Iraqi Constitution Seems "Assured of Passage"
The AP is reporting that the Iraqi constitution seems assured of passage, given that "no" votes were significantly lower than expected in some of in provinces the Sunnis were counting on.
Seems that two things may have been going on: (1) The MSM has played up -- or overplayed -- the volume and level of Sunni opposition in order to maximize the sense of crisis and difficulty in Iraq. Exhibit A for this theory would be this sub-headline in today's LA Times, written yesterday: "Turnout is reported to be heavy in a Sunni Arab city recovering from fighting last year. Sentiment seems to be against the constitution."
The other theory? (2) Sunnis themselves kept quiet about their support for the constitution, fearing reprisal or other social punishment if their support were too public.
In any case, if the vote holds up, congratulations are due both to the Iraqi people and to President George W. Bush, for having the foresight and persistence to continue to see the process through.
Seems that two things may have been going on: (1) The MSM has played up -- or overplayed -- the volume and level of Sunni opposition in order to maximize the sense of crisis and difficulty in Iraq. Exhibit A for this theory would be this sub-headline in today's LA Times, written yesterday: "Turnout is reported to be heavy in a Sunni Arab city recovering from fighting last year. Sentiment seems to be against the constitution."
The other theory? (2) Sunnis themselves kept quiet about their support for the constitution, fearing reprisal or other social punishment if their support were too public.
In any case, if the vote holds up, congratulations are due both to the Iraqi people and to President George W. Bush, for having the foresight and persistence to continue to see the process through.
posted by LadybugUSA at 10:54 AM
2 Comments:
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraq's constitution seemed assured of passage Sunday despite strong opposition from Sunni Arabs, who turned out in surprisingly high numbers in an effort to reject it.--the first line in the AP article Carol linked to.
Let's see, the Sunnis turn out in "surprisingly high numbers." They do so to reject the proposed constitution which they strongly oppsoed. Yet, as Carol noted (and almost the only thing she correctly took away from the story), the constitution is going to be passed. This serves to demonstrate to the Sunnis that they have no political power within the new Iraq.
Given that the Sunni majority regions are the home of the insurgency, I'm sure proof of Sunni political impotency is going to go over well, and form the cornerstone for a new peaceful Iraq. This is the basis for the second paragrpah of the story cited...
The constitution's apparent victory was muted, though, by the prospect that the result might divide the country further.
On the bright side, however, the Administration, Carol, and the rest of the right wing now have yet another new corner that they can claim we have turned. Happy, happy, joy, joy.
The people decide not the elite, the MSM should report, not make up stories.
Post a Comment
<< Home