Iraq Election
The undeniable success of the Iraq election (in terms of voter turnout) is what it is–undeniably successful. Why? Primarily, because of W’s vision of a free, democratic Iraq and the blood of our soldiers that stained the soil and sands of Baghdad and Fallujah. The Iraqis braved the bullets of fellow Iraqis turned terrorist madmen, dipped their finger in purple ink, and celebrated the feeling of voting in an democratic Iraq:
“The Iraqi people Sunday stuck a finger in the eye of the country’s vicious insurgency and its former jackbooted rulers. The finger, of course, was stained in the purple ink that marked participation in Iraq’s first meaningful election in 50 years.Iraqis braved the insurgents’ threats and all the predictions of gloom to plant the flag of nascent democracy in their country. How many lives of American GIs, innocent Iraqi victims of terror, and Iraqi government officials, professionals, and election workers targeted for assassination have been lost to make yesterday possible? The Iraqis took a step to making good on all those terrible losses. Which is just one reason why the spectacle of Iraqis lining up to vote–and sometimes cheering and dancing with joy–was so moving.”
Iraqis took a gigantic leap toward democratization. Although the terrorist fighters will still wage their demonic war against Iraqis and the United States, freedom will endure. We must continue to fight, continue to use our resources to destroy the fundamentalist religious fanatics who are waging a holy war against us.
The Iraqi election is a sign of hope, a beacon of freedom to other Muslims in the Middle East, and a smile to my face and the face of Americans who savor the principles of democracy.