Iraq: Suffer the Little Children
I have seen a lot of awful things over a long career in journalism and learned a long time ago to compartmentalize them. But there are times when the sights, sounds and smells of inhumanity are too big for the little box I put this stuff in and it comes vomiting out. When that happens, it usually is because children are the victims.
Well, it happened again.
Take a close look at the photograph above. These are young Iraqi boys, some tied to their cribs, lying on the floor at a government-run Baghdad orphanage after they were discovered earlier this month by U.S. and Iraqi soldiers. A total of 24 naked and abused boys, ages 3 to 15 years old, were found in a darkened room without any windows. Many of the children were too weak to stand once released. A locked room full of food and clothing was found nearby.
The Ministry of Health is said to run the orphanage, which allegedly doubled as a brothel.
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36 Responses to “Iraq: Suffer the Little Children”
This was the most gut wrenching filmed news report I’ve ever seen.
Two scenes stay with me most vividly.
One, some workers proudly posing for photos in this hell for starving and mistreated children, as if they were showing off the good work they are doing.
Two, a little boy in recovery cradling the hand of a US soldier as if that hand were mother, father and God rolled into one.
Amen. I hasten to add that I am in no way inferring that this atrocity is the fault of the U.S. I will suggest that it just as easily could have happened prior to the war.
Shaun,
You must have missed the moveon.org talking point memo that says that everything will get better when the U.S. pulls out. All the orpahnaze needs,in the view of the Kucinich wing of the Democratic Party, is for the U.S. to leave and it will have enough staff and supplies along with good management.
Life can be so unfair. Whenever you stop to try and justify certain things. You just cant.
Why did I live to be 80 and other Good people die at 12.
My daughter lost 3 friends all in their early teens. She would ask me this many times and I really didn’t have a good answer.
We are given one shot at life. If the world was a sane place I could easily be a far left liberal. It is this life is not fair doctrine that has made me a right winger.
I believe that WE have to make of life what we can. Unfortunately these young boys were not even given the chance to do that.
It is incidents like this when I reevaluate my beliefs and rethink my priorities and readjust my thinking.
Just when I was about to start entertaining the thought that we come home from Iraq you post something like this. For some it might mean more proof as to why we SHOULD come home. For me it is more proof of why we are still needed in Iraq.
America is one of the most caring, honest, open and compassionate countries on earth. To demand we leave the Iraqi people to this just escapes my version of rational thought.
SD’s comment tells you all you need to know about those who continue to see no wrong in our country’s actions. Can’t even spare a moment to reflect on the sheer horror of what you report. Of course this situation is not confined to or exists as a direct result of the war. Sanctions were in place and backed by the rest of Europe long before we invaded, but the utter incompetence of those who lead and represent us is a part of this tragedy , and as SBS says we cannot simply walk away and abandon millions more to this kind of hell with no hope of an end.
Superdestroyer:
You are a horse’s ass of enormous magnitude. You care nothing about anyone’s suffering, let alone these orphans. You care only about inflicting your own brand of suffering through mindless political blatherings.
Anyone who has even a modicum of respect for you should be deeply ashamed that you would take such an awful thing and turn it for your own perverse trolling pleasure. It is beyond obvious that you never feel shame, let alone the suffering of people who unlike yourself are helpless and at the mercy of people who are like yourself.
Shaun,
The netroots have said that the U.S. needs to get out of Iraq today without regard to any negative consequence.
How do you think they reconcile the suffering going on in Iraq with the demand to abandon it. You attacked me without answering the question: How can the situation get better for the orphans if the U.S. abandons Iraq.
Remember, the moveon.org message is that a single American life is more important than thousands of Iraq lives.
Maybe the orphans should move to the Sudan so that the left in the U.S. can begin to care about them.
SUPERDESTROYER: It’s best to comment on the actual post he wrote. Immediately suggesting he’s doing talking points is the easy way out to go after something you dno’t agree with. Also, we truly do not appreciate it on this site when someone writes something and the response is to go after the writer. If you feel things are wrong then make your best thoughtful argument as to why they’re wrong. if you feel Shaun has things that will not prove to be correct or are exaggerated then explain why. Getting onto stuff about him doing talking points and suggesting its only the Kucinich wing that’s concerned about this story only shows suggests to readers of this thread that you have your own agenda and that’s what’s paramount to you. Shaun’s post doesn’t blast U.S. soldiers and isn’t a political post. Please read our comments policy since nothing in his post merited the kind of comment you made and it is not apprecaited here.
That this horrifying story should be used for political blatherings is apalling.
It wasn’t Democrats or Republicans, pro-war advocates or anti-war advocates who caused or uncovered this situation.
The children were discovered by US AND Iraqi troops.
Shut up and just shed a tear for the children.
Have you no shame?
domajot,
The question I have asked twice and been attacked twice about is how can the left in the U.S. shed a tear for the orphans while arguing that the U.S. needs to get out of Iraq without regards to nay negative impact of leaving?
I just found it very odd that a person who has consistently posted for abandoning Iraq now wants us to be concerned about orphans in Iraq whose life expectancies will probably be numbered in days once the U.S. leaves Iraq?
Shaun,
If you are offended by a commenter or feel that a comment misrepresents your post, it would probably be better to respond by correcting the commenter than by personally attacking them. The rules barring personal attacks in comments should apply equally to all if they are to be meaningful.
I think you should edit or delete your comment.
Drop the stuff about Shaun. You are continuing to personalize it. This site isn’t about the motives of people who write the posts but the issues. It’s also interesting how comments about this usually are directed at someone that someone disagrees with. But when people agree with writers they are always consistent, intelligent, brilliant, perceptive, etc. Again, read our commenting policy and write about the issue and not the person who writes the post.
Your question about the left in general is not one that is offensive or illogical.
But you get into asking about “a person” who wants to abandon Iraq. If you read weblogs in my Left Voices column, you’ll note that from the perspective of people on the left ending the war is not about abandoning Iraq and not about cutting and running. They have a different view.
But even there, you could ask this question and it could be a valid point for people to discuss without screaming in comments here…IF you just simply leave out personaling it with Shaun. Depending on what I’ve written, I’ve been accused of being a Bush mole (I was on a local Air America show where the host and his cohost mocked and talked over me for saying I was a moderate and suggested I was really a Bush supporter) and being as closet anti-war liberal.
Blogs begin to fail, I believe, when they go into a tailspin focusing on the writers, the writers’ motives.
But big issues are what need to be explored.
Your larger question about the left is a valid one and people can offer their views on this. Let’s leave Shaun out of it (I don’t think he views his posts as strictly being about abandoning Iraq but ending the war for other reasons and other concerns…remember everyone has their own perspective which they always feel is valid and they KNOW their own motives are pure).
I won’t be here most of the day and I’m repeating myself. But issues are fine; let’s all (and that includes me as someone who posts and also leaves comments) depersonalize discussion and keep it to ISSUES which CAN be debated very vigorously and passionately without the personal element.
Also, we truly do not appreciate it on this site when someone writes something and the response is to go after the writer.
Superdestroyer:
You are a horse’s ass of enormous magnitude. You care nothing about anyone’s suffering, let alone these orphans. You care only about inflicting your own brand of suffering through mindless political blatherings.
I’m confused as to who should be getting the reprimands here.
It’s a tragedy. And the blame is on the people running the ministry of interior apparantly.
If, on first hearing of this story, our first instinct is to find who’s to blame, that’s understandable. It’s human nature.
If, however, upon hearing of this story, our first instinct is “how can I spin this story to support my partisan political goals”, as Superdestroyer has obviously done (and genernally always does) it almost reflects worse on HIS character, or lack thereof, than those responsible for the actual child abuse.
So thanks for being honest about who you really are. It will certainly save me a lot of time in the future.
Somebody,
Because Shaun is a long-time contributor to the site and because he was provoked by a comment that seemed to come out of left field bringing a partisan element to a non-political post, I think Joe is inclined to “have his back” in regards to this incident.
Nonetheless, as he is a contributor to the site and not just a commenter, I hope Shaun edits or removes his comment. I’ve certainly done that myself when I felt that comments I made (or even a couple of posts) were needlessly inflammatory or counterproductive to the kind of discussion I wanted to generate.
Davebo,
I understand your sentiment, but please avoid commenting on other people’s “character”. Target their arguments, not their integrity.
Joe said:
“Your question about the left in general is not one that is offensive or illogical.”
Questions about the left or the right become offensive and illogical when they are irrelevant to the subject at hand.
I would find it offensive and illogical if someone inserted gardening tips in a discussion about stem cell research.
This story was about humanity and inhumanity.
The topic and this incident provide fertile ground for reflectin on the human condition in war and in peace. Efforts to divert it into rehashing political
differences are offensive to me, no matter who does it.
A more apt tangent would have been the arrest of a ring of pedophiles in Britain recently, unless, of course, that would have brought on another tirade about the left or the right causing moral degeneracy.
Great Jason.
Exactly what “argument” of his would you suggest I target? The off topic (as in totally unrelated to this post) whining about those who support a withdrawal from Iraq?
Because I saw nothing in the commenting guidelines about a requirement that commenters engage in strawmen.
Well, as the father of two toddlers I get viciously angry when i see children mistreated in this way. I simply don’t understand how anyone could purposely put children into such conditions. I would wish that love and care of children is a universal human attribute, but of course it is not.
I want to adopt them all. I wish I could.
Obviously, this tragic treatment of children not only cannot be justified but demands a thoughtful action plan for prevention in the future. What I think is missing in some of the comments is the big picture and context. Yes, US military presence in this instance is a positive. How does this positive stack up against the negatives our military occupation has brought.
Withdrawing our troops obviously means situations like this orphanage cannot be prevented by the military. Are there other avenues of prevention that we might set up? Perhaps an Iraqi ministry (or NGO) with the specific mandate to inspect orphanages and set standards of care? The US could even fund this new agency. Can you imagine the Iraqi parliment actually turning down establishing this kind of agency and putting up with the bad publicity?
So if we can find alternate means to solve this problem without the military then we are ahead of the game. Keeping our troops in Iraq as an occupation force is leading to far more violence and agony for Iraqis than leaving – but that is another issue.
Sometimes it’s best to take the high road and a minimalist approach. Why not just say, “hey SD, I think bringing politics into this discussion is inappropriate and I am not even going to respond to them.” and leave it that? Why does bad behavior have to be met with equally bad behavior?
Joe and Shaun,
This is sad stuff is it not. God only knows what happened to that poor child in the forefront of the photograph. Something horrible and unforgivable, but for SD and Jason, not so bad that its worth commenting on.
US actions have undoubtedly played a part in this tragedy and to deny it is neither healthy or honest.
They need to take time out from commenting here and go find their souls.
Clearly, an Iraqi ministry alone won’t solve the problem, as the orphanage here was under the so-called management of the Interior Ministry. The Interior Ministry has been a debacle in many ways, including findings of sectarian torture chambers. So I don’t think giving them more money is a particularly good idea.
But the idea of funding an NGO to do inspections is a good one IF one can be found that can function in the security situation over there. Doctors Without Borders would probably at least make a go of it, though funding them would be difficult because of their reluctance to accept state funding. The International Red Cross might undertake such a mandate, but their tolerance for security problems is often also quite low.
This is one of those areas where some kind of presence of militarily effective military forces (the usual Bangladeshi UN troops or sectarian Arab League troops won’t do) might be a precondition to effective operations by an NGO.
truflo,
Can you find any quotation from me above that supports your characterization of my views?
Please don’t jump to the conclusion that just because I am trying to put out a flame-war that I agree with one side or the other.
The story and the picture made me nauseous, actually. I just don’t usually comment on my emotional relations in online forums. Discussing intellectual reactions is already difficult enough.
All the comments seem to be “flame throwing”. Lara Logans article at CBS is even more heart wrenching than the photo posted. It gives ammo to both sides.
Simply horrifying.
And here are my two cents on SD’s comment:
How can you be certain that our military will be able to prevent tragedies like these?
How can you be certain that our military isn’t, in part, causing these tragedies? Our military, is in fact, protecting the government responsible for these children.
There is nothing in the last 4 years that has given me any hope that our military, at the current force levels, can prevent more bloodshed than it’s causing. And democracy is not going to flourish under martial law in the middle of a religious civil war. Much the same can be said of the current crisis in Gaza.
The two sides will either have to be separated, which is happening in a natural yet bloody way, or one of the sides is going to have to win the war outright before we see an end to the violence.
If we’re unwilling to execute the Biden plan, then I don’t see any reason to stay in Iraq any longer.
Dear Everyone: below are some nongovernmental groups who are working with orphaned children in Iraq. If you are in the US, I would also like you to think about looking in the yellow pages and see if you can contact your local mosque: I know they will know more, and they will help you to help. They will likely welcome you warmly.
I appreciate the issue being put before us. Don’t stop Shaun. One way to help is to keep the issue in the public eye, for us to keep talking about it and adding our actions and words, not just here, but elsewhere with others whenever we can, to write, to tell, to show, to speak … the aggregate of these acts is important, even though each dot of sand we can add toward the good seems so insignificant. But each dot given, matters. It contributes to growing critical mass.
The suffering of little orphans is an issue all across the globe. I could go into any number of villages across the world and bring back pictures from most countries in the world, of little ones suffering equal to these little ones in Iraq. This exact treatment of orphans under Saddam was well known. The orphanages and their conditions were there before the US and other countries came. They will be there after as well… until there is a cultural shift that gives time and care and money to these little lives. Jdledell has a good solution, and I think that ‘eye of the world’ has motivated many to try harder or to hide harder, but hopefully the former.
Are more orphans added by more war? I’d give a brokenhearted yes to that question. Very yes. And too many parents who have to carry their dead and dying children in their arms, also. Presently, Iraq does not allow adoption by people from other nations. Pressure can be brought to bear on that too. My sister adopted two children from Romanian orphanages. The children 1 and 2 years old, had been harmed so long and so deeply, I don’t know if they ever will be healed completely. But that’s another story.
And just this last thought; sometimes we fight with each other because we are brokenhearted, not because we mean to insult… but because we feel desperate and anguished, because we have no immediate answers at hand for an unspeakable situation… especially articulate people, like all the people here, wish they could solve everything wrong in the world, fix it right away. We all wish that… I know I do. And sometimes the strength of what we feel, if not directed, comes out in other ways. I believe in the better hearts of people here. Everyone’s. And I’m no Pollyanna. I ride a big 650, and have been known to wear a knife in my boot.
This is just to say, peace, if you can, peace with each other, lively discussion, yes… but it makes no sense to make war on one another here over a war.
Dr. E.
Below are the agencies I was telling you about.
UNICEF’s work in Iraq includes health and nutrition programs for young children and mothers along with water and sanitation, psycho-social care, and early learning. UNICEF supports a program for the reintegration of street children and children deprived of caregivers in Baghdad including orphans and runaways. See complete information about how to contribute to UNICEF’s work in Iraq at http://www.unicefusa.org/iraq.
Or you can call them directly at 1-800-4-UNICEF.
No More Victims, is an independent non-profit organization that works with children in Iraq.
Childhood Care and Sponsorship Organization in Iraq also works with children in Iraq.
Nintu For Humanitarian Assistance is also working with Iraqi children.
There may be others too. Again, I’d be in touch with your local mosque.
dr.e
SuperD, what most of us that support withdrawal are trying to say is we expect there to be an overall reduction in the suffering. Iraq is going to become what its going to become and 4 years of our signifigant military attempts to make it swing our way have proven totally irrelevant to the people of Iraq. They are not saying its going to be pretty, but they, unlike the conservatives wanting us to stay out of stiffnecked pride, are looking down the road to the day after tomorrow.
Also, these children were willfully abuse. Locked in darkness naked with a room full of clothes and food next door? Those caretakers should be taken out and given a fair trial followed by a first class hanging.
Sam,
The last thing that the Democratic candidates and the netroots are worrying about is what will happen down the road. They want the U.S. out of Iraq no matter what the situation will be afterward. Of course, they try to do some hand waving to make it sound like that Iraq will be a great place after the U.S. leaves unlike every other country in the middle east.
Did the Clinton Administration care at all what happened in Somalia once the U.S. left? NO. Clinton just wanted somalia off of the front pages. Any future Clinton or Obama administration will be the same.
Looking at the Democratic candidate proposals, it looks like Edwards is ready to throw the Kurds under the bus right now along with anyone who has helped the U.S.
So, in the long run, why should America get itself worked up about any suffering in Iraq when the polls show that Americans do not care about the suffering in Iraq no matter the circumstance.
SD – Some of us think the US is doing more harm than good in Iraq. If we leave maybe the Iraqis can tip the scales from the present 60% bad, 40% good to a 50-50 proposition. It would an improvement over our sad efforts.
Yeah, SD… them po’ folk in the Middle East really need our sympathy and concern…
About 15 miles from this development is where Halliburton is moving it’s corporate headquarters… rough life, eh?
The cool thing for those wanting to leave Iraq is that they can claim things are okay there after we leave because there will be no press coverage splashed all over the newspapers and blogs.
No one will care what is going on and certainly the press will not care. They will go somewhere where it is much safer while the Iraqis kill themselves silly.
Stuff like this will never appear in the paper again and the Antiwar can wipe their hands of the whole mess content that everything is hunky dory in Iraq now because the USA is not involved.
It is a sad situation in Iraq. The press only reports the bad, refuses to report the good but once the USA is out…they will report NOTHING.
And the killing will continue. Stories like this will most likely increase but we wont read about them because the press will be covering John Edwards hairdo or Thompsons failure to win an oscar.
Somebody – Maybe Laura Ingrams will go over and look into this story. Her last visit with military escorts didn’t compare to Lara Logan’s reporting on this story. The Republican meme about the MSM reporting is BS, what about Weiskopf from Time?
If the US govt cares so much about the fate of the Iraqis- why are we abandoning the millions of refugees who have fled their country to Syria and Jordan? Its hard for me to take our humanitarian concern seriously when you take a hard look at how this issue has been totally ignored. Many are middle-class professionals, or had to flee because they had aided our efforts in some way.
Not to take away from this story, which is unspeakably horrible. I can’t conceive of the evil that would create a situation like this. Its a total nightmare.
Kim,
I share your concern for refugees but unfortunately they aren’t all, as you described, middle class professionals who had helped our side. It is very easy for people who side with our enemies to blend in, and not at all easy for us to sort that out to prevent people who want to do us harm from entering the country. So, I’m not so quick to assume that our policy makers don’t care when there’s an obvious (and less sinister) reason for them to be cautious about relocating refugees.
Back to the original story, CBS news has a page about how to help the orphans. For some reason you have to e-mail them to find out more information, which I plan to do and will pass it along if I find out anything helpful. If anyone else wants to e-mail, here’s the link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/19/fyi/main2949887.shtml
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