Libya to Have Sharia Law Constitution

Now that the battle for Libya appears to be nearly over, the attention turns to how they are going to govern themselves. Of course, as a sovereign nation, they are entitled to make their own decisions on what form of government they desire. If they wish to install another dictator they may do so. If they want to have a constitutional republic, that is their choice. And if they wish to have a government that is based on religion, while probably not good for western interests, they can do that too.

It is beginning to look like the Libyan rebels, now that they are in charge (or nearly so), are going to base their constitution, at least in part, on Sharia Law.

But despite the Lockean tenor of much of the constitution, the inescapable clause lies right in Part 1, Article 1: “Islam is the Religion of the State, and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence (Sharia).” Under this constitution, in other words, islam is law. That other phrases such as “there shall be no crime or penalty except by virtue of the law” and “Judges shall be independent, subject to no other authority by law and conscience” a bit more ominous. (Source: Heritage Blog)

Why I bring this up is that when a nation bases their laws on Sharia, it tends to be very anti-democratic and very little concern for human rights, especially those who are not muslim. Democracy and human rights is something the US takes very seriously; or at least used to.

I am not suggesting that Gadhafi should have remained in power. He was a brutal dictator who used oil money to support terrorism across the global. He needed to go.

But maybe the Obama administration should have done a little more due diligence before committing US forces to the NATO alliance that was supporting the rebels. It not as if there has not been evidence that Islamic forces were not part of the rebel group. It would be a shame if we just spent $1 billion only to turn over the government to a group of people who truly do not like us.

Is it possible that President Obama has miscalculated yet again? The Arab Spring has not turn out quite like the left had envisioned. Egypt has fallen under Muslim Brotherhood control and people by the hundreds are dying in Syria. I think it shows just how naïve Obama can be when it comes to foreign policy.