A Strange Sort of Freedom
You know that you are living in strange times when a single news item on the Iraqi Constitution contains supporting comments from Bush ("completing the next step in their transition from dictatorship to democracy... this constitution is good for all Iraqis and that it adequately reflects compromises suitable to all groups") and an open admission that the constituion erects an Islamic state that robs women of rights they had taken for granted under the regime that the US overthrew:
Under the new constitution, Islam would become the official religion of the Iraqi state, and be regarded as "a main source of legislation." Clerics would more than likely sit on the Supreme Court, and judges would have broad latitude to strike down legislation that conflicted with the religion. Clerics would be given a broad, new role in adjudicating family disputes like marriage, divorce and inheritance. Under most interpretations of Islamic law, women enjoy substantially fewer rights than men.
Here is the text of the Iraqi Constitution, which claims that it was written with help from "heavenly messages." Heaven, it seems, has led the drafters of the document to qualify every freedom and right with the proviso: "This shall be regulated by law."
As for economics: oil, education, and health are decisively nationalized.
Comments (10)
Heaven, it seems, has led the drafters of the document to qualify every freedom and right with the proviso: "This shall be regulated by law." As for economics: oil, education, and health are decisively nationalized.
Sounds suspiciously like the Canadian constitution, with Islamic clerics replacing our leftie lawyers and rights advocates in the various courts and tribunals.
Interestingly, in some parts of Canada Sharia law is being given status alongside the existing justice system. How fascinating it will be to see the culture of extreme (i.e. taxpayer-funded) social liberalism collide with medieval theocratic totalitarianism.
Published: August 29, 2005 9:23 AM
The neocon obsession with democracy as a self-end often comes back to haunt them as people often choose the wrong choices like communists and islamists. It must not be forgotten that Hugo Chavez was democratically elected and that a solid majority of Shia Arabs support the Iranian-style Sharialaws imposed in their part of Iraq and which is apparent in this constitution as well. And Hamas looks set to win the next Palestinian elections (Which is why Mahmoud Abbas has postponed the elections).
Published: August 29, 2005 11:44 AM
This sounds like it could like to the worst of both worlds, as far as liberty is concerned.
Published: August 29, 2005 3:08 PM
So you have a problem with "heaven" being mentioned in the Iraqi constitution, eh? I suppose you don't like "Divine Providence" in the US Declaration of Independence, either.
Published: August 29, 2005 5:55 PM
Lester,
It isn't just that "heaven" was mentioned in the Iraqi constitution. It's that the constitution deprives women of rights they formerly had. The quote is self-explanatory. Islam is the official religion of the State (freedom of religion??), the law is based off of Islam, and there will be the judicial system will effectively use the Koran as a de-facto Constitution.
So much for "liberating Iraq". What naivete.
Published: August 29, 2005 6:05 PM
As for economics: oil, education, and health are decisively nationalized.
Sounds like Bush's plan all along. He was here in Arizona today promoting his most recent socialist scheme for the U.S. of No Constitutional Restraint Whatsoever.
"We are all socialists now."
Published: August 29, 2005 10:01 PM
My favorite Iraqi Constitution quotation:
"The state is committed to protecting the individual from coercion in thought, religion or politics."
Published: September 1, 2005 3:48 PM
Shia anarcho-capitalism:
http://anti-state.com/forum/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=15131
Published: October 17, 2005 6:48 AM
None of this stuff would be of any consequence, if it were not for one thing - the Iraqi Constitution and places where Sharia Law is recognized all rely on them being implemented by a force monopoly.
I would have nothing at all against the use of Sharia Law, "Constitutions from Heaven", or whatever, as long as submission to them was voluntary and severable. Those who wish to abide by Sharia Law should be allowed to do so, but in no way should they be forced to obey any system of law as long as they refrain from aggression.
Published: October 17, 2005 10:07 AM
Stefan:
The neocon’s apparent obsession with democracy is only a thin veneer. They have nothing against alliances with pro-Washington despotic murderers and tyrants. As you observe, there is no reason for them to favor democracy when the people may choose a government unfavorable to them.
There is a parallel between religion and democracy in comparing the inspiration behind conquests in history with those of today. The parallel is that the conquests were and are made falsely in the name of these, but the true motivation behind them was not and is not either.
The substantial motivation behind conquest remains imperialistic expansion and military dominance of others. It is conquest for its own sake. Bush doesn't give a rat's behind about democracy or freedom, just as the raping and murdering “Christian� conquerors of history cared nothing about the teachings of Jesus Christ. History can change its shading or colors, but it just has to go on essentially repeating itself.
Published: October 17, 2005 4:11 PM