Children of war: the generation traumatised by violence in Iraq

[G_j]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2006738,00.html

Children of war: the generation traumatised by violence in Iraq


Growing up in a war zone takes its toll as young play games of murder and mayhem

Michael Howard in Baghdad
Tuesday February 6, 2007
The Guardian

The car stopped at the makeshift checkpoint that cut across the muddy backstreet in western Baghdad. A sentry appeared. "Are you Sunni or Shia?" he barked, waving his Kalashnikov at the driver. "Are you with Zarqawi or the Mahdi army?"
"The Mahdi army," the driver said. "Wrong answer," shouted the sentry, almost gleefully. "Get him!"

The high metal gate of a nearby house was flung open and four gun-toting males rushed out. They dragged the driver from his vehicle and held a knife to his neck. Quickly and efficiently, the blade was run from ear to ear. "Now you're dead," said a triumphant voice, and their captive crumpled to the ground.

Then a moment of stillness before the sound of a woman's voice. "Come inside boys! Your dinner is ready!" The gunmen groaned; the hapless driver picked himself up and trundled his yellow plastic car into the front yard; the toy guns and knives were tossed by the back door. Their murderous game of make-believe would have to resume in the morning.

..more..

on edit: as I've noted before, Bush may well be the worst chid abuser on the planet.

[nam78_two]

1. K&R.nt

[slipslidingaway]

2. K&R n/t

[Wilms]

3. K&R n/t

[OneBlueSky]

4. as tragic as this is, let's also remember the thousands of American children . . .

who have lost a parent to this completely unnecessary (not to mention illegal and immoral) war . . .

[G_j]

5. please let us not forget any of the children

and families/people effected by this war.
the trauma will be known and suffered for generations.