I’ve blogged many times about the attempts to block the pending elections by the terrorists in Iraq. Election officials have been offed, polling places threatened, potential voters warned of death or religious condemnation. The USA Today has a story of some campaign literature meant to add to the intimidation.
It’s just a scrap of white paper, a piece of a poor-quality photocopy slipped under the gates of homes in the al-Salam area of western Baghdad. But it and thousands of others like it could have a profound effect on Sunday’s elections.
“God’s curse on this comedy named elections, this dirty game that serves the occupier and his bastards,” the note says, echoing the threats of the Sunni Muslim militants who lead the anti-American insurgency. “Be away from them and save your life. Being part in the dirty elections is considered a crime against religion, Iraq and the Iraqi people. Don’t participate in elections. All polls will be hit.”
Okay, we already knew where the terrorists, Saddamists and many Sunnis, who fear the loss of decades-long power because of their status as a minority, stand on the election. Well, there’s a little twist to this story.
The notes slipped under doors and threats scrawled on walls send a chilling message. Most are intended to scare people away from the polls, which is the aim of the Sunni-led insurgency. But Shiites may have also entered the fray. A note that was distributed in a Baghdad neighborhood recently threatens people if they don’t vote.
“In order for you to avoid doomed death and the hell for a while, we have decided to give you the last chance for forgiveness for your children’s sake,” the note says. “You must raise a white flag on the roof of your houses and must go on polling day to the polling center to vote for anybody.”
And you thought the Americans had a problem with negative campaigning.