>>>You cannot stop democratic elections simply because you are afraid it will validate a group that you disagree with, even if that group is a terrorist organization. That is the people speaking. If a terrorist organization can win an election, then the existing parties are not representing the people and that is what democracy is all about.
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>>That's all well and good, as long as the elections are free and fair:
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>>- that there are actually parties other than the terrorist organization you can vote for (i.e. that aren't puppets of the terrorists [or autocrats])
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>>- that your entire country is not a puppet of another (Lebanon is a puppet of Syria)
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>>- that terrorist representatives aren't "suggesting" to voters that they should vote for them (or else)
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>>- that the country has strong support for the rule of law
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>>- that the voters understand what democracy is, their rights and responsibilities
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>>Hopefully you don't think the Hezbollah and Hamas so-called "democratic" elections are anything like what you and I are used to here in North America ...
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>Interesting that you mentioned that the elections are free and fair. You didn't mention legal or lawful. Last night while my daughter was working (she works as a cashier in a chinese restaurant), a college-aged kid came in covered in Obama buttons. He was visiting businesses and locals trying to get them to get out and vote. He asked my daughter (who is 17) if she was registered to vote. She said no. He started lecturing her on her responsibilities as a citizen and why she should register. He offered to take her downtown to register. She told him that she was only 17 and would not be 18 until next August. He told her that was ok. She responded that no, that was illegal. He said it didn't matter because the election would be over and Obama in office before any investigation caught it and by then, no one would do anything. She was so angry she told him would but she would be voting for McCain. He stormed out. This is all true.
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>She didn't get his name, but we did report it today. That was very concerning.
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>The sad part is that the owners are Chinese and are trying to get their citizenship. They were so startled and dissappointed. One of the owners told my daughter that he couldn't believe it - it was almost just like China here afterall. The only difference was that you could say no and they wouldn't drag you down there to vote as they wanted you to or threaten your family if you didn't.

Your daughter is a sensible person. My daughter, she will be 18 this month, used to tease me last couple months that she will register and vote for Obama, probably, wishing to see my reaction :). She told me yesterday, when we watched debates, that she will not vote for Obama.