Thank you for posting this Julie.

Last night, on the eve of Veteran's Day, I had the pleasure of hearing Colonel Oliver North speak at the local high school auditorium. His message was dedicated to those serving in the armed forces, and he related several stories about his experiences in Iraq and how difficult it is to hear about anything going right over there.

One of the things that stuck with me the most is his steadfast assurance that we will succeed in Iraq, and the reason he feels this way.

He related the story of interviewing one of the Iraqi leaders and asking him why he was so sure the democratic process would succeed. The leader explained that it will succeed because the women of Iraq will be voting in the elections.

Why is this important?

Because no Iraqi woman will vote for a system that turns their kids into suicide terrorists, but will instead vote for a system that will provide their sons with an education and opportunity for a better life. They'll vote for life, not for death.

Change won't happen overnight, but it is inevitable that change for the better will come to the region once democracy is unleashed.

Those who are still skeptical should travel back in time a few years and consider what the prospects were for democracy ever coming to the areas included in the former U.S.S.R.