No Links, just wanted to be first to Post it!! (Ok, it's breaking news at CNN, but not verified or anything)
http://today.reuters.com/business/n...BusinessNews&storyID=nL22381045&imageid=&cap= http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/new...67_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ-CONSTITUTION-SHIITES.xml
From the article: If the document is approved, it must be put to a referendum by Oct. 15. If any three of Iraq's 18 provinces reject the referendum by two-thirds or more, the constitution will be rejected. So, 34% will be enough to get it approved?
Unless 2/3 of the providences vote against it (not going to happen) then it is done deal. I dont mind the federalism and think it is a good idea actually. It is "Islam is the main source of law" part that is crap. That out of the way, can we please get on with more urgent matters such as restoring power, water and forming kill squads?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050822/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq&printer=1;_ylt=ApH_neeH837VB6IcSebInYIUewgF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-
That's NOT what the procedure is, according to the articles. Either of the following can shoot down the Constitution: 138 out of 275 people in the Assembly reject it. 1/6th of the provinces (that's any 3 provinces out of 18) reject it by a 67% vote. As someone pointed out in another thread, at least 4 provices are predominantly Sunni, so if the Sunni leadership wants to shoot down the constitution and they get out the vote in at least 3 of those 4 provinces, the constitution can be rejected.
Military victory -- check Disband army and government -- check Capture Saddam -- check Have Elections -- check Draft Constitution -- check Capture and/or kill Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Yemeni, US Embassy, and 9/11 bombings -- "I don't care where he is, frankly."
Okay, here's what they have so far: (1) An Iraqi may not injure an American or, through inaction, cause an American to come to harm. (2) An Iraqi must follow all orders given to him by an American, except when such an order would conflict with the First Law. (3) An Iraqi must protect his survival, except when it would conflict with the First and Second Laws. (4) Any accounts, use, or descriptions of this Constitution without the express written permission of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball is strictly prohibited. (5) No Poofters. (6) There is NO Rule Six! (7) No Poofters. (8) Eight, I forget what eight was for. (9) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's sweet, sweet ass. (10) There is no Tenth Commandment of Love.
IMHO, the Dems are making a mistake tactically standing against the shia and the Kurds. The same way they made a mistake when they sided with the sunnis when it came to their position on the Iraqi elections. That gave Bush, who actually lost the Iraqi vote to the Iranian list, a political victory he had not earned. The best Democratic position would be to argue the following: 1) That the Iraqi war was built on lies and was unjustified. 2) That the US should work to get out of Iraq quickly and the best way to do so is to repair its relations with Iran, realigning its policy towards supporting Iran and the shias and moving away from the sunnis. That in this process, Iran can become a friend of the US and, indirectly, will not be hostile to Israel anymore either. 3) That if we can tolerate a fundamentalist infested country like Pakistan with nukes, we can tolerate Iran with an indigineous civilian nuclear program. Provided Iran-US relations are improved.
Hey, Bruce: regarding Rule 6 and 8, how does that effect the Iraqi (and Middle Eastern in General) custom of men holding hands in public. Is it still allowed? or will there be a referendum on it?
I know there's all the talk about the Iraqi constitution, federalism, oil dollars, role of religion... I haven't heard one thing about an Iraqi Bill of Rights. Has anyone? Now the constitution is great and all, and important to setting up a government, but isn't an Iraqi bill of rights important? Things like 'all men and women over 18 can vote'. 'a well-armed militia...' etc
Maybe they looked over at us and said " what the hell good is a Bill of Rights if it's going to be ignored in a couple years anyways?" Agghh! Being cynical again, must stop.
Unfortunately, there's that little clause in the Constitution that says no law may violate Islamic law, so unfrotunately they had to chuck the whole "rights" concept.