Afghanistan Election

Afghanistan recently held presidential and provincial elections while the US continues to shift focus from Iraq to Afghanistan. I understand that thousands of US and UK troops have been engaged in pitch battles with the Taliban. The Taliban has struck back by targeting Kabul and threatened to attack those who voted on election day, August 20.

I do not know anyone who voted in the Afghan elections. Maybe you do. The threats to attack those who voted is compelling evidence of the continued strength of the "vote." Because who would bother to attack a weak concept? Voting is not a weak concept so it is threatened by those who are threatened by it. Perhaps the pen, the vote if you will, is still mightier than the sword.

The right to vote has been fought for and against in this country. It has not always been everyones' right. Some Americans were denied the right to vote on the basis of color. Some Americans were denied the right to vote based on gender. Some Americans, even threatened people who exercised their right to vote. The fact that voting is being fought over in Afghan should not surprise any American. The belief that voting will win the battle is not self evident, but certainly the preferred result. Don't you agree?

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