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August 15, 2005
No Constitution Yet
Faced with a looming deadline today, Iraqi political leaders bought themselves some time, by postponing completion of the new constitution by a week.
The revelation that nearly half the document remains incomplete underscores the difficulty officials face in reaching agreement, and is yet one more example for we Americans of unmet and unrealistic expectations in this three-and-a-half year old conflict.
There is now talk of dissolving the Iraq National Assembly and starting over, should no agreement be reached on the constitution. Great.
But they're so close -- it's a shame. It's just little things, like the role of Islam in government, women's rights, distribution of oil wealth, that are holding this thing up. Come on, big deal! Just lock 'em in a room for a couple of hours until they figure it out.
Freedom is on the march in Mesopotamia, remember? Our civilian leadership in Washington had this whole thing pegged just right. An easy battle, we're welcomed with flowers and candy, a speedy transition to a flourishing democracy. All is going so well -- it's time for a bike ride with Lance Armstrong.
Posted by houtopia at August 15, 2005 10:18 PM