I Love It

I love this picture of the Iraqi woman in her burka flashing the victory sign with her finger still wet with ink. The wet ink is a testament to her bravery and her belief that it was worth staring down enormous dangers in order to vote. She went to the voting center despite the possibility that the child behind her with Downs syndrome could have a bomb strapped to her chest. I love that look of pride and defiance on her face. She is my hero.

It is a powerful reminder that we should value our peaceful march to the voting booth in the school basement every November. Despite the wrong choices others make in that place, I worship our ability to make them freely. I hope it shakes some of the cobwebs from our complacent citizens.

No matter what you think about this war, how we got there, and what the future holds, we have to treasure this moment. When hundreds of thousands walked through the streets of their shattered towns to vote for a new leader. I have deep respect for the people of Iraq.