Propaganda cloaks Iraq constitution

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050918/OPINION/509180723/1029

From a recent New York Times article about the Iraqi constitution: "'It looks like all the major issues are resolved, and we hope tomorrow we will work out the remaining details,' said the American official, who, because of the diplomatic delicacy, spoke on condition of anonymity."

Apparently the Bush administration does not want to be attributed with making that statement. However, it does appear to be just some more administration propaganda.

In reality, most of the major issues are not resolved. The Sunni are not even helping to draft the constitution (they were left out because they could not agree). The Kurds do not want federal government control. They want to be in a position to retain their own control. Most of the framers of the constitution want Shariah (Islamic religious law) to be the supreme or overriding law of the country. Women's rights have not been resolved.

Does this appear as if most or all of the major issues are resolved? I don't believe so, at least not based on the progress documented to date.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. In some ways

this is a bigger issue for Bushco than Katrina.

Because if this Constitution is ratified without assured rights for women, there will be a lot of really ticked off middle class women who looked the other way when this thing started.

But if Iraq moves into the same sorry state as Saudi Arabia and Iran (in regards to women's rights) because of this conflict, bets are off in 2006 and 08.

[leftchick]

2. The Best Part and truest is the last....

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What is the intent of this anonymous statement? Is the objective to quiet the American people, to obtain their support for an unpopular war and to convince them that progress is being made? Is it a smoke screen in an attempt to placate the American public and obtain support for a war that is being lost (or, in reality, one that already has been lost)?

Could not our manpower and financial resources be far better spent on strengthening this country and rebuilding our infrastructure, such as helping in the restoration of New Orleans?