Boy, 5, doused in gas, set on fire by masked menStory Highlights

[Jamnt]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/08/22/iraq.boy/index.html
Pic at link is graphic. Please keep this K&R in case some want to help.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Five-year-old Youssif is scarred for life, his once beautiful smile turned into a grotesquely disfigured face -- the face of a horrifying act by masked men. They grabbed him on a January day outside his central Baghdad home, doused him with gas and set him ablaze.

It's an act incomprehensibly savage, even by Iraq's standards today. No one has been arrested and the motive remains unknown.

In a war-ravaged city torn by sectarian violence and marked by acts of vengeance, this attack's apparent randomness stands out as an example of what life has become in a place where brutality -- even against young children -- is a constant.

"They dumped gasoline, burned me, and ran," Youssif told CNN, pointing down the street with his scarred hands where his attackers fled. See photographs of Youssif before and after the attack »

As he sucked his thumb, he repeated, "I was burning." He tried to put the flames out himself.

[Ian David]

1. Bush would try to spin it as "Freedom Flames." Sure, he's horribly disfigured. But...

... so long as he has at least one finger left on his hand to dip in purple ink, we're making progress. It's hard work. Stay the course.

[patrice]

2. "Better him than 'us'."

My apologies for saying that, but that IS what everyone who supports the Occupation of Iraq thinks.

[lonestarnot]

3. You are zactly right.

[IronLionZion]

17. The fact that it was never going to be "us" is lost on them.

Because they think that somehow the war is fighting for our freedom.

[frustrated_lefty]

4. Where is the send flowers crew?

Instead of sending flowers, can we send this kid to a plastic surgeon? I border on broke, but I'd find some dollars for that.

[Jamnt]

5. Exactly.

I have a 5 year old at home. I can't imagine the pain he and his parents must be going thru.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Just wrote to a prominent pediatric cosmetic surgeon

and asked if he would be willing to seek the channels through the media and the government to help this child. And that if he wouldn't, perhaps he might know another pediatric cosmetic surgeon who would be willing to do so.

If you know of a pediatric cosmetic surgeon, please write to them, and ask the same.

The blood of these children is on our hands, albeit unwilling so due to the BushCo/PNAC regime. Since those necrotizing fascists refuse to reach out and save these small innocents, I feel strongly that those of us who do have compassion for their plight can offer to something about it, if even in something as simple as using email to contact and call upon those who have the skills to make a positive move to alleviate some of the horrors of this war.

My letter to the pediatric cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Ram Kalus
http://www.plasticsurgerycarolina.com/html/aboutdoctor.html

Can you help this child?
Would you be willing to find a way to get him to the US so he can have the cosmetic help he needs?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/08/22/iraq.boy/index.html

Just thought maybe you, as a pediatric cosmetic surgeon, might find it in your heart to help this innocent. And if not you, perhaps you know of another doctor who would be willing to do this.

Thank you for taking the time to read about 5-year old Youssif . Am sure there are channels through the media and the government that somewhere, somehow this child can be helped and be able to leave some of the scars of war behind him.

[frustrated_lefty]

7. It's a good start Nelly.

I'll hit up some co-workers. If anyone has contacts at St. Judes, my understanding is their pediatrics unit is top notch.

Add to that Johns Hopkins.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Good idea re: St. Jude's and John Hopkins

More people to write.

Small thing to do if it can help some of these children.

[frustrated_lefty]

10. I contacted St Judes, they may have people willing

to do pro bono work. Sending the photos now, at this point they want to know how extensive the injuries are.

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. Excellent!

Keep us posted here at DU. If one child can be helped, there may be more who are willing to help many of the other little ones.

:hug: :hi: :loveya:

[Turn CO Blue]

29. Shriner's hospitals also work with burned children

<http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/>

[dropkickpa]

21. Good idea

I'm writing to the hand wizard here (he's the chief of plastic and reconstructive sx), he likes me and he owes me a few favors, perhaps he can find the people who could help this poor boy. If not, I know where he parks his fancy ass car and I'll key the damn thing!

[frustrated_lefty]

22. Good (wo)man! Serious, pursue this!

[Whoa_Nelly]

24. Wonderful!

Hope he can help in some way :hi:

Makes me want to start searching through news items about more Iraqi children who need help.

[BlooInBloo]

8. I saw that. Damn - poor kid....

... His mom was saying how he's become mean & bitter & jealous of his little sister as a result.

Broken lives all around. Sigh.

[frustrated_lefty]

11. *bump*

[slipslidingaway]

12. K&R :(

[progressoid]

13. Helping Youssif

"Helping Youssif...
No aid organizations have taken up Youssif's cause at this point. CNN and CNN.com will keep you updated if this changes. "

[slipslidingaway]

14. Update from CNN link

"CNN Arwa Damon

updated 1 hour, 50 minutes ago

This story has generated an amazing amount of support for Youssif and his family. CNN is in touch with aid organizations that may be able to help. We know how concerned you are and how much you want to help. So we'll pass on information as soon as we have it.

Thank you for your outpouring of support."

[frustrated_lefty]

16. This is one atrocity WE can do something about.

Enough is enough. My tax dollars may be spent to pay for this war. The rest is mine to spend, and if that means paying for the wounded, then so be it. Five years old. Five. There is something wrong with this picture.

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. We ought to send a picture of Youssif to every Evangelical church in America.

[BeHereNow]

23. Can we start with my bushbot sister-in-law's "church?"

My sister-in-law is convinced that GW and Iraq are
"Gawd's" will.
I asked her once how she would feel if her grandchildren
were in the line of fire like Iraqi children.
We haven't talked much since.
X-tians don't like being confronted with their
blatant hypocrisy.
BHN

[frustrated_lefty]

19. *gentle bump*

[frustrated_lefty]

20. Bumping again. Sorry.

This just isn't something we can let fall between the cracks.

[whopis01]

25. n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

26. kick this up

This reminds me of the little guy out here who was blinded from warfire and is receiving reconstructive surgery in Seattle...

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=iraqboy22m&date=20061022

[LeftishBrit]

27. Horrific. And keep us informed about any contributions that we can make.

[Nutmegger]

28. How horrific! :-(

It stories like this that really bring it home.

Somehow I feel responsible. :cry:

[Whoa_Nelly]

30. Kicking

This child, and many more in Iraq, need compassionate doctors here and abroad who are willing to offer services and help.

[Whoa_Nelly]

31. Oops..a double posting..delete