More People Vote in Iraq than See King Kong

Thursday, December 15, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Millions of Iraqis, from tribal sheiks to entire families with children in tow, turned out Thursday to choose a parliament in a mostly peaceful election - among the freest ever in the Arab world.

Up to 11 million of the nation's 15 million registered voters took part, election officials estimated, which would put overall turnout at more than 70 percent.

This is absolutely fantastic news coming out of Iraq. I never would have imagined more than 70% of registered voters in a country once ruled by a murderous dictator taking part in a free election.

More people voted in Iraq's election than went out to see Peter Jackson's "King Kong." It took in roughly $10 million on opening day, but that's no match for the number of purple fingers coming out of the poll booth.