Iraqi actors killed for entertaining kids

[deadparrot]

BAGHDAD, April 22 (UPI) -- Faud Radi and Haidar Jawad, Iraqi children's entertainers, were executed by armed militias -- the new moral guardians of Baghdad.

The two actors were part of the Happy Family Team, a troupe seen on television and adored by millions of children, the Times of London reported. Their troupe was part of an 11-day festival intended to help youngsters forget Baghdad's curfews, bombings and the dangers of daily life.

The group had been threatened by gunmen who objected to drama classes the company gave to children of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, the newspaper said.

"We didn't take them seriously," said Safaa Eadi, 31, a founding member of Happy Family Team.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060422-081251-1163r

[ECH1969]

1. The Madhi Army boys really didn't like Happy Fun Time Family

[alfredo]

8. everybody's a critic.

[CoffeeCat]

2. Do not taunt Happy Fun Team...

I dunno what to say anymore about all of this madness.

It's heartbreaking that it's happening and sick that we're paying for it.

[htuttle]

3. "There they were in a pile--a pile of little arms...."

The Djinn's really out of the bottle, now.

[jumpoffdaplanet]

4. But, but, but...

Bush just said that Iraq is all happy and safe.

I guess Iraq was better off with Saddam in power.

[JVS]

5. Ok that's it! I officially would prefer that Saddam had remained in power!

This is all just way too fucking sick! Say what you will about Hussein's government, he kept things calm.

[ECH1969]

6. That was because the media didn't report on them

Iraq is a violent hell hole, it was a violent hell hole, and it will continue to be a violent hell hole.

[countmyvote4real]

10. Media Schmedia.

Who would know?

Yes. Iraq was a violent hellhole for Hussein dissidents. But now that the US has spread democracy as an afterglow of shock and awe bombs, Iraq is a violent hellhole for anybody, regardless of their real perceived threat level. So sad to know that our troops have died and been dismembered for this noble cause.

Our business there was never warranted by an unprovoked invasion. And in spite of that decision, our troops should still not be there. It’s time to bring them home and let the corporations do the dirty work for themselves. The corporate beneficiaries of the illegal invasion of Iraq should also pay for the reparations

[ECH1969]

11. 400,000 Shia were buchered after the US asked them to rise up

160,000 Kurds were killed in the late 80s. There is no way to say it was better under that system then it is under the current system. It was a hell hole then, it is a hell hole now, and it is going to be a hell hole in the future.

Those that say the situation under Saddam was good and the current situation is bad is what I find problematic. Both are bad and we have no buisness in the country.

[Der Blaue Engel]

14. Ask the women of Iraq how they like it now n/t

[Rose Siding]

16. So another 100k dead Iraqis is better?

2400 dead Americans is better?

In the most westernized country in the ME (outside Israel) Americans -men and women- were free to walk about Baghdad unaccosted under Saddam.

Iraqis had jobs, food, social lives, electricity, security to attend schools, universities where professors weren't slaughtered, and hope. That's worth nothing?

The difference in hell-hole-iness is that we dug this one all on our own.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

19. Are you getting that info from the U. S. MSM? Must be true, then.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Very sad..

Can't find much about them in a quick search, other than this photo, from a Red Crescent article, Red Crescent being connected to the International Red Cross:
http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/03/03093001/

[madrchsod]

9. wait a fuck`n minute-this happened april second

what the fuck did they lift this from the "treasure of baghdad"

here`s the orginal post dated april second. hell i might have even posted the link on du

http://baghdadtreasure.blogspot.com/2006/04/despite-pain-children-still-have.html
Treasure of Baghdad: Despite the pain, children still have a chance

[LouisianaLiberal]

12. "Clown in Kabul"

This movie documented Patch Adams and other doctors and nurses as they traveled Afghanistan dressed as clowns. They attempted to bring some joy to the children, and it's enough to bring tears to eyes of almost anyone.

If he can travel Afghanistan as a clown for months, what does it say about Iraq when two children's entertainers are threatened and then killed?

[shenmue]

13. What a shame

They were just trying to help some kids.

I hate theocrats.

[aquart]

15. Goody, George, You spread the Taliban.

[seriousstan]

17. Tell me more about this "religion of peace".

[Haole Girl]

18. This is a strange story

Why on earth would they see a group such as that as a threat? It just doesn't make any sense. But most of what goes on over there doesn't, to me anyway.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

20. Sad Orphan Team isn't doing as well as it's predecessor.

Laugh to keep from crying.

[populistdriven]

21. K&N!!! I am sick of the MSM hiding the truth about Iraq