"The media is reporting only explosions and suicide attacks that killed and injured many Iraqis thus far, but this hasn't stopped the Iraqis from marching towards their voting stations with more determination. Iraqis have truly raced the sun," write Mohammed and Omar of Iraq the Model in a rousing we-shall-overcome post that brings tears of joy:
We woke up this morning one hour before the alarm clock was supposed to ring. As a matter of fact, we barely slept at all last night out of excitement and anxiety.
We had all kinds of feelings in our minds while we were on our way to the ballot box except one feeling that never came to us, that was fear.
We could smell pride in the atmosphere this morning; everyone we saw was holding up his blue tipped finger with broad smiles on the faces while walking out of the center.
From the early hours of the morning, people filled the street to the voting center in my neighborhood; youths, elders, women and men. Women's turnout was higher, by the way. And by 11 am the boxes where I live were almost full! Anyone watching that scene cannot but have tears of happiness, hope, pride and triumph.
The sounds of explosions and gunfire were clearly heard, some were far away but some were close enough to make the windows of the center shake but no one seemed to care about them as if the people weren't hearing these sounds at all.
I still recall the first group of comments that came to this blog 14 months ago when many of the readers asked "The Model?" . . . "Model for what?"
Take a look today to meet the model of courage and human desire to achieve freedom; people walking across the fire to cast their votes.
So many of our own soft-underbellied fellow citizens have forgotten -- or, more likely, never learned -- that freedom isn't free. The Mohammeds and Omars of this world are our teachers.
It's absolutely wonderful! I am so very happy for them.
Posted by: Teresa | January 30, 2005 at 11:40 AM
Allah has this day blessed the people of Iraq. Now may the people of the Western world learn that which you stated, freedom isn't free.
Posted by: goomp | January 30, 2005 at 01:12 PM