Posted on 09/14/2006 5:24:40 PM PDT by Impeach98
BLOG ALERT
Commentator Arianna Huffington Makes Disparaging Remarks About Plight of Iraqi Kurds Under Saddam Hussein
* Chairman of Kurdistan Development Corporation Invites Ms. Huffington to Visit Iraqi Kurdistan to Gain a Better Understanding for Herself
In an appearance last night on the O'Reilly Factor, commentator Arianna Huffington, who runs the blog website, www.HuffingtonPost.com dismissed the plight of the Kurds under dictator Saddam Hussein. Huffington also attacked a television ad campaign by the Kurds to thank Americans for helping liberate them from Hussein's reign of tyranny.
Huffington inaccurately stated that, "I think the Kurds were free before we invaded Iraq. But how have the conditions of the Kurds changed since we invaded Iraq?"
When shown a television commercial by Mr. O'Reilly titled "Thank You America" Ms. Huffington responded by saying, "I think that spot is sad. It is sad to use people in the interests of promoting an agenda." She added that in her belief, "The Kurdistan -- the position -- the position of the Kurds has not changed one iota since we invaded Iraq. What has changed is the position of Americans, who are less safe because we invaded Iraq."
The ad in question can be viewed for yourself here: www.TheOtherIraq.com
Responding to the comments made by Huffington, Ms. Bayan Rahman, Chairman of the Kurdistan Development Corporation, made the following statement:
"I was saddened to see the comments made by Arianna Huffington on the 'O'Reilly Factor" television show. One of the reasons we started our public relations efforts here in the United States, was to tell the story of Iraqi Kurdistan that has until now not been told."
"Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Kurds were killed by Saddam Hussein. Over 5,000 in one chemical weapons attack against the Kurdish city of Halabja. Even after the United States and Great Britain provided air protection with the "No Fly Zone," Saddam's tanks still stood pointed at our cities and our people.
"But now the people of Iraqi Kurdistan are free. We've implemented a flourishing democracy. We are rebuilding our nation from the devastation brought about by Saddam Hussein. And now we've passed free market economic reforms to encourage American companies to come and help rebuild Iraqi Kurdistan into a vibrant bastion of freedom and success in the Middle East.
"I invite Ms. Huffington to come to Kurdistan, as our guest, so that she may learn the truth and join our efforts to help tell the story of The Other Iraq."
- Ms. Bayan Rahman
Chairman, Kurdistan Development Corporation
www.TheOtherIraq.com
*A copy of the transcript from last night's O'Reilly Factor follows:
________________________________________________________
HUFFINGTON: I think Iraq has been a tragic disaster.
O'REILLY: OK. I want to play you a spot that's running on FOX News right now, and I want your reaction. Roll tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Saddam's goal was to bury every living Kurd. He failed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, America.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
ANNOUNCER: The Kurds of Iraqi Kurdistan just want to say thank you for helping us win our freedom.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you for democracy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, America.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'REILLY: How do you react to that?
HUFFINGTON: I think it's sad. I want to know who's paying for it. I want to know who...
O'REILLY: The Kurdistan government is. You think it's propaganda?
HUFFINGTON: Of course it's propaganda.
O'REILLY: You don't think the Kurds are free because of us?
HUFFINGTON: I think the Kurds were free before we invaded Iraq. But how have the conditions of the Kurds changed since we invaded Iraq?
O'REILLY: All right. So you think that's a total -- that's a total lie?
HUFFINGTON: I think that spot is sad. It is sad to use people in the interests of promoting an agenda.
O'REILLY: Yes, but the Kurdistan -- the Kurdistan government...
HUFFINGTON: The Kurdistan -- the position -- the position of the Kurds has not changed one iota since we invaded Iraq. What has changed is the position of Americans, who are less safe because we invaded Iraq.
O'REILLY: All right. I don't -- I disagree with you. I think Saddam persecuted the Kurds. I think they have a free -- and -- so what?
HUFFINGTON: So what? Our job is not to go there and save the Kurds. Our job to keep Americans safe.
O'REILLY: All right. OK. So what, the Kurds are free.
The sad truth is that many liberals are racists, which is why they are so quick to accuse everyone else of racism (projection). To many liberals, Kurds are just brown skinned people whose lives are not important if it means the US extending effort to help them.
Arianna is a classic case of the narcacistic leftist elite that believe they can control reality.
WELL SAID!
To some that might be considered TERRORISM
:)
Hahaha! Sad. Funny. Both at the same time!
Thanks for the ping!
I just saw that spot on FoxNews. It is WONDERFUL! Great images of various Kurds saying "Thank you", "We appreciate you" ... one guy showing his purple finger after voting.
Here's the website: http://www.theotheriraq.com/
I take it as a good sign that they've got their chamber of commerce-type efforts going.
Arianna can jolly well take a hike.
And here's the page to let them know what you think:
http://www.theotheriraq.com/contact.html
What a welcome message it is.
TigersEye: They aren't being gassed en masse or shot from helicopters anymore.
HUFFINGTON: I think that spot is sad. It is sad to use people in the interests of promoting an agenda.
TigersEye: I agree. Using Cindy Sheehan is reprehensible.
HUFFINGTON: The Kurdistan -- the position -- the position of the Kurds has not changed one iota since we invaded Iraq. What has changed is the position of Americans, who are less safe because we invaded Iraq.
TigersEye: The Kurds have a voice in Iraq's government, they aren't being gassed and America hasn't been attacked since 9/11.
HUFFINGTON: So what? Our job is not to go there and save the Kurds. Our job to keep Americans safe.
TigersEye: I see. When you cut throught the bull the bottom line is you don't give a rat's heiny about the Kurds. You were just using them to promote your agenda!?! Sad.
I saw Ariana on O'Reilly and she is pathetic. Unlike a lot of libs she actually believes what she's saying. Her reasoning wouldn't even be impressive for a fourteen yr. old.
Thank you for the ping, cyn.
Thanks for the link....I left comments.
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GENUINE LIBERAL AIRHEAD |
This woman is the most deceitful, despicable phony in politics. Why would anyone EVER listen to anything she has to say? I'm mystified as to why they continue to book her on any news show. Is it because she is such a LOON????
Good evening Antceecee... |
Indeed. Thanks for the ping!
;~ )
;~ )
That deserves a double wink and smile!
Arianna says a lot of things. Some of them even have a nodding acquaintance with the real world. Not these statements but some of what she says does (I assume)
Arianna Huffington wouldn't know historical fact or context if it raised up and bit her on the nose. That, in addition to being a DNC shill.
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