LBPOST.com: Rohrabacher To Iraqis: Be Less Bloodthirsty, More Grateful

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Rohrabacher To Iraqis: Be Less Bloodthirsty, More Grateful

by Keith Higginbotham | City Beat | 09.18.09 |

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Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, whose 46th District covers eastern portions of Long Beach, the city waterfront and the port, on Tuesday accused the Iraqi people of being ungrateful for American sacrifices since the United States-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and blamed sectarian violence in the country on Iraqi 'bloodlust.'

Rohrabacher's comments came during a session of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight which had been called to discuss sovereignty and stability issues in Iraq. Offering testimony during the hearing were two members of the Iraqi government's Council of Representatives, Saleh al Mutlaq and Ayad Allawi. The two spoke on Iraq's future and the importance of the country's upcoming national elections.

Speaking to the panel, Mutlaq called for a "moral and responsible" withdrawal of U.S. troops adding that the U.S. invasion of his country was "irresponsible."

Allawi, who also previously served as Iraqi interim Prime Minister of the post-invasion government, raised concerns that sectarian violence could impact the results of the upcoming January election. Allawi called for monitoring of the elections by the U.S., the United Nations, the Arab League and other non-governmental organizations.

Rohrabacher, who is the ranking Republican on the subcommittee, took exception to the Iraqi officals' comments.

"I have never heard one word of gratitude from the Iraqi people about the 4,300 Americans who lost their lives," Rohrabacher said. "We went to Iraq to try and free your people and now we're being blamed for sectarian violence. Don't blame us because that type of bloodlust exists in your society."

Mutlaq replied, "You were the ones who pushed your troops. We did not invite you."

Rohrabacher, according to witnesses, then threw up his hands and stormed out of the room.

Following Rohrabacher's departure from the hearing, subcommittee chairman Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-MA, informed the Iraqi officials that weapons of mass destruction, and not Iraqi freedom, were the reason the U.S. invaded Iraq.

Numerous international groups have estimated that in addition to combatants killed on both sides of the conflict, the total Iraqi civilian violent death toll due to the Iraq War now exceeds 1.2 million people.

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Comments

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Tony M
Let's recap: 1.2 million dead, 2 million refugees, a Shite majority closely aligned with Iran--the real WMD threat in the region, uncontrolled sectarian violence. How could they not be grateful for all we've done? Thank you Congressman for pointing out their bad manners.

Marilyn H
To have the Congressman who represents us 'throw up his hands and leave the room' is sad. Isn't diplomacy about dialoging with those with whom we don't agree? Last week the center of the screen on the Congressman's website was a Glen Beck video.....U.S. fearmonger extraordinaire. The Rev. Peggy Price who is deeply involved in the interfaith dialog movement in Huntington Beach has told me that our Congressman has been disinvited from speaking at their events because he doesn't seem to get the concept of dialog. I'm sending out the intention that the Congressman be exposed to a level and type of thinking which he has so far ignored ..... non violent communication.

Swimmaven
Rohrabacher is a loose cannon. How rude of him to exact words of gratitude from their leaders. More of the same as far as they were concerned. We invaded their country. Saddam was a thorn in our sides, but not a major threat like China (economically) or Mexico (undocumented non-citizens). We have ruined Iraq and stolen their oil, they should be grateful?

Sander
Nobody should be shocked by Rohrabacher's behavior. What shocks me is that he's been re-elected so many times. Either there are no Republican candidates brave enough to challenge him, or his constituents are lazy and irresponsible. (Perhaps a bit of both.)

Paul
Rohrabacher is an idiot, a stooge, and an embarrassment. If it wasn't for the gerrymandering of the district, we wouldn't have to live with the fact he represents part of Long Beach.

CHARLIE
Rohrabacher threw up his hands and walked out! Mutlaq was lucky - I would have climbed all over his unappretitive behind for what our life giving military did for Iraq. Maybe we should send one of Obama's Czars over there to appease his miserable rear end - Oh I know, lets send Jimmy Carter, he's good at stuff like that - Sheesh!

Angel
Mr. Rohrabacker, you and finally agree one thing! We never should have started a war and went into Iraq! "gratitude"! All of us take exception to the Iraqi officals' comments. Please note that Rohrbacker "I have never heard one word of gratitude from the Iraqi people about the 4,300 Americans who lost their lives," Rohrabacher said. "We went to Iraq to try and free your people(??) and now we're being blamed for sectarian violence. Don't blame us because that type of bloodlust exists in your society." AND Mutlaq replied, "You were the ones who pushed your troops. We did not invite you." AND it is for this very reason that we need to stay out of middle east wars! We have sacrificed 4,300 young Americans who lost their lives and another 8,000 who returned critically injured or crippled for life! And for what? There were never any "weapons of Mass distruction"! And we are going sacrifice more young warriors support a Corrupted govenment in Afganstan that fixed its elections? O, yes, we have wasted 1.3 trillion in Amerian dollars that could have paid for Health Care Insurance for all Americans!

CHRLIE
But, Angel, Nancy Pelosi said it was the CIA's fault that mislead the Bush Admin. Well at least we got rid of Sadom and set the Iraqi's free; Of course the problem is now - the Iraqi's don't know how to handle freedom - too many dictating factions there!

Andrea W.
Having met and spoken to the Congressperson several times at his offices in Washington DC, I know that he is not pursuaded by facts. He is not interested in dialog. A sad combination for any American, but a tragedy for someone in his position. The fact that he sticks to his position of WMD when Congressional reports have conceded that we knew there were no WMD and demands that a country that has lost so much because of our indefensible acts be grateful is yet another sign that the stories that Congressman Rohrabacher tells do not consult reality. What a tragedy that we are forced to be "represented" by him.

Greggory
Anyone wanna take a guess about how much gratitude Rohrabacher would feel toward a foreign power that invaded our country under false pretenses?

TD
Having known Congressman Rohrabacher for many years, I know him to be patient, respectful, but strong. I would be surprised if this report is completely accurate. Nonetheless I know many men in the military who have returned from Iraq and find the exact same report every time. The people there appreciate us because they don't live under tyranny anymore. Everyone has short memories, like most of us here. Since 9.11.2001 we have had ZERO attacks on our soil of any kind. Thank you Congressman Rohrabacher for standing strongly in support of our troops.

Cliff
Empire building requires its troops to follow directions. Oil is what we are after, making friends just complicates this. Rohrabacher is doing what is asked of him from those that put him in that place of authority. Just remember this is about oil and the control of it. Don't think so much. Turn off your TV and ride you bike more!

City Beat

Keith Higginbotham takes you inside City Hall and reports weekly on the decisions being made.

Keith Higginbotham is a freelance journalist and writer who most recently served as the West Coast editor for the trade magazine American Shipper, covering the shipping and logistics industries. Prior to this, he served as the Advertising and Multimedia Manager for the Port of Long Beach. He began his journalism career more than a decade ago as the Trade and Transportation beat reporter at the Long Beach Press-Telegram.