The most blinkered presumption of Iraqis holds that the country's highly religious Shiites are too strict for democracy, if even culture could sustain it. The Washington Post has outdone its peers, offering the world yet another look at the natural and deep appeal of liberty:

Outside the mosque, posters vied for space along the walls. One read, "The enemy of Iraq is the enemy of democracy, justice and elections." Another quoted Sistani: "One vote is like gold, but even more precious."

Read the rest. Iraq's freedom has been and will be hard-fought for, but it is a treasure.