| Iraqui’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 5/20/2008 1:21:55 AM | first and foremost, i hope many of you will read the following "story" and take ACTION, in addition to voicing your opinions. words are just not enough in my opinion. let’s get back some of the old 60’s spirit! this is an appeal to all political persuasions and social values. please share similar things going on in other countries as this is about a usa action oriented person. my intention is to show hope to people in distress and offer means for the “little person” to create change and contribute to justice. the requirements are doable. this is not about bashing or about intellectualizing, it's about unity and everyday people.
well, i am trying here ( as you can see), but we will see what you all evolve upon reading the following:
how kirk johnson started his list:
in 2006, working for the the us agency for international development, one of johnson’s iraqi co-workers, was marked as a “collaborator” –-then awoken to a severed dog's head on his front step and a note saying his head would be next. seeking help from his employer, usaid, johnson now reports that his friend was informed: “that's really unfortunate, good luck with things, if you’re not back here in one month we’re going to give your job away to somebody else."
after much struggle, johnson got his friend (forced into hiding) a lawyer, lobbied the state dept. and eventually got him and his family into the usa, assisted by johnson's parents. they were running out of hope.
after figuring out how to get one refugee in, hundreds in hiding began pleading for his help. his cell phone is relentless and he has not given up.
thus: the birth of the “list project”.
summary:
for those of you who are not politically minded or not up with the data, an estimated 15% of Iraq's population is in flight, either displaced internally or forced to flee across international borders to neighboring countries. amongst these millions of people are those who have been forced from their homes because they helped us (usa) as either interpreters for our armed forces, civil experts for state dept./ federal agencies such as usaid, or as employees with the many usa companies and ngo’s contracted to rebuild the country. now they are the most hunted class in iraq, systematically targeted for assassination as collaborators—in constant flight with their famililes from routine death threats, abduction, rape, assassination, torture, and extortion.
iraqui collaborators’ cries for help have been heard but not answered by our usa govt. and kirk johnson’s “list project” needs us to SPEAK UP AND ACT! other countries have taken their collaborators home to safety. we, (represented by the usa govt.) have,to date, relocated only 5,000 persons, in comparison to 40,000 hosted by “sweden” alone. source: 60 minutes.
action steps sought for by johnson's “the list project” are as follows:
-americans are sought to start local list project chapters to support those who are rescued and brought here.
-donations are sought to assist pro bono legal services, funding full-time paralegal support to assist these very high level and competent volunteer attorneys.
-help is sought to join in with the growing group of “young americans” who are creating care packages for the children within resettled families.
-gift cards are needed for american clothing and school supplies, old video game consoles and anything else a child might enjoy.
-the project asks us to write to elected officials
-financial support for any one of the following funds is most welcome, via “groundspring”:
***emergency funding for startup/temporary cushions (eg.: one person assisted was a 70-year-old mother who arrived here before her daughter and was faced with the need to start working in a wood-cutting factory to make enough money to pay rent until her daughter was resettled);
***air fund to help refugees pay back the cost of their airfare to safety (yes, we do not pay for them to come here for political asylum despite their usa demonstrated loyalties);
***contributions toward job training with “upwardly global” (an NGO that helps highly-educated refugees, the vast majority on The List, to find meaningful employment and ways to contribute to our society).
many horrific stories were aired on 60 minutes and the List Project website. one man who lost his leg pulling an american to safety early on, waited years for help with an invite to relocate his family, while in hiding in a nearby country. johnson is acclaimed as somewhat like what oskar schindler was to jews in nazi germany. throughout those in hiding, he is the one who is known to be called.
"the people on my list have been tortured, they've been raped, they've lost body limbs. there's one guy on my list who's been thrown out of a moving vehicle. and all of this because they helped us. they came every single day to try to pitch in, in our efforts there" ....johnson tells all to pelley (sixty minutes correspondent). johnson says we owe these iraqis "speedy resettlement" in the united states.
summary:
hopefully when things calm down, they will be able to help their fellow iraqui’s. reminds me a lot of viet nam. maybe one of these people helped to save someone you know in the armed forces? any stories about that? do you think we should help others who have helped us? | |
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| Iraqui’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 5/20/2008 5:50:14 PM | how sad  all criticism, no do????
to me, that's the problem. it's so easy to point the finger at others, until as "individuals" we are forced to ___ or get off the pot! i assume we all know how to fill in the blank? or are we all "analysis paralysis"? nothing to argue about? just a call to action?
well thanks best guy, you are the "only one" here it seems. at least some sign of life...back to the other iraqui threads about whose fault it is and how everyone "else" is to blame. not about picking up the broken pieces and acting to achieve change...you see, this is how politicians get away with stuff. they count on nobody willing to do the "work" to stop them. | |
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| Iraqui’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 5/27/2008 7:47:52 AM | Yes,...
It is sad,...when the most we find, is people that can take the time out, to point the finger,..yet fail to do anything about it
to me, that's the problem. it's so easy to point the finger at others, until as "individuals" we are forced to ___ or get off the pot!
Maybe, now that so much has been brought to light,...maybe,..just maybe,..people will start to auctually do something,.....but I doubt it,...at least not on the scale thats it needs to be addressed.
this is how politicians get away with stuff. they count on nobody willing to do the "work" to stop them.
Business as useual,.....
And thats exactly What the Problem is ! | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/4/2008 6:55:04 AM | I just read a "Happy Story" about an Iraqi man and his family who were SOOO happy to be granted asylum here, and how the US is going to give 12,000 more Iraqi citizens asylum.
****!?!?!?!
NO able-bodied adult citizen of Iraq should be hiding out HERE when OUR soliders are dying for THEIR FREEDOM!!!!
GET YOUR ARSES BACK THERE AND RISK YOUR LIVES LIKE OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE RISKING THEIRS!!!!!!!
Otherwise, you DON"T deserve freedom or liberty!!! | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/4/2008 7:16:45 AM | Again Lafenmom, every time you post this same crap, I shall post my response!
Bullsh*t!
Until YOU have lived in Iraq or a country like it where you can be killed for having the wrong job, the wrong lifestyle, the wrong religion or even just being in the wrong place at the wrong time YOU aren't qualified to comment!
Just because YOU have a war monger as a president doesn't mean YOU have a right to tell other people where they should or shouldn't live in fear of their lives!
Once again america has started a war they cannot finish so don't blame INNOCENT IRAQI CITIZENS for soldiers dying! They didn't ask for the war but they sure as hell got it! | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/4/2008 8:59:13 AM | rockchick:
Everyone is entitled to their opinion,....but you seem to be "Stalking" lafenmom, and reposting the exact same post, on this thread, as you did in another thread,..please refrain from breaking the posting rules,....
rockchick24/7 The true state of Iraqi security forces todayPosted: 6/4/2008 3  02 PM Lafenmom...every time you post this crap I shall post my response! Bullsh*t! Until YOU have lived in Iraq or a country like it where you can be killed for having the wrong job, the wrong lifestyle, the wrong religion or even just being in the wrong place at the wrong time YOU aren't qualified to comment! Just because YOU have a war monger as a president doesn't mean YOU have a right to tell other people where they should or shouldn't live in fear of their lives! Once again america has started a war they cannot finish so don't blame INNOCENT IRAQI CITIZENS for soldiers dying! They didn't ask for the war but they sure as hell got it!
Have you read the posting Rules ?
If so,..then YOU know, you are violating them,....Please refrain from double posting,
I myself, would Love to hear your thoughts on the subject matter,.....but not in the form of a personal attack,...express your thoughts, and please let others express theirs.
My thoughts are as posted,.....
I agree with you,...Bush is a Warmonger !
Bush has got our Country into a WAR, that I feel we can not finish !
I feel the "Liberation" or "War" in Iraq, was based on Lies, Deciet, and it is an Immoral,
Unjust, and Illegal War, and that Bush AND Cheney, are quilty of War Crimes, and should of been impeached long ago,......
But,...Lets try to stick with the Thread Topic,.....on that note,....What is your Opinion,
on the Original Posters Thoughts ?
summary:
for those of you who are not politically minded or not up with the data, an estimated 15% of Iraq's population is in flight, either displaced internally or forced to flee across international borders to neighboring countries. amongst these millions of people are those who have been forced from their homes because they helped us (usa) as either interpreters for our armed forces, civil experts for state dept./ federal agencies such as usaid, or as employees with the many usa companies and ngo’s contracted to rebuild the country. now they are the most hunted class in iraq, systematically targeted for assassination as collaborators—in constant flight with their famililes from routine death threats, abduction, rape, assassination, torture, and extortion.
What have you, to add to this thread, beside your obvious dislike for Lafenmom ? | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/4/2008 9:58:16 AM | Firstly BikerBiker, Lafenmom posted the exact same post 3 times! My response to her triple post is the same as I feel the same!
Secondly, I don't know her so don't dislike her per se but I absolutely DO dislike her comments!
That is tantamount to saying that all the German, Austrian and Polish Jews should have been made to stay in their respective countries to face the concentration camps instead of allowing them to come to Britain, the States or other countries as refugees and immigrants. I am absolutely amazed that someone would begrudge an INNOCENT family coming to the states to try and rebuild their lives and would instead MAKE them stay in a country where one and maybe all of them would have lost their lives! Iraqi citizens are not terrorists, nor are they subhuman!
As for Britain, we have an asylum process whereby anyone coming to this country can claim asylum and each case is looked at individually. If there is a high likelihood they will be killed if they are returned to their country, they are given leave to stay in this country. | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/4/2008 11:26:08 AM |
My response to her triple post is the same as I feel the same!
I second that !
@ lafenmom,
I understand you are the mother of a US soldier...but take a look at these mothers :
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1317448,00.html
Take a look at the link and ask yourself why they would want you there ?
What have they got to thank YOU for ?
You have placed them in no man's land .They are worse off now than than they were under Saddam.
All you have given them is death ,destruction and fear .
They suffer daily the threat of death ,fear and hardship.They didn't ask for war or democracy .
You took them both and failed to deliver .You ask them to pay to be bombed and killed ? You ask them to pay for reconstruction while Haliburton pockets the profits and now you want to buzz off leaving them with nothing .
The daily wage of a 10 person family is now $2 per day.Try to manage on that if you please and thats 5 years after the invasion .No electricity and no running water .
You are lucky that you live in America because if they can get out...........the only place they can go is in the ME or Europe so you are spared the anguish that we see and their trauma .
Before America goes swanning around trying to be kind to African nations who you have not upset in any way.............do a kindness here.....in Iraq where you have obliterated a people and a country and I am sorry to tell you that I do not think that your withdrawal from there is going to square it .
Your soldiers are not to blame but the Iraqis aren't either . | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/4/2008 10:23:24 PM | lafenmom, did you read my opening statement. the people on "the list" all saved american lives and their familes are being killed for it. hello???
simple strategy that if you are going to invade a country and enlist it's people to assist you, you have to protect them . if you don't, not many more will be there to protect you and yours.
now, i don't support this war, but even if i did, i would not have to be a rocket scientist, if had loved ones "fighting" there, to understand that allies risking lives for allies, need to be protected. think of it selfishly, if not for the greater good, because the bottom line is the same.
as to sons and daughters there, most people i know who are back are very disillusioned and very post trauma. same for those we invaded. not much has been done for them and not much has been done for our soldiers. though, a lot has been done for vp cheney and cronies.
everynite, i pray for all people involved to heal their spirits and stop the spread of evil. my grandfather escaped russian prison camp and fled here via south africa. he did not stay in his home country because he had no choice but to flee oppression. if he were not oppressed, he would not have come here. much of history is about flight from oppression and sadly the other half is about aggression. not a whole lot about altruism getting done lately.
i am sure the list survivors would have been much happier to stay with their extended families. i hope you or i never have to flee this country, but it might be the case for our children and theirs. the usa is on the downslide. i make sure my kids learn different languages, so that they can be mobile as well--should the need arise for them, long after i'm gone. it is going to be a different world. that is what evolution is all about.
what is your lineage lafenmom? | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/24/2008 4:16:12 AM | Actually, chick, I believe Bush should be impeached then imprisoned - and only one reason would be the lies he told to get us involved in Iraq.
Next, I HAVE had long term visits to Korea and Honduras - how about you?
I'm not saying Iraqi's aren't innocent, or that they're not good people for the most part. What I AM saying is that if there is a desire for freedom, they must fight for it.
Get educated and your opinion might actually do some good some day. | |
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| Iraq’s “Oscar Shindler”: USA Kirk Johnson Calls for Action With the LIST PROJECT
Posted: 6/24/2008 4:30:00 AM | Actually, if you read my posts, I completely agree with many things you guys are saying... the war is bull, the reasons we were brought in is bull, and we don't belong there...
HOWEVER... we're being fed this line of BS about how nice it is that entire families are being brought here to live....
Think - if everyone else moved out, the only ones left would be .....????
YES, I understand that there are those who place themselves in the line of danger in order to support the effort...
During our Revolution... during WWI and II.... there were people who put themselves in that same position in order to fight for what they believed in... they risked all, some gave all......
YES, I believe the children - and mothers with children should be allowed to temporarily relocate to better circumstances... that's a simple "well Duh" But no able bodied man should be here - even the women would b e able to participate without being on 'the front lines'... we had women wrapping bandages, speaking out, caring for soldiers b ehind the lines.... there's a way to participate in your own freedom.
anything | |
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