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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Angelina Jolie Writes About Trip to Iraq
Thursday February 28, 2008
Angelina Jolie visits the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq Feb. 7.
REUTERS/James Deady/U. S. Department of Defense/HO /Landov
Angelina Jolie has penned an op-ed titled “Staying to Help in Iraq” for the Washington Post, arguing for an increase in the “financial and material assistance” going to Iraq.
“My visit [to Iraq] 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,” she wrote.
“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?”
A pregnant Jolie joined U.S. Military in central Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone on earlier this month.
She is not stating that the US should stay in Iraq as the ocupation power. She is stating that is a moral obligation of the US to help the 4 million Iraqui refugees to go safetly to their homes.
While I do appreciate her optimistic and caring view point, she is a bit naive to the actual process. She doesn’t exactly explain how all these good deeds are supposed to get done. She throws out a monetary amount but doesn’t really get into where it should come from exactly (us tax-payers I guess) or the specific allocation of it. It’s very easy to talk about the big perfect picture of what needs to be accomplished. This is what she has done in her article. It’s the details of how it’s supposed to get done and by whom that she doesn’t seem to address. She does not spend enough of her time in the very place she wants to fix. If she wants these wonderful things to happen, she needs to do more then pay two day visits every six months. She talks the talk, she needs to walk the walk. There are many people that devote their time, money …..there very lives to these missions. I take what they say a bit more seriously. They deserve the attention quite a bit more.
support Angie by posting comment on the washingpost comment section.
If the Iraqi people want the US troops out of THEIR country then the US should leave. Who gives a **** what an over hyped celebrity like Angelina fish lips thinks?
Sasha @ 02/28/2008 at 3:00 pm I’VE NOTICED SOMETHING. THE MORE HATERS HATE ON THIS FAMILY THE MORE BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE THEY GET.
MAYBE ANUSTIN AND HER FRUGLY FANS SHOULD STOP HATING THEN MAYBE LITTLE CRUMBS OF BLESSING MIGHT FALL ON THEM TOO.
GOD BLESS THE JOLIE PITT FAMILY.
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ANUSTIN is a fan, I think you meant ANISTON and her frugly fans, right? :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANUSTIN!!! :D
Angie~ Brains! Beauty!
and the usual ******* haters..suffering!
Thank You JJ :wink:
Thanks Jared for creating this new thread. And thanks to Lady G, Tabitha & MAMS for posting it on the last thread. It’s a great read and gives me a better perspective on the Iraqi refugee crisis.
Gotta take off for a meeting at the office. Hope you guys have a great day!! :)
#56….THANK YOU. I was just about to say, anyone can sit an point and talk about the problems. Someone needs to tell her to be part of the SOLUTION NOT the PROBLEM…she just talks and talk but offers ZERO ideas. Be aware, be aware yah okay so then what. She was once asked “what can people to to help” and she said “become aware”…WHAT. Tell people where to send money or food or whatever but..geesh.
Angelina’s article reads like she wants the troops to stay but for a new and different mission is my understanding of views and this particular mission.
Considering the US Military history, there will always be troops indefinitely in the Middle East region and especially Iraq…just like Germany, South Korea, Panama, Japan, etc…whereever we fought or provide peace keeping we remain many years after the act.
I believe Obama is or will be advised of this and if elected would probably elect to lessen the troop force and coordinate with allies and change the mission from war to peace-keeping which is not what it is at this moment…I’m optimistic it could be done if clarified for all of the world to know and assist with this kind of effort needed.
Angelina is a great role model. More power to her family, humanitarian and professional life.
I think it is perfectly fine to have an opinion on worldly things without it being in your present job description. In fact, I find it quite healthy to have an opinion and be willing to share. Does that mean you have to know the exact road map to get there - no, heck even our politicians squabble daily over that but sharing thoughts and opinions and discussing that is healthy for society. It is better than just parroting what others say over and over. Some will agree, some won’t but no one should have to be “quiet”. It’s funny that so many speak out against “common people” not having a voice in other countries but then we try to muffle our own - common and uncommon. Do we expect the people in Cuba to know how and where all the funds will be generated to get them to their dreams? no we don’t but we still respect their points of view? Why are we even expecting Angelina to have a financial road map - I think it is an unrealistic standard to hold people up to. She wrote an opinion like so many others. I am glad she actually speaks on things other than “what I’m wearing” and “what clubs are hot”. That is fine too for what is worth but lets not expect everyone to live the life we want them to live and just let them live the lives that they have for themselves without picking it apart. Especially when we would not want our opinions, dreams, hopes, goals to be picked apart.
Thanks JJ.
I hope, through Angies work with UNHCR, that people in need , displaced for the war, will get the atention deserved.
She is so amazing.
Why doesn’t the Washington Post create a celebrity gossip section instead of pandering to this bull*******?
Sasha @ 02/28/2008 at 3:00 pm
I’VE NOTICED SOMETHING. THE MORE HATERS HATE ON THIS FAMILY THE MORE BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE THEY GET.
MAYBE ANUSTIN AND HER FRUGLY FANS SHOULD STOP HATING THEN MAYBE LITTLE CRUMBS OF BLESSING MIGHT FALL ON THEM TOO.
GOD BLESS THE JOLIE PITT FAMILY.
CONGRATULATIONS SASHA…only 50 posts in to a jolie thread and YOU bring up Aniston. Why don’t you go to an Aniston board to discuss her. What do you have an obsession with her or something.
She is not stating that the US should stay in Iraq as the ocupation power. She is stating that is a moral obligation of the US to help the 4 million Iraqui refugees to go safetly to their homes.
******
Uh no honey… Jolie states that she talked to the US troops and they want to be part of a “humanitarian” mission to rebuild Iraq..you know after they decimated and flattened it with their bombs. But the b.s. is that you don’t need soldiers and tanks to rebuild a country. …that’s called occupation.
This is always the rift between optimistic liberals and insular conservatives. It is also the flaw with many celebrities who involve themselves in international politics. (Bono comes to mind). It is well to say that something should be done–but what, by whom, who organizes it, how much does it cost and who pays for it? How long does it last? Does a country that has been known to give money and safety to the same terrorists who bombed the World Trade Centre deserve to have American tax dollars keeping their people out of poverty and if so, for how long? These are tough questions that Jolie doesn’t really explore.
I am not criticizing Ms. Jolie or her article–she is a generous and compassionate person whose immediate reaction is the desire to help those who are in need. I don’t blame her or think she is wrong, but merely point out that it is not a simple black and white issue.
You have to be registered to leave a comment on the Washington Post site. I’ll register a little later this afternoon.
She had NO business sticking her nose in business she doesn’t understand and SHE ESPECIALLY SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS PREGNANT. She is NOT thinking right. Her elevator does not go all the way to the top. What mother would DELIBERATELY put their fetus/child in CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER…refugess or NO refugees. A good mother will ALWAYS put her child’s safety ahead of anything.
One of these celebrities who think that now they are rich and popular, they are also smart. She is a joke. For once, if you really believe what you preach then run for president since you think you can fix everything that is wrong in this world.
The Middle East is like quicksand. Once you get in you NEVER get out. That being said you can avoid making another mistake by getting into another conflict with another MiddleEastern nation and help keep the refugee situation under control. The UNHCR will help with that.
The article is balanced. It’s her opinion. There’s no right or wrong.
[☆F a m o u s☆] @ 02/28/2008 at 2:53 pm
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I pray to God whatever wish you have will go back to you and your family for being so evil.
Thanks Jared!
She is so totally awesome! Absolutely adore her!!!!!
Thank you JJ. Great article. She’s truly an amazing woman.
# 64…Myeyeisonu
ITA~
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