So tell me, why does the Iraqi Congress need to ask for an extension

[Walt Starr]

on coming up with a constitution?

The Revolutionary War ran from 1775 until 1783. We didn't get a constitution written until Septembet 17, 1787 and did not take effect until 1789.

During that interim time from the end of the Revolutionary War until the Constitutional Congress adopted out constitution and the several states ratified it, we didn't have to ask Great Britain for any extensions.

So tell me again why they have to ask anybody for anything regarding THEIR constitution?

[jobycom]

1. Because they haven't had their revolution yet

When they do, and they kick us out, then they can govern themselves. Until then, they do what we say they can do.

[Armstead]

2. Parliamentary procedure probably

Technically they were asking themselves to follow their own procedures,not asking us for permission.

[papau]

3. Interm law says Congress becomes caretaker if no passage or if the

constitution committee does not subnit draft today. Next deadline is the date of the vote in October. But who knew the prelim assembly had the power to accept a partial draft and fill in the blanks on what has not been agreed to. Must be legal advice from the Bush Amendistration.

Otherwise with a caretaker gov we go back to prelim assemby elections and start over on a Consitution.

Hey - it is just Women's Rights - no big deal (as he ducks the flames! :-) )

:toast:

:-)

[Junkdrawer]

4. Because it's a predominately Shiite country, and the whole reason...

the US government supported the butcher Saddam was to keep the place out of Shiite hands.

This whole "we want to establish a democracy in Iraq" bullshit would be funny if it weren't for all the people dying.

Again: The LAST thing the US/Saudi/Israeli coalition wants is a real democracy in Iraq - because that would lead to an Islamic theocracy with close ties to Iran. For that coalition, a perpetual low-level civil war requiring a perpetual US presence is preferable.

[ClintonTyree]

6. That's a sobering thought.........

but in all probability, correct. The bush administration would rather sacrifice the lives of our young than admit they made a mistake or have their mistake take a form that would make Saddam's regime look like a benevolent Democracy.
The bushies worst nightmare; an Islamic theocracy with Iran/Iraq acting as one.

[AlGore-08.com]

5. Here's a good overview of the pending Iraqi constitution from the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1549574,00.html

And in case nobody else has posted it, this is the Iraqis asking the Iraqi parliment for an extension:

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-08-15T192645Z_01_EIC242081_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-IRAQ-C-COL.XML

Iraqi lawmakers agree to seek 10-day charter extension

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Several members of the committee drafting Iraq's constitution said on Monday they had agreed to seek a 10-day extension to the August 15 deadline to try to complete negotiations over the highly contested charter.

The members, from the Sunni and Shi'ite communities, said the proposal would be put to the Iraqi parliament which was beginning a late-night meeting in Baghdad.

(More... )

[enigma000]

7. Rules per the TAL

If they fail to approve the draft constitution or give themselves more time by midnight August 15/05 Iraq time the government falls.

LAW OF ADMINISTRATION FOR THE STATE OF IRAQ FOR THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD 8 March 2004

Article 61.
(A) The National Assembly shall write the draft of the permanent constitution by no later than 15 August 2005.

(E) If the referendum rejects the draft permanent constitution, the National Assembly shall be dissolved. Elections for a new National Assembly shall be held no later than 15 December 2005. The new National Assembly and new Iraqi Transitional Government shall then assume office no later than 31 December 2005, and shall continue to operate under this Law, except that the final deadlines for preparing a new draft may be changed to make it possible to draft a permanent constitution within a period not to exceed one year. The new National Assembly shall be entrusted with writing another draft permanent constitution.

G) If the National Assembly does not complete writing the draft permanent constitution by 15 August 2005 and does not request extension of the deadline in Article 61(F) above, the provisions of Article 61(E), above, shall be applied.

[MasonJar]

8. To give them time to take away more women's rights?