s lack of alacrity in deciding the troop situation in Afghanstan, remarking on CBS’ The Early Show this morning, “this Hamlet performance we’re seeing out of the White House has been very disconcerting.”
Pray for your President, whether or not you agree with his decisions and actions. Ask God to give him strength, stamina and wisdom and for God to surround him with advisors who will give perfect advice.
On this day in history: 1920 – Pittsburgh radio station KDKA broadcasts the first significant public radio news event (Warren G. Harding won the presidential race against James M. Cox; 1947 – Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose makes maiden and final voyage; 1948 – Incumbent Harry S. Truman defeats Thomas E. Dewey
On a positive note: Last friday, nominees were announced for the “FIDO” awards, the canine equivalent of the Oscars. Both animated and role-playing dogs are eligible. Winners will be announced at a November 22 ceremony. Let’s hope it’s a living pooch who wins, eh?
Blessings.