Budget Fun

[scaeagles]

Yes, they did receive the majority of the votes. Please note, however, that many Sunni areas boycotted the vote. Now, before shouting about how that shows the democracy will not work, I point out these two paragraphs from your link.

"In a bid to avoid marginalization, a group of Sunni Arab parties that refused to participate in the election said Saturday they want to take part in the drafting of a permanent constitution — a chief task of the new National Assembly.
The representatives of these political bodies that did not participate in the elections have decided in principle to take part in the writing of the permanent constitution in a suitable way," a statement from the group said. "

What this demonstrates is that the Sunnis realized that boycotting the election was about the WORST thing they could have done, and are now scrambling to become involved in the process of drafting the constitution. They know that being involved in the democracy is the best way to protect their interests.

So, while not a great prediction, prior to a Shiite majority proclaiming their version of Islamic law for Iraq in the constitution, there wold be a civil war. Neither of these will happen, however. These groups will have to learn to work together because of the ratification process.

These reports and predictions of doom are no different than the other predictions that said there was no way we'd meet any of the deadlines we had set for an interim government or an election.

For being less than 2 years after the initial invasion, I'd say things are going remarkably well. Violence still? Most certainly. There will continue to be so. This does nt mean that the process does not continue.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

You're right there. As we've seen, truth matters not. It's all about appearances.

As it has been in politics and will continue to be so for all eternity. A sad reality, but one that I am willing to admit goes throughout the system and is not limited to one party.

[Ghoulish Delight]

And we've still failed to meet the primary goal of creating a stable military and police force.

Don't foget the veto power. Mainly intended to give the formerly independent Kurds a voice, any 3 provinces can group together and veto the constitution once drafted. One would hope that the threat of that happening will be a moderating force in the drafting process. However, one also fears that if it comes to a point where that power IS used, possibly by the Sunni, civil war won't be far behind.

[SacTown Chronic]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

For being less than 2 years after the initial invasion, I'd say things are going remarkably well.

What did I miss...have we found WMD?

[wendybeth]

I'm just enjoying the fact that Scaeagles admits we invaded another country....

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

As it has been in politics and will continue to be so for all eternity. A sad reality, but one that I am willing to admit goes throughout the system and is not limited to one party.

I think we all have to admit that.

Who's willing to work to change it? I think that's the greater question.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

I think we all have to admit that.

Who's willing to work to change it? I think that's the greater question.

That's a difficult question. I know I am frequently more in tune with how to play it to the advantage I desire, and that is most certainly a fault.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I'm just enjoying the fact that Scaeagles admits we invaded another country....

And I have ever denied this? Of course we invaded Iraq!

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

And I have ever denied this? Of course we invaded Iraq!

But, I thought we were just continuing a war from the prior decade....I can't believe the US would invade a sovereign nation! Whatever will the world think of us? Isn't the party line that hostilities were merely on hold- that this is just a continuation of the Desert Storm action?

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

That's a difficult question. I know I am frequently more in tune with how to play it to the advantage I desire, and that is most certainly a fault.

Ah, I wouldn't beat myself up too bad about it. I think there's a thread of that kind of thinking running through all of us. It does tend to lead to the kind of adversarial behavior we have running through our society these days and that's unfortunate.