The United States always creates a humanitarian crisis when it invovles itself in affairs it can’t conrol. Part of the planning for this War, should have been one of large humanitarian relief. It should have been part of the strategy. It should be no surprise to any of us, that this humanitarian crisis will last longer than any military occupation. The why?, the Where?, The How? and etc. should have been answered before ever getting our military in harms way. Apparently the only question they had an answer to was the when?. In addition, responsibility is the issue. It has resulted in a dramatic overhaul of our daily lives in the US too. We also have to remember that if our country doesn’t take steps to help our own Humanitarian crisis here, we will never be able to help the other people in the world that need it too.

I believe Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who has made mention of the fact that US cannot simply pulled out of Iraq, without taking into account the thousands of Iraqi civilians who have sympathized with the US efforts. Check your tapes on one of the debates- I believe I’m right.

It is shameful that we went into this war and not protect the people, who, not only were displaced, but also risked their lives to help us. There are no words to express my displeasure of the current administration right now. There is so much damage the next president has to repair. He/she needs all the help they can get.

To qoute a line from the song “Save The Life Of My Child”, recorded by Simon and Garfunkel: “Oh my grace, they’ve got no hiding place.”

Maybe in the debate in Texas, CNN can ask the candidates if they have a plan for Iraqi reconstruction. And whats more, ask who will front the bill. The war has already cost the tax payers a half a trillion dollars! I sincerely hope that our soldiers don’t end up doing the ground work of rebuilding that country.

I think that through out history we have always neglected our part in helping the refugees in our wars. I mean we go in and do our thing declare victory or whatever and then leave the mess for others to clean up.

I think it is a shame that we promised these Iraqi’s help if they helped us and we aren’t following through. We are essentially leaving them there to die. Because if they are ever caught they will. I hope that something can be done to speed up the process of helping them get out of there!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

This morning I saw the President’s speech in Liberia. He said he knows first hand how much easier it is to tear down a country vs building it back up. How nice that he realizes that now. Poor planning on his administration’s part will result in an emergency for the next administration. Let me echo Justin’s comment and request that the candidates be asked tonight how they will deal with the Iraqi reconstruction, including the refugee issue. Also, 360 might want to delve into the costs of refugee services–what the federal gov’t pays and what falls to the states. In the past the feds have mandated services but have left the states to pay without providing funding. This all needs to be thoughtfully considered.

Charlotte D
Stockton, CA

I believe history will show that the US invasion of Iraq was never about the freeing the Iraqis people from Saddem Hussein. It was about securing US interests, including oil. To disrupt millions of lives based on Hussein’s tyranny would be idealistic, but it just isn’t true.

The issue with Iraqis refugees is one case in point. If the war was about the people of Iraq, the refugees would have been resettled or at least found their way home by now to a better place. Instead, they live as nomads throughout the world and their country is in shambles.

Whatever happen to the human rights that America stands for? Or has the fight for justice become a convenience to accelerate a fight or apply sanctions?

I believe the next administration will have to make firm decision about the resettlement of refugees from Iraq and the individuals who have aided our armed forces. Otherwise, we are just as bad as the regime we defeated in 2003.

The results of this war have been very hard to notice. I realize that. However, why do we constantly bring up more and more issues to prove that the war in Iraq has been a failure? Yes, there are a number of people who need to be taken out of Iraq, but that is not that easy of a task. If we bring them over here then what? We still have to provide them a place to live, jobs, clothing, and food. It is very easy to say we need to get them all out of Iraq, but this is a process.
I also would like to say congratulations to Sweden for housing 20,000 refugees. Unfortunately, it is not quite that easy for us. We are in a war with the very country that we are trying to help. I know that not everyone that lives in Iraq is a terrorist and hates America, but we still have to be very cautious when it comes to allowing these people to come to America. It is a very tough situation to handle. I feel like the government is handling it as best as they can.
I agree that it is completely our responsibility to make sure these people are taken care of. However, it can’t be done over night. We need to constantly reevaluate and come up with better ways to help those who are left in Iraq. So we haven’t brought the 7,000 over like we originally promised. Is this the first goal that hasn’t been reached in this war? Is this the first promise a politician has not kept? I don’t think so. Let’s quit pointing out the problems with this war and start trying to point out solutions.

To grant asylum to the thousands of refugees we have displayed by our little sojourn into their country would require they go on social programs this administration and the party they represent so detest. It would be unrealistic to think they could come to the US and just start living a normal life. They need to learn English, be provided housing and food. And as I’m sure they are unfamiliar with the western lifestyle, they will need help to accomplish assimilation into our society. My guess is that help needs to be in the form of social programs.

There would be absolute outrage to cut benefits to Americans while giving them to refugees. It is what got the social programs into the pickle they are in today. And it would be even more disasterous for the Republican party to allow any type of social program help on one hand while on the other telling Americans they need to stand on their own 2 feet and continue to freeze, cut and/or allow very basic COLA increases.

This is, unfortunately, a no-win situation. My tax dollars are already going to rebuilding Iraq (Haliburton & Co. were awarded those no-bid contracts if I recall), not to mention the other expenditures required to maintain our presence there. I’ll be damned if my parents’ Social Security and MediCare benefits are frozen or the COLA increase is minimal while others are allowed to join the party and then hear how the system will be out of money in a few years.

I realize this sounds cold. But, really, I’m getting tired of footing everyone else’s bill while those in the US must suffer. Iraqi infrastructure is being rebuilt, meanwhile the US’ continues to decay.

Maybe the administration and Congress should have thought about the after-costs before pre-emptively striking. I certainly don’t envy the incoming President (regardless of party) who gets to attempt to clean up this mess. Even if we “end” the war in Iraq, the aftermath must still be dealt with.

As an earlier poster mentioned - it would be interesting to hear the candidates tell us what their plans are for the aftermath of Iraq - whether we stay or go.

Of course refugees generally, and refugees who have helped us particularly, should be (and should always have been) part of American post-war strategy in Iraq. Just like in every other area of this horrible mistake, how did they not think this would be a problem?

That said, Mr. Bush has been in a tight spot concerning this for a while now. He cannot actively support the evacuation of pro-American Iraqis, since a) they are the very people we should have living and working there and b) more importantly, it would be a grave admission of the uncontrollable situation.

Perhaps now that things are objectively settling down a little, I wonder if Bush can more calmly look at this thing and separate the truly endangered from those who may not be in immediate peril but are instead just generally fed up with the situation and want to get out. It is about fairness in the end.

Finally, great job to Kirk Johnson and the List Project. True American heroes are not the ones who run years-long electoral campaigns or eagerly snatch opportunities for demagoguery; they are instead those who take on heavy responsibility, oftentimes without choice, and carry it with grace, humility, and inspiring resolve.

As the author points out, this often overlooked issue has applicability not only to our current situation, but also to those likely to arise in the future. In a time when wars have become much less conventional and troops need so much more support from the native populations in the areas of engagement, alienating those people is not a desired political outcome. How can we expect to receive the necessary support if we are not willing to provide support to those affected once we leave? The “paltry” number of refugees granted asylum is saddening, who knows how many American lives these people saved through their actions. I would be curious to know what the numbers were like before the war, is this even that much of an increase?

It is not fair that women and children are hurt because men wish to fight with each other.

There should be a way to assist them.

I think that the USA doesn’t allow many Iraqis in because of the fear that they are going to be suicide bombers. Sadly, the innocent get hurt because of the few bad people.

We need to help them in their country then if we don’t take them in.

Very sad.

I was always taught that if you broke something you fixed it. These people have risked everything literally to help us. They were there for us when we needed help but we are conspicuously absent when they need us. Is our reputation now going to be compliments of the Bush administration that we cut and run when those that we needed turn to us with their needs? No wonder people in other countries dislike us so.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL