Just ran across this from Thunder 6, a California Army National Guard soldier (and gifted writer) deployed in Iraq:

... my thoughts wandered to the jihadist insurgents and the differences between my beliefs and their own. The answer was simple, it wasn't faith that separated us but our concept of the value of free will. I grew up believing that faith was a deeply personal decision that helped guide individual actions, not as the basis for a system of government. The jihadists believe the opposite - that their version of faith is compulsory and should shape every aspect of the government. As the Iraqi people continue to shape their destiny they will forge a democracy that will be both familiar and strange to our eyes. But as long as it embraces free will - the jihadists are destined to fail.

Made me think of an article I read in the WaPo a few days ago about Iraqi students in Basra severely beaten by the local campus "religious police" for singing and dancing at a party. No doubt Iraqi democracy will be strange to our eyes. I just hope and pray the Iraqi people are brave enough collectively to stand up to the religious neanderthals amongst them and embrace a more moderate Islamic faith. A faith that can handle the dangerous concept of free will.  ¶ 12:26 AM