The nature of freedom

The news from Ukraine reminds me once again of something I keep thinking about as things develop in Iraq, that freedom originates in the hearts of a people. It requires the concept of rights which, once understood, can change peasants into citizens.

To build a democracy, the people, not an outside army, have to take the idea of freedom to themselves to the degree that they will die for it, and it has to become a concept that people share openly. They also have to lay hold on the concept of tolerance, which may be more difficult, if our Supreme Court is any indication.