When You Hear The Words "Brace Brace", Please Assume the Crash Position

As the latest bad news about the proposed Iraqi constitution filters in, some strangely divergent responses have been elicited. The most popular seems to be "if only the czar knew." Both LGF's Charles Johnson and the Instapundit advise us to tell the powers that be not to accept shari'a as the source of family law in Iraq. The powers that be, being, obviously...those perfidious Francophiles in Foggy Bottom! (Such as, you know, Secretary of State Rice?) Because, naturally, it's ridiculous to think that George Bush himself would be directing US foreign policy (and, to give the "if the czar knew" crowd some credit, it is pretty ridiculous). If he knew what those Cossacks were doing, there would be hell to pay!

The second response may be thought of as the patented Mickey Kaus "would a full-scale civil war actually be so bad--just askin'?!" gambit. Which is just a lame variation on the standard partisan "it's all good" move, though one with a veneer of independent-mindedness. True to ostensibly judicious form, the Instapundit hits this gong as well: "ANOTHER UPDATE:  The Sunnis don't like it either.  That may actually be good news -- or evidence that there are wheels within wheels here." Yeah, wheels within wheels---like a fox with wheels! Really outdoing himself in this sphere is Reuel Gerecht, who matches his surprise that there haven't been many revenge killings in Iraq (!?) with his old-school, 19th-century understanding of what democracy is all about:

It certainly seems clear that in protecting the political rights, there's no discussion of women not having the right to vote.  I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then.  In 1900, women did not have the right to vote.  If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled.  I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy.  We hope they're there.  I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective.

As a feminist, I hope I speak for all my Iraqi sisters when I say, "fuck you to the power of 10,000, you weaselly bastard." Besides, in the words of the czar:

They're not going to develop that [an Islamic regime].  And the reason I can say that is because I am very aware of this basic law they're writing.  They're not going to develop that, because right here in the Oval Office, I sat down with Mr. Pachachi and Chalabi and al-Hakim, people from different parts of the country that have made the firm commitment that they want a constitution eventually written that recognizes minority rights and freedom of religion.

Yeah, and if Chalabi says something, you can take that to the bank, because...

I'm getting a drink.

Comments

[djw]

. I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then

Um, no.

I like the new instapundit rhetorical strategy. From now on, whenever someone points out some fatal flaw or devastating consequence of one of my various schemes, I'll just smile knowingly and say "wheels within wheels, my friend, wheels within wheels."

[almostinfamous]

you totally killed my blog like a conservative day prank now, belle.

now i actually have to do work to come up with a non-obvious self parodying post.

[jayann]

As a feminist, I hope I speak for all my Iraqi sisters when I say, "fuck you to the power of 10,000, you weaselly bastard."

Hear Hear!

[rob helpy-chalk]

And you know, in 1800 the US still had slavery and was for some reason still counted as a democracy. Maybe we should introduce that to Iraq.

[rented mule]

I hope this question isn't -too- stupid, but I noticed you linking to an older piece by The Editors, and I was wondering how you found it. The Poorman's archives don't work, and I can't find "How to Boil Water" on Google...which makes me sad...

[belle waring]

rented mule, i just googled some stuff i was sure was in the post, and i got one 404 link and one (identical but) working link...not sure what the deal is there.

[Cags]

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