An Iraqi Interpreter’s Story

michaeltotten ^ | 8/7/07 | Michael Totten

[bnelson44]

MJT: What will happen if the Americans leave next year?

Hammer: Rivers of blood everywhere. Syria and Iran will take pieces of Iraq. Anti-American governments will laugh. You will be a joke of a country that no one will take seriously.

I will kill myself if it happens. I am completely serious. The militias will hunt down and kill me and my family. I will beat them to it by killing myself.

I worked for the U.S. government for four years. Everyone who works as an interpreter for four years and gets a signature from a General or a Senator gets a Green Card. My hope is to get this somehow. I will do anything for this.

I am doing this for my son. Everything for my son. I don’t want my son living here getting into religion and militias and Al Qaeda. I want my son to be free, to have a girlfriend, to get married, and to be a good citizen.

[Allegra]

If I knew President Bush’s private e-mail, I would send him this article with the simple points about electricity and being released from a prison underscored. This man makes me realize just how trapped the Iraqi people are, and I pray to God that the surge frees all of them.

I feel like crying after reading this article.

That's why I'm so determined to see this through and so furious at the Dems and the media for all of the roadblocks they have thrown up throughout this.

Last November, the morning after our U.S. elections, I was greeted with anguished Iraqi faces and questions such as "What is going to happen to us now?" "Our country is just starting to walk and now we are doomed."

I felt terrible. I was always able to encourage them and that day, I didn't know what to tell them.

[noamnasty]

What is it you do ? Are in in the service or are you a missionary ?

[PigRigger]

Seeing this effort through, no matter the sacrifice, will never equate to the horrors that await the people of Iraq, and our nation, if we decide to cut and run...

In the short term we save billions of dollars....but in the long run, the false peace acquired, will cost us so much more.

I am at a loss for words in attempting to understand how anyone can think cutting and running will benefit our nation...the Iraqi's...the region...and the Western world...

I pray we are wise in the path we take...

[pigsmith]

bump

[Allegra]

What is it you do ? Are in in the service or are you a missionary ?

I'm a civilian contractor embedded with the military. We are working with one of the Iraqi Government Ministries, mentoring them in global business practices and helping them to transition from coalition support to stand-alone status.

It's exhausting, dangerous, can be frustrating and maddening, and it is the most challenging and rewarding job I have ever had. I love it. :-)

[noamnasty]

Are you a female or male ?

I can not imagine how much work and frustration it would entail . I can also understand the good parts of it also .You are serving your country and I thank you . War is hell, can’t be said enough . but sometimes necessary .Someone once said in a song , “ You have to be cruel to be kind “.

[Allegra]

Are you a female or male ?

Now, how many guys have you known named "Allegra?" ;-)

Check my Profile page.

Thank you for your kind words and God bless you.

[Tennessean4Bush]

Iran is a more reliable ally than the Americans.

I have been saying for some time this conflict would be over within 6 months if the democrats could just start saying "we don't agree with Bush's policies and his failed attempts at pacifying Iraq. Elect us and we will get Iraq pacified." Even if they did not mean it and knew that they were going to pull out a year down the road, just stating that while we disagree with Bush on almost everything, if we get the power we are not going to leave but do it right. That would deflate the insurgency and buck up the allies we have there enormously.

[SandRat]

Definately worth the read.

[nw_arizona_granny]

You are right, this is a good read.

[NonLinear]

*** Bookmark ***

Thanks! Great post!

[noamnasty]

I thought you were a guy, guess I forgot women are there too . Either way you take care of yourself and stay safe. Your profiles neat .I didn’t know there were profiles here .

God bless you too , and America .

[FARS]

Nuking Iran would achieve more than Iraq.

[nuconvert]

*PONG

[Valin]

Thanks. I read this yesterday. Totten is one of the best reporters in the area.

[AdmSmith]

Why not try this:

Charge money to the families of insurgents. Fine them huge amounts of money if anyone in their family is captured or killed and identified as an insurgent. Make them pay. You can put it into law. Within one week they won't do anything wrong because they want money. Their families will make them stop. The militias pay them 100 dollars to set up IEDs. Fine them thousands of dollars if they are caught and their families will make them stop. Give them that law. Go ahead. Try it.