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Iraqi woman has new life here
Iraqi woman who risked her life as a translator for U.S. troops struggles to find work after relocating to this country
Date published: 9/4/2010
By PAMELA GOULD When she heard President Barack Obama's Oval Office speech this week on the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Iraqi native "Summa" said she was upset by his assessment of her countrymen. "I was so angry when I heard President Obama say Iraq is not ready because of the insurgents," she said. "The insurgents and terrorists is not the Iraqi and civilian people." "Summa" had to leave her country after assisting coalition forces in and around Baghdad, but she still cares about the Iraqi people and sees a need for continued assistance. Though she likes Obama, she doesn't think he appreciates the complexity of the situation in her homeland. "Summa" now lives in Fredericksburg. She relocated to the United States in July 2008 under a special immigration visa after working for two years as a translator and cultural advisor for American troops in Iraq. Her real name is not being used to protect family members who remain in Iraq. Summa is a wanted woman in the city where she was born because she helped U.S. and coalition forces in their efforts to rebuild Iraq. "I'm wanted by terrorists so I can't live in Baghdad anymore," she said. In addition to coming under gunfire herself, Summa said her children were targeted because of her role. In 2007, terrorists stopped a car her teenage daughter was riding in to school one morning. She wasn't kidnapped only because her friends concealed her identity. A few weeks earlier, her young son was playing soccer in a neighborhood street when he was snatched by a two-car convoy that had lain in wait for him. But Summa said he was tossed from the car "like garbage" when a neighbor witnessed the kidnapping and started firing a gun at the fleeing vehicle. Summa sent her children out of Iraq for their safety before they all eventually came to America. KNOWING THE ENEMY Summa said her homeland faces two key challenges now that brutal dictator Saddam Hussein has been removed. First, she said, the average citizen lives in greater fear. Before, they had one identifiable, persistent threat--Saddam--and they learned to survive by not speaking against him, even in social circles, she said. Now, they feel threatened in multiple ways and never know when the next attack is coming.
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Date published: 9/4/2010
I surrender.
(posted by
soldat65
, Sep. 5, 2010 9:34 am)
Ms Summa, they are right. There is only one "right" way in the USA, including the right opinion. You make up your own mind and don't listen to anything you or someone else does not like. It is the new Amerika. Hua.
Summa, please disregard the hostile comments from Soldat65.
(posted by
Ladyforchange
, Sep. 4, 2010 9:36 pm)
Soldat65 is not representative of fair minded, patriotic , kind and welcoming Americans. You made tremendous sacrifices and faced great danger helping the United States Military Forces. I, and other decent Americans, appreciate the work you did helping our soldiers, and wish you and your family the best.
soldat, yes, our soldiers do put their lives at risk and the
(posted by
tc_culpeper
, Sep. 4, 2010 9:00 pm)
health care they receive is marginal. Our soldiers do not put the lives of their children and family at risk. I can't think of anything more precious to a mother than her children yet this woman did perform her job in what sounds like an outstanding manner. Her daughter was almost kidnapped by terrorists (saved only by some fast thinking friends). Her son was actually taken by terrorists. Thank God for a neighbor who helped save the child's life. There is a big difference.
TC..i have no intention of appearing mean spirited
(posted by
soldat65
, Sep. 4, 2010 7:59 pm)
I was planning to inject some realism into this little world of entitlements.
She may have risked her life just as all of our soldiers who ever served anywhere have done. None of our soldiers were guaranteed a job and a good life for their sacrifices.Didn't even get decent healthcare in Vets hospitals.
In any case, I wish her well on her jobs search. She should apply for a job with the CIA they can always use good translators. Happy commuting and welcome to the world of the American Taxpayer.
@ peachesmom, so what if there was something (as you suggested)
(posted by
tc_culpeper
, Sep. 4, 2010 6:42 pm)
like special visas? I honestly don't understand why some of you people can't understand about how she risked her life as well as that of her family to assist this country. Should we have just turned our back on her and her family so they could be murdered? I just wonder how many of you would have done the same had the roles been reversed. Very, very few. peachesmom, are you deluding yourself into believing that she made no sacrifices performing the job she did for the US govt?
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