Student reactions differ about Iraqi elections

By REBECCA MARTIN

Despite threats of violence from insurgents, millions of Iraqis voted on Sunday in the first multi-party election in more than 50 years.

While Iraqi election media coverage and opinion about American troops in Iraq remain controversial, some students at Fresno State said the media has done too much coverage on the Iraqi election.

History major Michelle Davis said the media tends to depict the situation in Iraq worse than it is in reality.

Lynn Bond, a junior political science major, agrees that the media can have a great impact on the general public’s opinion.

“The media is a double-edged sword,” Bond said. “While it gives people here the ability to be connected to what’s going on in Iraq, I think it can hinder the morale of our troops.”

In addition, the images seen on television may unfairly influence the viewer.

“I think the reality of what’s shown on TV is probably severely distorted, depending on the angle from the TV,” Bond said. “Actual images can be shown in support or against what’s happening there. The interpretation makes a difference.”

Some students have a different view on the election coverage.

“I thought it was really slanted,” said Chris Marklund, a sophomore political science major. “It was a little too ‘puppy dogs and flowers.’ It covered too much of the areas that were likely to vote, and it neglected the real danger areas of the Sunni-triangle.”

Other student concerns lay with the U.S. government’s presence in Iraq, and whether the presence was necessary.

“If you have an oppressed people, generally a revolution will come sooner or later,” Erik Garcia, a sophomore music major, said. “The United States takes the prerogative to help them.”

Other Fresno State students approve of United States’ presence in Iraq.

“I believe the intentions of the U.S. government are true,” Bond said. “President Bush genuinely wants to spread democracy into that area of the world, and he feels we should do so to provide for the United States’ safety.”

Davis disagrees.

“It’s up to the people in Iraq,” Davis said. “If they want our help, they would have asked.”

Regardless of the mixed opinions of the United States’ involvement in Iraq, students remain optimistic about the election itself.

“It’s good that they’re voting,” said Tamara Rodil, a junior pre-nursing major.

Iraqis were able to vote for the party they would like to represent them, as opposed to a specific individual in, the Sunday elections.

Al-Quida members have promised a holy war against the elected government.