Dean's World

Welcome to the Carnival of the Liberated, a sampler of some of the best posts from Iraqi bloggers. This week we've got Friends of Democracy, friends of democracy, and others—not so much.

First off, Friends of Democracy is still going strong. They've got near-daily posts on the status of democracy in Iraq. Keep scrolling—there's controversy in Najaf, a manhunt in Mosul, and more.

Baghdad Dweller is worried about the prospect of an Islamic republic in Iraq. The site has received a nice face-lift, too. Omar of Iraq the Model responds. Husayn of Democracy in Iraq (is here) doesn't think Baghdad Dweller should worry.

Aunt Najma of A Star from Mosul says that things are still pretty scary there.

Truth Teller of A Citizen of Mosul has answers to some of his readers' questions. If you want to read the point-of-view of a non-pro-Saddam Sunni Arab, you've got it right here.

Rose of Diary from Baghdad fills us in on life under Saddam.

Imad Khadduri of Free Iraq posts a nearly daily diatribe against the American occupation of Iraq. The best of the most recent bunch is probably On Iraqi People, Resistance and Oil versus American bases.

Hammorabi has some interesting comments about a counter-terrorism conference.

Dr. Saif of Iraqi Humanity posts about the shortcomings of medicine in Iraq today.

Abu Khaleel of Iraqi Letter to America thinks that Americans aren't living up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution:

Because these people have lost sight of the original American ideals (that I personally cherish and respect) but they retained the form and the rhetoric without the substance, practical, shortsighted, we-versus-them cold-war mentality. These people are now playing God and tailoring Iraq "in their own image". I wouldn't have complained if that "image" were based on the original ideals. But it is based on the form with an ugly content.

I contemplate our new `major players' on the Iraqi political arena, made or incubated in foreign lands and I see anything but Founding Fathers. Perhaps "Foundation" Fathers or `Fund' fathers... but not Founding Fathers. The new deal and the new democracy were designed around these people.

These people will entrench. No, they have already entrenched. They will write a constitution to maintain this status quo; A compromise, half-baked solution that reflects not the true spirit and the richly diverse mosaic of the country... but the three or four external colors from the dark ages.

And you, no matter how well-meaning you may be... you cannot give what you no longer have!

I think there's a kernel of truth in what he's saying: the documents on which we founded our republic set a very high standard to live up to. We haven't always succeeded. We're not living up to our very best ideals now. But I do think we're making the best of the crooked timber that comes to hand. What do you think?

Kurdo reports that 95% of the Kurdish voters have voted in favor of an independent Kurdistan (as opposed to remaining part of an Iraqi federation). Considering that Turkey, Iran, and Syria are vehemently opposed to an independent Kurdish state since they all have substantial Kurdish populations themselves (not to mention what the other Iraqis think), this suggests some rough sledding ahead.

Sarmad Zangna of Road of a Nation is posting again:

Hello ,every one ,nice to write again , but this time writing with the great feelings of victory and produces ,happy for what I saw on the day of the elections ,happy with the gorgeous of those people ,which they didn't afraid from any thing in spite of every thing . I would like in this a caution to greet my people and say good luck and stay strong to keep on we still got along way to democracy ,also I'd like to dedicate my sympathy to the families of the great and brave people ,who days in the day of the elections and sacrifices there life for Iraq ,to keep on ,and I also would like to say ,Thank you for all our new friends ,the supporters of the new free Iraq , I am here keep hard work for the new great Iraq ,with all great guys out side . Regards .

Finally, have I mentioned Ishtarria? Not all of the Iraqi blogs are political and in this one politics is at most a backdrop for the story the blogger is telling. Here's how she describes the blog: “A True Iraqi-American Love Story From The Days Of The Defunct Dictatorship”. The blogger is apparently a Chaldean woman and I can't honestly tell whether it's a memoir or a romance novel or a little bit of both.

Dave Schuler posts regularly to his own weblog, The Glittering Eye. The Carnival was originally conceived by Ryan Boots.