Baghdad - More than 100 children held in a prison celebrated their freedom on Tuesday as US marines rolled into northeast Baghdad amid chaotic scenes which saw civilians loot weapons from an army compound, a US officer said.
Abound 150 children spilled out of the jail after the gates were opened as a US military Humvee vehicle approached, Lieutenant Colonel Fred Padilla told an AFP correspondent travelling with the Marines 5th Regiment.
"Hundreds of kids were swarming us and kissing us," Padilla said.
"There were parents running up, so happy to have their kids back."
"The children had been imprisoned because they had not joined the youth branch of the Ba'ath party," he alleged. "Some of these kids had been in there for five years."
The children, who were wearing threadbare clothes and looked under-nourished, walked on the streets crossing their hands as if to mimic handcuffs, before giving the thumbs up sign and shouting their thanks.
It was not clear who had opened the doors of the prison.
Just wanted to add that if this is accurate, then as far as I'm concerened, eveything has been justified, no matter what else is or is not found.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Okay, well, since Saddam's Advocate hasn't shown up yet.
Rant about invading a country, even to free children from prison, since their parents must have done something wrong, like breath or have a heart beat....
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
"Just wanted to add that if this is accurate, then as far as I'm concerened, eveything has been justified, no matter what else is or is not found."
Be careful. Not everyone will be happy with that outcome.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
So, children living in prison is worse than people being killed?
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Assuming all other things equal? Depends on the people. Of course, that's not reality, so...
Posted by Cartmaniac (Member # 256) on :
The reality is that some of those children are now ORPHANS, thanks to your touted precision warfare.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
How so, with dad locked up across the hall and mom in the same cell.
Posted by OnToMars (Member # 621) on :
Which can be, of course, assumed right away, with NO information besides this one article.
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
Thank you for your applilcation for the "Baghdad Bob" position. However, Mr. Al-Sayaff is still doing an adequate job.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
Yeah, shame on you for demanding additional information. Background knowledge is for wimps.
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
I was talking about Cartman making shit up.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
And I was contering his 'statement' with a theory, another of which is the SH made them orphans. But, then again, the Coalition forces are the evil ones, SH wouldn't do such a thing. Heck, he would even gass his own people.....
Posted by Daryus Aden (Member # 12) on :
Don't worry FO2. Everyones making shit up.
Children in prison. It wasn't a juvenile detention center was it?
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
If so, that'll stop right away. All those kids lounging around at the State's expense - inconceivable! They should all be on Death Row where they belong!
Posted by Cartmaniac (Member # 256) on :
"But, then again, the Coalition forces are the evil ones, SH wouldn't do such a thing. Heck, he would even gass his own people....."
Do NOT put words in my mouth. My remark was intended to snap you out of your FoxNews-induced black & white vision of Good vs. Evil and get you to think about the uglier parts of this war the sanitized media won't relay.
Oh, about SH gassing his own people: nobody cared fifteen years ago WHEN IT HAPPENED, so drop the pretense, m'kay (bonus points if you can name the organisation that supplied him with the gas)?
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN: So, children living in prison is worse than people being killed?
Yes, Adults can fight back, for the most part.
Lee, someone mentioned that at Ex Isle, I replied that you cannot compare 16, 17, or 18 year olds comitting major crimes with innocent kids, being held to pressure the parents.
Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
Kosh, I think you mistook Lee's sniping for a snigger.
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Sniper, snigger, hell, I'll fire the dang tank....
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
I thought he was refering to the USA treating some minors as adults in court. We've had that going at Ex Isle.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Aargh! Confusion! Was I sniping or sniggering? I can't remember!
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Be equal opportunity, do both, at the same time, then you can confuse the others....
Now, since this is about policing, sort of, I just heard on the evil American media that Canada is now offering police forces to help in Iraq..... Italy did also....
Posted by Ultra Magnus (Member # 239) on :
Mounties + Iraq = The single greatest Television sitcom premise in history.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
*grin*
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
"due Mideast"?
The wolf might not appreciate it, though.
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega: "due Mideast"?
The wolf might not appreciate it, though.
It would have to be a camel, maybe an ass.
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote:Originally posted by Vogon Poet: Aargh! Confusion! Was I sniping or sniggering? I can't remember!
I think Ritten's got it. Do both, it will confuse people, and save time.