Obligations to Allies, Big & Small
Reader comment on item: Will Washington Betray Anti-Regime Iranians?

Submitted by Rubicon (United States), Jul 16, 2008 at 20:03

America, to her eternal shame, abandoned many allies when we were forced by Congress to leave Vietnam. Worse is that once the Democratically controlled Congress decided to stop funding the South Vietnamese government, any and all protections of those domestic groups and individuals in Vietnam who had assisted us when we were fighting there, lost the protection of the South Vietnamese army and government. The oppression and/or slaughter of those who were identified as having assisted America, was swift and harsh. Some fled to the seas. Many died, a few successfully reached neutral territories, while still others fled to Cambodia or Thailand. To this day Americans who fought beside the indigenous Montagnard, speak of them with respect and still feel shame when they remember how we abandoned them.

While the MEK do not rise to the same level as the Montagnard, they have been allies and they have assisted American troops in their efforts. Add to this their renunciation of terrorism and we have a group ripe for slaughter if we walk away and do nothing for them.

So, while I am NOT one who favors open immigration and in fact support serious border security along with interior enforcement of our immigration laws, the MEK might just a group who we should offer asylum. We did not seriously do this for the Montagnard and the result was terrible. We have many times walked away from those who have gone out on a limb for us. Perhaps this time, honor will be respected and we will do the right thing.

This would be one immigration exception I would support!

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