I'm shocked, shocked . . .

that that the Iraqi constitution is proving more difficult to resolve that we hoped. The U.S. is pressing for compromise, as it should, but I hope it isn't dictating too many terms. Maybe we should give them a list of the basic requirements. That would spur a national debate in the U.S. and maybe the Iraqis could fight it out politically.

Some are saying this dooms the GWOT to failure. It has always been touch and go, but I'm not ready to throw in the towel. If our ambassador is pressuring to allow the primacy of Islamic Law, he should be recalled and told to knock it off. If he isn't, this is a negotiating ploy.

This brings up one of the internal contradictions in Islam. It has no priesthood and says that all Muslims are equal. But I don't think that the Koran specifies who should rule and who should be the judge under Sharia law. Therefore, like Christianity and Judahism, the scholars have moved in to fill the void and become inordinately powerful and autocratic. The Kurds are right to worry about Islamic Law being adopted by the state, unless it is decoupled from the various flavors of Islam. The concept of Dhimmitude should be abolished. We want the Sunnis to be involved but not to dominate everybody else.