Die Swimming in Iraq

These pieces get me every time...

They can't make salad...and yet he's still able to laugh at being considered an infidel for eating it. And then the way his smile just sort of fades. The way his dad is nervous about the filming and about being seen as a foreigner. The way such a nice, smart young man, says with a straight face that he'd like to kill the person who killed his uncle. It is clear this war is not engendering good will among those we are "protecting"...

Stength through Peace

Kucinich in '08 to end the war!

I am grateful to get to meet him and his family - to cut through the differences and recognize our common humanity. My horror is that I cannot end this - I've written and called and met with my Congressperson. I've signed petitions, donated money, and organized peace vigils. I protested before the illegal, immoral attack on Iraq and I've protested since that time. I am sickened that this is going on and it is not on the corporate media. If this were on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX all at the same time one night so that everyone with their TV on saw it -- the occupation would end. I am sick of empire. The U.S. empire must come to an end.

All I have to say is this kind of Tv is bad for the soldiers serving in Iraq to see on us tv. To see this kind off sympithetic tv for the ones killed in the act of war is horribale. I have been over there and the people know not to come near american or any kind of coilition force in a vehical. That is the biggest threat we have over there and men die because of suicied bombers in cars and for you to let an Iraqie say on national tv that he wants to kill an american is a disscrase to you because we fight for you and you alone those people over there hate Any one who is not of there race or religion thay call us infedells. All of what I hve heard them say is kill The nonbelivers and that means you. So at that note we fight for the rights to protect Inocent people and we never mean to kill ones and this type of tv makes us hated by many and alot of our men commit sucied because this is what we are judged by. I hate this type of tv. Many of my freinds have die over there but no one seems to care about that now do they.

to the iraqi family, i am sorry

This pod shows the true tragedy of war. I served two tours in Iraq with 1st Marine Division, and I know that innocent people die over there. I find reprehensible that this young man lost his uncle prematurely, but we should remember that those who shot him were just scared kids, put in a hostile environment where they are not sure what's going to happen in any moment. Any patrols on major roads are nerve-racking, and it is on these patrols that many young Americans, probably the same age as the young man in the pod, get killed. I do understand the anger that the person in the pod has. Anyone who was in this situation would feel that they would want revenge too. What a sad thing. Violence begets violence. I am personally pleased that current shows pods such as this on television. Americans need to see this war for what it is, a mistake and tragedy, from both sides. maybe it will help Americans realize that people in Iraq are much like people everywhere else.

I hope people with access to everyday Iraqi citizens will share more stories. I felt I wanted to hug that sad boy and somehow let him know that many of the soldiers sent to his country don't want to be there but they are bound by law to serve where ever they are sent once they join the military. Thank you for sharing this story.
I am so sorry for the families loss.

This piece was very powerful. I feel terrible for this family's loss, that there's even such a thing as war, homicide, or violence. This was one of the more memorable pods, I think.

this pod was probably the best piece i've seen on current. this should be played on US television, over and over and over. a normal family fucked over. i am against the war but this pod made my blood boil for some reason.

Loved this pod, so poignant and moving. I agree with a lot of the previous comments both for and against. It's a huge loss when innocents are killed. I think some soldiers are racist and don't care, but I feel most are just following orders and serving their country even with their confused feelings. Also, the young man was full of rage and vengeance (for good reason) but I don't think killing is the course of action. But this is all coming from me as a very fortunate man with a good job, home and family. I don't feel a smidgeon of the strife that Iraqis or US soldiers feel. I just wish we could get out of there. I ultimately blame Bush & Co.

This pod was very disturbing, but it confirms what I already knew. I wish I could tell that young man that I didn't vote for Bush, but I doubt that this would ease his suffering.

I just saw this pod on t.v.
i am a 33year old grown man, and i started to cry.
-- I am sorry for that man's uncle.
-- I am an american.. and I shed tears for victums.
--you seem like great people.. that i would be proud to have as a friend and neighbor.
--
i am just so sorry that happened.
--
i am not sure about the rest of the world,, but you can have my friendship..
and I will pray and did pray for your relative.
--
peace to all the good people.

This should be number #1, then they'd have to play it on the world stage.

this just goes to show how poorly trained our soilders are trained. if we are going to spend the money on the war then spend the money on teaching soilders how to do it right

Thank god Bush's time in office is almost up. We don't need this belligerent, idiotic, and inconsiderate person running our country anymore. I'm glad that after four year of fighting, and after thousands of American children and thousands of Iraqis died for George Bush, the public is still unsure what our country is fighting for. This exposes the truth, the everyday life of an everyday Iraqi. It's horrendous that this man lost his uncle, and can't go out in public without fearing his life. The whole situation in the middle east is fucked. I just wish for the best, hopefully something prosperous comes from this war. But I'm sure the outcome of this war could have come about in a different manner. Fuck George Bush for thinking he can use American people on his real-life chessboard.

With this video my ignorance pours, you hear things but you never quite understand it till you see it with your own eyes. My feelings are still the same-the war must end. I feel for that young man beyond comprehension, but with that I feel hopeless what can I do? Protests seem to go unheard. How can I bring a voice to the voiceless, when I myself dont have a voice that carries weight.

this is on of the hardest pods to watch,especially bcause this kid is speaking in english so there is not the excuse to say that we dont understand.there is nothing that is lost in the translation.I feel for there family and its even worse because i will be going to iraq soon.as others said this is a tradegy for both sides .this war should end now.

woah...
i think they should put MJMOTO72 's comment on like.. CNN or something.
--
I was thinking earlier.... probably about 50+% of young people in the military joined the armed force to earn money to go to college. -- everyone has seen the commercial. go to the military,, and they will give you the money to go to college.
-- -- but what would the world think if they re-worded it.
The miitary will give you money to go to college if you will go to a country you know nothing about.. and kill strangers for them.
--
cause.. i just realized.. those people know NOTHING about those people... because.. after all.. they did not even go to college yet. SEE HOW OBVIOUS IT IS.
so.. these kids will go and kill, and then get home and go to college to learn about the the people they killed.
-- doesn't it make more sence to learn first..then go,, so they can make an intelligent choice ?
--- I am not on one side or the other.
i think the entire world needs to realize this is a HOSTILE planet. and the only thing that makes it a hostile place is the human race.
-- make a choice.. instead of voting for a president. the entire world should have to fill out a card. ---
do you want to live a peaceful life.. or do you enjoy violence ?-- all the people that say peaceful life.. they get to stay...-- all the people that say violence..-- they automatically win a trip... they get an AK-47 7,000 bullets, a knife,, and a survival book.. and they get shiped to Australia. -- sorry Australia.. but we will take in all the good people from Australia,, and give them the best in the land of the peaceful.
-- now.. any one that is caught doing a violent crime in the peaceful world will get a zero-tollerance penalty thrown at them,, because they lied when they voted. it is purgery or something.. plus the crime.
-- -- i mean.. make it easy for people to understand.
-- then,, we will have guards around Australia --so no one can escape.. and we can even put it on tv,, or computer.. like a live SNUFF film... t make people really understand what happens to these people that like violence..-- it will be a no holds barred war.
-- because we as humans should have the right to find peace on the planet.. for all time. we should not have to seek a new planet to live on. this is our home.
-- if that is too far fetched for anyone,, then i am going to say that they voted to live in the new Australia.
-- i mean,, we can pick a different place.. but it sems big enough. and it is an island.
-- it would be kewl.. like really kewl.---
becasue let' s face it,, anyone that wants war should be in a mental facility,, and on both sides of the war.. the people that they are trying to kill are doing something bad,, so they should be in mental facilities too,, until the problems get worked out.
-- the military is jsut hiring kids to kill,, and when the kids get home.. they have to go to mental facilities.. because of shell shock,, and other problems.
i could go on and on.

I am truly sorry for the things that you are going through. neither i or any american in the united states could relive all the suffering that is going on in baghdad. I have read a million things about the issues and troubles over there but i highly doubt i could compare any of the real tragedies that are happening over there. I send my prayers to you and your family.

I would have to agree, the war is getting a little out of hand. Many people can't do anything they want to do without getting shot or injured, but where would we be without the soliders. Hopefully the war will end soon and peacefully and people in Iraq can have some more freedom in their country.

This pod truely a eye awaking subject. my feelings on the subject are strongly mad. Our loved ones (troops) are over there for what? I know not to kill the innocent mankind. What if the shoe was on the other hand and there were armed forces coming to us just killing sporadically and you had to attend the passing of a loved one for no aparent reason at all! Things like this is what has society questioning why our troops are even over there and why is there no change in anything that has happen all that is happening is that we both are losing loved one!

This needs to go viral people. Do your part! Post, share, WEB 2.0 the hell out of this pod!

That family was very "normal" for the lack of a better word. Much different from anything I've seen in Iraq. I do feel for them.

Such a great series.