(via Gateway Pundit) There are definite signs this morning that we are meeting our current goals in Iraq, as well as making progress on some of our original intentions. You know, the democratic objectives that have been labeled as failures by the left and largely forgotten by the public? Just look at what some of the people in Iraq are doing about Ahmadinejad’s visit.

A demonstrator holds a sign that reads “Your visit underestimates the price we paid in our blood” as she chants slogans during a protest in Baghdad’s Adhamiya district March 3, 2008. Hundreds took to the streets in Adhamiya district on Monday, protesting against the visit of Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Iraq. (REUTERS/Omar al-Obaidi)

Iraqis protest the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Baghdad’s Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah, Monday, March 3, 2008. The banner reads: ‘Azamiyah residents condemn the visit of Ahmadinejad to the Baghdad of al-Rashid’. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

A patrol member from a local citizen’s group marches with demonstrators chanting slogans during a protest in Baghdad’s Adhamiya district March 3, 2008. Hundreds took to the streets in Adhamiya district on Monday, protesting against the visit of Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Iraq. (REUTERS/Omar al-Obaidi)

Apparently those in Iraq didn’t get that ‘Democracy in the Middle East must fail’ message as they took to the street to demonstrate against Iranian President Mahmoud “what, me build a nuke?” Ahmadinejad’s visit. Even if the nuclear schemer is visiting Iraq, that he can have protests being held against him in public is truly remarkable. Do you think that anyone was protesting anything in public when Saddam was in power?

Do you think that pictures and reporting on a protest would ever get out of Iraq during Saddam’s regime? Do you think that the people in said pictures would still be around the next day if it weren’t our coalition overthrowing the tyrant? Of course not. Speaking your mind in Saddam’s Iraq was the perfect way to end up feet first in a paper shredder. And don’t think that this sort of thing won’t be seen around the globe.

This is the sort of thing that travels. This is the sort of freedom that inspires. This is the sort of freedom of expression that will go a long way toward changing minds on the ground in the Middle East. It’s the small signs that matter most. Certainly not a bad way to start a Monday morning, is it?

This entry was posted on Monday, March 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 am and is filed under Iran, Iraq. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.