Plame. Wilson. Delay. Wilma. Harriet.

There's been a lot of news this week, and it's all overshadowed one of the most dramatic periods in Iraq since the fall of Saddam's statute in the square in Baghdad.

It's hard to call this a "turning point," since all it takes is one Mohammed-Atta-Wanna-be with a dynamite vest and a bad attitude to change things. But it's also hard to describe the past week's events in Iraq as nothing other than absolutely astounding.

It appears likely that Iraqi voters have approved a democratic constitution, with even Sunnis giving their thumbs-up to democracy by voting in large numbers.

Saddam Hussein, one of the most bloodthirsty, genocidal maniacs of our lifetime, a man who used weapons of mass destruction on his own people, a man who invaded Kuwait without provocation, who attacked Israel and Saudi Arabia without provocation, and who plotted the assassination of former President George H.W. Bush, was brought to justice in an Iraqi court.

But one need only look at the accomplishments of U.S. fighting men and women in Iraq to see what they've done - in just one week! - in fighting the war on terror. Here is just a sampling:

"BAGHDAD, Iraq – A senior Abu Musab al-Zarqawi lieutenant and Al Qaeda in Iraq military leader was killed during a series of Coalition raids in western Iraq Oct. 15.

Coalition forces conducted the raids on suspected terrorists operating near the town of Ramadi. The terrorists were suspected of having senior Al Qaeda in Iraq connections."

"BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces conducted 42 raids and searches in and around Baghdad that netted 19 terror suspects and two weapons caches Oct. 16 through Oct. 18.

In the three days following Iraq’s historic constitutional referendum vote, Iraqi and U.S. forces combined to conduct more than 1,600 patrols and man more than 700 traffic control points. Iraqi security forces performed more than 1,000 of the nearly 2,400 missions by themselves, and teamed up with U.S. Soldiers on more than 100 others."

"BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces destroyed a terrorist safe house Oct. 18 in Karabilah where two al Qaeda in Iraq terror cells were attempting to meet and reorganize following successful Coalition operations."

"BAGHDAD, Iraq – Multi-National Force-Iraq has determined three suspects captured after an incident at a Coalition Checkpoint in Anay, northwest of Hadithah Oct. 9 are al Qaeda in Iraq vehicle bomb makers.

Marine Regimental Combat Team 2 captured the three cell members, later identified as Muhammad ‘Abd-al-Razaq Muhammad‘ Abd-al-Tariq (aka Abu Jassim), Ali Tariq Muhammad Salih (aka Abu Husayn), and Walid ’Ali Dhiyab Muhanna, and detained them for further questioning as reported Oct. 10."

"TIKRIT, Iraq – Task Force Liberty Soldiers followed a civilian tip to a cache of 85 anti-tank mines near Hamrin in Diyala Province at about 4:15 p.m. Oct. 18.

A local citizen was digging in the area when he uncovered the munitions and immediately reported it to Coalition Forces. The anti-tank mines discovered are of the same type recently used in IED attacks."

"CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Marines destroyed a terrorist cave complex used as a weapons cache and bomb-making factory early Oct. 17 near Haqlaniyah.

"BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers, acting on a tip from an Iraqi citizen, seized a large weapons cache in west Baghdad Oct. 16.

After receiving the tip, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team went to the location the citizen described and detained three suspects at the cache site."

"CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq -- Coalition forces continued counter-terrorism operations in areas of Al Anbar Province Oct. 16, killing an estimated 70 terrorists in separate actions.

At approximately 1:25 p.m., Coalition forces conducted an air strike against a group of terrorists attempting to emplace an improvised explosive device east of Ramadi."

Added up, what a week!: Almost 100 terrorists killed or captured; a key aide to Zarqawi put out of commission; tons and tons of terrorist weapons found and seized; Iraqis give a big thumbs up to democracy; and Saddam Hussein is supremely humiliated and brought to justice for crimes against humanity.