Since the war started, Iraqis who have worked for the Americans are in an extremely precarious position in their own country. Many Iraqis who work in the Green Zone have had to lie about what they are doing entering or exiting the Green Zone when asked by their "fellow" Iraqis. "I am just looking for my brother who disappeared," is a common refrain. These people are risking their lives to support us and yet when they need help from us, nothing.
Many Republicans continue to support the war because otherwise would be a "betrayal of the Iraqi people." Yet how many of these same Republicans are willing to let Iraqis immigrate to our country? The attitude among some Republicans appears to be, "Whoa, hold on there a minute, buddy. I know you acted as a translator for us in Baghdad at great risk to yourself and your family but, see, you are a little too dark to be allowed into these here United States. Plus, we really can't be sure you are not a terrorist in disguise."
A Democratic congressman from Oregon is sponsoring a bill that would allow more Iraqi immigrants to enter the United States. Damn those Democrats, supporting even more immigration! (Um, sorry, I guess I was channeling my inner-Rush Limbaugh there for a second. Won't happen again.) Currently, an Iraqi seeking to come to the United States has no chance of making it over here without a strong personal advocate.
Wouldn't it show enormous goodwill on our part to allow Iraqis to access our health care and our universities and just the rest of our society? Wouldn't that help win some hearts and minds?
Also, do we really want to be known as a country that fenced Iraqis out in their time of great need?
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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3 comments:
Wait a sec.
Are we supposed to stay in Iraq and help them or are we supposed end the war and go home?
Further - objections to the immigration of , in this case, Iraqis - it's not about skin color. It's about the unrelenting, pervasive and insidious nature of radical extremists who have no problem putting on a good act to get where they can do the most damage to the west. And I absolutely understand and realize that doesn't apply to all Iraqis or all Moslems.
But since Islam says it is perfectly a-ok to lie in order to destroy the infidels (that's you and me, remember), it really is extraordinarily unsafe to trust the wolf in sheep's clothing just because gee whiz, we don't want to offend anyone.
Earlier in the week when I was in Buffalo I was listening to a Canadian radio station. They were interviewing an Iraqi immigrant who arrived there a few months earlier. Apparently our northern neighbor is doing a better job than we are.
I don't know, Karyn. If what you are saying is true, then Republicans should say that winning the war in Iraq is all about ego. And not about helping the people of Iraq.
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