Another Thought of the Day
The News out of Iraq
Judy Jones
-04/09/03 10:19am - As I write this, I am watching CNN; watching the Iraqi people chiseling away at a statue of Saddam Hussein, trying to topple it to the ground. My memories of the Berlin Wall being hammered away at slowly by people who could finally taste the sweet flavor of Freedom comes to mind. It is the same thrill, and I find my eyes filled with tears of joy for these people who have been so oppressed, so tortured, and for so long treated as slaves, controlled by a dictator so cold and heartless that he used his subjects as servants of his bidding and who easily disposed of them for simply not obeying his most trivial command. I am watching the husbands and brothers and sons of terrified mothers and wives and sisters who no longer have to worry that their loved ones will be taken away and shot for speaking against the regime that tyrannized these people in every way; threatening their existence with starvation, torture and abuse and who offered them poverty, at best. My Heart is so joyful for their elation. I see that all around the city people are cheering as they happily tear down and burn pictures many stories high of a tyrant who kept these people imprisoned in fear and under the very real threat of death in every moment of their every days. I observe the Iraqi people applauding the Marines after asking their help to bring down this stone reminder of destructive power which has demoralized and exploited these common, but proud people for so many decades. Though the war in Iraq is not yet anywhere near over and there will likely be many more soldiers and innocent people who shall perish in this fight, we are watching history as the bells of Freedom toll loudly for these delighted, and finally hopeful, Iraqi people. And now, at 10:49am as the statue of this persecutor finally collapses to the ground, the Iraqi people cheer loudly, waving their hands in triumph, jump upon it, stomping on it and dancing in joy! Whether you are for or against the war itself, and the destruction that conflict brings, I would hope that your Heart can feel glad for these jubilant and finally optimistic people.
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