Tuesday, March 02, 2004
US VS. THEM
Although the English translation isn't yet available, I thought it would be interesting to outline some of the provisions of the Iraqi Constitution and compare it to our own. I got the "preliminary" Constitution (does anyone know why I have to capitalize that, by the way?) from a website source that popped up on Google. Please remember, that this is an interim Constitution...just like our own, it's subject to change.
"Law of Administering the Iraqi State for the Transitional Period."
Article 3. Iraq is an independent state possessing full sovereignty. Its capital is Baghdad. Its system is democratic, parliamentary, pluralist, and federal.
That's a shocker in and of itself in the Middle East...an INDEPENDENT state...DEMOCRATIC, PARLIAMENTARY, FEDERAL...sound familiar?
Article 4. Islam is the official religion and shall be considered a basic source among the sources of legislation. This law shall respect the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and shall completely guarantee freedom, practice, and rites of the other religions.
Not quite the First Amendment of our own Constitution, but notice the "respect and guarantee of the freedom of other religions" and the statement (which we can't make in our country) that they have a "basic source" for their belief system.
Article 5. The flag and emblem of the state shall be defined by law.
Article 6. The Arabic language shall be the official language in the country, while the current special situation in the territory of Kurdistan shall be respected.
Well, at least they have the guts (and opportunity) to declare an official language...probably just a racist tool of the right wing in Iraq, right? It's a wonder how they got these people in Iraq who we all know are incapable of democracy to agree on an official and common language...we have a long way to go in the United States, don't we?
Article 7. The people are the source of authorities.
Here, they say much the same as "of the people, by the people, for the people." The word "authorities" here means that the PEOPLE are in charge of their own destiny.
Article 9. Iraqis are equal in rights and duties. With respect to sex, nationality, sect, and race, they are equal before the law.
Gender equity? In the Middle East? Are you starting to understand why "Operation Iraqi Freedom" was so opposed by the left wing nuts? Imagine how infectious this is going to be with respect to surrounding countries...not their governments, but the people. Once permanent, my guess is they'll have their own problems with illegal immigration.
Article 10. Public and private freedoms are sacrosanct. The people have the right to freely express themselves, organize, meet, move, and publish, and they have the right to demonstrate and strike in accordance with the provisions of law.
Again...are you processing this?!? We're talking about "private freedoms" in the Middle East...even some people in Israel don't have these kinds of freedoms. This is stunning. No wonder the left wing nuts want us out of the "quagmire" in Iraq...they might actually have more freedoms than US some day...
Article 11. The individual has the right to education, well-being, work, and security and the right to a fair public trial.
Remember, a fair and public trial in the past was being spirited away in the middle of the night and hung by a hook in a dungeon somewhere never to see your family again. The right to work? Well being? Education? Yikes...
Article 14. Private property shall be preserved. It shall not be taken from its owner except for public benefit in return for just and swift compensation. This appropriation shall be regulated by law. An Iraqi citizen has ownership rights in all areas of Iraq.
Notice that this only applies to Iraqi citizens...not foreigners. I wish our government had such a strong emphasis on government control and compensation for the taking of land for public benefit. DARN...and I thought this was all done so we could take their oil....damn.
Article 16. It shall be forbidden to carry weapons for self-defense except by permit issued according to law.
Not quite the 2nd Amendment, but the Coalition Authority has a provision now whereby individuals CAN get permission to carry weapons for self-defense. It's the left wingers who would love to have this one replace our own 2nd Amendment...but again, this is a temporary provision in the Iraqi Constitution.
The Bottom Line: This Constitution upsets the entire balance of the relationships between other countries in the Middle East...this is a groundbreaking and incredible development. It's something that virtually every other government in the area is afraid of...which is why they have state controlled media not willing to tell the people about this. But trust me, word will get out that Iraqi citizens have something none of the people of other countries have - freedom. You understand now why those who don't want this "infection" to spread and why they're blowing up primarily Muslim targets.
Although the English translation isn't yet available, I thought it would be interesting to outline some of the provisions of the Iraqi Constitution and compare it to our own. I got the "preliminary" Constitution (does anyone know why I have to capitalize that, by the way?) from a website source that popped up on Google. Please remember, that this is an interim Constitution...just like our own, it's subject to change.
"Law of Administering the Iraqi State for the Transitional Period."
Article 3. Iraq is an independent state possessing full sovereignty. Its capital is Baghdad. Its system is democratic, parliamentary, pluralist, and federal.
That's a shocker in and of itself in the Middle East...an INDEPENDENT state...DEMOCRATIC, PARLIAMENTARY, FEDERAL...sound familiar?
Article 4. Islam is the official religion and shall be considered a basic source among the sources of legislation. This law shall respect the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and shall completely guarantee freedom, practice, and rites of the other religions.
Not quite the First Amendment of our own Constitution, but notice the "respect and guarantee of the freedom of other religions" and the statement (which we can't make in our country) that they have a "basic source" for their belief system.
Article 5. The flag and emblem of the state shall be defined by law.
Article 6. The Arabic language shall be the official language in the country, while the current special situation in the territory of Kurdistan shall be respected.
Well, at least they have the guts (and opportunity) to declare an official language...probably just a racist tool of the right wing in Iraq, right? It's a wonder how they got these people in Iraq who we all know are incapable of democracy to agree on an official and common language...we have a long way to go in the United States, don't we?
Article 7. The people are the source of authorities.
Here, they say much the same as "of the people, by the people, for the people." The word "authorities" here means that the PEOPLE are in charge of their own destiny.
Article 9. Iraqis are equal in rights and duties. With respect to sex, nationality, sect, and race, they are equal before the law.
Gender equity? In the Middle East? Are you starting to understand why "Operation Iraqi Freedom" was so opposed by the left wing nuts? Imagine how infectious this is going to be with respect to surrounding countries...not their governments, but the people. Once permanent, my guess is they'll have their own problems with illegal immigration.
Article 10. Public and private freedoms are sacrosanct. The people have the right to freely express themselves, organize, meet, move, and publish, and they have the right to demonstrate and strike in accordance with the provisions of law.
Again...are you processing this?!? We're talking about "private freedoms" in the Middle East...even some people in Israel don't have these kinds of freedoms. This is stunning. No wonder the left wing nuts want us out of the "quagmire" in Iraq...they might actually have more freedoms than US some day...
Article 11. The individual has the right to education, well-being, work, and security and the right to a fair public trial.
Remember, a fair and public trial in the past was being spirited away in the middle of the night and hung by a hook in a dungeon somewhere never to see your family again. The right to work? Well being? Education? Yikes...
Article 14. Private property shall be preserved. It shall not be taken from its owner except for public benefit in return for just and swift compensation. This appropriation shall be regulated by law. An Iraqi citizen has ownership rights in all areas of Iraq.
Notice that this only applies to Iraqi citizens...not foreigners. I wish our government had such a strong emphasis on government control and compensation for the taking of land for public benefit. DARN...and I thought this was all done so we could take their oil....damn.
Article 16. It shall be forbidden to carry weapons for self-defense except by permit issued according to law.
Not quite the 2nd Amendment, but the Coalition Authority has a provision now whereby individuals CAN get permission to carry weapons for self-defense. It's the left wingers who would love to have this one replace our own 2nd Amendment...but again, this is a temporary provision in the Iraqi Constitution.
The Bottom Line: This Constitution upsets the entire balance of the relationships between other countries in the Middle East...this is a groundbreaking and incredible development. It's something that virtually every other government in the area is afraid of...which is why they have state controlled media not willing to tell the people about this. But trust me, word will get out that Iraqi citizens have something none of the people of other countries have - freedom. You understand now why those who don't want this "infection" to spread and why they're blowing up primarily Muslim targets.
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