The Children of ’91 - Young Survivors of First Gulf War Recall Bombing of Baghdad

ABC 20/20 ^ | March 28, 2003 | ABC News

[Howlin]

For all of you who did not see this COMPELLING interview on 20/20 last night.

[Howlin]

FYI.

[Howlin]

"When I saw that, I felt tears in my eyes," said Amer. "But for the first time, they were the tears of joy. Because every Iraqi has been waiting for that moment for a long, long time. I am almost a quarter of a century old, and I've been waiting for this day. … I was happy. He is going to be gone."

[Velveeta]

I saw the program last night and was hoping that all of America was watching.

[Howlin]

Me, too. That's why I put this up.

Inspiring, wasn't it?

[Green]

thanks for posting this...great story

[lysie]

Thank you for posting this. I missed the program. I have e-mailed this to relatives. This needs to be heard loud, clear and often.

[RobFromGa]

Great post Howlin, I didn't see this program. Looks pretty powerful to me. Hope some of the Hollywood set was watching.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks, I have been having some memories of my own these last few days. When I worked in a Social Services type role, I had a client who was there in 1991. He was a Kurdish man, who escapedwith his family into Turkey after the war, and then to America. I was helping him with his citizenship process. He told a lot of stories that kept me intrigued for hours when he would visit.

And, I must say I wondered how he would treat me, as I am female, and I report that he was one of my more gracious and polite and *joyful* clients. And I am not bi-lingual, he tried, and was succeeding very well, to learn English and drop all that was his past. I am sure he has done very well since. When he got his citizenship, a few of us bought him an American Flag with our own money... something I did for very few clients.

I urge everyone to listen to these stories, and compare them to our blessed lives here in America... It gave me a whole different perspective to have that job for awhile.

[Velveeta]

I loved the little old lady in Southern Iraq with a big smile on her face giving the "thumbs up sign" saying "Good Bush....Good Bush" (pronounced...gooood Boooosh). The media needs to show more of these stories about the hope that is in the hearts of the Iraqi people that this time they will be free.

[McGavin999]

I didn't see it Howlin because I never watch ABC, I wish that I had. There will be some highly educated people who will go back to help rebuild their homeland.

I don't know when the turning point will come, but I know that it will. We betrayed them by leaving before the job was done the last time, we have to convince them that we won't turn back this time.

[Howlin]

Honestly, this is the second GOOD piece I've seen Walters do about Iraq. Last week she had five women from Iraq who told stories I could hardly stand to hear.

I have a feeling there is a lot more of this we're going to hear once this is over.

[hoosiermama]

I agree. ....A lot more will be told....


OTOH
Grandpa Dave and I were discussing on another thread how many of the children of Kuwait were named George after the last war.
I wondered if they would be named "Dubya" after this one. It went from. Abba Dubya...to....Ura Dubya. Dave thought it would be "fun" to start a thread of suggestioned names but alas I'm unskilled in the area.

[Peach]

IF there are any mistakes President Bush has made, it is getting the humanitarian side of this story out. He needs to have some of these people by his side when he has a press conference. Have them speak to the press - live. One a day.

It's an under-reported story and I'm shocked but pleased ABC is telling this story along with the brave young Iraqis.

Thank you for posting this, Howlin.

[Otta B Sleepin]

These young people have been through so much in their relatively few years of life. I hope lots of anti-war types watched the program; maybe a few will re-think their position.

Thanks for posting this, Howlin.

[Sacajaweau]

I saw the one with the women. The mission we are on is a MISSION OF HOPE, A MISSION OF DREAMS for the Iraqi people.

[Carolinamom]

I missed it. Surely, it will be shown again. I did see an earlier interview w/some Iraqi survivors, and it was powerful. Thanks for the ping.

[Jerez2]

I am so glad to see this story of FR! I sat there last night and cried like a baby. That young woman was so strong, so definite. Barbara Walters HAD to be touched by these people. Peach, it's impossible to put out 'humanitarian' stories unless and until the leading press people themselves WANT to. I am hoping that this is a sign they are starting to tip! :-)

Off to the Rally! -Jerez

[Howlin]

You might like reading this.

[tiki]

There is a Kurdish boy named Dick Cheney:-}