After about a week here, I figured out my role. That of a delivery boy.  Good, I thought,  I had some experience with this at the age of 15. But this time I am not being asked to deliver the PennySaver.

I’m being asked by refugees to deliver a message to the American people. And to the American President.

So we sit quietly and listen to each refugee’s story. We look them in the eyes and nod. After all, to them, we are America.  And so we listen. Nod. And look them in the eyes.

We have now talked to over 100 Iraqi refugees. That number nears 200 if you include aid workers. Each one is eager to have us bring back their story. To tell the truth about their situation.

In fact, one gentleman even wrote a letter to Obama and handed it to me. Now, since I can’t read Arabic – and I doubt the President can either – here is a summary of these messages.

They want us to tell their stories of injustice. They believe America is a just place and will be horrified by the kidnapping and killing that has gone on in their country.

They long for the good old days of Saddam. Yes, he was bad and they did not like him. But it is worse now. Under Saddam they wanted freedom. Now they just want life and security. They long for their pre-2003 lives of peace and stability.

Some want our soldiers to go. Others want them to stay until there is security. Some want us to butt out now. Others want us involved until there is a just  government in place.

They want to know why? Why did we ruin their country?  Why did we let militias from Iran – a country that calls us the “Great Satan” –  run amok in Iraq?

They want us to know that they are a proud people. They are embarrassed to be living in such bad conditions. They are ashamed that they have to seek refuge in the very country that “did this to us.” 

“We love American people…But…” This is the phrase we’ve heard most often. I do believe they like us. They know all our movies better than we do. And they appreciate our generosity.  But, there is the “But.” And as one man said, “And it is a big But!” Of course, they are referring to the decision to go to invade their country. Or, as another Iraqi called it “The mistake of one man.”

It’s worth pointing out that the messages go both ways. The fact that we are over here  delivers a message of care and understanding.  What’s more, yesterday, I explained to a 23-year-old refugee that the US did not orchestrate 911. That there was not a third plane that was flown into the towers. And that all of the Jewish employees of business working in the twin towers did not get told to stay home that day.

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