Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:27:35 GMT

Dear Stephanie, This is such a terrible situation for the families who are now split apart from eachother. It is heartwrenching to read that the wife said she would return to Baghdad if that was the only way they could be together. Then the woman who went back to get a few things from her home only to find out she couldn't return. These people are all desperate to leave this horrible violence and one only hopes they can find safe haven somewhere. I hope Haidar can be with his family again. Peace needs to come soon for these people. Peace to all.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

tom, mahattan beach, ca — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:47:39 GMT

The population displacement is Iraq has gotten too little news coverage. What a disaster we've made of the place!

135,000 troops can not enforce Bush's will on 25 million Iraqis. We have to get out and let then sort it out for themselves - it's their life anyway and they don't need us to babysit them.

Whatever we do will be undone to their liking as soon as we leave anyway, so why stay longer?

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

mikeeg,abdn,wa — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:14:16 GMT

AS usual the facts do not support bush.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Darren, Glendale, CA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:18:51 GMT

Headline 1
Syria closes its door to Iraqis after admitting 1.5 million refugees with open arms over the past 4 years since the American government toppled Saddam, leaving Iraq in disarray. 1.5 million refugees amounts to 8% of Syria's total population.

Headline 2
America opens its door to 1000 Iraqi refugees over the past 4 years. 1000 refugees amounts to some 0.00033% of its population.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Hunter no other imformation is needed — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:57:28 GMT

No offense to Syria or anything but that s really screwed up they shouls not split families. Honestly I am sure that some of the Goverment in Syria has families and they should think about having to leave there family that is not right if they would not like it than they should not force other people into tat situtation. They should let Haider and that other poor women that was sobing on the street see there family. I mean honestly just imagine you in that situtation.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

can't wait for '08 — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:59:18 GMT

The only right thing to do is gather these Iraqi emmigrant families together and bring them to live on Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas...the rest can be placed on Cheney's land, Rove's, Rumsfeld's, and the other neo-cons responsible for the Iraq war. This way they'll get to come to America, Bush & Co. will know the consequences of their policy, and justice will be served.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

dale, sacramento calif — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:25:20 GMT

Another aspect of this illegal war our government chooses not to tell us about. How stupid they must think we are. With the internet we can access news from any part of the world, not just what they think we need to know. "The truth is out there".

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Paul DeMarco — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:32:16 GMT

My heartfelt sympathies to those torn from their families but at some point the Iraqi people must resolve this terrible situation. The US goverment is going to leave in the next few years and then what? The people must stand up and be counted as one or it will be split into three separate countries that will be at war with each other for years. I'm afraid we are still at the beggining and it will only get worse from here.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Alan Gates, Columbus, Georgia — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:33:21 GMT

...real sob story for sure, but let us remember, if the Iraqi people will help U.S. and coalition forces root out the terrorist and clean up THIER towns, all Iraqis could return to help rebuild thier land. With stability come freedom! Fight for your country and we won't have too.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

David W — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 05:37:16 GMT

why is the US not taking refugees? One small town in Sweden, Sodertalje, has taken more refugees from Iraq than the entire US. SHAME!!!!

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

william n. scoville oswego new york — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:58:02 GMT

perhaps president bush should talk to some iraqi citizens, he doesn't listen to 2/3 thirds of the population of america. he could really learn whats going on over there, but why should he, he's an egotistical liar.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Bashar, Dubai — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:47:22 GMT

Iraqis have no where else to go, former allies abondoned them, new so called allies abondoned them, the people who made this mess abondoned them, their Arab and Muslim "Brothers" abondoned them, their government abondoned them, the UN abondoned them. People wonder why a new generation of radicalized children is being created here...so much for the war on terror.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

dan — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:20:34 GMT

scarry thought;the end of religious freedom as we know it .if you read the news about iraq -or you will notice
once in a while -theyll mention a mosque that gets blown up with people in it -congregation members or worshipers -recently an evangelist friend in india stated to me his worries -since the terrorism is spreading to his country now -this time its between the hindus and muslims -they are attacking or blowing up each others temples -shrines or mosques -side affect of this terrorist type action -loss of religious freedom.temorarily for the safety of all in a paticular region the indian government -has suspended the right of freedom of assembly -temporarily it against the law for you to go to church and congregationally assemble -no matter what religion you are -if you go you are driven away or arrested -this is for your own safety -the govwernment
i presume doesnt want you to become a target in a group setting at church -or other types of worship services -i guess also so that the religious leaders wont incite violent acts from the pulpit against other religious groups-so there fore-freedom of religious expression/worship is banned -allong with the right to assembly -i figure what is next is freedom of speech -temporarily if you ask me is defined as how long the acts of terrorism last -? i dont know about india but it scares me to think what could happen to our rights in the u.s. -look at how may rights we lost as a side effect of terrorist acts in 9-11 vs. the patriot act -the supension of habeus corpus -definition of torture-interogations and definition of enemy combatant .as for the church in india -my friend the evangelist is a law abbiding man - he loves his country and his government -he abbides by this temporary law -side effect his church is suffering financail problems -why -he is a christian -in a area that the government is mainly hindu -because he is not
hindu nor is he very big he doesnt qualify for state aid nor does he get international ngo-non profit aid -this leaves him with only local congregational tithes for support-and friends on the internet -he resides in a poor area so money is tight among his congregation -and he supports a church and a community outreach and an orphanage -without being able to get back to normal church proceedings soon he will not be able to feed the children or afford to keep the church doors open or the lights on ..the futureof religious freedom is bleak .if its ok with the editor for confirmation of the story or other facts my friend in indias e-mail address is praveenongole@yahoo.com.in -in this story my facts may not be as bad as stated-but thats the basic idea i recieved -for better clarification contact my friend .- please keep an eye out on future events as they may effect us over here one day .take
care friends ...............god bless

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Farouk Al-Saad, Damascus — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:59:29 GMT

The calamity of the Iraqi refugees should be shared by all those participated in the war especially by the three main players in the war, USA, Britain and Iraqi Government. So far UK refused to grant visa to any refugees , America announced that it will accept 7000 refugees this year but s far it has received no more than 120, whereas USA allowed to more than 180000 southern Vietnamese to enter to its soil. America should abide with its moral obligation to help Syria and Jordan in coping with this humanitarian crisis. I left everything I managed to gather during my life which spanned 53 years , a house, furniture, to be looted by militias and gangsters so as to save my children and my life from random killings. Now I fell that the future is bleak and there is no light at the end of the tunnel through which the US-lead coalition wanted to drive us . within two months my stay in Syria will be over and we should leave to face our tragic destiny.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Carol, Nashville, Tn — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:03:46 GMT

I certainly hope Syria does the opposite for the
militants it's exporting that is causing the exodus.
Maybe they'll keep them INSIDE Syria and out of Iraq.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Abusidra, Dubai, U.A.E. — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:26:52 GMT

Refugees are not the only problem, poverty, prostitution, sectarian killing, spread of hatred, increase of terrorism all are to the credit of axis of evils Bush, Blair, Howard & yes-men. Even though Media is giving Islam a very negative publicity but it is working its way, see from the no. of Muslim converts in recent times in Europe & Americas.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Green in New England — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:54:41 GMT

As when the forest is cleared for the factory or when the land is cleared to rid the pests, so the avowed US interest is not in the people or much else but the destabilization of an oil-rich region and then stabilization by permanent military presence "to keep a lid on it" and ensure oil production. Bush and our other "leaders" are colonizing Iraq and the fewer organized locals the less resistance "we" will meet.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Roland O'Brien, Green Cove Springs, FL — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:03:00 GMT

Now, if only Syria would do something to reverse its position on supporting terrorists! Syria is still leaving its border open for Al Quaeda and other terrorists, facilitating the insurgency against the United States in Iraq.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Ed ..OREGON — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:05:26 GMT

IT is way pass time for the PEOPLE in IRAQ to stand up for their self and fight ..SO do not feel sad for them ..AS we lose a lot of AMERICANS because the country will not help us >>BUT they take are money and run

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Tony — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:06:38 GMT

This is a crying shame, another legacy of the 'free and democratic Iraq' that the Neocon gang have given us. There should be a list of shame telling the world how many iraqi refugees countries that invaded have admitted. History has already passed it's verdict on messers Bush and Cheney and Blair's...War!

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Larry Reynolds — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:24:35 GMT

The American people need to wake up! This is a Bush War, It's all political. Oil barons getting richer, Fat Cats gettin' fatter, and the American public gettin' screwed,and our troops dying for nothing, except to make them all richer. America wake up and take this beautiful country back before it's too late.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Denny Valdosta GA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:33:01 GMT

I see none of these hand wringing, gutless lowlifes qualified to judge a military operation that freed millions in the middle east, they want to kill us, and a few mindless, gutless, wimps should be very thankful they can live free and can express their mindless, selfish, disfunctional opinions, that many in the past 231 years have fought and died to protect even mindless and the disfunctionals freedoms.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

AutoName — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:46:09 GMT

It's a shame we did not look at the tragedy of this thing before we promoted it.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Realist — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:47:54 GMT

With all the arms flowing over the boarder, It should not be hard to get in. Just take an ammo truck back.
Besides, Syria will become a battle ground soon. Isreal will be bombing it soon..................

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Ray and the THROW THE BUM'S OUT COMMITTE — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:54:32 GMT

What a mess we have gotten into. 240 million people in this country and not the president or the congress will do what 70% of us want done and we call ourselfs the worlds greatest democarcy. We need to vote out every incumbent running for reelection for the next 10 years. THROW ALL THE BUM'S OUT.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

C Williams, Virginia — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:34:20 GMT

This is war a that has no conclusion. the Iraqi's see us as they saw the invading huns, and will have nothing to do with our influence.

Our biggest dilemma is trying to maintain the niceguy-fairplay-follow-by-the-rules-lead-by-example /invader/liberator image, while the insurgents know exactly how to use it against us. The only way to gain the role of supreme ruler, is to ruthlessly crush this opponent. They do not see defeat of thier armies as a prompt for submission. We are viewed as occupying infidels.

So long as we sit there and respond only when attacked, we will remain indefinetely in the midst of semi-chaos. We need to act ruthlessly, as Saddam did in Kurdistan, or get out. In spite of the rupulsive sadistic evil image of a tyrrant, Saddam knew his people, and knew how to control them.

If we continue to maintain status quo, and refuse to leave, (and lose face), we will be there...FOREVER!

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Flex, Toronto — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:29:57 GMT

This should be remembered whenever Washington mentions that Syria and Iran is causing problems in Iraq. They have helped Iraqis far more than the Americans leading this war! 1.5 million refugees worth! How does this administration have the gull to blame these countries for the mess they obviously created. How many American-made weapons make it into the hands of terrorists and murderers? Much more than Syrian or Iranian weapons do. Al-Qaeda and the Taleban were armed by America in the first place, and not by a neighboring nation, but a nation over an ocean away? Why not hold the American government as responsible as the Iranian and Syrian governments? I feel bad for the good Americans having their names smeared by this administration, not to mention the terrorists this government is breeding by turning these ordinary Iraqis to extremists by putting these people through all this death and destruction. These families mentioned are lucky compared to the ones split apart by the death this war has brought!

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Cbmcd — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:48:15 GMT

It's all your bleeding heart liberal comments that have encouraged the enemy in Iraq all these years. The biggest mistake Bush has made is trying to appease your politically correct attitude about war and collateral damage. You want to surrender to Alcida, turn the country over to them to slaughter each other until the last group is standing. Then you will sit back and blame Bush for that too. Liberalism is a disease that eats at logic like a cancer. Get a cure.
Quick!

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

rosie, L.A., CA — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:56:14 GMT

I do not understand why we blame Bush for this killing in Iraq. He went into this war that's a different story. Iraqis hate each other and they are killing each other. Americans are not killing them.
I wish people of Iraq can understand and stop this type of bevahior. Innocent people are suffering due to cruelily of terrorist.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Ken, Seattle — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:00:41 GMT

Imagine what would happen if even 10% of those able bodied men stayed and actually fought for their country instead of turning tail. They're not all worried about their families.

Keep going with your bleeding hearts. I'm sure your tax dollars will help them eventually.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

concerned citizen of the world — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:24:25 GMT

What a sad situation this is for the people of Iraq and the Middle East. Threre is plenty of blame to go around for every policy maker in the area and around the world that has been involved in this mess, but the only real solution has to come from the government in Iraq and help from the outside world. Until this happens, this tragedy will continue to develop and get worse. It is now time for everyone that has their hands in this to get their act together and fix this horrible nightmare.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Ray in Fl — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:09:23 GMT

I am so sick of your neoconserversatives republicans all the way over on the right and you bleeding heart liberal democates all the way over on the left that it makes me sick. Neither of you have any idea what you are talking about. You will never defeat those muslims on their own turf. The French tried and failed. The British tried and failed. The Russians tried and failed. and now we are trying and also failing. Had we spent the $700 billion protecting our borderes, checking ports for arms, added more people to the immigration dept etc ect. We could kick their asses on our turf. Thats the way we keep america safe!

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Sean, Torrington — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:29:39 GMT

The war was lost the second they decided that 'democracy' would make everything better.

Anyone involved in this war is a criminal. Anyone. Including me, because my taxes help fund the people who borrowed $1 Trillion to pay for it.

The least the USA can do is welcome the refugees! We can give them a piece of Utah or something to live on.

Hope you war-mongers have plenty of children...we'll need lots of money to pay for this boondoggle.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

john florida — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:44:02 GMT

THE U.N. ESTIMATES WHO CARE ABOUT THE U.N.THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTED THE OIL FOR FOOD NONSENSE THAT WAS USED BY THEM TO LINE THEIR POCKETS.THEY HELPED CAUSE THIS WAR AS MUCH AS THE ATTACK ON 9/11. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH ANY TING REGUARDING THE U.S.AS FOR SYRIA THEY ARE LETTING THESE PEOPLE IN ONLY TO SAVE FACE WITH THE REST OT THE WORLD. THIS IS ALL ABOUT DENYING THAT THEY ARE LETTING TERRORISTS INTO IRAQ. HOW COULD A COUNTRY THAT IS TAKING THEM IN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROLONGING THEIR SUFFERING? GREAT COVER STORY BUT NOT TO BE BELIEVED BY ANY ONE.THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MURDERED THEIR NEIGHBORING LEADER BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT PLAY BALL.THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARM HESBOLAH. WHAT A CROCK.I FEEL BAD FOR THE HONEST IRAQIS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES FLIPPED INSIDE OUT.THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I WOULD WELCOME HERE NOT THE ONES THAT RAN OUT ON THEIR COUNTRY. THE ONES THAT STAYED AND FOUGHT THEIR ENEMIES.AS FAR AS ON PERSON WILLING TO GIVE THEM PART OF A STATE TO LIVE ON MAYBE THE WAT TO DO IT IS TO HAVE THEM LIVE ALL OVER AMONG US SO THE CAN BECOME AMERICANS AND NOT REMAIN IRAQIS.THAT IS HOW WE ALL BECAME AMERICANS BY LIVING WITH EACH OTHER.ONE MORE TIME WE ARE NOT THE ONES TARGETING IRAQIS WE ARE THE ONES TRYING TO PROTECT THEM FROM BECOMING TARGETS.

Syria closes its doors to Iraqis

Leo, Arnhem, Netherlands — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:05:15 GMT

Be they Iraqis, Americans, Liberals, Neocons, or 'terrorists', they are all just people, and people suffer.

Irrespective of if you blame the one or the other, I guess the question is if your attention and dollars are alleviating the suffering of the people you care about.

Reading through these comments it seems like many people are comfortable with either being evil tyrants or blaming others for situations they are part of. Many people here seem so choked with hatred for other people who think different that if this blog is a representative slice of the World then we're all going to hell.

Death and destruction are useful tools with which to shape the world you want to inhabit, but I'm sure some "bleeding hearts" help make this a nicer place.

Bud.