The Iraqi elections were a sight to behold. A nation of people who lived under oppression for over fifty years risking life and home for the chance to stand in line for hours to vote. Knowing that at any moment a terrorist bomber or sniper could end their life but yet they stayed. How would we fare if we had to vote under those circumstances? Poorly I am afraid. We had less then fifty percent turn out at the last election. We had the comfort to go to a polling place in peace, to vote for the person of our choice. No one looking over our shoulder, plotting to kill us for doing so, no one hurtling grenades at us to make us run away. We did not even go out to vote in the numbers the Iraqi people did. God bless them I say. I think we democratic societies can learn a lesson from this. We complain about our government, taxes, cost of living, but we live in peace. They have lived in terror for fifty years. They had the moral fortitude to stand in line knowing it could cost them their lives. I expect it even surprised the Iraqi people. They stood up in the face of terrorists to vote for freedom and a unified Iraqi. They stood up as a people to look at the greater good then what was good just for them selves. They told the terrorists in no uncertain terms, you may kill me, but another will fill my shoes. Democracy will prevail in Iraqi. A terrible blow was done to the terrorists. Not a fatal one but one that bloodied their noses and it will make them think. One the people no longer fear them their power over people drops tenfold. Hurray and a well done to the Iraqi people I wish you peace.