2008.12.29
29DEC08--Election Campaign Ads
The Iraqi elections will be held in a few weeks and political ads are becoming prominent around Baghdad in the form of flags.
More interesting than the advertising through flags is what the flags say. For example, one flag said the name of a tribe in large print. Arabs often identify strongly with their tribe much like Native Americans. Underneath the tribe name it read, "Vote 302." 302 being a major party in Iraq and the party of the current prime minister of Iraq, Jawad al Maliki. Basically, the tribal leaders are influencing the tribe members.
Similar flags were used with religious sects and symbols. I wonder what an Obama flag might look like.
Political advertisment Flags line the streets.
The flags may seem out of place to me, but they seem ordinary to the people of this newly formed democracy.
This is a very interesting post. The first notion that came to mind was how this method of advertising seems much more "attractive" than the littering of cheap signs we see in road medians across the US.
But in the US, we "typically" see flags as identification of loyalty...we raise the US flag or the flag of our state. (though they have become more common for lesser things, such as sport teams or the garden gnome flags).
So, strictly from my point of view here, do the prevalence of the flags speak to the new democracy, or to the continuing fracture of ideals/loyalties that could remain in the government? At least I continue to hear good news of progress.
Stay safe out there! Enjoying the blog.
Comment by Ed S. — December 30, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Ed,
At first thought, I was intrigued and wondered about taking the idea to the States, but you are right about the idea of loyalty. The way that tribes, religion and ethnicity are tied into the flags here in Iraq, well, it just goes against the idea of the 'melting pot' and political correctness.
But your observation about fractures in the government is directly tied to the factions in Iraq. After all, America did not ratify our current constitution for 13 years in 1789. Not only that but it took 150 years to largely get on track on some issues.
The Iraqs have made great strides in the last five years. If only they can avoid what our country went through in the 1860s.
Rich
Comment by richconnaroe — December 31, 2008 @ 7:15 am
While its true that the partisan parties in the USA resemble tribalism, they do not have flags that can differentiate themselves.
Of course, you know this. So to ask the question implies you dont believe President Barak Hussein Obama can be represented by the American flag, ...and its safe to assume you wouldn't imply the same of McCain's tribe.
Why dont you complete the thought and venture a guess of what kind of flag should represent Obama?
Comment by 26charlie — January 3, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
Charlie,
I think that you need some counseling. Or perhaps you just need to take a deep breath and let it out. Why so serious, Charlie?
Election day was two months ago. I am not sure how any McCain versus Obama discussion is relevant.
Your analogy involving tribes and political parties is nonsensical. The discussion was about what kind of flag might be used as a campaign ad and what it might look like.
President-elect Obama is from I can tell a fine man and a fantastic public speaker. Now, his success is directly linked to the success of our nation. Soon he will be my commander-in-chief and the leader of the greatest nation on Earth.
To attempt to put words in my mouth about the American flag not representing President Obama is shameful. Do not talk to me like some debate partner at a university.
Shame on you.
Rich
Comment by richconnaroe — January 4, 2009 @ 3:23 am
Bravo Rich,
Charlie does not get it. Wow! The elections in Iraq this time seem to have a whole different flavor than 2005. I am excited for the Iraqi people and I bet voter turnout will be extraordinay! With many more choices this time it will be interesting to see the new make up.
Keep up the good work! I am fiercely proud of your work there. Mike
Comment by mike thorne — January 5, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
Mike,
Thanks. The elections are certainly an exciting time here in Iraq. Election day is in a few weeks. Whereas as we in the States largely pick from two parties, the Iraqis will chose from dozens. I will cover the topic more as it happens.
Rich
Comment by richconnaroe — January 6, 2009 @ 3:06 am
The degree of political partisanship in American politics today has challenged pundits and other observers to describe it as "tribalism", just for the sake of accuracy. Googling "political tribalism" should provide enough evidence that its a serious discussion -- It certainly isn't nonsense.
It would serve the country well to revive George Washington's farewell speech. He warned of partisanship to political parties being dangerous to the republic when loyalties to one's party takes priority over loyalty to their oaths of office (to the country).
It could be worse - like what exists as democracy in tribal Iraq. Theirs can only promise to be messy and thats before corruption is factored in. Lucky for them that they have more than just two partisan tribes - and a parliamentarian system.
It would be shameful if i didn't acknowledge my mistake in wording that made an absolute statement out of what should have been suggestive only (and for mixing up people from prior discussions in other blogs). Regardless, putting words in people's mouths is never good. If i believe that and care enough about improving myself, then who needs counseling when feedback is available? I'm not likely to be so loose with wording again for a long while, but will always reserve the right to make mistakes.
Counseling and shame should be reserved for those who cant be intellectually honest enough with themselves to admit mistakes - as well as for avoiding inconvenient points by constructing distractions aimed at the messenger.
My comment was addressing the last sentence of your post, which you might agree is out of place with the subject matter (which was interesting and enlightening up to that point). It sort of dropped in from right field, no?
Although we dont have campaign flags in America, one side of the political spectrum wanted to attribute a campaign flag to Obama anyway - one of their own design. (That was hard to miss when mentioned so often over the past year - and will be heard again very soon). Its a white flag that they paint on their favorite political targets, who so much as bring up the subject of a need for dialog or reconciliation. If their favored leaders say the same thing, then they are considered to be prudent. They dont see it.
Comment by 26charlie — January 7, 2009 @ 8:33 am
Mike,
What i didn't get was why there was wonderment about what an Obama campaign flag might look like - or how it fit the subject matter? (I thought most people heard something by now about it possibly being a plain white flag?)
Identifying the number on the ballot with the flag seems more intuitive than an ad as we know them. What would be interesting (to me) is to get a sample of what kind of negative/positive campaign rhetoric can be heard from some leading and some fringe groups there, just to get an idea of the subject ranges important to them.
Comment by 26charlie — January 7, 2009 @ 8:58 am
Charlie,
Not apologizing might have been more respectable, if you were, at least, not as long-winded.
Forgive me for missing your reference to a white flag. It may be hard for you to imagine, but try to picture yourself in a different country....like, oh I do not know....Iraq. Pretend that you spend most of your time, not on following the presidential campaign, reading on Google, or on insulting veterans, but instead, talking to the Iraqis.
You are right. How did I miss that one? I mean, I make mistakes all the time, but where was my head on that one?
How about the next time that you spend all day out on a mounted combat patrol, focusing on spotting IEDs, and then write about your day afterwards you let me know, so that I can read your thoughts and critique them. It would make me feel like a real 'winner.'
Rich
Comment by richconnaroe — January 8, 2009 @ 2:26 pm