http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/08/09/iraqi.interpreters/index.html I cannot believe the insensitivities that we constantly seem to promote. How can we conduct business this way.
Your point is well taken...we need to protect these folks...but we haven't exactly thrown them to the wolves...yet. My concern is that if we do the abrupt pull-out thing (I'll refrain from saying "cut and run") the carnage will be incredibly bad. We could bring out all these interpreters and employees (and should) and it won't help...everyone who ever sold anything to a soldier...everyone who ever accepted a candy bar from a soldier, will all be at risk.
To me it is the Sunnis who are best at policing their own state once again (as we found out with the ruthless Saddam). I think this lends credence to the notion that Al Queda did not operate in Iraq under Saddam. I think they have shown in Al Anbar that they will not put up with Al Queda and other foreign radicals and they could probably manage without us. I am not sure how the Sunnis will forgive and forget their own nationals so I can't comment on how they would treat Iraqis who worked with U.S. forces. It may depend on if they developed a new strong leader who is more humane than Saddam and his cronies were. I do think the U.S. owes safe passage to those that definiitely are in harms way because of their involvement with our cause and will meet their demise if we leave...no matter how fast we leave. It's not right to use these people and toss them aside for certain death.
Ah yes , work for the coalition and die if you stay,I guess after proper "vetting" we can bring these individuals over here . Would seem like the "proper" thing to do. Shame we couldn't have done something for the Christian minority of Iraq( using minority is probably being generous, seeing how even though at one time there were more Christians then muslims in that area, that religion of peace and the prophet"may crap be upon his head!" ,has a tendency to not play well with others.) Don't read about it in the MSM, which also includes FOX, do ya!. Then again when those muslim militants camped out in the and on the grounds of the Church of the Nativity where they proceeded to relieve themselves and generally trash the church itself....WHERE WAS THE OUTCRY? WASHINGTON WAS MUTE!!!! Thee capitals of "old" Europe were mute,very chilling was that Vatican City had little to say about it, Telaviv was mum because they were in discussions with the same group to allow construction of a Mousqe on Manger Square,WARSAW was the only capital I heard make a squawck!....now after all that venting I have to go! It's my turn to fix dinner