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I just wrote this little picture story. I will send it off now to " letter's to the editor" in several newpapers and a copy to President Bush. Often Jesus used picture word stories in descibing conditions as they were. This is mine. Polly

Once upon a time there was a sweet little girl named Cassia. Cassia lived in the land of Iraq. She often thought how wonderful it would be to live in the great land of America. She had heard many stories about how the children and families were so well cared for and free in America. Cassia's life was different in Iraq. She was often summoned by authorities to meet with grown men to be abused and sexually assaulted. She was threatened and often beat when she would cry out for help. One time her rapist, a friend of the Dictator Sadaam burned her fingers for trying to pry away from his brutal acts.

She longed so to be released from her prison. She often cried out silently at night for someone to come to her aid. OH how she longed to live in a country like America, where the President was not a dictator and would help those who were in need.

One day Cassia woke up to strange sounds over her humble home. Sounds of planes, bombs, and loud cries of her neighbors close by. She was paralyzed with fear and began to weep. Her parents were gone, murdered by the evil dictator.

Day after day she huddled in her home, waiting, not knowing what to expect.

One day, after what seemed like forever, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching her home.A kind looking American soldier was there. He stooped down and brought her into his arms carrying her off to a tank that eventually stopped at a relief camp. There she was fed, loved, nourished and treated for her multiple wounds. She was told by the soldiers that America had come to their rescue. She would no longer need to worry about the evil Sadaam. America was going to help her country of Iraq establish a new President, and many wonderful Judges and law makers that would protect her now. It was going to be just like America, Cassia. Cassia jumped for joy. Help had come.

Over the next few months, Cassia learned to read One day she noticed a American newpaper. She picked it up and was excited to be able to finally get her first glimpse of America. Imagine her shock and horror as she read of abuse and murder legalized by the United States of America in Florida, a Sunshine State. She read to her horror, that the President and Governor said they were unable to come to the rescue of a woman that was starving to death and being murdered. A woman only wanting food, but handicapped. Not even ice cubes on her lip or Jello were allowed to touch her lips. Cassia became confused. Could she believe the soldiers who had told her of the land of freedom and promise in America? Would she now want her own land to pattern after this great land of freedom that she had heard about?

Lonely and frightened, Cassia returned to her humble home where the soldiers had first found her. She retreated to that all too familar corner , weeping and shaking with fear. Her hopes had once again been shattered. Shattered by the very country that had come to rescue her.

Polly