We're brought squarely before two terrifying realities in the wake of today's terrorist bombings against Iraqi civilians. First, when Iraqis eagerly abandoned Saddam Hussein and tyranny for a country they could peacefully govern and cultivate, they crossed a line drawn by terrorists - and are now just as hated and desired dead or subjugated as Americans and Jews. Second, no one - including Democratic presidential candidates who believe the threat to civilization posed by terrorists is "exaggerated" - can easily deny that the only way to end the plotting and execution of massacres against innocents is to utterly defeat those who would do it. These terrorists receive aid, direction, manpower and money from sources outside of Iraq. As I have said for months, Iraq's liberation can not stand alone forever. The Near East's culture of hatred and violence will forever try to swallow up any fledgling democracy unless totalitarian regimes in adjacent countries are themselves destroyed.

Until then, Iraqis will be using every ounce of courage and faith to stay determined and unashamed. Some press agencies are talking up the possibility of sectarian violence. I doubt the situation to be as volatile as some might make it out to be; angry mobs are angry mobs, and Iraqis know the score. Leaders in their own right, Alaa's and Ali's anger is, and wisely always will be, directed at thugs and murders. They and their countrymen must be given the promise of our military strength to succeed.

PICTURE, THOUSAND WORDS: During breakfast I caught a clip from a press conference held by members of the Iraqi Governing Council. Some men, some women, in suits and dresses respectively, speaking against violence - speaking for the free rule of their country. One year ago, we heard only from a bloodthirsty dictator whose face was plastered across the country, and his selection of equally vile cronies. Consider those two Iraqs while reports on the bombings continue throughout the day.