Some of you may have noticed that I've begun linking to Iraqi blogs in the left column. I began reading these during the election season because I wanted to find out how Iraqis felt about the war in their own country, and mostly because I was sick of hearing pundits on boths sides of the issue on the news channels, and blogs all over the world offering their opinions when the only opinions that really matter are from the people who are going through this nightmare.

Depending on your slant, you may be expecting outrage, contempt for Bush, and feelings of hostility towards the US. Yes, there is some of that, but there is also a feeling that despite the nightmare of the situation that there is now hope for the future. This post from The Messopotamian sums up a lot of the feelings:

All those who have been following my blog from the start should know how I feel towards El Bush, the Avenger, the Lion-Heart and I cannot hide my happiness for this outcome, purely from a personal feeling of gratitude for what he has done for us, despite all the pain and hardships that we suffered and still do. But the objective is so great and so important that all sacrifices and difficulties pale when contemplating the benefits and goals that are hoped for.

This is from Road of a Nation:

I think GWB did in 4 years what no one did ,from fighting the terrorist and help the nations to be free ,and he got the courage to go to the lands and fight them .
there for I wish that he be reelected ,so he accomplish what he start .

And from Iraq and Iraqis:

I have come back from Basra yesterday, filled with happiness about the American election result which I stayed awake all night to follow for the first time of my life. I am still busy to finish my accumulated work here in Baghdad and wanted to congratulate the Americans with the re-election of President George W. Bush for another four years.

War is a funny thing. . .anyone with a sense of morality can condemn it, yet sometimes it is not so clear cut. Read the blogs if you're interested, and also drill down into some of the other blogs and sites out there. Most of the blogs started after the war.