Petition to Grant "Mohammed" U.S. Citizenship

Parkersburg News & Sentinel ^ | 4/8/03 | Evan Bevins

[Rammer]

I agree with the idea of a bold gesture to show our gratitude. He should definitely be rewarded for risking his life for what is honorable.

However, like some others, I would also believe that this man deserves to be a leader in the New Iraq - let's make sure that his family is well taken care of, and that he is publicly honored.

[The Other Harry]

I bet he and his family wouldn't mind an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World. And maybe a tour of the White House and a dinner with GWB.

[Norman Arbuthnot]

Wow, for a second I thought this thread was about the Iraqi Minister of Information (aka Baghdad Bob). I'm relieved to find out that it is not.

Bob is a pretty funny guy who has acheived near cult status but this would be going too far.

Seriously, I'm all for granting this Mohammad citizenship if that is what he desires. I believe he wants to stay in Iraq, but it may not be safe for him to do so for some time. If he decides he wants to take his family to the US I'm in favor of it.

[AmericanInTokyo]

That's more like it.

Don't insult them with American overbenevolence.

[dead]

Would you agree to give him citizenship if we took it away from somebody else?

I'd give him Peter Arnett's in a minute.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Anyone remember when murderer Gary Gilmore was to be put before the musket in Utah about 20 years ago? And they had a general notice for volunteers to sign up for the squad. The Utah Dept of Prisons was flooded with letters and phone calls from hunters around the state who wanted to sign up for the firing squad.

I'll bet 'Baghdad Bob' would fetch just as much a postwar turnout after the War Crime Trials.

[cubreporter]

Absolutely...I am all for citizenship for this man. He could have turned his head and forgot all about it but he did not. He deserves to have the citizenship.

[The Vast Right Wing]

What have you done to earn yours?

[AmericanInTokyo]

It's insulting. Arrogant. Take it from me.

Has anyone bothered to ask the man what he wants to do?

This is like the human shields going to Iraq to 'help the people' but never once did they really listen to find out what the need of the people were. They just assumed.

There are far more appropriate ways to reward this man without insulting his country or making him a jealous target amongst his peers.

[teokee]

i love the story true or false

[AmericanInTokyo]

the only way I could perhaps be talked into this idea were, if one person suggested, we take citizenship from Arnett and recirculate it to someone like this. still not a good way to play with citizenship, imho

[henderson field]

Mohammed is one of very few foreigners worthy of citizenship in the U.S. A minor point, here, but North Royalton is not north of Cleveland. If it were, it would be in Lake Erie.

[fourdeuce82d]

I'll bet 'Baghdad Bob' would fetch just as much a postwar turnout after the War Crime Trials.

Nahhh...sentence him to read, one after another, all of his statements in front of a drunk crowd at a comedy club, while all the video we have seen plays on screens behind him.

he's humiliated, we're amused.

[TheSpottedOwl]

I read through all of the replies before responding. This man put his life, and his family's life, on the line to save that soldier. No, I think that he would be more of an asset as part of the new Iraqi government, even though I like the thought of offering him and his family US citizenship. When all is tidied up, he should be at least honored with a medal and a trip to the White House.

[rvoitier]

I don't consider risking your life and yours family's as playing fast and loose.

This guy has done more to earn one than a great majority of the current citizens.

[daviddennis]

If we want to reward him, get him a half-decent car. The article mentioned that he drove a Soviet Moskvitch, which has to be one of the world's worst vehicles.

But that will probably take care of itself, since there will be plenty of good jobs in the new Iraq. I wouldn't give him special consideration since I think any employer worth his salt would go out of his way to hire the guy.

But help him buy a Hummer H2?

Now THAT's an idea :-).

D

[neehaow]

I vote with the "Iraq needs more men like him" crowd. The only reservation I can think of is if he thinks that he will be in danger if he stayed. Why don't we just ask him what he wants to do?

Or just give him an SUV....

[A2J]

Can we stop playing "fast and loose" with U.S. citizenship?

Amen.

[stanz]

I don't know if he wants citizenship, but I signed the petition hoping it could be offered to him. We have thugs, thieves, murderers and rapists filling our jails who are citizens and have abused the freedom America graciously offers. This brave soul deserves every opportunity we could offer to him and his family if he chooses it.

[clamper1797]

America owes this man a great deal of gratitude. I hope we make sure that he and his family are safe from the revenge of the Fedadyeen