Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 11, 2004
I experienced some of the same stuff when I met with the Iraqi people. They are learning the ability to speak out, because under Saddam Hussein, if they had spoken out, they would be dead. So they are aggressive, and sometimes you kind of say look, you cannot say it that way or whatever. But, wait a minute, they have only had the opportunity to speak out for the last 8 months. You are right, they do not know everything they have to do to be politically correct. But what a wonderful experience for them for the first time to be able to speak out, to meet with Members of the U.S. Congress or of the Parliament from Britain or members from Spain, but representative government, and for the first time, to have the ability to express their opinions and their vision for their own country and communities.
Said by
Pete Hoekstra
Michigan

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the newfound ability of Iraqis to express their opinions after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

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