In my last post, US Troops: Evangelists For Liberty, I was pooh-poohed for critisizing the UN electoral chief, Carina Perelli, and for heaping special praise upon our men and women in the armed forces for pouring their hearts out, and their blood, to pave the way for a free Iraq. We take a hell of a lot for granted here in the US; I wish our troops were not among those so easily taken for granted by some of us.

On January 27th, Ms. Perelli critisized our troops for being “overenthusiastic in trying to help out with these elections.” Today, however, James Taranto of Best of The Web Today noted these more recent comments from Ms. Perelli:

Carina Perelli, who has helped advise on dozens of elections from East Timor to the Palestinian territories, called the Jan. 30 election a “dignified, peaceful demonstration” of Iraqis’ will.

“I have participated in many elections in my life and I usually say that the day you lose your ability to be moved by people going to vote, you should change your career,” said Perelli, who had insisted for months that U.N. advisers would leave pronouncements on the election to Iraq’s electoral commission. “This was probably one of the most moving elections I have ever seen.”

The fact is, what the Iraqis did this past Sunday was a truly awesome display of courage. I’ve read excerpt after excerpt from Iraqi blogs, newspapers, and other sources with quotes from those who did go to vote. They woke up on election day and some of them could already hear explosions as insurgents attempted to intimidate the Iraqis out of voting.

But, rather than stay in their homes, they grabbed their friends and family members and went to vote. Amazing courage.

Here is what Friends of Democracy is saying regarding their historic election:

Iraqis proved yesterday there were stronger than any threat. There will was not affected by all the threats of men like Al Zarquawi, or by henchmen of the former regime. They stunned the entire world, showing they can challenge anyone trying to thwart their march towards democracy. In spite of all the sufferings and crises associated with the fall of the former regime, Iraqis have proven, with their fingers, that they are greater than others, and that they want to build a free, independent and sovereign Iraq.

Yes, the people of Iraq still have a long road ahead, but I get the impression they’ve turned the corner. Message to the terrorists and insurgents still hoping to destabilize Iraq:

Be afraid, be very afraid!

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com