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Angelina Jolie: US Must Stay In Iraq

February 29, 2008 8:01 AM

In a Washington Post op-ed all-but-ignored by most of the media, actress and United Nations High Commission for Refugees goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie writes seems to make the case against an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

"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," she writes.

"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. ...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…"

Weird that this didn't get more play.

- jpt

February 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (37)

User Comments

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I am confused. From the comments I read here the media is pro-liberal and yet many of the liberal blogs swear the media is anti-liberal or even going so far as to say they are in cahoots with the present administration. Dems and Repubs should know that there are a whole lot of people out there who are less concerned about ideology and more concerned about having a leader who will do the right (no pun intended) thing for god, country and the people of the land.

Posted by: Neil | Feb 29, 2008 12:53:29 PM

Good to see the enlightenment of Angelina Jolie, after travelling to Baghdad, echoing the sentiments of her father, Jon Voight, who has been a very vocal supporter of the Iraq struggle. As for Hollywood, she's probably toast.

Posted by: Marybel | Feb 29, 2008 12:31:04 PM

Angelina at least had a real issue to put out there. Oprah and the other celebrities have only stated, I won't vote for him because he's black, I'll vote for him because he's beautiful...get real....Angelina at least brings a topic to the table. Once again, money shouldn't give clout, actions should earn political clout. It's ok if all celbs aren't backing OB, because there is a large portion of this country who is not and that is ok, also. Get over it.

Posted by: bittersweet4u | Feb 29, 2008 12:27:40 PM

Oh my Angie the Obama supporters are not going to cry foul on you, they will not go to any of your movies again. You have spoken and it seems you are not caught up in the Obama wave, you will have to be punished for that.

Posted by: SJ | Feb 29, 2008 11:53:21 AM

I find Angela Jolie refreshing, she was there in Iraq and saw the change, that gives her credential. I find it funny that the libs in this blog praise the celebrities that sell their anti-american stuff. but when a Celebrity tells the truth they come back with shes a celebrity what does she know.

Well I hope they are saying that about Oprah!! what does she know to tell us who to vote for!!

Angie always loved your movie and what you are doing in the world, you are one celebrity that is more then words.

Let us know if the libs in Hollywood turn their back on you for going against them and we will boycott all movies that come out of Hollywood until they see the truth.

The libs love defeat, the love the enemy, they hate America.

Posted by: spock | Feb 29, 2008 10:50:02 AM

Didn't get more play? She was given a forum in the Washington Post!!!

Posted by: DKNY | Feb 29, 2008 10:48:30 AM

If the United Nations High Commission for Refugees goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie would have said to get the coalition of troops out of Iraq immediately this would be front page news on all media.
She would probably even be asked to join the Obama and Clinton campaigns as their celebrity of the week. CNN, NBC, et. al. would be fighting for an interview with her.
But since she does not promote the media´s and Democrat´s agenda she will be ignored.

Posted by: Sally Frank | Feb 29, 2008 10:06:44 AM

For those who have not been given the opportunity to experience the truth for themselves I add the following. Operations in Iraq have protected us all and have been incredibly effective. Military actions which lead to humanintarian operations take incredible time and patience and are incredbily slow moving. So, I warn all of you who seek an abrubt end to our military, diplomatic, and humanitarian combined operations should expect serious and dangerous long-term implications to throwing in the towel with the blood, sweat, and tears already spent in Iraq.

Posted by: Dave | Feb 29, 2008 10:01:31 AM

I am shocked. Flabergasted. Bamboozled. Liberal media outlets not wanting to give any play to something that cuts across their world view? Weird? NO. Status quo for them. Why is the Iraq War no longer front page news JT? Is it because there is no news to report? Hardly. JT, you're what's weird, if you are honestly confused by the media's non-interest in something Angelina says. What's even more telling, is that Angelina is USUALLY given all the attention in the world by the media -- UNLESS AND UNTIL she says something they don't like. Then, nothing.

Posted by: Chuck | Feb 29, 2008 9:56:28 AM

The iraq war should have never happen in the first place if only George bush and his allies know how to mind their business.

Posted by: Nyimasata camara | Feb 29, 2008 9:45:21 AM

Yea Jolie is so smart she's even able to play video game characters. Genius.

Posted by: Fred | Feb 29, 2008 9:09:37 AM

She is actually intelligent! Good to see that she is as smart as she is beautiful.

Obviously not voting for Mr. Barack Hussein Obama.

Posted by: Rocky | Feb 29, 2008 8:59:05 AM

Hmmm- Do I foresee a future Jolie run for President?!! To the commenter JRAM-Reagan was an actor-and he was a fine President.

Posted by: Actors and Politics | Feb 29, 2008 8:53:39 AM

Angie,,,, YOU'RE AN ACTRESS! DO WHAT YOU DO BEST AND ACT,,ERRR,,, PRETEND!

money buys political clout. How unfortunate,, and people like the media listen.

Posted by: JRAM | Feb 29, 2008 8:45:17 AM

Angelina is very respected and has her heart at the right place, but in this case she is confused. The humanitarian work has to be done by the humanitarian organizations and the military work by the militaries. Who does not remember Somalia when the US military has mixed military work with humaniutarian work, it was a disaster. Armies fight and win win wars, period. So the occupation of Irak has to come to an end because it is not sustainable and Irakis have to get up for themselves and build their nation. The UN has to play a central role in the humanitarian crisie in Irak, that is not the US army's role nor responsibility.

Posted by: BKMC | Feb 29, 2008 8:42:11 AM

How interesting!

So, what does Tom Cruise think about Iraq?

Or what about Jenna Jameson?

Whoopi Goldberg?

Weird indeed that their invaluable opinions don't get more play.

Posted by: Churchill | Feb 29, 2008 8:21:54 AM

Weird, Mr. Tapper? Not when you consider that the majority opinion about the Iraq war is so close to that opion about the Vietnam war. This time, the liberal Democrats and Media are hyping so much about the current administration's devious plot(s) to line their pockets and/or ignorance of foriegn policy makes a more culpable consensus to get out. Current technology and the embedding of reporters with troops is icing on the cake. The horrors of war are brought to your living room with no mention of humanitarian accomplishments.

An American Disabled Veteran

Posted by: nabi | Feb 29, 2008 8:13:13 AM

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