SHIITE DEMOCRACY AND KOSHER PORK ROAST

In the aftermath of Iraqi parliamentary elections, violence continues to spread across that nation.  Thousands of people are demonstrating against the election results; and,  just yesterday,  more than 17 people were gunned down during post-election disputes.  Iraqi Christians, who have been completely forgotten in this mess ducked and celebrated Christmas.

The Sunnis are accusing the religious fundamentalists of rigging the elections.  The Kurds are biding their time until the Sunnis and Shiites are so distracted by their hatred for one another that they, the Kurds, will be able to declare their own independent nation.

Sunnis voted for Sunnis. Kurds voted for Kurds.  And Shiites voted for Shiites, which of course gives them a majority, although not the two-thirds majority necessary for the Iraqis to have a functioning government.  However, enough of a majority so that the Shiites can appoint a Shiite Prime Minister who will declare a Shiite Democracy.  Can you spell "oxymoron?"

Shiite democracy:  Equal rights for fundamentalist religious males.   Marginalization and oppression for non-fundamentalist Iraqis, secular Iraqis, agnostics,  atheists,  people of other religions, all women and gays and lesbians.   A democracy in which the constitution and constitutional law are second in authority to a holy book of fairy tales, myths and superstitions.

Something that George W. Bush will likely envy rather than disapprove.

Shiite democracy?  Is that like Kosher Pork Roast?

Richard Rothstein
New York City
http://rjr10036.typepad.com