To briefly digress to the original root of theis figuring - the Iraqi voter percentage.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, 58 percent (or 8.55 million) of the 14.66 million Iraqis registered actually voted on January 30. This figure is substantially lower than voter turnout in the U.S., which in 2004 was approximately 122 million out of the approximately 173.6 million registered voters, or 70 percent. Between 1992 and 2000, the percentage of registered voters who cast ballots in U.S. presidential elections ranged from 66 to 78 percent. The 58 percent Iraq participacation is higher than nearly all US local elections, but this wasn't a local election. Interesting the Kurds have some areas with more voters than population, they seem to be learning fastest what democracy can mean, and the Sunnis had extremely low turnouts, maybe they are too. How the Iraqi turnout compares to the voting age population in Iraq is disputed but seems to be around 50%. Gary D. Riverbend, who is a secular educated Sunni, is not happy with the election and the rise of the Iraqi form of fundamentalism. http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/2005_02_01_riverbendblog_archive.html#110815850766514443 Or even more pessimistic recently http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/2005_02_01_riverbendblog_archive.html#110872871401791299 _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
