Freedom is on the march

Afghanistan has just held its first-ever national election. Where were the grand acts of violence deposed Taliban leader Mulla Omar had promised? Freedom is on the march. Men and women, young and old, stood in line for hours to cast their votes. They were smiling. Freedom is on the march.

Afghanistan even has its own "hanging chad" scandal going on. Opponents of President Bush who do not see the powers of liberty will view this "missing ink" scandal in Afghanistan as a political disaster. I see it as another shining example of how freedom is on the march in Afghanistan. The citizens of Afghanistan want to be free. They cherish their right to vote. They want free, fair elections. Freedom is on the march.

And it's also on the march in Iraq, despite the ongoing violence from desperate terrorists/insurgents we continue to witness. Muqtada al-Sadr has signed an agreement with the Alawai government, calling for the Mehdi Army to hand over weapons. In exchange, al-Sadr is allowed to join the political process and run for office. He has seen a means to acheive his goals that does not require the use of barbaric violence. I guess you could say "hope is on the way" for al-Sadr and the people of Iraq. It's a long, messy process. But freedom is indeed on the march.

Col. Ollie signing off on a historic day in the "real" war on terror.