Driftglass: Something Elected this Way Comes

No one but the stone-hearted or the compassionately impaired could look at millions of people turning out to stand on line in some of the most dangerous real estate in the world to vote and not be inspired. It is inspiring, as is the routine bravery of soldiers and the sacrifice of thier families. No two ways about it, and no one I know wants the people of Iraq to be the continued heirs to violence and tyranny and exploitation. They have earned a little peace and relief from the pervasive dread.

But that is not a gift we can give them. If we could slip it under the door and run away, great, but we uniquely cannot be the bearer of this endowment.