Ever hear the axiom that some things — deaths of famous people or disasters — happen in threes?

Let’s add the deaths of infamous people to that list.

Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and Moammar Gadhafi no longer inflict brutality, inhumane treatment and murder on peoples of the world. Gadhafi, the deceased Libyan dictator, is the latest tyrant to join the list of departed despots.

The world is a better place without them.

Although there are questions about exactly how Gadhafi died (possibly killed in a crossfire or “executed” by Libyans who fought to overthrow him), his death is a symbol that the Arab spring movement continues. That’s good news for others who are trying to throw off the shackles of other dictators and brutal regimes, not only in the Arab world and Africa, but also around the world.

The rulers of Saudi Arabia likely are worrying about their future. The Saudi rulers will do their best to beat back the rising tide of the Arab spring to protect their favored positions in the not-democratic government and their oil-related fortunes. The governments in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria know about the rising tide of the Arab spring. Ask former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak about what happens to rulers who forget the right to rule people comes from the people’s consent.

After years and years of dictators, despots and tyrants, it’s inevitable that people in these places want to breathe the sweet air of freedom instead of the foul air of enslavement of their minds, bodies and souls.

Ask Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and Moammar Gadhafi what happens when tyrants, despots and terrorists stand in the way of freedom’s march.

Oops! They can’t answer.

Their silence is testament to what happens to those who try to murder freedom.