What Are the Iraqis Voting on on Saturday?

So last minute changes to the proposed constitution, which Iraqis are voting on on Saturday, October 15. Having glanced at a few stories about these changes to the charter, I just have to ask: What, exactly, are Iraqis voting on, in three days? Is it the draft that has been widely circulated, or that draft supplemented by these new agreements, or do these new agreements completely supplant the draft . . . in which case, the vote is on, what? An agreement to substantially revise the charter after December. Is that a constitution? Really?

I'm not sure anyone knows the answer to this question (re: what the Iraqis are voting on). Given the rules of the game, the constitution is sure to pass (remember, it takes 2/3 votes against in three provinces to defeat the constitution!). But what, exactly, will that mean? That the whole framework has to be renegotiated, again.

Then why vote? Oh, wait, I think I get it . . . .