Imagine for a moment,

Imagine for a moment that you are a member of the Iraqi security forces. Perhaps you have joined because it was the only job available, perhaps because you formerly served under Saddam's regime, perhaps because you suffered at the old regime's hands and wish to prevent those abuses from happening again. To a certain degree, the reasons largely become irrelevant.

Imagine that your family has been terrorized, you have been threatened, and your friends and comrades have been killed. On the news, you hear repeatedly that the United States does not truly support a free Iraq. You hear that the insurgency is growing, that security forces grow more fearful rather than more assertive. It sinks in. You begin to question your role - and the future of your country.

Now imagine that you are assigned to provide security during the elections. Imagine that you are awakened to the silent majority's resolve as they file endlessly by to the polls, dismissing fears of attack. Imagine watching men and women of all ages, all beliefs, all ethnicities expressing their free will in the face of fear. Imagine that the initial flush of joy you felt when the old regime collapsed has returned...only now it is stiffened with a pride in your country and your countrymen.

Imagine how this will affect your actions when you next encounter those who choose violence over the rule of the law. Imagine, for a moment, physical courage bound with a burgeoning sense of duty, commitment, and pride.

Imagine that, Kos. Imagine that, "Professor" Cole. Imagine that, Mr. Moore. Just for a moment.

Update:

Exhibit A:

Despite 260 insurgent attacks - the highest level yet seen in one day - the "degree of lethality" was remarkably low, reflecting high readiness and morale among the Iraqi police and military units guarding the sites, the US diplomat said.

"In almost every case, Iraqi forces stopped the attacks."

Exhibit B:

Shuwayli threw his arms around the bomber and drove him backward about 50 feet into an intersection. The rush seemed to catch the suicide attacker by surprise. The bomber had a hand grenade but failed to throw it. A second or two passed before he detonated an explosive belt, police Lt. Col. Kadham Abbas said.

Update 2:

Steven Vincent from the Red Zone discusses winners, losers, and work yet to be done. As he says,

In the past, the homegrown Iraqi militants got a lot of mileage from their claims that they fought a "foreign occupation." Whatever little merit that argument possessed has vanished with the election: now the ex-Baathist Saddamites appear in their true light--fascists attempting to overturn a democratic government. At what temperature does the legitimacy of reactionaries burn? Fahrenheit 9-11.

Update 3:

Eric Martin at Total Information Awareness offers a realistic assessment of the (numerous) issues still to be addressed now that the elections are behind us. He also includes a number of great links to other takes on the election and their meaning (or lack thereof, for the more cynically minded).

Iraq
Elections