Democracy

So the Iraqi elections went on without as big a murderous rampage as most were expecting, still 36 died last I heard, when an IED went off. Perhaps the recent capture of some high ranking insurgents payed off. In my cautious optimism I'd have to suspect that the real killing could begin after the election, taking out elected officials etc. From what i gather from everything i've heard so far this is just one hurtle for the Iraqi people. After this there will be a drafting of a constitution, something everyone will have a part in, unlike the elections that were boycotted by the Sunni. Though, from what i understand it may be more because of thier scant numbers than anything else.
It's been about fifty years since an election like this has taken place in Iraq. It seems, from newscasts and interviews of Iraqi's, that the U.S.'s image could gain some support from Iraqi's. In interviews with ex-patriots here in california there is a sense of pride and hope about what is happening. In Iraq there are mixed feelings some people voted no matter what, others were too scared of the insugency to make it out.
The whole purpose of our ousting of Saddam is plain to me, though, i could be wrong. It's all riding on this idea that democracy spreading in the middle east will somehow eradicate or dampen the extremism of terrorists. Islamic terrorists stuck in the 7th century and convinced that America is the great satan.
Despite the mistakes made post-war it looks as though there will be an Iraqi democracy. If it works out better than expected we could have a new ally in the fight against Islamic extremism. If it fails at worst a stronger enemy and another war.