Posted on 08/15/2005 10:55:47 PM PDT by churchillbuff
The proposed constitution would base family law on Shariah, or Islamic law. Clerics, rather than civil law, would determine what happens to women.
In other words, we appear to be helping create another Iran, where mullahs will rule and women will be thrust back to the Dark Ages.
That is not what Americans sent their young men and women to fight, suffer and die to accomplish.
Many women in San Antonio are particularly aware of the situation because of the influence of one extraordinarily brave Iraqi woman. Dr. Rajaa Khuzai, a member of the Iraqi National Assembly and a member of the committee writing the constitution, has been fighting for a document that preserves the rights of women. That appears to be a losing battle.
Befriended by a group of San Antonio women, Khuzai has visited the Alamo City twice during the past year, inspiring most people who had the privilege of meeting her. She says she now calls San Antonio her second home.
Jonathan Gurwitz and I, as well as former Express-News columnist Jan Jarboe Russell, have written about her.
While journalists are supposed to shield themselves from close friendships with sources, it is impossible not to admire, even befriend, Rajaa. She is, without a doubt, the bravest woman I ever have met. That's why it is particularly crushing that her efforts to create a more just society for her seven children could come to naught.
But, you ask, isn't that the nature of democracy? If Iraqis want an Islamic government, isn't that their right?
For answers, look again to Iran. Yes, there have been elections, but they haven't been free or fair. And there is no protection for the rights of the minority.
U.S. policy-makers must not be so eager to create some kind of government in Iraq so they can get the troops out that they ignore what they are spawning.
This nation has been pushing the Iraqis to meeting Monday's deadline for completion of a constitution. The Iraqi people will vote on it in October, and elections would be held under the new constitution by the end of the year.
But a document that sets half the population back more than half a century should not be acceptable.
President Bush's justification for Iraq's invasion (after WMD went flat) was that a free and democratic Iraq would be a beacon in the Middle East.
If he gets another Islamic republic, ruled by mullahs who allow violence and persecution of women, what then?
These are indeed important, even historic, days in Iraq. I fear we are not paying attention, nor are we holding our policy-makers accountable.
Here is part of a message I received from Rajaa last week, as the final days of constitutional negotiations drew to an end:
"Iraqi women want to move forward not to go backward. This is not the new Iraq which we dreamed to be! This is the majority dictatorship, not democracy.
"Love to all the San Antonio women. I need their support now more than any other time in my life. This is the future of our children, and grandchildren. This is history."
It's so hard to know what individuals half a world away can do to help our sisters in Iraq. Perhaps we should join the mother who lost a son in Iraq as she continues her lonely vigil in Crawford.
My message to the president would be different from hers. It wouldn't be to bring the troops home immediately.
It would be, instead, to make sure the sacrifice is worth it. Don't settle for an Iranian Iraq.
Bring back Saddam, I heard he promised to never, ever, ever, build a WMD program again, and he promised to be kind to his neighbors, and let women have abortions!
the funniest thing is that under the new constitution, women will have less rights that under the old Hussein constitution...
The caveat is that the Hussein constitution didn't dissuade the Hussein boys from nightly gang rapes, so I don't see how this new law is much different than they old.....just more savegery in a savage land.
I just don't see how Muslim men will ever come to terms with women's equality. They have a serious inferiority complex that compels them to puff up like petty tyrants to anyone weaker.
Then they slink away like dogs when anyone their size comes around.
It's a whole culture with a Napolean complex. Their religion isn't much help when it comes to human progress, either...but I digress.
This is the exact cultural problem that needs to be rectified throughout the middle east.
Sharia and sharia alike, boys.
How?
What I never understood is how you get women to be muslim in the first place. If they all just set their foot down, ain't gwinah be no sharia law. Momma sez you ain't gettin no poontang till you hush up!. JUst member, you gosta sleep sometime! GI done toll momma bout some Bobbit procedure.
"Don't settle for an Iranian Iraq."
OK, who doesn't agree?
We all. liberals and conservatives agree! We want a modern democracy for Iraq, not an Islamic theocracy with mullah dictators.
But how do we make the Iraqis ready for that if they themselves don't have that dream?
Anyone who can answer that should write an article because that's what I'd like to know. This appears to be the basic weakness of what we've chosen to do in Iraq.
What if we've "liberated" a backwards people who are incapable of and do not want a modern democracy?
Then what?
Riddle me that Batman.
Well, unless they stop producing terrorists, this will erupt to a war of Islam against the whole modern world.
You have these people worshiping a false god of violence that wants anyone who is not them dead.
I don't see any Islamic run country as being capable of tolerance with their world neighbors.
As this trend continues, the world may be forced to end the worship if Islam as it is practiced this day.
The alternative is we accept all being dead.
In other words, we appear to be helping create another Iran, where mullahs will rule and women will be thrust back to the Dark Ages.
That is not what Americans sent their young men and women to fight, suffer and die to accomplish.
But a document that sets ALL the population back more than 1000 YEARS should not be acceptable.
another Islamic republic, ruled by mullahs who allow violence and persecution of women, what then?
make sure the sacrifice is worth it. Don't settle for an Iranian Iraq.
"Riddle me that Batman."
America had its dark times as well, and some of them not that long ago. Lets hope that in time it changes if the worst happens. Look at how far America has come in a short amount of time. The may need a civil rights movement of their own there to truly change the culture and society. Free press is a big part of that. They must argue and choose these things themselves. As we did. We can only encourage and point the way. Ultimately we want a country that will not harbor and nurture/produce terrorists. Everything else is gravy. Cultural change on the level we we would consider ideal obviously has a way to go. Some things may take decades. We must wait and see how history unfolds. Women in Iraq will have our support as many other nations will add thier voice as well. Lets hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. A nation that demeans women cannot endure. Change will be inevitable in a free society. As it was here.
If these people are incapable of dreaming of a democracy and want Sharia law, then what choice do we have? How do we affect the desired change? Seems they'll drift backwards as we pull out and become another Iranian pain in the neck.
A nation that demeans women cannot endure.
Darn good thing that N.O.W has worked so hard over the last few years to support the women of Iraq.
Exactly who's going to surrender on behalf of Iraq? Saddam? Laugh me another one.
These for starters as the price they pay for our establishing their Country as Saddam-free. We must assert these minimums to make our sacrifice worthwhile.
L
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