Iraqis turned out in droves. Upward of 8 million walked miles, thronged 6,000 polling stations, stood in line for hours, made their choices - and rejoiced in the streets for longer hours thereafter. Iraqi voter turnout was higher than usual turnout in the U.S. Somehow, pre-election predictions about what would happen on Iraq's election day proved as wrong as Nov. 3 exit polls were regarding what would happen here.
Thirty-five Iraqis died - a measure of Iraqi courage and sacrifice. And in all, 1,500 Americans have died - testimony to their courage and sacrifice equal to that of the millions of millions of Americans who preceded them on behalf of liberty for millions from Germany and France to South Korea and Japan, and of course ultimately for the liberty of nearly 300 million now living in the United States.
Some things are worth fighting and dying for, liberty foremost among them.
The unremitting negos said the Bush administration had no plan to "win the peace." Oh? Iraq, the essence of the area long known as Mesopotamia, now boasts its first freely elected National Assembly since Babylon. The Assembly comprises 275 seats filled by individuals elected from among 7,500 candidates representing 111 political parties. That's not a bad start toward getting the peace fully won, but completing the task still means staying the course.
Prior to Iraq's elections in a region where the "winners" too often have killed the losers, the prospective (Sunni) losers proactively set to terminating the likely (Shiite) winners - in addition to every American they could. Desperate Sunni terrorists may keep on, and the forces of freedom may have to keep watering the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants - as Jefferson reminded us the tree from time to time requires. And the victorious Shiites just might not take out in reprisal against the Sunnis - given that the chief imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Sheik Abdulrahman al-Sudaism, cites Islam as "the religion of moderation." We'll see.
Following the elections, Allawi noted: "It's the first time Iraqis have been able to decide their fate and destiny, and to challenge the terrorist forces. This is a good start for democracy, the rule of law, and the stability of Iraq and the whole region."
Said an Iraqi shopkeeper: "I will vote even if it costs me my life."
So who can contend now that resolve, courage and sacrifice have not achieved so far an extraordinary result on behalf of the liberty that - in this world - is the ultimate cause?