Video: Christians pray for — and with — burned Iraqi boy in California
posted at 5:04 pm on September 18, 2007 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Remember him? He and his family are in the U.S. now, ensconced in an apartment near the Grossman Burn Center and awaiting the first of the 8 to 10 surgeries he’ll need to get back to something close to normal. CNN has basically embedded with his family and is covering their every move with an O.J.-like intensity. The narrative is prefab — Iraqis trapped in hell take a trip to heaven to save their little boy — but it works, even if they do occasionally go a little heavy on the “look how impressed these simple people are with our culture” sauce.
Heart-warming to see the little guy doing well, though. It’d be cruel to send them back to Baghdad when this is over, which I’m sure CNN is factoring into their decision to publicize their case as much as possible. The first clip below shows the family arriving in California and meeting with Dr. Grossman, the second shows the prayer at the beach. Click the image to watch.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
CNN – Nice. Thank you.
RushBaby on September 18, 2007 at 5:07 PM
I live in Oklahoma City, and I prayed for him, and for all of those who have suffered the repressions and terrors of the religion of peace.
OhEssYouCowboys on September 18, 2007 at 5:08 PM
P.S. May God, through Jesus Christ, bless all of those who’ve been a part of trying to help one little boy and his family.
OhEssYouCowboys on September 18, 2007 at 5:11 PM
Wow, I’m amazed to see this on CNN of all places. Credit where credit is due. I wonder if al-jazerra will pick it up? It might cause another series of riots in the middle east.
Tony737 on September 18, 2007 at 5:11 PM
By the way, is Dr. Grossman Jewish? This could lead to even MORE rioting!
Tony737 on September 18, 2007 at 5:13 PM
A very well done report.
terryannonline on September 18, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Somewhere, Hitchens if furious.
That’s true, but what about all the others? I hate to make this comparison, but it’s the same reason I won’t pick up a stray animal… I’d feel bad for all the others I won’t. Feels like playing God or something.
RightWinged on September 18, 2007 at 5:20 PM
I hope CNN doesn’t turn this into a circus. For the moment they seem to be acting with a little dignity and restraint, being that it’s CNN the odds of that continuing are not good.
Maxx on September 18, 2007 at 5:21 PM
You can’t help them all so you help none? Starfish man starfish.
- The Cat
MirCat on September 18, 2007 at 5:24 PM
I admit to gettin’ all misty-eyed when the church group started praying for him. I wish they’d play THIS story as much as the O.J. story.
Tony737 on September 18, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Because it matters to the one. Doing nothing is far worse. There are too many people who will do nada and too few who will give all. I live what you are talking about (see link). You cannot save them all but you can save what you can save. It makes a difference. If I save 10 and everyone in America saves 10 – problem solved. There are just not enough people around who want to save 10.
Credit where credit is due alright – thanks CNN.
On-my-soap-box on September 18, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Who is it that instructs all CNN reports to continuously speak in such a condescending nasal-lecturing tone as if they have something up their anal cavity that they are not quite able to dismiss?
Maxx on September 18, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Those darn Christians!
Always causing trouble.
/
Bob's Kid on September 18, 2007 at 5:38 PM
It’s gotta take a lot of salvation,
What we need are willing hands. – B. Taupin
Yes, even you, hitchens.
Thanks cnn? God bless the lil boy & his family. They have a horrible road to recovery still to travel. Nothing worse than burns.
Make sure the allaheads see this on youtube….
locomotivebreath1901 on September 18, 2007 at 5:40 PM
I don’t understand the starfish part… but it’s about it not being fair to say “I choose you” and “I don’t choose you”. It’s like dropping a rope from a helicopter to the one you want before the others can get there.
I understand what you guys are saying, but I don’t feel like it’s my right to decide. Sure, do all you can with donating and volunteering, etc… but my point is about picking and choosing who gets a free shot at leaving their hell holes and coming here. I think you’re lumping that in with “helping” through different agencies, and they’re two different things. Helping out, etc. is one thing… but playing God with who gets to come to America and who doesn’t isn’t something any individuals should be involved in.
RightWinged on September 18, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Nice. A great reminder for those who don’t understand what we have here.
Jaibones on September 18, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Well I’d like to add an enthusiastic Amen! to those prayers.
God bless the little guy and his family.
infidel4life on September 18, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Anybody else find it strange that the father’s face was blurred out in every scene and no question asked or response shown of the father?
PappaMac on September 18, 2007 at 6:04 PM
Strange but understandable; if he has relatives back in Iraq they’d be targeted. I don’t blame him for keeping out of the limelight.
And my eyes are not misty. It’s just windy here and some dust got in them, OK?
see-dubya on September 18, 2007 at 6:07 PM
And to think, the same Democrats who would shake this boy’s hand would also have us abandon his country to Al Queda and Iran.
Just as the same Nancy Pelosi who supports partial birth abortion posed with children at her Speaker inauguration.
Gotta love the nuances of political life.
Hawkins1701 on September 18, 2007 at 6:07 PM
Mark 12:41-44 –
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, …
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily, I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.
For all they did cast of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, …”
I hope that this helps. It’s not how much you do or give, it’s that you do or give.
OhEssYouCowboys on September 18, 2007 at 6:15 PM
and besides, what if the kid ends up being gay AND republican…wouldn’t want any more of us infesting the GOP.
its vintage duh on September 18, 2007 at 6:19 PM
Its a nice story, and I’m glad CNN and Allah are putting it out there.
Bad Candy on September 18, 2007 at 6:21 PM
RW – it is easy. If you have children, you have played GOD by giving more to them while driving by the hungry kid in the depressed area you live by. No different, it is about choice. We are, after all, HIS hands and feet.
I watched the video and I cried. How could anyone not want to help that baby? Then we get a shot of Christians praying for Muslims and Muslims letting them. WOW! HUGE! One baby touching so many lives. GOD Bless him.
On-my-soap-box on September 18, 2007 at 6:24 PM
thanks for putting this up… I knew everyone here would like to see it. I could live with out all the “god-loving” but hey, whatever it takes to get him the help he needs.
Kaptain Amerika on September 18, 2007 at 6:32 PM
Save the Starfish story by Wayne Rice.
Save A Starfish picture presentation with beach (here the presenter omitted the original Christian message).
INC on September 18, 2007 at 6:35 PM
I thought us Christians were worse than the terrorists, at least according to Rosie.
Any terrorists praying for this boy, Rosie?
ToddonCapeCod on September 18, 2007 at 6:59 PM
Well well well, Allahpundit.
Seems like (mostly) everybody is enjoying what’s cooking in the kitchen here.
Mcguyver on September 18, 2007 at 7:14 PM
Thanks, AP — I greatly appreciate that you put up these kinds of stories. And thanks to CNN, too. A few more like this, and I might actually have a kind word for CNN.
Splashman on September 18, 2007 at 7:22 PM
RightWinged, you’re over thinking this.
If you can help someone, help them.
Kensington on September 18, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Kleenex stock will shoot through the roof from this.
Thank you for linking those clips AP (especially the second one). How can anyone watch this and not immediately understand who are the good guys and who are the bad?
12thman on September 18, 2007 at 7:40 PM
Rightwinged does not know how to debate intelligently, give him some slack.
Mcguyver on September 18, 2007 at 9:12 PM
Quite simple. To them, good is evil and evil is good. Read that in a Book somewhere….
ScottG on September 18, 2007 at 9:31 PM
I think I read that same Book, ScottG.
Need to figure out how to get this video on GodTube. (the inspirational answer to YouTube)
12thman on September 18, 2007 at 9:47 PM
God bless this family….
from an Okie Christian
MsUnderestimated on September 18, 2007 at 9:57 PM
When I heard that the little boy was burned,
I really hoped the United States would step to the plate,get him to a burn unit,and start on his recovery.
I had no doubt in my mind,that America would do the right
thing,this is also a great story.
America is always willing to help any country that asks for it.
canopfor on September 18, 2007 at 10:03 PM
If you’ve got a point in opposition to Rightwinged Mcguyver then make it. But your personal attack is exactly the kind of crap we don’t need here.
Maxx on September 18, 2007 at 10:24 PM
How many Okie’s are there here? My community grows bigger all the time.
Very nice story. We do love the underdog and this is a story that also makes you appreciate our country.
thedecider on September 18, 2007 at 10:49 PM
It is stories like this that show me that this is how we will win the War on Terror. That boy and his family will be friends of America for the rest of their lives, much like the WW2 generation of Europe. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless that boy and his family and use them as a light in the darkness known as Islam.
dawgsleadtheway on September 18, 2007 at 10:55 PM
It would be a travesty for this family to go back to Iraq! The religion that cuts people to pieces,,, I mean,, the religion of peace, I am sure some of it’s members would target this family. What is taking place on this film is an example of the greatness of this nation. Ordinary people coming together to help someone in need half way around the world!
JellyToast on September 18, 2007 at 11:12 PM
couldn’t be said any better dawgs..couldn’t be said any better. We’re saying it with you.
hotvol on September 18, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (New International Version)
A sentiment even our non-”God delusional” members should be able to get behind.
TBinSTL on September 18, 2007 at 11:19 PM
It’s not about giving, the principle you’re talking about isn’t the same as picking and choosing who gets to totally leave hell and come to the greatest place on the planet. All I’m saying is to say “this kid should get to stay”, is a bit of an odd thing to say, in my mind. Sure, he should stay… I’m just saying that I feel bad for the others that can’t come too, and I feel like we’re playing God by letting certain ones stay and not bringing others too. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with taking some, but it’s unsettling to choose them over others who are equally deserving, and it’s not a PERSONAL decision I’d want to live with.
See above. And, I don’t have kids, but there’s a bit of a difference. Your own kids are your own, and you’re personally responsible for them. That aside, I never said “send him back”, I’m perfectly fine with him staying. I’m just PERSONALLY uncomfortable making a statement about wanting to take one while leaving others. How do you make that choice? Sure it has to be done sometimes, but it’s not a choice I’m comfortable making on my own. It’s nothing about this specific kid.
Hey, go f yourselves, especially you Mcguyver… actually, don’t worry about it. When we implement the NAU, we’ll be throwing you in a camp for trying to expose us anyway. And I’ll drive down a 4 football field wide highway to Bohemian Grove laughing my ass off!
RightWinged on September 18, 2007 at 11:21 PM
Beautiful.
D2Boston on September 19, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Honestly, I hope they WANT to go back to Iraq when he’s healed from his final surgery. By then, Iraq should be in a lot better shape than now, maybe even near what the most optimistic of us would like to see. Think of what this boy and his family will have learned here of Americans, and what stories they will take back with them of the generosity and friendship they encountered here, even in California. Hopefully, the entire family will be goodwill ambassadors to strengthen a future ally in the ME.
El Cazador on September 19, 2007 at 12:41 AM
Well said!
jjjen on September 19, 2007 at 1:26 AM
Kaptain Amerika on September 19, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Okie
Kaptain Amerika on September 19, 2007 at 10:54 AM
“That’s true, but what about all the others? I hate to make this comparison, but it’s the same reason I won’t pick up a stray animal… I’d feel bad for all the others I won’t. Feels like playing God or something.
RightWinged”
My Dear! it isn’t about playing God…it is about dealing w/ what GOD puts in front of you. I have an animal shelter….
I rescue what is in front of me….& I deal w/ the ‘Street People’ who are in front of me. One can go insane trying to rescue ALL. It is about what is in front of you…..& remember to ask yourself…’am I more merciful than GOD!????
that’s what I do…….didn’t mean to be impudent!
lobosan5 on September 19, 2007 at 12:16 PM
You need to follow along the entire conversation lobosan5… I said it wasn’t about this kid, who is in front of us, my larger point was about going and plucking people out of their situation to bring them to live the good life here. They aren’t “in front of” us, we’d have to go pick them. I PERSONALLY can’t be responsible for making the decision to pick one out of dozens or hundreds or thousands of kids who wins that lottery. In fact that’s an interesting way to look at it. If they won a lottery, then it’s just luck/chance involved. But I can’t make the PERSONAL decision to pick one over another.
RightWinged on September 19, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Comment pages: