# Did the US Constitution have a deadline? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 14, 2005, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-constitution-have-a-deadline/316934 "2005-08-14T05:10:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-constitution-have-a-deadline/316934/21 "2005-08-23T15:57:53Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > If their constitution holds them together for 72 years, then they have a four year civil year, then it holds them together again for 140 years, I will view it as a resounding success, just as I view the U.S. Constitution. Well said! The deadline being imposed on the Iraqi framers is artificial, as virtually all deadlines are, but it might have some beneficial effects. A deadline \*does \* concentrate the mind, and given the many divisive issues with which the Iraqis must deal in drafting their constitution, that’s probably for the best. People are dying in Iraq every day as the insurgency grinds on and on, and if a spiffy new constitution pleases a majority of the country \*and \* takes some of the wind out of the sails of the insurgents, so much the better. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-constitution-have-a-deadline/316934/22 "2005-08-24T01:38:42Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > _and with all of the windows closed to preserve the secrecy of the deliberations_ > > My, how things have changed. > > If the US Constitution was being drafted today, it would take forever. With TV, the Internet, and cell phones, the delegates would be so distracted, they would be still be stuck on the Preamble! “Do you think freedom of speech should be in the Constitution? Take our web-poll and tell us what you think!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-constitution-have-a-deadline/316934.md?page=1)