How many Iraqis, like this translator, worked for America? No one is certain, but by our tally it’s at least 100,000. Add their families and you’re well over a half a million people at risk. How many of them have been allowed to immigrate to the United States? About 100.
So it appears 60 Minutes thinks well over 500,000 Iraqis should be allowed to resettle in the United States.
60 Minutes uses the heartbreaking, anecdotal case of an Iraqi translator who manned a guard post with American soldiers and then lumps that example in with all Iraqis who somehow "worked for the Americans" plus families to get to their 500,000 number.
The Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police have been targeted for slaughter like the translators, and have been slaughtered in large numbers (especially at recruiting stations) by the "insurgents" for supporting the "American occupation." Shouldn't they all get resident visas? And the tribes of al-Anbar are now "working with the Americans" - I suppose they should all be resettled in the United States, too?
Like the NYT, 60 Minutes makes unmistakably clear the propaganda purpose of their piece (Bush has lost the war in Iraq just like South Vietnam) by finding a retired General with the "right" quotes:
No one knows the work of the Iraqi allies better than retired Major General Paul Eaton... "Do you think it is politically impossible to open the doors to immigration to Iraqis because it's an admission that the war has not gone well?" Pelley asks. "The war is not going well. Everybody knows it. The president of the United States and our Congress need to admit that a population is at risk. At risk because they have thrown their lot in with us," Eaton says.
The link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/09/60minutes/main2554125.shtml
I would allow a very small number of people in truly extraordinary circumstances to be resettled in the U.S. As to 500,000 Iraqis? NFW.
I don't disagree with you. I would venture to say, from past history, it'll be more than that.