Basra Voters Say it is Time for Soldiers to Go

[LynnTheDem]

"I do not like seeing foreign soldiers on our streets, they should go."

Zainab and her friend Zahra, 37, are both deeply apprehensive about the effect the constitution will have on women's rights. Since "liberation" by US-led forces they have seen the growth in the power of Muslim clerics and the diminishing power of choice.

...

There are, however, significant doubts about the religious nature of the new constitution, and even those who want the British to leave Iraq for nationalistic reasons are deeply concerned at the prospect of being left in the hands of the Islamist militias.

"It is written by Islamists for Islamists", declared Adil, an academic. "I have looked through this and there is nothing there for a secular person like me.

"But I shall be voting 'yes' because if it is rejected I know there are groups who are ready to use that as an excuse to break away the south from the rest of Iraq as a separate state where the Iranians will have huge influence. I don't like the constitution but it is the only option left now."
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article318609.ece

The more things change, the more things stay the same...only worse.

[purduejake]

1. Another theocratic state...

is just what the world needs.

[LynnTheDem]

2. With LESS FREEDOM than they had under Hussein.

When bush fucks up -and he ALWAYS fucks up- he REALLY FUCKS UP.

[purduejake]

3. Precisely...

And if you don't think hangings, lashings, and torture will be part of normal government operations if a Constitution is ever ratified...

[LynnTheDem]

4. Hangings, lashings and torture are already officially condoned in Iraq.

The "president" himself summarily shot dead 6 "suspected terrorists"; men who hadn't been charged, hadn't had any trial, hadn't had any legal representation.

America; worse than Saddam Hussein. Ain't that a bitch.

[purduejake]

7. It's now a free society, right?

You can do whatever you want.

[LynnTheDem]

8. Exactly. They're free to rape, murder, torture...just like the US govt.

Torture For All.

[Oversea Visitor]

5. Iraq

the reality that wont go away. The world watch this living testimony of what US really is like today.

Whose fault??

[Oerdin]

6. The Mahdi militia

Controls most of Basrah's political scene. They're basicly an armed group of thugs who have a history of summarially executing political rivals, religious decenters, and anyone they don't like. Don't think that just because they're against the UK and US that they're some type of freedom fighter or good guy. Sadr is a shit bag who would happily make himself the next dictator if he could. Of course he can't and the country will decend into civil war the moment the foreign troops leave.

If we're very lucky it the Shia and Kurds will stay united and the Sunnis will only continue with a low intensity civil war and if we're not lucky then a three way civil war complete with Nicaraguan style death squads will be in the offing. Predictable yes, but, nothing to gloat over.

[Disturbed]

9. al Sadr controls Basrah?

Does anyone think that Bushco cares who controls Iraq, as long as they allow Multi-Natls., mainly Amerikan and UK do business there? Does the RW of Amerika care about civil rights for Amerikans, much less Iraqis?

[julianer]

10. Rubbish

If you don't actually 'know' anything about Iraq beyond right wing propaganda it is best not to hold forth on the subject, I would have thought.

Sadr is a 'thug', engages in 'summary execution', not a 'freedom fighter'(?). He is a 'shit bag', a 'dictator', who is precipitating 'civil war'. Hmmmm, where have I heard all this before?

These are, I suppose, reasonable opinions if you are ignorant. But there is no need for you to be neck deep in such lack or understanding.

PS - the deaths squads are already there, organised by Mr Negroponte, and are attacking Sadr's forces.