The Pleasures of Democracy

I recommend this report by Human Rights Watch on the upcoming election in Afghanistan. My favorite part is the following choice quote from Hamid Karzai on the exercise of democracy:

The Afghan government has publicly underplayed the problem [of multiple registration]. When asked about multiple registration at a press conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Kabul the August 11, Karzai said:

"As a matter of fact, it doesn’t bother me. If Afghans have registration cards and if they would like to vote twice, well, welcome. This is an exercise in democracy. Let them exercise it twice. But not have an impact on the elections. If somebody gives me three I will take it and will go and vote. But my choice in voting will same. We are beginning an exercise. We cannot be perfect."

When I consider this man's running for President over there, I have to wonder if he's been taking his advice on what constitutes "an exercise in democracy" from the wrong tutor...