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
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.
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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.
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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
Sorry, i meant filipino
No, Rachesun, I think it’s the issue how America got into this war, because it’s doing it over and over again. This is probably the most importatnt issue. This is not the game for the victims, but for those people who’re doing this - like your president - it’s just the manipulative game.
Janice @ 02/29/2008 at 5:08 pm
The humanitarian crisis of the Refugee situation in Iraq, lost of civilians, women and children and military lives should be stressed above anything. Whether people are for or against the war, it has taken it’s toll in lives. I see that more “mainstream” news outlets are picking up the Washington Post article and writing about it. AJ has gotten positive response from her mission to Iraq and her Washington Post Article. She is an effective UN Ambassador. She has been doing her UN duties since 2001 and has been in the field more than most political leaders. She backs her words with action. She has my respect. Peace to all.
angelena should stay in a kikchen an cook and be aboout having babbies an takin care of har other youngins. look womenly an shut up an stay out of mens beznezz..poltics is four mens an election woman.
What does Janice know and all of these people who say **** about Jolie and Brad…..Nothing..
They all complain and they do nothing to help others!
All they do is sit on there asses and complain about Angie without having any valid reason too….Angie is helping the poor around the world..and giving an enormous amt of cash to help people in crisis…Janice has probably been to her grocery store and back to her house or Apt…that’s it..Talk about losers…
Jolie ..All i want to say is keep stepping..hold that head high and keep doing your own thing…And have all the babies you want…Girl…GO for 13….I’m with you all the way..Your not asking those morons to help raise your kids…I say…You and Brad should have all the babies you want…let let all those trolls go f..k themselves..
# 544 helen @ 02/29/2008 at 6:38 pm
You are sad.
AJ doesn’t cook. Why the hell sould she. She is an extreamly talented woman who’s better off doing amazing life changing things for others.
Let me know if you figure out how to make a difference from your kitchen.
Helen ..OMg…you are one of those people i just mentioned…Oh lord..Why do we have so many *******…Helen…do me a favor…drink some sleeping pills and go over to the other side..
It is wonderful to have an informed and intelligent discussion on the diverse differences of politics vs humanitarian causes.
helen you r smarte women dant listen. angelena is dum as doornails, she be losing har mens if she dant shut up an be a reel women. stay awye frome politic. har problems helen, 1 she dant cook,she half many. post moore helan.
Go to hell : at least she is doing something, it’s not like everybody at HW or around the world cares much, look even at the news, there is more and more time trassmiting news about britney or Paris. If what it is needed are celebrities talking about good causes to make them known, they shoulde be welcomed.
Audery Hepburn went to Ethiopia and other countries when there were huge hunger crisis, she tried to help. And she was “just an actress”. I remember that I was young then (didn’t watched much news), but it impresed me, the news about her, teh pictures about those (hambrunas) crisis were on different types of magazines, not just the news, and we went to buy stuff from Unicef (agendas, and cups) because we tried to help (family and friends), and it was because we heard about it.
At least is more than just writing a check.
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