Chickens, hatching, counting

As wonderful as it was to see the many Iraqis turning out to vote, let's not forget that this is the much-delayed start of a process, not an end in itself. There is a lot that can go wrong from here.

Kevin Drum brings us this Twilight Zone moment, thanks to Redress Press:

U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote
Officials Cite 83% Turnout Despite Vietcong Terror

by Peter Grose, Special to the New York Times

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 1967-- United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting.

According to reports from Saigon, 83 per cent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong.

Here's hoping that, by remembering history, we will not be doomed to repeat it.