OlderAngelina Jolie: We Have a Moral Obligation to Help Iraqi Refugees
We have finally reached a point where humanitarian assistance, from us and others, can have an impact.
UNHCR goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie visited Iraq earlier this month and penned her experience for The Washington Post.
Here are some excerpts from Angie’s excellent opinion piece: “During my trip I also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has announced the creation of a new committee to oversee issues related to internally displaced people, and a pledge of $40 million to support the effort.
“My visit left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis.
“Today’s humanitarian crisis in Iraq — and the potential consequences for our national security — are great. Can the United States afford to gamble that 4 million or more poor and displaced people, in the heart of Middle East, won’t explode in violent desperation, sending the whole region into further disorder?”
Read the full article at WashingtonPost.com.
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588 Comments
Whoaaaaa, Francesca. Maybe you should simmer down.
It’s understandable that you are proud of your mother and want to defend her but I suggest that if you don’t want others to comment on your mother stories when you want to use her as an example and reason to deny assistance to others in need of help, then just don’t use her as an example.
Sorry, honey, but you invite an analysis of your mother’s story by bringing her here and using her to make your point.
There is NO way that your mom came to the US with $3 dollars and somehow survived with no food or shelter until she could get a job. There was a LOT of help and good feelings for the Cubans who came to this country during the post Castro years. I grew up in Florida (by way of NY) and I remember it all very well. I realize that these stories are wonderful for families to tell but they always include a bit of puffery and exaggeration. That doesn’t take anything away from your mother. It just puts her life in the realm of reality. I would have a lot of questions just like other posters but since you are clearly taking it too personally I’ll leave it alone.
May I suggest that you leave your mother’s life and her immigration to the US from Cuba out of this discussion. It is in no way comparable to the lives of people bombed out of their homes living under constant threat of death. And since you don’t know the personal lives of other posters on this board perhaps you should also refrain from suggesting they can’t compare to your mother just because they question you.
Peace.
Why are we always surprised at the hate spewed by thes haters against Angier when she is again and again acknowledged for the good thatshe does,her intelligence, her ability to love and make Brad happy and their beautiful family. Jealousy is an evil thing and these haters are nothing but evil. Poor Jen with fans like these she does not need any enemies. God Bless the Jolie Pitts and the good they do in this world.
Hey PT…
This was their initial run-in. Angie was on her way out of town but she wanted to visit Jesse’s grave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn51GV1OFdI&feature=related
There is a new BRAD thread y’all!!!!!
Great work Angie. You are truly a beautiful person. Brad so darn lucky to find Angie and Angie to find Brad.
Blessings to Jolie-Pitt Family
The bottom line is that Angie makes Brad HAPPY. Jennifer couldn’t.
If you can’t see this after three years, then I’m afraid there is no hope for you.
Great responses, Groundcontrol & Lylian to oscar s ea son……!!!!!!
Hey PT…
This is from the 02/15 episode. Since the run-in at the cemetary, Jesse’s been trying his damnedest to get out of Pine Valley. Tad is, sort of, helping him in between convincing him to let Angie know that he is alive. Jesse was hiding in Tad’s basement but Crystal accidentally locked him in; coincidentially, Angie was on her way out of town and Crystal asked her whether she wanted to stay there, since the house was near the airport or something.
Anyway, Jesse was trapped; Crystal and Angie were oblivious to Jesse’s presence. Angie left for the airport; Tad discovered that Jesse didn’t sneak out of the house as planned. Eventually, Crystal found out about Jesse and Jesse warned Tad and Crystal not to tell Angie or it would be just the same as putting a bullet in Angie’s head.
Tad and Jesse go to the train depot; Crystal finds Angie’s wallet and plane ticket and takes it to her. Because of a flight delay, Crystal convinces Angie to take the train instead.
These scenes are of Angie changing plans… the beginning of the reunion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RhBvcTdXmY&feature=related
This is the highlights from the 02/18/08 episode.
Back in each other’s arms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5wvilO7_yo&feature=related
NEW THREAD
to francesca,
my mother went to med school in Spain but did her residency and fellowships at state universities here in the states. it was during her fellowship that she became a US citizen…..i’m sure that finishing her medical education and licensing here in the states made it easier for her. whereas, someone who does everything (education, residency, etc abroad) might have a harder time. good news is, med school is the pricey part and that can be done more inexpensively overseas….just do the rest of the stuff here and get paid while doing it.
groundcontrol,
another poster brought up Cuba refugees to me not realizing, i’m sure, that i might have personal history with all that. it’s not a random subject matter that was plucked out of the clear blue sky.
it’s amazing that you lecture me on suposing things about other posters (which i have at no time done), while simultaneously spouting what you seem to think are facts regarding several different things regarding my own history. perhaps, you come from a family of boasters and tale tail tellers but i don’t. my family doesn’t have to brag or make up stories or elaborations. they speak simple truths.
now, since you were not part of the original conversation and because all you wish to do is belittle and try to accuse me of lying….you’ll have to excuse me from not addressing you further. think what you want. i’m sure you only have your experience to reference. obviously, your experiences and personal examples were far less awe inspiring then mine. sorry about that.
what a beautiful soul , angelina has. t hanks jared!
What a beautiful & compassionate woman. Angie, you are the best. God bless you & your family always.
# 141 mmmjustsaayin @ 02/28/2008 at 4:04 pm
BUT SHE STILL CHICKENED OUT OF MEETING X….bwahaha all show and NO GO!!!
——————————————
Seriously, what sensible person actually believes this?
Tabloids make up all kinds of **** about these two and BP/AJ know it. Why go into a trap set by them on purpose? Just so the tabs could spin a whole bunch of bullshit that isn’t true anyway? LOL That’s not very smart. Obviously they didn’t want to play the game. If X really wants to meet them or needs ‘closure’ that can be done privately sans snoopy gossip writers and tab queens. The funny thing is they never even committed to being there…HAHAHA. Brad’s rep stated they would decide last minute whether to go or not.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
B&A had more reason to be at the Indy Spirit Awards and knowing Angie was pregnant they must have decided to skip the party. They didn’t need to be there and they prob thought two function in one afternoon/evening in those heels were too much for her. Plus she needed to be home sorting out moving a whole caravan of house and kids to Texas. Who has time for the frivolities of life when there are real issues to deal with?
Francesca @ 02/28/2008 at 3:31 pm MyEyeisonu,
You mention Cuba….my mother is from Cuba. ,,,,(Blah Blah Blah) ……….Like I said, kudos to Angelina but she accepted an important job. She wants to be considered credible and so she should come up with real solutions instead of just happy endings.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXFrancesca, don’t be an ass. that’s not the job the UNHCR asked her to do. They asked her to BRING AWARENESS TO THE PROBLEM, and that’s exactly what she is doing. That’s how mindless twits like you come to be gabbing about a serious isues. The only thing is you are lacking understanding.
OMG, What the **** are you americans doing in Iraq? What the hell are you doing there???? I’ll tell you - it’s oil contaracts. Beacause of the ******* Americans wanting to control the world millions of innocent people died. And ms. Jolie can do nothing about it.
Have you ever asked yourself - why your troops are there in Iraq?? Have you ever asked yourself? And the war continues. At first you thousands of people killed and misplaced and then you think how to solve this humanitarian dusaster? OMG, you just never had a war on your territory.
She’s bringing awareness to the problem… OMG… She’s just an actress. And everything concerning your national interests is controlled on the top of the hierarchy. There’s no way she can tell what she thinks. If she could she would say America should stop the war. All this is cencored. When was the last time you tried to analyse what you so-called free media is writing?I’ll tell you - you’ re all brainwashed. There’s no free media in America.
Go to hell @ 02/29/2008 at 3:04 pm
She’s bringing awareness to the problem… OMG… She’s just an actress.
__________________________________________
You DO know that a person who was “just an actor” is the Governor of California now, don’t you?
You DO know that a person who was “just an actor” became the President of the U.S., don’t you?
459 laydidah @ 02/28/2008 at 10:17 pm
Look I’m not a fan of Jennifer Aniston,…but to say she was only ever considered A-List because of Brad is ridiculous. She was the star of one of the most famous shows in history.
She was huge before Brad. What about the ‘Rachel’ haircut.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You honestly think, if she hadn’t been married to Brad Pitt, she would have still gotten the attention she did?
Where’s the cast of Seinfield?
What’s the rest of the cast of Friends? Are they all enjoying the same success post Friends? Even Aniston? No. And none of them got the press she did when the show was on. Why? As you so succinctly put it, a haircut and I’m succinctly putting it, Brad Pitt.
She hated being known for her haircut and the fact, that is all people talked about. She something to the effect of, if that’s all people are talking about in regards to her career, than she’s doing something wrong.
Is Aniston working with TRUE A-Listers? Actors and directors? No.
Oops. That should read, Where’s the rest of the cast of Friends?
And she said something to the effect of.
So Francesca, care to respond?
‘coalharbourqt @ 02/28/2008 at 9:43 pm an oldie #423 - And knowing how hard it was (if true), why would anyone begrudge another a hand up? People who have truly gone through hard times are generally the first to offer that hand up to another, in my observation.’
Francesca, your mother sounds like a lovely woman who worked really hard to give you (her child) a much better life… it’s unfortunate that a bit of humility and grace didn’t rub off on you.
To black - you know the score here, and don’t pretend otherwise. If someone gets on my nerves, I change the channel, flip the page etc. You have a choice - if you choose to stick around and be ‘annoyed’, well, nobody is going to give you any sympathy for that, especially when others died to give you that freedom! Too bad we can’t do that with you here… well you’ll be on mental ‘ignore’ from now on.
to hello, new brad thread etc.
If some of us want to continue the discussion here about this issue, that is our business… whatsa matter, frustrated that there aren’t more people on the other thread to play ‘troll’ with? Because we know darn well that any fan who has been around here for a bit knows that sometimes the regulars will keep a thread going if the topic is interesting. Now why don’t you run along and go play outside, okay hon?
BBL I have a busy afternoon/evening planned
Angie is using her fame to give light & noticed to the world the flight of the refugees. We should all be proud of her, she takes the time & effort to help those who needs help. More power Brad & Angie.
Mr & Mrs. Smith and you really think Reagan wasn’t a marionette??? Do you really think he ruled the country? May be you’d better go and learn who were those people who helped him become a president?
And who’s lobby mr. Schwarzenegger is??
I don’t want to humiliate ms. Jolie in any way. This woman knows the rules and she knows what game she’ s playing. But enough is enough. The world is TIRED of all this wars that your marionette presidents began. We had the war in Kosovo, Afganistan and now Iraq. What country is the next? What are the next oil abundant countries you’ll occupate? And don’t forget to send ms. jolie to talk about refugee crises then. She’s very poignant talking about innocent victims but completely missing the point how to stop this crime.
It is in the US best interests to help rebuild Iraq. Part of the rebuilding process is providing SCHOOLS for the children, so that they can become literate and better understand their own country and the world around them.
It is common knowledge that refugee CHILDREN specifically are prime targets for terrorist organizations. The terrorist organizations will offer the children an EDUCATION (biased, but an education) as well as shelter and food, and then groom them to become terrorists. So if you want to stop the cycle of terrorism, you have to step up and offer them a decent life and education so that they will learn the difference between living a good and decent life or becoming a terrorist.
The worst thing that the US could do right now is abandon the Iraqi people. $177 million a day to run a war that has destroyed a country is a tragedy - $177 million a day to rebuild a country into a better and stronger foothold in the Middle East is an INVESTMENT in the people of Iraq and in a more stable Middle East.
Please tell me that even those who don’t like Angelina Jolie can understand THIS. As they say, don’t shoot the messenger!!
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thank you!!! I could not have said it better myself.
you obviously lack reading comprehension. The war is afact. The issue is not how America got there but how america will get out and not abandon the refugees created by this war.
As in most wars, most of the refugees are children, they did not start this war, they are not responsible. That is all she is trying to do asa UN abassador is point out the problem not articulate asolution.
Her opinion piece is no different than a lot of opinion piece. It is an opinion not a directive or demand as she is well aware she does not ahve that power.
This is not a game, it is real life and real people.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-drakejolie.0229,0,4291933.story
(Well done AJ on your Washington Op Piece. Mainstream media is always behind of news that matters).
Thelma Drake wants Angelina Jolie to testify on Iraq
BY DAVID LERMAN | 202-824-8224
WASHINGTON - Virginia Rep. Thelma Drake has a new idea to maintain congressional support for the war in Iraq: Call in Angelina Jolie.
The movie star — half of the “Brangelina” power couple that rules Hollywood — recently returned from Iraq in her role as a United Nations goodwill ambassador.
In an op-ed piece for the Washington Post, Jolie called for increased humanitarian support to help Iraqi refugees and said last year’s surge of troops appears to be working.
Drake, a Norfolk Republican, is pushing to get Jolie to testify to the House Armed Services Committee.
“Sadly, Ms. Jolie’s positive perspective on the current security situation in Iraq has gone largely unnoticed by the mainstream press,” Drake wrote in a letter to Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., the committee chairman.
“Ms. Jolie’s experience as a U.N. goodwill ambassador has given her the opportunity to travel to Iraq, speak with our military leadership and gain a ground-view understanding of how our long-term strategic objectives in Iraq and the region are met,” Drake said.
“As co-chair of the Human Trafficking Caucus, I too share Ms. Jolie’s concerns about the humanitarian aspects of the conflict in Iraq and the well-being of the refugees in neighboring countries.”
Drake added, “I believe the membership of our committee would gain crucial insight into another important aspect of the conflict from Ms. Jolie’s testimony.”
Asking celebrities to testify before Congress is hardly unusual. Many Hollywood figures routinely parade themselves before various committees in pursuit of funding for pet projects or to promote myriad causes.
MIchael J. Fox has lobbied for funding for Parkinson’s disease research and for funding embryonic stem cell research. Everyone from Mary Tyler Moore to Bonnie Raitt and Martin Sheen have made the rounds.
While few celebrities offer any real expertise on policy matters, lawmakers know that the very presence of Hollywood stars will attract hoards of media attention for whatever cause they are pushing.
Jolie, of course, can attract television cameras from around the globe.
lylian @ 02/29/2008 at 5:22 am
Thank you lylian for your insightful response to the plight of the pilapino farmers and the local politics which creates the curruption and the injustices.
Peace
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