It was heartening on Jan. 30 to see the Iraqi people voting for the future of their country, dancing in the streets and proudly waving their purple ink-stained fingers into the air. Early estimates show 60 percent of eligible voters showed up despite the threats from terrorists who are losing their grip of fear on the populace.

The leftist naysayers said the election should be postponed, there would be thousands of deaths, no one would show up to vote, etc. Sen. Edward Kennedy said our troops were part of the problem in Iraq. Newsweek's cover choice was "The Insurgents -- Who they are and why the elections won't stop them." Sen. John Kerry doubted the legitimacy of the election and claimed that the world is less safe. The left is on the wrong side of history again.

Jan. 30 was a proud day for the Iraqis, the U.S. and our military. Like Reagan, President Bush understands that the natural yearning of the human spirit is freedom and that free countries are not a threat to the world. There are still obstacles ahead, but Bush's wisdom and the courage of our armed forces made this day possible.

Tom Imbus
Browns Summit