AP: U.S. Teen Runs Off to Iraq by Himself

Associated Press ^ | 12/29/05 | JASON STRAZIUSO

[inquest]

I hope to find a few like him in my classes, but hopefully with a few more functioning brain cells, too.

I tend to agree with the general sentiment on this thread, which is that it was gutsy and respectable and really cool, but if it was my kid, I would beat his arse so hard we'd have to install handicap bars around the toilet.

Seriously, though, I get the feeling he'll grow up to be a responsible adult.

I'm almost afraid to cite this story to my kids, but this is too perfect for a class in geography. Isn't it?

I can see your dilemma. If you cite this story to them, and one of them decides to, uh, take inspiration from it, how do you think you'd feel afterwards? It might perhaps be better to let them come up with their "inspiration" on their own. This is really tricky business. But on the other hand you're right that this might too good to leave alone. I really don't know the answer.

(but if you decide to go ahead with it, I had nothing to do with it, OK? ;-)

[Old Student]

"(but if you decide to go ahead with it, I had nothing to do with it, OK? ;-)"

This would be a really good demonstration of the "Law of Unintended Consequences." Even if it worked out well. I know that not all kids survive being kids. The real question is do I want to feel responsible for some of them not surviving it. So far, I've managed not to lose any of mine (that I know of), but how long can it last?

If I choose to do this, it will most definitely not be your fault! I may have to discuss this with my principal. Maybe I can lay the blame on him...

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

5. apparently journalism-as-nationality comes up trumps.

Yup.

[Valin]

I think we'll be seeing more of this kid, and not in a good way.


I've got a twenty doller bill that says you're wrong.

[Pyro7480]

They probably still show it on Boomerang. They've been showing the Speedy Gonzalez cartoons, so why not?

[Bones75]

""Those terrorists are not human but pure evil. For their goals to be thwarted, decent individuals must answer justice's call for help. Unfortunately altruism is always in short supply. Not enough are willing to set aside the material ambitions of this transient world, put morality first, and risk their lives for the cause of humanity. So I will."

This was actually included on the CNN story, I was really surprised.

I don't know, maybe it's because I don't have kids of my own, but I admire this kid. Everyone sits around on their a** all day running their mouth, while this kid actually took it upon himself to actually go and see for himself. What he did was no doubt dangerous, mostly because of the fact he did not speak Arabic. (If he spoke fluent Arabic, I'd say his chances would have been pretty good)

Of course it's probably dangerous, but then again, maybe Iraq is not the 100 percent death sentence the media makes it out to be.

Kid got a flight from Lebanon direct into Baghdad and stayed at the hotel with American journalists.

The kid's got a pair, that's for sure. In this world increasingly full of pansies and whining cry-babies, I can do nothing but admire somebody like this.

He went to a warzone, thousands of miles from hone, and instead of freaking out when he got there and calling mommy and daddy for an immediate bailout (like I think most kids would once they got there, kids who think they're so tough over here, because they've never seen what "tough" really means) this kid instead finishes his essay, tried to talked with journalists, etc. In other words he attempted to finished the project that he went there to do, then eventually agreeing that the best thing would be to let the US military look out for him.

As far as what the soldiers think, (I'm venturing a guess here) I think it could be a mix of maybe a little annoyance at having to take care of him, but also admiration that he actually chose to come over there.

He's only 16, but a smart kid, naive, but gutsy. I think his parents should be really proud of him. (After they ground him for 75 years) I think he'll make a fin journalist someday.

[airborne]

I was wrong.

The kid seems to have his priorities straight.

[desherwood7]

The stupidity of teenagers can never be underestimated.

[Darnright]

I doubt his hero is Taliban Johnny. From the article:

His father, Redha Hassan, a doctor, said his son is an idealist, principled and moral. Aside from the research he wanted to accomplish, he also wrote in an essay saying he wanted to volunteer in Iraq.

He said he wrote half the essay while in the United States, half in Kuwait, and e-mailed it to his teachers Dec. 15 while in the Kuwait City airport.

"There is a struggle in Iraq between good and evil, between those striving for freedom and liberty and those striving for death and destruction," he wrote.

"Those terrorists are not human but pure evil. For their goals to be thwarted, decent individuals must answer justice's call for help. Unfortunately altruism is always in short supply. Not enough are willing to set aside the material ambitions of this transient world, put morality first, and risk their lives for the cause of humanity. So I will."

"I want to experience during my Christmas the same hardships ordinary Iraqis experience everyday, so that I may better empathize with their distress," he wrote.

[rwfromkansas]

Look at this essay he wrote.

This is an awesome kid. Stupid for going into Iraq without learning the safeguards foreign correspondents use and learning about how you get into the country safely etc. Really stupid for going alone.

But, this essay is incredible. I wish I had the courage of this kid...who is on OUR side, something extremely rare for an aspiring journalist. Wow.

Just read this:

"There is a struggle in Iraq between good and evil, between those striving for freedom and liberty and those striving for death and destruction. You are aware of the heinous acts of the terrorists: Women and children massacred, innocent aid workers decapitated, indiscriminate murder. You are also aware of the heroic aspirations of the Iraqi people: liberty, democracy, security, normality. Those terrorists are not human but pure evil. For their goals to be thwarted, decent individuals must answer justice's call for help ... So I will.

Life is not about money, fame, or power. Life is about combating the forces of evil in the world, promoting justice, helping the misfortunate, and improving the welfare of our fellow man. Progress requires that we commit ourselves to such goals. We are not here on Earth to hedonistically pleasure ourselves, but to serve each other and the creator. What deed is greater than sacrificing one's luxuries for the benefit of those less blessed? ...

I know I can't do much. I know I can't stop all the carnage and save the innocent. But I also know I can't just sit here ...

I feel guilty living in a big house, driving a nice car, and going to a great school. I feel guilty hanging out with friends in a cafe without the fear of a suicide bomber present. I feel guilty enjoying the multitude of blessings, which I did nothing to deserve, while people in Iraq, many of them much better then me, are in terrible anguish. This inexorable guilt I feel transforms into a boundless empathy for the distress of the misfortunate and into a compassionate love for my fellow man ...

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless the one who gives them.

Going to Iraq will broaden my mind. We kids at Pine Crest (School) live such sheltered lives. I want to experience during my Christmas the same hardships ordinary Iraqis experience everyday, so that I may better empathize with their distress. I also want to immerse myself in their environment in order to better comprehend the social and political elements ...

I plan on doing humanitarian work with the Red Cross. I will give my mind, body, and spirit to helping Iraqis rebuild their lives. Hopefully I will get the chance to build houses, distribute food supplies, and bring a smile or two to some poor children.

I know going to Iraq will be incredibly risky. There are thousands of people there that desperately want my head. There are millions of people there that mildly prefer my demise merely because I am American. Nevertheless, I will go there to love and help my neighbor in distress, if that endangers my life, so be it ...

If I know what is needed and what is right, but do not act on my moral conscience, I would be a hypocrite. I must do what I say decent individuals should do. I want to live my days so that my nights are not full of regrets. Therefore, I must go."

I am speechless at the passion and love for freedom this kid has. God bless him.

[rwfromkansas]

lol....excellent way of putting it.

He certainly will......uh, get more respect from the ladies.

[Alouette]

Whenever one of my kids threatened to run away from home, I told him, "If you want to lie about your age and join the Army (Navy, Marines) I won't stop you."

[Alien Gunfighter]

When I said Dumb-a$$ I said it having raised 3 boys...

Yeah, I know that one! The fatherly version of "Dumbass!" =)

[piasa]

UPDATE...

Farris Hassan’s initial stop was Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he claims that he bought a ticket on KLM Airlines. From Amsterdam, Hassan headed to Kuwait City, where he alleges that he tried to cross the Kuwait-Iraq border twice by taxi, but was turned away due to Iraqi elections. At that point, it appears that Hassan sought assistance from his father, who told Farris to travel to Beirut and stay with family friends. Obligingly, Farris spent ten days in Beirut, and while there, met with a media relations officer of the terrorist group Hezbollah at their Central Press Office. This meeting was arranged through the assistance of his hosts – the family’s friends. ----- "Questions Remain Unexplored About Farris Hassan's Excellent Iraqi Adventure," NewsBusters ^ | 1-21-06 | Tom Blumer