Happy for the Mess

Well, the new draft of the Iraqi Constitution appears to be a mess, and, quote honestly, I couldn’t be happier.

I’m glad that the three factions are banging heads, slowly and painfully working out compromises that will let the Constitution go forward, yet leaving opportunity for more negitiation and more change.

I’m glad that the people appear to be involved in the process, as any Constitution drafted by a bunch of men in a closed room all by themselves isn’t worth its own weight in toilet paper.

I’m glad that the people working on this Constitution are more aware of human rights than were our founders. I’m glad that it won’t take 130 years for everyone to have equal access to their government nor will it take more than that for women to be able to vote freely.

I’m glad that we have a President who is willing ot take the soul-searing decision to put American men and women between this infant democracy and the people who are doing their dead level best to strangle it in its crib. I’m glad that we have men and women who realize the importance of what they’re doing and do it for no other reason than its their job.

I know that this draft is far from perfect, but its far from a disaster. It is, in short, the sort of Constitution I would expect from a brand-new democracy learning what democracy really is all about. So as we read in the coming weeks about the difficulties the Iraqis are having and how their Constitution is so very small and pitiful compared to ours, let’s remember one thing. It took us over 230 years to get what we want them to have in a month.

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Category: Our Foreign Policy