Angelina Jolie: Stay the course in Iraq

jayhawk · March 1st, 2008, 02:18 PM

Staying to Help in Iraq

We have finally reached a point where humanitarian assistance, from us and others, can have an impact.

By Angelina Jolie
Thursday, February 28, 2008; 1:15 PM

The request is familiar to American ears: "Bring them home."

But in Iraq, where I've just met with American and Iraqi leaders, the phrase carries a different meaning. It does not refer to the departure of U.S. troops, but to the return of the millions of innocent Iraqis who have been driven out of their homes and, in many cases, out of the country.

In the six months since my previous visit to Iraq with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, this humanitarian crisis has not improved. However, during the last week, the United States, UNHCR and the Iraqi government have begun to work together in new and important ways.

We still don't know exactly how many Iraqis have fled their homes, where they've all gone, or how they're managing to survive. Here is what we do know: More than 2 million people are refugees inside their own country -- without homes, jobs and, to a terrible degree, without medicine, food or clean water. Ethnic cleansing and other acts of unspeakable violence have driven them into a vast and very dangerous no-man's land. Many of the survivors huddle in mosques, in abandoned buildings with no electricity, in tents or in one-room huts made of straw and mud. Fifty-eight percent of these internally displaced people are younger than 12 years old.

An additional 2.5 million Iraqis have sought refuge outside Iraq, mainly in Syria and Jordan. But those host countries have reached their limits. Overwhelmed by the refugees they already have, these countries have essentially closed their borders until the international community provides support.

I'm not a security expert, but it doesn't take one to see that Syria and Jordan are carrying an unsustainable burden. They have been excellent hosts, but we can't expect them to care for millions of poor Iraqis indefinitely and without assistance from the U.S. or others. One-sixth of Jordan's population today is Iraqi refugees. The large burden is already causing tension internally.

The Iraqi families I've met on my trips to the region are proud and resilient. They don't want anything from us other than the chance to return to their homes -- or, where those homes have been bombed to the ground or occupied by squatters, to build new ones and get back to their lives. One thing is certain: It will be quite a while before Iraq is ready to absorb more than 4 million refugees and displaced people. But it is not too early to start working on solutions. And last week, there were signs of progress.

In Baghdad, I spoke with Army Gen. David Petraeus about UNHCR's need for security information and protection for its staff as they re-enter Iraq, and I am pleased that he has offered that support. General Petraeus also told me he would support new efforts to address the humanitarian crisis "to the maximum extent possible" -- which leaves me hopeful that more progress can be made.

UNHCR is certainly committed to that. Last week while in Iraq, High Commissioner AntÃ³nio Guterres pledged to increase UNHCR's presence there and to work closely with the Iraqi government, both in assessing the conditions required for return and in providing humanitarian relief.

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?

What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance. UNHCR has appealed for $261 million this year to provide for refugees and internally displaced persons. That is not a small amount of money -- but it is less than the U.S. spends each day to fight the war in Iraq. I would like to call on each of the presidential candidates and congressional leaders to announce a comprehensive refugee plan with a specific timeline and budget as part of their Iraq strategy.

As for the question of whether the surge is working, I can only state what I witnessed: U.N. staff and those of non-governmental organizations seem to feel they have the right set of circumstances to attempt to scale up their programs. And when I asked the troops if they wanted to go home as soon as possible, they said that they miss home but feel invested in Iraq. They have lost many friends and want to be a part of the humanitarian progress they now feel is possible.

It seems to me that now is the moment to address the humanitarian side of this situation. Without the right support, we could miss an opportunity to do some of the good we always stated we intended to do.

Angelina Jolie, an actor, is a UNHCR goodwill ambassador.

vegasrebel29 · March 1st, 2008, 02:24 PM

I think I speak for everyone when I say LOL.
Her rhetoric is nice enough.
It's also grounded nowhere near reality.

Blind_Io · March 2nd, 2008, 04:31 AM

Too Long, Didn't Read.

That being said, she slept with a guy named "Billy-Bob" and got his name tattooed on herself. I don't think she has the best judgment.

phuckingduck · March 2nd, 2008, 04:33 AM

tl;dr

She's hot though images/smilies/biggrin.gif

MILF!

watto · March 2nd, 2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Too Long, Didn't Read.

That being said, she slept with a guy named "Billy-Bob" and got his name tattooed on herself. I don't think she has the best judgment.

Don't forget the vial of blood around her neck.

Freak.

Hidden_Hunter · March 2nd, 2008, 09:29 AM

What the fuck qualifies her to comment on things like this?

"oh I looked at some huts now I know how to fix the problems"

Shawn · March 2nd, 2008, 10:12 AM

She needs to shut her fucking twat and stop commenting on things she has no expertise in.

I can't blame her though... if the UN gave me a UN passport and made me a UN ambassador solely based on my shitty parts in shitty movies, it would go to my head too and I'd start expressing opinion on such matters which are totally beyond me.

She isn't even attractive, looks like some weird alien. The only thing she has going for her are the lips, which are frankly a bit much for me. 35% of her face is lips.

Crazyjeeper · March 2nd, 2008, 10:37 AM

You guys didn't know that being in movies gave a person a degree in sociology, politics and economics? images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

BlaRo · March 2nd, 2008, 10:46 AM

Famous people need to shut the fuck up and die.

Why is George Fucking Clooney on the cover of TIME Magazine? The more I see his smug mug the more I feel less respect toward him as an actor and a human being. Famous people need to stop imposing what they think are their goddamn morals on us plebians, and especially people who nobody takes seriously like Angelina Jolie. Why is she even allowed to blather her vapid thoughts? Fuck off and burn in a pit of hell, for fuck's sake.

Shawn · March 2nd, 2008, 10:49 AM

^ Blake, don't even start me on George Clooney. I try and judge him objectively, but he is definitely in the top 5 of Hollywood's most overrated members, both in terms of his acting abilities and looks. He is unremarkable in every way so far as I can see. Heck, he wasn't even in moves until the mid 90s.

And I'm tired of hearing about his mansion on Lake Como. That's all he says about his personal life on talk shows.

BlaRo · March 2nd, 2008, 10:53 AM

Oh, and he's older than my father and apparently still a "sex symbol". Botox really works miracles, huh? But that's just subjective, anyway. images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

If Patrick Fucking Dempsey ever starts to talk about politics, I'm setting his house as well as his parents on fire.

Vector · March 2nd, 2008, 05:01 PM

Woah. Why so much backlash on a person who is just trying to help out and do some good work for the people in Iraq?

BlaRo · March 2nd, 2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector

Woah. Why so much backlash on a person who is just trying to help out and do some good work for the people in Iraq?

Because her opinion is useless and we can't take her seriously to begin with?

Then again, that's an Ad hominem argument, so nevermind, scratch that. Personally though, I hate it when celebrities carp on and on about causes they know little about, partly to make themselves look better and partly to pander to organizations that might be misguided in the first place. I used to think George Clooney was cool, but his constant one-sided harping of "Z0MG FREE TIBET" trivializes an important issue that he just doesn't have enough experience with.

phuckingduck · March 3rd, 2008, 04:57 AM

The PETA celebrities.....GRRRRRRRR

Vette Boss · March 3rd, 2008, 05:01 AM

Celebrities have pretty worthless opinions to me. She's good as an actress and she's pretty, but that doesn't mean I respect her opinion on these things.

epp_b · March 3rd, 2008, 05:13 AM

And we should give a fricking crap about what she says, because...?

airmenair · March 3rd, 2008, 11:02 PM

Awek Balwin!

klutch · March 4th, 2008, 03:18 AM

I tried to read the article, but I kept envisioning her tits when she lezzed out in Gia.

nist7 · March 4th, 2008, 04:30 AM

Why aren't we doing more? Hell, if the surge is working and all, why not allocate even more US budget to fight the good fight? 500 billion? 1000 billion? Can we even put a price tag on freedom? I don't think so. I am being as serious as I am sarcastic. If we want the job done right, then let's do it right. It's bee five fucking years. Let's start kicking some ass.

March 1st, 2008, 02:18 PM	#1
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 02:27 AM Location: A-Town, Illinois. Age: 33 Posts: 4,998 Car: MY07 G11 WRX-TR WRB. Rep Power: 86	Angelina Jolie: Stay the course in Iraq Staying to Help in Iraq We have finally reached a point where humanitarian assistance, from us and others, can have an impact. By Angelina Jolie Thursday, February 28, 2008; 1:15 PM The request is familiar to American ears: "Bring them home." But in Iraq, where I've just met with American and Iraqi leaders, the phrase carries a different meaning. It does not refer to the departure of U.S. troops, but to the return of the millions of innocent Iraqis who have been driven out of their homes and, in many cases, out of the country. In the six months since my previous visit to Iraq with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, this humanitarian crisis has not improved. However, during the last week, the United States, UNHCR and the Iraqi government have begun to work together in new and important ways. We still don't know exactly how many Iraqis have fled their homes, where they've all gone, or how they're managing to survive. Here is what we do know: More than 2 million people are refugees inside their own country -- without homes, jobs and, to a terrible degree, without medicine, food or clean water. Ethnic cleansing and other acts of unspeakable violence have driven them into a vast and very dangerous no-man's land. Many of the survivors huddle in mosques, in abandoned buildings with no electricity, in tents or in one-room huts made of straw and mud. Fifty-eight percent of these internally displaced people are younger than 12 years old. An additional 2.5 million Iraqis have sought refuge outside Iraq, mainly in Syria and Jordan. But those host countries have reached their limits. Overwhelmed by the refugees they already have, these countries have essentially closed their borders until the international community provides support. I'm not a security expert, but it doesn't take one to see that Syria and Jordan are carrying an unsustainable burden. They have been excellent hosts, but we can't expect them to care for millions of poor Iraqis indefinitely and without assistance from the U.S. or others. One-sixth of Jordan's population today is Iraqi refugees. The large burden is already causing tension internally. The Iraqi families I've met on my trips to the region are proud and resilient. They don't want anything from us other than the chance to return to their homes -- or, where those homes have been bombed to the ground or occupied by squatters, to build new ones and get back to their lives. One thing is certain: It will be quite a while before Iraq is ready to absorb more than 4 million refugees and displaced people. But it is not too early to start working on solutions. And last week, there were signs of progress. In Baghdad, I spoke with Army Gen. David Petraeus about UNHCR's need for security information and protection for its staff as they re-enter Iraq, and I am pleased that he has offered that support. General Petraeus also told me he would support new efforts to address the humanitarian crisis "to the maximum extent possible" -- which leaves me hopeful that more progress can be made. UNHCR is certainly committed to that. Last week while in Iraq, High Commissioner AntÃ³nio Guterres pledged to increase UNHCR's presence there and to work closely with the Iraqi government, both in assessing the conditions required for return and in providing humanitarian relief. 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? What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance. UNHCR has appealed for $261 million this year to provide for refugees and internally displaced persons. That is not a small amount of money -- but it is less than the U.S. spends each day to fight the war in Iraq. I would like to call on each of the presidential candidates and congressional leaders to announce a comprehensive refugee plan with a specific timeline and budget as part of their Iraq strategy. As for the question of whether the surge is working, I can only state what I witnessed: U.N. staff and those of non-governmental organizations seem to feel they have the right set of circumstances to attempt to scale up their programs. And when I asked the troops if they wanted to go home as soon as possible, they said that they miss home but feel invested in Iraq. They have lost many friends and want to be a part of the humanitarian progress they now feel is possible. It seems to me that now is the moment to address the humanitarian side of this situation. Without the right support, we could miss an opportunity to do some of the good we always stated we intended to do. Angelina Jolie, an actor, is a UNHCR goodwill ambassador. __________________ It is nice to have friends like you on this forum. ...A fox among the chickens... Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds…

March 1st, 2008, 02:24 PM	#2
vegasrebel29 Joined: Mar 18th, 2007 Last Online: 01:40 AM Location: Las Vegas Age: 21 Posts: 555 Car: Chevrolet Silverado Rep Power: 19	I think I speak for everyone when I say LOL. Her rhetoric is nice enough. It's also grounded nowhere near reality. __________________

March 2nd, 2008, 04:31 AM	#3
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 02:27 AM Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 27 Posts: 8,917 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 113	Too Long, Didn't Read. That being said, she slept with a guy named "Billy-Bob" and got his name tattooed on herself. I don't think she has the best judgment. __________________ Life is like riding, you have to keep your balance to keep moving. Deacon of Dirt, Head of North American Anti-Environmental Inquisition (Left Coast Division). founder of The Church of Gear's Two Wheeled Sect. Zombie Slayer, Extraordinaire. Reasonable rates, inquire within.

March 2nd, 2008, 04:33 AM	#4
phuckingduck is awesome! Joined: Mar 1st, 2007 Last Online: 03:28 AM Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 1,399 Car: '03 Volvo S60 AWD Rep Power: 24	tl;dr She's hot though MILF! __________________ 14:43 +PhuckingDuck • so you wont eat Josh's meat? 14:43 %SolitudeSeraph • I don't like the taste/texture

March 2nd, 2008, 09:29 AM	#6
Hidden_Hunter D: Joined: Oct 7th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 20 Posts: 4,335 Car: '08 Honda Accord Euro Rep Power: 46	What the fuck qualifies her to comment on things like this? "oh I looked at some huts now I know how to fix the problems" __________________ My car is dark grey not black!

March 2nd, 2008, 10:12 AM	#7
Shawn FG's Highest Paid Male Whore Joined: May 26th, 2005 Last Online: 02:39 AM Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,324 Car: IS250 RWD Rep Power: 86	She needs to shut her fucking twat and stop commenting on things she has no expertise in. I can't blame her though... if the UN gave me a UN passport and made me a UN ambassador solely based on my shitty parts in shitty movies, it would go to my head too and I'd start expressing opinion on such matters which are totally beyond me. She isn't even attractive, looks like some weird alien. The only thing she has going for her are the lips, which are frankly a bit much for me. 35% of her face is lips.

March 2nd, 2008, 10:37 AM	#8
Crazyjeeper Joined: Nov 29th, 2006 Last Online: 01:32 AM Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 2,497 Car: 1985 Jeep CJ7, 1997 Ford F150 Rep Power: 50	You guys didn't know that being in movies gave a person a degree in sociology, politics and economics? __________________ Toy: 1985 Jeep CJ7 Lifted and Locked Daily Driver: 1997 Ford F150 4.6L with a massive 220hp MSI P6N Diamond 680i, E8400 @ 3.15ghz, CM Hyper 212 Cooler, XFX 8800GT 512mb Extreme, MSI 8400GS, Creative X-FI, 2x1gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800, PC Power & Cooling 610w EPS12v, 1.6tb of HDD, CM Centurion 690.

March 2nd, 2008, 10:49 AM	#10
Shawn FG's Highest Paid Male Whore Joined: May 26th, 2005 Last Online: 02:39 AM Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,324 Car: IS250 RWD Rep Power: 86	^ Blake, don't even start me on George Clooney. I try and judge him objectively, but he is definitely in the top 5 of Hollywood's most overrated members, both in terms of his acting abilities and looks. He is unremarkable in every way so far as I can see. Heck, he wasn't even in moves until the mid 90s. And I'm tired of hearing about his mansion on Lake Como. That's all he says about his personal life on talk shows.

March 2nd, 2008, 05:01 PM	#12
Vector Joined: Jan 20th, 2008 Last Online: November 20th, 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 411 Rep Power: 11	Woah. Why so much backlash on a person who is just trying to help out and do some good work for the people in Iraq? __________________

March 3rd, 2008, 04:57 AM	#14
phuckingduck is awesome! Joined: Mar 1st, 2007 Last Online: 03:28 AM Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 1,399 Car: '03 Volvo S60 AWD Rep Power: 24	The PETA celebrities.....GRRRRRRRR __________________ 14:43 +PhuckingDuck • so you wont eat Josh's meat? 14:43 %SolitudeSeraph • I don't like the taste/texture

March 3rd, 2008, 05:01 AM	#15
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Last Online: 02:26 AM Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 22 Posts: 2,979 Car: Nissan Altima 3.5-litre SE Rep Power: 34	Celebrities have pretty worthless opinions to me. She's good as an actress and she's pretty, but that doesn't mean I respect her opinion on these things. __________________ 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5SE SHIFT_the future

March 3rd, 2008, 05:13 AM	#16
epp_b n00b of the year Joined: Jun 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 02:45 AM Location: Canadaland :) Posts: 4,702 Car: 1995 Nissan 240SX Rep Power: 40	And we should give a fricking crap about what she says, because...?

March 3rd, 2008, 11:02 PM	#17
airmenair Joined: Aug 18th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Arlington, Texas, USA Posts: 1,114 Rep Power: 26	Awek Balwin!

March 4th, 2008, 03:18 AM	#18
klutch Courteous urinator Joined: Jan 6th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,696 Car: Whatever's in the press fleet. Rep Power: 27	I tried to read the article, but I kept envisioning her tits when she lezzed out in Gia. __________________

March 4th, 2008, 04:30 AM	#19
nist7 Joined: Dec 20th, 2006 Last Online: 02:06 AM Location: KCMO Posts: 683 Rep Power: 14	Why aren't we doing more? Hell, if the surge is working and all, why not allocate even more US budget to fight the good fight? 500 billion? 1000 billion? Can we even put a price tag on freedom? I don't think so. I am being as serious as I am sarcastic. If we want the job done right, then let's do it right. It's bee five fucking years. Let's start kicking some ass.