Speaking of dust and vacuum...

Well, actually voting itself isn't compulsory in Australia. Everyone is free to hand in a blank form, or whatever if they want. But one does have to have their name crossed of the list that they at least turned up to the polling place, either that, or like Insomniac said, just fill in the "I woz sick/doing essential work" form.

Compulsory voting for a 'Democratic' process is a bit of an oxymoron, i.m.o., but I suppose it came about in order to compensate for the apathy syndrome. I just can't help wondering how much of a sentient vote would come from someone who basically has to be forced to vote. Then again, I guess sentience and politics are a little contradictory.

The Mid-East and Iraq questions go far back into the end of the First World War and the brake up of the Ottoman Empire, and the consequent colonial carve-up. One thing has flown on from the other ever since, as with Bosnia and the Balkans, but that's a subject for a different thread, I guess.