At 11 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday, the polls opened in Iraq. Millions of people under the threat of torture and death turned out to vote in the first free election in the history of the Arab world. For democracy and the people of Iraq, this was a huge success.
Many ballots were turned in covered from tears of overjoyed Iraqis. Flags were waved and chants resounded from the masses. It is hard for those of us who have taken advantage of this type of freedom our whole lives to understand their emotions. Ironically they are the ones who consider themselves lucky to finally have this opportunity.
Of course no plan of George Bush that succeeded would go quietly without the left weighing in. Filled with bitter feelings from his defeat in November, John Kerry commented that this election was not successful. Kerry's pessimism continues to provide evidence of his incompetence.
I cannot imagine that most liberals who doubted that there would be any type of success in Iraq would not be at least a little relieved about the results. However, there is one left wing conspiracy story that seems to be somewhat realistic: the possibility of a fixed election. This supports another belief that we are trying to impose Western values upon the Iraqis by hand-picking their leader.
Unfortunately, some hardcore left-wingers also believe that the November election in the United States was fixed. It simply appears as though the same people who are frustrated by the election and do not want to see the United States succeed in Iraq are still going to great lengths to downgrade the efforts.
It is estimated that 60 percent of registered Iraqi voters cast their ballots this weekend. This is a figure that rivals American voter turnout even in 2004, when the entire nation seemed to be hanging by a thread over the election.
The most important aspect of the election must be the indication that Iraqis support democracy. However, the ramifications it will have on the rest of the Arab world are critical in the spread of democracy and the war on terror. Many in the United States opposing the war feel that the entire Arab world has turned against us for removing a dictator. As enjoyable as a dictatorship sounds, few can deny the pleasure that comes with free voting rights.
In the United States, we have witnessed a variety of historic events in the past year. A historic election followed by a historic inaugural speech. And let's not forget the Red Sox winning the World Series! But from a global perspective, it is possible that this election will be viewed as the first of many that will lead to a democratic and free world. It goes without saying that a lot of blood and tears will spill before that moment comes. But if people are willing to sacrifice in order to spread freedom's message, than there is no bounds to the possibility of a free world.
