The Common Ills: No election law -- meaning Othman's a gasbag, not an 'expert'

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

No election law -- meaning Othman's a gasbag, not an 'expert'

The religious observance of Eid al-Adha was four days last week. Chia Hassan, spokesperson for Kirkuk's Health Department, told Kirkuk Now that 351 babies were born in Kirkuk Province during the four holy days. The festival is over. Where's that election law?

Didn't independent MP Mahmoud Othman declare repeatedly ahead of Eid that, as soon as the holiday wrapped up, the election law would pass the Parliament?

Yeah, he did, "Independent" chose to appoint himself spokesperson for the KDP and PUK. Dropping back to the October 15th snapshot:

That was sent to the public e-mail account for this site from an official with the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party -- one of the two dominant parties in the KRG -- the other being Gorran) with the note that "Othman does not speak for the KDP."

"That" refers to a KDP press release which included:

The Prime Minister also spoke about the forthcoming 2014 parliamentary elections in Iraq and the election law which is currently under discussion in the Council of Representatives in Baghdad. He said it is important to ensure that the rights of all groups are recognised in the new election law. He said, ‘Commitment to the Iraqi Constitution is a key factor for good governance, the implementation of genuine federalism and partnership and in promoting and protecting the political process in Iraq.’

Well, maybe it will pass today? All Iraq News reports the political blocs are meeting to discuss the bill. Of course, MP Mohsin al-Sa'adoun who serves on Parliament's Legal Committee states that this is just a discussion and no agreement will be reached today. State of Law MP Hadi al-Yasiri declares that since "the Kurdistani Alliance is not satisfied over the amendment of the Elections law," they will --as the Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi has previously insisted, use the old elections law.

I think we repeatedly warned that the rosy assumption that everyone would go along with that proposal seemed to exist with the idea of another country and not Iraq where every vote is a struggle. (For example, October 14th: "Currently, the Parliament can't agree on a law but somehow, magic?, they're all going to agree with Osama al-Nujaifi's announcement that a previous law can be used? That seems pretty pie in the sky for a country that is always 'turning a corner' to listen to the spinners but whose government continues the same death march it began in 2006.") And NINA reports today that KRG President Massoud Barzani has declared the previous law was a failure and unfair and that a new law is needed. There is a threat being floated that the KRG will boycott the elections. For those who don't know, Massoud Barzani isn't 'independent' like Othman -- in addition to being president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Barzani also heads the Kurdish Democratic Party -- the same politicl party with the official who wrote the public e-mail account for this site to note Othman did not not speak for the KDP.

What does 'expert' Othman have to say today? All Iraq News quotes him on security. Strangely, the western media darling who's always so smart (according to western media) has nothing to say about the election law -- the one he insisted would be passed by now.

By the way, expect more delays on that law. Alsumaria reports cleric and movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr is calling for a variety of features including open lists.

We'll table Nouri until the snapshot this evening. Let's turn the violence he breeds. National Iraqi News Agency reports 1 person was shot dead in Shiftah Village, an Aljisir Village bombing left two people injured, and a Mosul roadside bombing claimed the lives of 3 police officers with a fourth injured. Alsumaria notes an attack on a Ramadi checkpoint left 4 police officers dead.

The following community sites -- plus Marcia's "Does the US really need lectures from a British Socialist?" which isn't showing up as well as non-community sites Antiwar.com, Pacifica Evening News, Cindy Sheehan, Adam Kokesh, Ms. magazine's blog, Black Agenda Report, The NewsHour and NPR music -- updated last night and today: