Comments on: Iraqi Government Clamps Down On Bars In Baghdad

By: Teadrinker

Teadrinker — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:35:46 +0000

Unfortunately, A is probably open to the interpretation of those who screams the loudest…and you know who screams the loudest.

By: Teadrinker

Teadrinker — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:32:46 +0000

Yes, definitely.

By: JoeC

JoeC — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:26:11 +0000

Mr. Ahmed Jassim Hamza said, "Our new constitution guarantees all freedoms for all Iraqi people" He is not quite right. If he looked at the Iraqi Constitution, such as it is, he would find a lot of ambiguity. Under Article 2, it says:

First: Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of legislation: A. No law may be enacted that contradicts the established provisions of Islam B. No law may be enacted that contradicts the principles of democracy. C. No law may be enacted that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms stipulated in this Constitution.

Whoa!! Several "contradicts" in there, but one can argue that in many cases, B and C will contradict with A. Under rights and liberties, they inserted moral qualifiers. Rights

Article 17: First: Every individual shall have the right to personal privacy so long as it does not contradict the rights of others and public morals.

Liberties

Article 38: The State shall guarantee in a way that does not violate public order and morality: A. Freedom of expression using all means. B. Freedom of press, printing, advertisement, media and publication. C. Freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration, and this shall be regulated by law.

As a young 'democracy,' they may literally find the devil in the details of defining morality. They can look around themselves at their neighbors and at other countries around the world that stamp Islam as the foundation of their State. They should easily recognize the range of interpreting the moral requirements in Islam. They could be whipsawed back and forth by the moral judgments of whomever comes to power or is appointed to their courts. Women may become the most obvious sign of that. Must they wear a head covering? If so, can it be a veil or must it be a burqa? If Iraq remains a democracy, as we know it, they may eventually have to come to a California-vs-Miller like decision, where they decide on an objective standard by which morality can be determined.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:19:24 +0000

Mark's right. Things will be back to normal by April as soon as Maliki wins the elections. This new "law" will start seeing the same level of enforcement as the anti-prostitution laws here in Korea…

By: gerry

gerry — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:41:43 +0000

And I believe they will go down that road, and end up no better off than before the US invaded. Just give them about 10 years to destroy it all.

By: someotherguy

someotherguy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:52:44 +0000

Hmm this is not a good thing. It means Iraq can quickly become just another Iran, ruled by a religion and not a free country at all.

By: Leon LaPorte

Leon LaPorte — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:52:19 +0000

Yes sir. Religion is like kryptonite to freedom. If they're go down that road after all the blood and treasure spilled, shame on them.

By: gerry

gerry — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:18:10 +0000

The sooner we leave the better. Do what we came to do and leave the Iraqis free to destroy their freeedoms. The future of Iraq is now in their own hands, how they deal with it is another matter.

By: Leon LaPorte

Leon LaPorte — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:43:15 +0000

"…they can’t handle social freedoms such as alcohol because their minds are narrowed by religion.”

Amen Brother.

By: ChickenHead

ChickenHead — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:27:23 +0000

Hmmm…

We destroyed the only secular government in the region which gave the most rights to women and discouraged Islamic extremism.

…and replaced it with this?

Whoopie. Three cheers for progress.