May 18, 2008
The List: A Mission To Save Iraqi Lives
Branded As Collaborators By Insurgents, Many Iraqis Who Helped The U.S. Face Grave Danger
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Excerpt: The List
Scott Pelley talks to a young American on a mission to help Iraqis that worked for the U.S. (Editor's Note: To protect the Iraqis, we have not included any of the refugees in this online version.)
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Kirk Johnson (CBS)
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Iraq: 5 Years At War
Five years after the U.S.-led invasion, the war wears on.
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When that happened in Vietnam, the U.S. brought more than 100,000 refugees to the states. But today, the U.S. government, which was so desperate for Iraqi workers, is not so eager to help them now.
As correspondent Scott Pelley reports, one young American named Kirk Johnson has jumped into this breach. All he wanted to do was rescue one of his Iraqi co-workers. When he did, a thousand more pleaded for help and Johnson began "the list."
"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 Pelley.
Johnson says we owe these Iraqis "speedy resettlement" in the United States.
The U.S. failed to grant that speedy resettlement. So Johnson has taken it upon himself to plead the cases of some of an estimated 100,000 Iraqis who worked for America.
"These are the names, the supporting documents, the recommendation letters, the cell phones, every bit of information that we could compile to help the government live up to their obligation to these people and help resettle them," he says.
A binder holds the list of nearly 1,000 Iraqis Johnson is trying to get into the U.S. He gets Iraqis free lawyers, helps them navigate the system, and pleads their cases to the State Department, with praise from their former American employers.
And the binder is filled with the threats written by the enemy that make life in Iraq impossible.
"In the name of Allah, who kills the tyrants. This is your last warning," Pelley reads from one warning.
"Yeah, 'And to all those who work or cooperate with the pagan occupation forces we are running out of patience and our hearts are full of hatred,'" Johnson adds.
Threats like that have pushed four million Iraqis from their homes. About a million of them are hiding in neighboring Jordan, where 60 Minutes traveled to meet some of the people sending Johnson desperate e-mails by the thousands.
"The most common subject line that I get is simply 'Help,'" Johnson says.
"You know, I wonder how you feel when someone sends you an e-mail that says 'My life is in your hands,'" Pelley asks.
"What can you do? All I can do is…," he replies as his phone rings.
His cell phone number was new. But, within hours, word spread that the keeper of the list was in town and the phone kept ringing. Johnson is something like what Oskar Schindler was to Jews in Nazi Germany.
"All these people who are calling you, they seem so desperate, almost as if just seeing you would better their chance somehow," Pelley remarks.
"Yeah and I wish that were the case. I'm already doing everything I can," Johnson says.
"But you're all they've got," Pelley says.
"It's pretty sad," Johnson says. "I still hope that that's not the case. I have to believe that they have the power of the U.S. government living up to its word."
Produced by Shawn Efran
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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A message to Kirk Johnson: Good job, man, I am proud of you. If I can help. please let me know. I could take care of a single woman with or without children and sponser her until she will get back on her feet.
What do you think?
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Posted by mikewatkin at 07:44 PM : May 18, 2008
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Don''t you mean the Government Bush want''s put in? IF the only thing we were out to do was rid them of a Dictator so they could govern themselves our Troops should have been home long ago!! That''s what''s so funny about these bootlickers. They bought the first lies, the lies told to cover up the first one''s, then they bought the next set to cover up for that group.... They even bought the LIE of the Surge... THAT''s why these people are in DANGER....
How can I get in touch with Mr. Johnson?
Butch Quick
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Posted by sill85 at 07:46 PM : May 18, 2008
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Yep you make a great point. It''s like Bush''s failed policies are MORE Important than American''s. Some of those Troops are in their 4th or 5th tour. That''s our defense and it''s worn out... Totally as well.
Are you for real? That is all we do. We don''t take care of our own we take care of everyone else as if this country has so much money and so many lives to throw around.
Get rid of the ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS and lets help those who help us.
Yes, thanks! I''ve had enough of this ***. My step son just came back from "helping" them. They aren''t even trying over there. They act stupid. He was right in the center of the latest bombing and there was nothing that could be done about it because it was coming from a civilian area! They need to stay there and fight for their rights and freedom! Like our forefathers did! We are already doing all the work for them. Our soldiers get trained in months and we have been there years training theirs and they just play stupid and don''t get it. All that killing and they can''t fight for themselves.
Ok 60 Minutes....how about a special on how we are going to take care of these people? How about those gas prices? How about how big the Bush''s are into GAS! How about our own deprived citizens right here?
Spare me. I''m about tempted to ban your show for this!
I don''t want the Bush Administration and its predecesor to spend $1 Trillion dollars and over 4,100 lives and start letting church groups and indivuals bring these people here.
They are Muslins and will not settle into our society but will be empowered with numbers and start protesting against our civil rights like they are doing in Europe against the established culture. I am a VFW & American Legion card carrying combat Vet and I say NO.
Reality? Come and take a ride with me! Let me show you reality. Are you blind to our economy? Do you see our gas prices? Do you see all the abandoned homes? How about all the jobless? Are you going to foot the bill for these people? Cuz if you aren''t then that leaves our country and our country is seeming a little TAPPED OUT right now!
Spare me. As long as YOU are taking them in and footing the bill, I will keep my opinions to myself. You don''t know what I know. You don''t know how many people bring their families over to get social security or to get funded for a nursing home or medical here and they have NEVER worked a day in this country. Wonder why are taxes are so high? I work with tons of body aches and ailments. I can''t even get social security because I am an american. I have to fight for years to get it and they come over and get it just for being here for 2 years. You are the one that is not in reality. Do your homework. Check your hospitals.
I hope this means that you are opening your home and your check book to these people because I sure hate to see prices and taxes go up to pay their way.
Seeing Iraqi desperation produced by American "Iraq policy" come to the screen made me cry angry tears. Lost limbs, loved ones, homes and lives means nothing to a US Administration with no heart nor decency. This administration continues to step on the little guy. The little guy this time, quite literally, put his or her life on the line for our troops and support staff. The conduct of "using" and "not protecting" those who protected our forces is a shameful black mark on the history of America.
Bravo, Scott keep finding other Johnsons and telling the real story.
Connie Timpson/Jacksonville, Florida
Are you from there? Were you even born in the US? I would bet not.
Like I said, you foot the bill, take them in and I will keep my opinions to myself. I am sick and tired of seeing our own people get screwed right here on this land.
Why don''t you go over there and protect them? I think you should be over there standing up for them. Don''t waste time sticking around this pathetic country since it has embarassed you by treating them so bad. Go there and make it a better place for them. Bye bye now.
AMEN
Yes, there are other countries over there. After all, they are chosing to have babies while it is so dangerous. Then they are crying and demanding that we take care of them. Why don''t they stop bringing innocent children into this mess?
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That''s funny because you''re probably sitting on your couch hiding behind your stepson''s service (props to him).
I have been there (thrice) to help them and I''m proud of that. And I''ll gladly foot the bill for those that have helped make my missions easier, regardless of what situation our economy is in. That''s the thing about responsibility and sacrifice, you don''t choose when you want to abide by them, you just do.
As a non-VFW & non-American Legion non-card carrying combat Vet I say YES
They absorb our tax funded education and welfare dollars without returning the same back. They refuse to do what all American immigrants have done for 300 years or more. Similate in the culture. They keep there same foggy thoughts of the world as they did in their previous country. The Iranians are more cosmopolitan than these segments. If you feel sorry for these people volunteer for a job in Iraq. The new US Embassy has a lot of space. Do it for free.
I am a non-combat veteran of the Viet Nam era, and a member of D.A.V., A.L. and V.V.A.
If people help our military, I believe they deserve %u201Ca better place to be;%u201D and, that could be the U.S. or other countries that would offer them immigration.
I found the most interesting scene in this report was filmed at the airport WHERE THE INCOMING IMMIGRANTS MET WITH THEIR EXTENDED FAMILIES ALREADY HERE. That made me wonder if they all are sincere or are they just hoping for a fast tract immigration process!!!
Will they feel safe here if they believe our leaders who tell us...."the terrorists will follow us home?"
Won''t their enemies come here looking for them.....maybe via our southern unprotected border?
How rewarding it would be if those bloggers who offer help to these poor Iraqis would find a disabled veteran and family in their neighborhood and offer them some of their time and money!! Charity does begin at home.....right?
The mainstream media needs to be held more responsible for this sad statistic. And I have a question for you producers and executives at CBS: Do you think that you are at all responsible for this bleak statement? After all, this story was out for a long time, but you have not reported on it.
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY????
The mainstream media needs to be held more responsible for this sad statistic. And I have a question for you producers and executives at CBS: Do you think that you are at all responsible for this bleak statement? After all, this story was out for a long time, but you have not reported on it.
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY????
The mainstream media needs to be held more responsible for this sad statistic. And I have a question for you producers and executives at CBS: Do you think that you are at all responsible for this bleak statement? After all, this story was out for a long time, but you have not reported on it.
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY????
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
As the mainstream media, you have a far broader reach in your audience. Here at War News Radio, we are largely preaching to the choir, but you have the ability to shape policy with your stories. WHY HAS IT TAKEN YOU SO LONG TO PRESENT THIS STORY???? YOU HAVE A SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS KIND OF STORY WHEN IT BREAKS, NOT ONE YEAR LATER!!!
Muslin children attending public schools want separate facilities for males and females taking away the rights of the regular students. I was at a beach a few years ago and saw a muslin mother with her two children. They had swim suits on that were popular during the Charlie Chaplan films in the 1920''s. Taxi drivers refuse American patrons. Saying these observations are racists are refusing to believe what happens all over the Christian world. Read more folks. BBC is a good way to start. I hear part of Detroit Michigan is controlled by Muslins who have converted the city to a small Iraq.
JHBRN, please tell me you are some kind of online joke, your comment was so inhuman that I registered here just to tell you so and blogged it as well. OUR admin. started this war, they didn''t ask for it, yet you blame them? They HELPED our soldiers! They DO deserve our help!
JHBRN, please tell me you are some kind of online joke, your comment was so inhuman that I registered here just to tell you so and blogged it as well. OUR admin. started this war, they didn''t ask for it, yet you blame them? They HELPED our soldiers! They DO deserve our help!