Why It Continues To Be Worth It

Once again, the United States has enabled a nationwide vote by the people of Iraq. The voting was again marked by high turnout and a low level of violence.

Millions of Iraqis Vote: Electoral officials say more than 61 per cent of an estimated 15.5 million registered Iraqis cast ballots. Insurgents evaded a massive security clampdown to kidnap 10 electoral workers and kill six other people, but in most areas the vote went ahead peacefully. Results are expected within three days.

Unlike the prior election for the Constitutional Convention Delegates, the Sunni Muslim population came out and voted. Sunni clerics actively encouraged their followers to vote in an apparent realization that democratic elections are going to be the basis of any future Iraq government. Sunni’s need to participate if they want a voice in the future regulation of their country. It’s like the light switch of revelation flipped to the realization that nonviolent political methods will be more effective in achieving their goals. The Sunni’s went to the polls to freely and safely express their displeasure.

Iraqis Finish Historic Vote: "This constitution was written by people who are loyal to Iran rather than being loyal to Iraq," said Tikrit resident Hassan Maajoun, 60, reflecting some Sunnis' deep suspicion of Shiite ties to neighboring Iran.

[HT] DANEgerus for the link to Iraq Elections Newswire and eventually to the following commentary.

Why It Was Worth It: I am watching the results of the Iraqi Constitutional voting, amazed. Amazed that no one is talking about this vote in the proper historical context. Because today will be as important to the War on Terror as the fall of the Berlin Wall was to the Cold War.

The United States invaded another country not for riches or gold or conquest but to spread ideas. Liberals from earlier generations, who went to war against fascism in Spain in the 1930’s, would have supported this war. They would have understood that this was a battle of ideologies. The US had to change the mindset of the Muslim world, and to do that it had to go to war with it, drag it kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.

What matters is that brown skinned woman having the right to vote and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of wealth.

On a side note, the Theocracy of Iran is suddenly discovering they are not immune from the terrorism the Mullah’s have condoned and encouraged. It is absolutely wrong to believe you can control an ideology that legitimizes the oppression of women and the murder of innocents.

Terrorist Bombing In Iran: Four people have been killed and dozens wounded after two bombs exploded in the south-western Iranian city of Ahvaz. Officials said the blasts occurred five minutes apart near a shopping centre in central Ahvaz. "The bombs were in two garbage cans 50 metres apart," said deputy Ahvaz governor Rahim Fazilatpour.

I wonder if the Mullah's are still lusting for nuclear weapons in the belief they are immune from them by the intensity of their faith.