And Just Before the Iraq Parliament Takes the Summer Off, They'll Elect Jughead Jones as Prime Minister
So you're a war-torn, occupied Middle Eastern country that's going down the crapper faster than an Extra Value Meal from the Baghdad McDonald's.
You can't go to Disneyworld just yet–fighting in the Sunni Triangle has pushed back the opening of any theme park by a couple of decades. But you can take a two-month recess, which is exactly what the Iraqi government is thinking about doing come July, regardless of what the hell is going on.
That notion has incensed U.S. pols, who themselves are known for working short hours and traveling a good chunk of the summer to escape the malaria-ridden swamps of this nation's capitol:
"If they go off on vacation for two months while our troops fight—that would be the outrage of outrages," said Rep. Chris Shays, a Republican.
The Iraq parliament's recess, starting this July, would likely come without Baghdad politicians reaching agreements considered key to easing sectarian tensions. Examples include regulating distribution of the country's oil wealth and reversing measures that have excluded many Sunnis from jobs and government positions because of Baath party membership….
"That is not acceptable," Republican Sen. John Warner said of a two-month recess. "An action of that consequence would send a very bad signal to the world that they don't have the resolve that matches the resolve of the brave troops that are fighting in the battle today."
What's the US Congress's summer looking like?
Congress leaves for four weeks each August and takes a week off, sometimes more, around prominent holidays. Lawmakers frequently adjourn for the August recess without reaching agreements on important legislation.