Youssif, the 5 yr old Iraqi burn victim meets his hero Spiderman

[Greylyn58]

Okay, once more I'm gonna edit my thread. Thanks to some kind words and support from some friends on DU. Here goes again.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Youssif, the 5-year-old burned Iraqi boy, rounded the corner at Universal Studios when suddenly the little boy hero met his favorite superhero.

Spider-Man was right smack dab in front of him, riding a four-wheeler amid a convoy of other superheroes. The legendary climber of buildings and fighter of evil dismounted, walked over to Youssif and introduced himself.

Spidey then gave the boy from a far-away land a gentle hug, embracing him in his iconic blue and red tights. He showed Youssif a few tricks, like how to shoot a web from his wrist. Only this time, no web was spun.

"All right Youssif!" Spider-Man said after the boy mimicked his wrist movement.

more...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/16/youssif.spiderman/index.html

As I said before, I realize this is only one child out of the thousands that have been maimed and killed since this illegal war started, but it does make me feel good that the US still has a heart. We can still help those who need help the most...the children.

The original story was so heart-breaking, I'm glad that at least one child is getting the help he needs.

[Bonobo]

1. This is media propoganda.

I am editing my overly harsh rant against this.

My point is that we have nothing really to feel good about. One boy doesn't make up for what we have done or even begin to.

My problem is with the media picking up this story and not telling the truth about so many, many things.

It is Psy-Ops. It is a lie.

[cali]

3. I largely agree with you

though I would have put it another way. Sentimentalizing one child, ignores the reality of suffering and death for all the children of Iraq.

[MadMaddie]

4. Wow...that's a bit harsh to the poster don't you think?

Yes, we acknowledge all of the things you have stated. Yes, this is but a small token to one child and his family.....did this small act bring a smile to this childs damaged face? Yes....

So get off the posters back....Americans are good and we the majority don't control what the assholes in WA are doing...Yet.....but we do the small things we can.

[Bonobo]

6. I'm trying to wake up the poster to the truth. Sorry if it is harsh.

[AlCzervik]

10. what makes you think the poster doesn't know the truth? It's one story

for fucks sake, the poster is not trying to paint the war as sunshine and roses.

[MadMaddie]

11. And the root cause is America's policies put this child and other

Iraqi's in imminent danger....do you honestly think the poster didn't know that?

Is your answer to ignore these stories?

So Spider Man is this kids hero....maybe that's important...maybe it's important to save what's left of the innocence of this child.

Do you think that naked child they photographed in Vietnam would have survived without coming to America? Do you think the generosity of Americans that do care about the fall out of the horror she faced was wasted...? She is an American now....and she has had a good life...

You are still wrong for attacking the poster....I didn't interpret it as a entirely feel good story...we want to know what happens to the kids and the Iraqi citizens we have seen and heard about.

[Bonobo]

14. I should have been gentler. You are right.

But I get VERY angry at our media's bullshit.

This is very manipulative propoganda crap. My recognizing that does not mean that I don't think the boy's life is important. On the contrary.

The poster is also important and I am sorry that I hurt her.

I know her intentions were good and she is probably just looking for a ray of sunshine.

Sorry.

[uppityperson]

16. Thank you for editing. I wish the media were more balanced in showing all sides

I wish the media were more open about what is happening to many more also, but it is good to see what is happening with 1 child. Thank you for editing.

[uppityperson]

13. If you are sorry you should go delete that nasty rant. What's wrong with posting something nice?

Yeah, we all know that Iraq is not sunshine and roses and really nasty stuff is going on in our names. Why do you think that poster needs waking up about that?

Jeeze, attacking someone for posting something good, being so outright nasty just because they post something good? If you are sorry, go delete that.

[uppityperson]

8. That is rather harsh. This is not about patting ourselves on the back.

And yes, this is happening in Iraq. And are we supposed to ignore things like this article? bah.

[Greylyn58]

21. You could have gotten your point across

without attacking me. You don't know me, just like I don't know you. We are basically anonymous posters using made-up names on this board. You just assumed I'm a dumb-ass and I don't have a clue. At least that's what I gleaned from your original post before you edited it.

Look...I realize we are an angry lot on DU these days. God knows we have every right to be, but I also think we ought to be able to treat each other with a measure of respect, even if we don't agree with each other.

My only reason for posting this story, was to report on how one little boy was receiving some much needed help and how on this one day, he was able to forget what was done to him and just be a little boy.

Just my .02 worth.

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Thanks for posting about Youssif. Hope more Iraqi and Afghan children will be helped as he has been

Youssif:





Kind of reminds me when my g-daughter at age 2 met SpongeBob.

She was delighted and scared all at the same time. She started crying, and buried her head in her dad's shoulder.
As they were walking away, she raised her head, and through her tears cried out, "I love you, SpongeBob!"
Then, wept even harder.


Much appreciated that there are updates on Youssif. Thanks! :hi:

[Greylyn58]

28. Thanks for posting a pic of Youssif

I couldn't figure out how to do it without copying it and putting it on my photobucket acct.

[uppityperson]

5. Thank you for posting an update on this child. Yes, is only 1 child, but

it is good to keep faces on what our country has done, keep it personal. Thank you.

[Greylyn58]

32. Thank you for defending me

and my right to post one good thing we have done out of a mountain of bad things.

[MadMaddie]

7. Why did you delete the article....? You have every right to post

the article...don't let someone who sees no light at all dampen your spirits about the things that Americans outside of WA are trying to do for some of the Iraqi's..

[Greylyn58]

12. Thanks for your kind words, but

I'm just too tired to be attacked.

I just thought this one act of kindness should be reported. Wasn't trying to pick a fight with anyone.

[uppityperson]

15. I'm glad you posted it, sorry you got attacked.Would you put Title back in?

Please? Put the title back in the subject line so other posters will know what this is about. Hang in there and yes, it gets tiring. Peace to you.

[redwitch]

26. I am glad you posted the story.

Thanks. :hug:

[terisan]

9. I am glad you posted. I know this is one out of many and I know we need to not

just focus on the one and forget about the thousands of others. I would like to be better prepared with specific numbers when these events happen (helping one child) to help myself and other people widen the focus to others who are suffering.
I am looking up UN stats.

[The Stranger]

17. So when the Nazis on CNN contend that DU accuses the U.S. military of being baby killers,

is this kid and this thread what they are talking about? I assume the child wasn't burned in the kitchen, but by bombs, ordinance, weapons (possibly chemical weapons) used by the U.S. Military.

[cali]

18. Why are you assuming that?

While the U.S. is ultimately responsible for all the mayhem and death in Iraq, the majority of deaths and injuries are the result of sectarian violence.

[LisaL]

19. Actually no. Some people grabbed him and set him on fire.

I haven't seen anyone suggesting anywhere that those people belonged to the US military.

[tocqueville]

20. the kid was burned by a militia

that poured gasoline on him. He is the indirect victim of the civil war the US triggered.

[uppityperson]

24. You assume wrong. eom

[bleever]

22. Thank you, Greylyn.

Anybody who knows you knows that you posted this with the best of intentions.

:hug:

[Greylyn58]

23. Thanks bleever

I appreciate that.

The orignial attack from the 1st poster really hurt. That's why I deleted the story. Thanks to some kind people here, I reposted it. :hug:

[Bluebear]

25. The child was maimed & this brought him some joy. Get off the OP's back.

Can people not see past themselves to take the story for what it is, a human being burned from WHATEVER enjoying a moment with his hero? Sheesh.

[Bonobo]

29. Past themselves? Okay sure. YMMV

[GreenPartyVoter]

27. I am so glad he could find some joy.

[gulliver]

30. A life ruined by an unnecessary war.

That's all I see. Spidey sitting with him makes it worse.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

31. Awww :) Good stuff

I'm glad this little boy had such a great experience.