Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:08 AM

The saddest picture.......

This is a picture of a little Iraqi boy in an orphanage, he drew a picture of his mother on the floor and slept on her arm.
(from Twitter)

Sigh.....Just sigh....
Out of tears right now.

102 replies, 20178 views

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102 replies	Author	Time	Post
The saddest picture....... (Original post)	Are_grits_groceries	Apr 2012	OP
du rec. nt	xchrom	Apr 2012	#1
du rec. nt	dipsydoodle	Apr 2012	#2
No, No, No. I can't cry anymore.	BeHereNow	Apr 2012	#3
With you...	MrMickeysMom	Apr 2012	#4
I'll tell you how	Dustlawyer	Apr 2012	#29
We are supposed to ignore the suffering of these beautiful, innocent children caused by policies	sabrina 1	Apr 2012	#65
with you	BlancheSplanchnik	Apr 2012	#66
So very well stated. And so sad. n/t	truedelphi	Apr 2012	#81
Send that picture to Cheney, Bush and all the war mongers you can think of.	Auntie Bush	Apr 2012	#95
Cheney gets a new heart yet there is medical procedure to undo the damage his	Marie Marie	Apr 2012	#97
Oh, dear gawd.	Control-Z	Apr 2012	#5
omg. That's heartbreaking. War. What is it good for. k&r	Little Star	Apr 2012	#6
war is good for killing lots of people, making a lot of people suffer...	NoMoreWarNow	Apr 2012	#12
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!	lastlib	Apr 2012	#34
Bingo	Little Star	Apr 2012	#56
Rec.	progressoid	Apr 2012	#7
Tears	cin63	Apr 2012	#8
Way too sad	malaise	Apr 2012	#9
Who took that picture? Someone tall enough to be above the stark light bulb?	lunatica	Apr 2012	#10
i hereby relinquish my crown, i am no longer king of all cynics.	unblock	Apr 2012	#11
Does it matter	dr.strangelove	Apr 2012	#14
Whether or not it is staged...	Wait Wut	Apr 2012	#18
Read many replies to this....	shahkar	Wednesday	#101
Welcome to DU my friend!	hrmjustin	Wednesday	#102
A simple ladder does the trick you know	lunatica	Apr 2012	#21
It is powerful, staged or not	Papagoose	Apr 2012	#51
I agree it's very compelling	lunatica	Apr 2012	#72
yeah, it's all staged... just propaganda to make us think Iraqi children are real humans who suffer	NoMoreWarNow	Apr 2012	#13
I've seen plenty of non staged photographs that are much worse than that	lunatica	Apr 2012	#22
Staged ...... as in, seeing something that moves you and getting in the	polly7	Apr 2012	#30
Guess what?	Are_grits_groceries	Apr 2012	#16
I think reality is a far better method of showing the vileness of war	lunatica	Apr 2012	#23
First of all,	Are_grits_groceries	Apr 2012	#25
OK	lunatica	Apr 2012	#26
AGG, any excuse not to care will do. It's a defense mechanism to isolate oneself. It's okay.	freshwest	Apr 2012	#48
You know nothing about photography. Nothing.	DisgustipatedinCA	Apr 2012	#73
"But really, who took it and why?"	Oilwellian	Apr 2012	#24
I never said it isn't a compelling photo	lunatica	Apr 2012	#27
You keep saying it's staged, yet offer no proof other than...	Oilwellian	Apr 2012	#31
I said I wonder if it was staged	lunatica	Apr 2012	#70
Surveillance video screen capture.	FarLeftFist	Apr 2012	#33
That's one explanation	lunatica	Apr 2012	#71
Pictures like this take some thought about composition too:	JDPriestly	Apr 2012	#42
If the poor little thing drew it he would sleep by it. I would take a picture of him and his mom.	The Wielding Truth	Apr 2012	#83
it was my response too	Enrique	Apr 2012	#86
Quick - check behind the Curtain & ask the Wizard ...	66 dmhlt	Apr 2012	#36
This message was hidden by jury decision.	lunatica	Apr 2012	#77
I'm skeptical too	XemaSab	Apr 2012	#38
I don't think it unreasonable to believe the child may have had help	polly7	Apr 2012	#41
But if someone helped him draw it	XemaSab	Apr 2012	#43
I was just looking at it again ...... it doesn't seem impossible at all that	polly7	Apr 2012	#44
Stand on a nearby chair or a table - there's your angle.	haele	Apr 2012	#45
Actually, you're right.	progressoid	Apr 2012	#49
It just looks like perspective. Turn your head 90° to the right. That's how the shot was taken.	bluesbassman	Apr 2012	#61
Who took this picture?...	awoke_in_2003	Apr 2012	#67
I know I would feel the same way.	lunatica	Apr 2012	#74
It is sad to think...	awoke_in_2003	Apr 2012	#85
Seriously? Why did they take the picture? REALLY?	Rex	Apr 2012	#75
Get over yourself	lunatica	Apr 2012	#76
Right back atcha.	Rex	Apr 2012	#78
Seems like it could have been taken from a bunkbed.Orphanage, right?	The Wielding Truth	Apr 2012	#82
I here...	AnneD	Apr 2012	#15
too sad	spanone	Apr 2012	#17
Heartbreaking	nclib	Apr 2012	#19
It's so easy to get people excited about war.	Chorophyll	Apr 2012	#20
Heart wrenching.	sinkingfeeling	Apr 2012	#28
Good grief. We're a terrible nation.	Fantastic Anarchist	Apr 2012	#32
Is there any way we can send this to George Bush and Dick Cheney???	lastlib	Apr 2012	#35
Perhaps his new heart will make him feel some shame and humanity	tech_smythe	Apr 2012	#40
Kicked and recommended.	Uncle Joe	Apr 2012	#37
Poor little kid. k&r	yardwork	Apr 2012	#39
There's nothing sadder than a motherless child.	SunSeeker	Apr 2012	#46
So, I did a little research. This is a still from an Iraqi PSA	progressoid	Apr 2012	#47
Excellent catch! It looked like it was a screen cap of video but I couldn't dig up any more.	Poll_Blind	Apr 2012	#53
How can you tell a screen cap of video from a still pic,	Uncle Joe	Apr 2012	#54
Grainy. Color bleed. Soft edges.	Poll_Blind	Apr 2012	#58
Thanks for the info, Poll_Blind.	Uncle Joe	Apr 2012	#60
Yeah, searching for anything with Iraqi children is pretty depressing.	progressoid	Apr 2012	#55
sad	marshall gaines	Apr 2012	#50
Please send this photo to Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld	young_at_heart	Apr 2012	#52
They will masturbate to it,	Throckmorton	Apr 2012	#57
Oh, my............	Beacool	Apr 2012	#59
he looks like he could be any American's kid.	yurbud	Apr 2012	#62
True........	Beacool	Apr 2012	#63
We rightly mourn the loss of a kid like Trayvon Martin...imagine that story hundreds of thousands of	yurbud	Apr 2012	#64
Oh, my god, that breaks my heart.	Blue_In_AK	Apr 2012	#68
Thank You to:	Botany	Apr 2012	#69
Depressing.	Rex	Apr 2012	#79
wow..wish I hadn't clicked on this post !!! That will stay in my head forever. why	Laura PourMeADrink	Apr 2012	#80
It's not a war on terror - it's a war of terror.	Initech	Apr 2012	#84
That is incredibly sad.	krispos42	Apr 2012	#87
KNR	joeybee12	Apr 2012	#88
This message was hidden by jury decision.	JerseyMac	Apr 2012	#89
K & R !!!	WillyT	Apr 2012	#90
Oh, my. :( Life can be cruel. Maybe he'll get adopted after this pic gets exposure. nt	Honeycombe8	Apr 2012	#91
DAMN THOSE PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE WAR!	MMJjestic	Apr 2012	#92
Why do you hate the troops?	Arctic Dave	Apr 2012	#93
God! That is soooo sad...no pathetic!	Auntie Bush	Apr 2012	#94
We will never win with scenes like this..........fix it .	Historic NY	Apr 2012	#96
I blame this on the one percent and their Greed....	midnight	Apr 2012	#98
This message was hidden by jury decision.	Lair McCloud	Apr 2012	#99
this hurts....	unkachuck	Apr 2012	#100

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:17 AM

xchrom (90,443 posts)

1. du rec. nt

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:25 AM

dipsydoodle (32,567 posts)

2. du rec. nt

words defy me.

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:43 AM

BeHereNow (17,152 posts)

3. No, No, No. I can't cry anymore.

Last edited Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:10 PM USA/ET - Edit history (3)

No decent person wants this for these children.
So some one PLEASE tell me how we rid our selves of
a Congress, State Department and MIC run DOD, that gives us no voice or choice in these matters.

Someone tell me NOW, why this child has resorted to sleeping in
the "Chalk Embrace" of his mother's arms, while the masters of war
sleep comfortably, protected by their ill-gotten wealth and their war profits that
benefit ONLY them, on OUR tax dollars, while THEIR children suffer not.

WHY do we, as tax payers continue to allow them to force us to pay
for this misery and injustice?

This child is less precious than their children, or our hungry children, because???????

Livid.

BHN

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Response to BeHereNow (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:47 AM

MrMickeysMom (10,670 posts)

4. With you...

Decent persons need to keep seeing this... until enough decent persons demand change driven by true representation.

Reply to this post

Response to BeHereNow (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:51 AM

Dustlawyer (1,299 posts)

29. I'll tell you how

Let's get Bush and Tricky Dick II tried for war crimes and all their other crimes!!! That this idea of holding the top of our government accountable if they break the law is revolutionary is a sign of the times.

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Response to BeHereNow (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:20 PM

sabrina 1 (34,028 posts)

65. We are supposed to ignore the suffering of these beautiful, innocent children caused by policies

too many Americans refused to speak out against. And now, we are asked to ignore them again, because 'an election is coming up'. And so the cycle continues, one side becomes apologists when their party is in power, the other when it is theirs. And the PTBs know this and encourage it. They know they will always have enough people willing to remain silent no matter who is in power, and that is all they need to continue these reprehensible policies that have destroyed so many human lives around the world and here in the US.

When people stop catering to this system that is now set in stone, apparently, maybe those we elect will finally do so also.

We can only blame our government for so much. At some point, the American people have to accept the blood on their hands also.

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Response to BeHereNow (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:42 PM

BlancheSplanchnik (7,693 posts)

66. with you

out of tears myself

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Response to BeHereNow (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 04:15 PM

truedelphi (25,928 posts)

81. So very well stated. And so sad. n/t

Last edited Fri Apr 20, 2012, 04:15 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

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Response to BeHereNow (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 10:55 PM

Auntie Bush (15,229 posts)

95. Send that picture to Cheney, Bush and all the war mongers you can think of.

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Response to Auntie Bush (Reply #95)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:16 PM

Marie Marie (2,040 posts)

97. Cheney gets a new heart yet there is medical procedure to undo the damage his

old heart (or lack there of) has caused thousands. This is heartbreaking.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:55 AM

Control-Z (8,255 posts)

5. Oh, dear gawd.

I know that pain. Horrible. Poor little child. It will never really be ok for that child. Not really. He/she will pretend but it will never really get better.

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:04 AM

Little Star (11,643 posts)

6. omg. That's heartbreaking. War. What is it good for. k&r

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Response to Little Star (Reply #6)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:26 AM

NoMoreWarNow (878 posts)

12. war is good for killing lots of people, making a lot of people suffer...

and lining the pockets of the elites. Every evil fuck who promoted war in Iraq and Afghanistan needs to rot in jail.

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Response to Little Star (Reply #6)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:15 AM

lastlib (3,739 posts)

34. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!

(That song needed to be resurrected a decade ago!)

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Response to lastlib (Reply #34)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:26 PM

Little Star (11,643 posts)

56. Bingo

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:32 AM

progressoid (27,267 posts)

7. Rec.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:47 AM

cin63 (37 posts)

8. Tears

I instantly cried, poor babies, I hate war.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:48 AM

malaise (105,913 posts)

9. Way too sad

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:54 AM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

10. Who took that picture? Someone tall enough to be above the stark light bulb?

Last edited Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:55 AM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

It's a compelling photo, but really. Who took it and why? One should never forget the fact that when there's a photo there's also a photographer taking it. My first thought is that it's manufactured.

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Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:19 AM

unblock (23,740 posts)

11. i hereby relinquish my crown, i am no longer king of all cynics.

so some devious, agenda-laden photog built an elaborate studio with some genius way of viewing down, from the impossible distance of roughly one story, give or take, then said, DAMN, where are we going to find an orphan in iraq! and then get him to SLEEP!

well i say even if it's staged, one must admired the technical brilliance! how on earth could he have gotten a camera all the way up there! they must have built an entire balcony or second floor above the first floor or maybe imported some kind of "ladder" device or i don't know.

maybe they brought in consultants from nasa. OOH that's it! it's a satellite photo with super zoom!

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Response to unblock (Reply #11)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:40 AM

dr.strangelove (4,227 posts)

14. Does it matter

My first thought was that it was touching and sad, my second was that it was a wonderful photographer. Neither of these things is in any way connected with it being staged. Some of the most powerful photos I have ever seen are staged. I just went to a wonderful show at the Clamp Gallery in NY where a photographer named Frank Yamrus had a series of self portraits displayed showing major events in his life recreated. It was incredibly moving and the man is a gifted artist. I rarely buy work at such shows, but I found myself compelled to buy his book and a print because it was so moving. Yet they were all staged. His decision on whether to father a child and a shot of his witnessing the death of a friend were some of the best work I have ever seen. A great photographer staging a shot has nothing whatsoever to do with the power and emotion such shots invoke. If this orphan shot was staged, does it make the terror that a young orphan that lost his mother to war any less real? Does it change your feelings on the tragedy of such a young orphan?
I have no idea if this was a staged shot or not. But staged or not, the sadness and passion the photo invokes is real and the tragedy it depicts is real. If its a created work of art meant to convey these feelings, I commend the artist for doing such an amazing job. If its a unscripted and candid photo, I commend the photographer for capturing reality so well and moving me with an impromptu photo. But in either event, its not an insult to anyone to suggest this was set up by a wonderful artist to show a tragedy. Why attack someone who suggested the photo was set up by an artist. It certainly might have been, just as it might not have been. Who really cares? It depicts reality, where set up or not. Lets not take away from the sad reality that results from war by arguing over this.

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Response to unblock (Reply #11)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:57 AM

Wait Wut (6,148 posts)

18. Whether or not it is staged...

...it is a powerful image that reminds us of the spoils of war. A wake of tragedy, orphans, widows and widowers. I've heard enough stories from my son, a retired Marine, and his friends, to know that there are far worse images that we'll never see that aren't staged.

If it is staged, I thank the photographer for having the compassion that it would take to imagine such an image and use it to remind us that a war never truly ends. If it isn't, it's one of those times I hope there is a God that will someday wake up and fix things so children never have to sleep with chalk images on a wooden floor.

I've cried watching movies that aren't real. I guess I should blame the writers, producers and actors. I've been moved by works of art. I should call the artist a liar.

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Response to Wait Wut (Reply #18)

Wed May 15, 2013, 10:55 AM

shahkar (1 post)

101. Read many replies to this....

I've read many replies to this picture... some down right insensitive, most appropriately compassionate but I like your reply the best.

Thanks...

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Response to shahkar (Reply #101)

Wed May 15, 2013, 12:04 PM

hrmjustin (8,843 posts)

102. Welcome to DU my friend!

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Response to unblock (Reply #11)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:04 AM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

21. A simple ladder does the trick you know

Last edited Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:12 AM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

But jump off the cliff screaming if you must.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #21)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:49 PM

Papagoose (404 posts)

51. It is powerful, staged or not

I do want to know if it is real though...I feel compelled to share this picture, but need to know the context before I stick my foot in my mouth. I'd be interested if anyone knows.

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Response to Papagoose (Reply #51)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:26 PM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

72. I agree it's very compelling

I simply questioned it. I wasn't trashing it.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:36 AM

NoMoreWarNow (878 posts)

13. yeah, it's all staged... just propaganda to make us think Iraqi children are real humans who suffer

Right?

/sarcasm

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Response to NoMoreWarNow (Reply #13)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:06 AM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

22. I've seen plenty of non staged photographs that are much worse than that

Of dead Iraqi toddlers with their brains blown out. You're sarcasm is stupid and a waste of time.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #22)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:58 AM

polly7 (7,779 posts)

30. Staged ...... as in, seeing something that moves you and getting in the

best position to take a picture that turns out well?

I've done that dozens / hundreds of times. Probably 90% of photos taken in that case would be 'staged'.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:51 AM

Are_grits_groceries (12,548 posts)

16. Guess what?

I.DON'T.CARE.HOW.IT.WAS.TAKEN!

MY first thought was about all the children who don't have safe havens with their parents whether because of war or other circumstances.

Meh!

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Reply #16)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:09 AM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

23. I think reality is a far better method of showing the vileness of war

Why make something up when there are literally millions of stories about what the Iraqi people have gone through? I've seen photographs of toddlers with their brains blown out of their skulls. Real scenes. Real and unstaged photographs.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #23)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:19 AM

Are_grits_groceries (12,548 posts)

25. First of all,

you don't know it's staged. Second of all, even if it is, you better believe that many kids sleep trying to hold on to some image of their mama..
AND most importantly, a photo doesn't have to show brains that are blown out to portray the horrible effects of war.

You will probably post horrible images or spend your time googling and trying to prove it was staged.
GO AWAY and quit shoving your view on people. You have made your point, such as it is.

Meh!

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Reply #25)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:25 AM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

26. OK

bye

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Reply #25)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:43 PM

freshwest (31,271 posts)

48. AGG, any excuse not to care will do. It's a defense mechanism to isolate oneself. It's okay.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #23)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:28 PM

DisgustipatedinCA (5,404 posts)

73. You know nothing about photography. Nothing.

Stop while you're just a little behind, please.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:17 AM

Oilwellian (9,281 posts)

24. "But really, who took it and why?"

What a stunningly cold and disconnected comment. I don't know what is more upsetting, the photo or your response to it.

Reply to this post

Response to Oilwellian (Reply #24)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:27 AM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

27. I never said it isn't a compelling photo

Staged photos are fine with me. I just don't happen to believe a child cuddles up to the cold floor for comfort. I think children cuddle up to soft things when they want comfort, but I guess you don't.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #27)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 10:22 AM

Oilwellian (9,281 posts)

31. You keep saying it's staged, yet offer no proof other than...

your belief that if there's no blood and brains in a photo taken in Iraq, it must be staged. You say Iraqi orphanages are full of soft, cuddly blankets the children can find comfort in, and this particular orphan can't possibly be longing for the comfort of his mother's arms, because gee, he has a soft, cuddly blanket to take her place. You imply this photo is staged because an orphan can't possibly be longing for his mother and would never sleep on a floor with her chalk figure because hey, there's that soft, cuddly blanket he can turn to for security now.

When I put a soft, cuddly blanket over my own grandchildren, I can see the pure pleasure in their faces and the sense of security that ritual brings. The question is what gives them the greatest comfort, the blanket, or knowing their grandmother and grandfather are there to protect them while they sleep?

My belief is an orphan will choose their parent any day over a soft, cuddly blanket and this photo is a reflection of that fact.

Reply to this post

Response to Oilwellian (Reply #31)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:24 PM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

70. I said I wonder if it was staged

Jeez. Can you read?

I'm not even denying that it's quite compelling.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #27)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:03 AM

FarLeftFist (6,161 posts)

33. Surveillance video screen capture.

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Response to FarLeftFist (Reply #33)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:25 PM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

71. That's one explanation

But if it is then is the kid arrested or in some kind of holding cell?

See, for some of us there are questions that come up.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #27)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:45 AM

JDPriestly (37,714 posts)

42. Pictures like this take some thought about composition too:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002533348

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #27)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 04:26 PM

The Wielding Truth (8,436 posts)

83. If the poor little thing drew it he would sleep by it. I would take a picture of him and his mom.

Reply to this post

Response to Oilwellian (Reply #24)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:00 PM

Enrique (22,594 posts)

86. it was my response too

I don't know why it would be upsetting. Someone found out that in fact it is from a public service announcement. I don't know why it's upsetting to want to know the truth.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:19 AM

66 dmhlt (1,295 posts)

36. Quick - check behind the Curtain & ask the Wizard ...

If he's got a SPARE HEART - because you are sure as hell in need of one!

Reply to this post

Response to 66 dmhlt (Reply #36)

lunatica This message was hidden by Jury decision.

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:36 AM

XemaSab (57,380 posts)

38. I'm skeptical too

How old is this kid supposed to be?

Something about the drawing doesn't look like a kid drew it.

The shading is too even, and the facial features and proportions seem too perfect.

It doesn't really pass the sniff test.

Reply to this post

Response to XemaSab (Reply #38)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:43 AM

polly7 (7,779 posts)

41. I don't think it unreasonable to believe the child may have had help

with the picture by others, but what does it have to do with the message of the picture?

Reply to this post

Response to polly7 (Reply #41)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:57 AM

XemaSab (57,380 posts)

43. But if someone helped him draw it

then the entire "story" of the picture is false.

Reply to this post

Response to XemaSab (Reply #43)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:59 AM

polly7 (7,779 posts)

44. I was just looking at it again ...... it doesn't seem impossible at all that

Last edited Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:01 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

the child drew it alone. The head outline looks like an object may have been used to trace around ....... the rest is very simple. The shading makes me sad, because it obviously took a long time to do.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:21 PM

haele (5,254 posts)

45. Stand on a nearby chair or a table - there's your angle.

Wouldn't even wake the poor child up to take a flash picture if you needed too. Even an amateur photographer understands enough about angles to figure out how to get the entire composition at the right perspective. If "composition" and "perspective" means manufactured to you, then any photograph where the person with the camera is moving around the subject for the best shot - a picture that isn't a spontaneous stop, point, click, then move on - is "manufactured".

As for this picture, it doesn't seem like too difficult a shot to me; all the photographer here needed was a stable chair or bed frame to get him or her up to the height and perspective to get the entire chalk drawing.

Haele

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:43 PM

progressoid (27,267 posts)

49. Actually, you're right.

It is manufactured for some sort of Iraqi PSA. I wish I knew what they were saying.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:05 PM

bluesbassman (12,900 posts)

61. It just looks like perspective. Turn your head 90° to the right. That's how the shot was taken.

From video too.

Reply to this post

Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:57 PM

awoke_in_2003 (18,477 posts)

67. Who took this picture?...

Last edited Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:59 PM USA/ET - Edit history (2)

probably the same type of person who took this picture when Bush was the CIC:

THIS is what our country does in OUR name, and BOTH parties are guilty

on edit: my mother died when I was 13. I lived with pain for a long time. If an entity, like another country, had caused her death you can bet your bottom dollar that I would do anything to make them pay- even if it was just a little bit, they would pay.

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Response to awoke_in_2003 (Reply #67)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:30 PM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

74. I know I would feel the same way.

I would hate the killers with every fiber of my being.

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Response to lunatica (Reply #74)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 05:54 PM

awoke_in_2003 (18,477 posts)

85. It is sad to think...

of how many lives our country has devastated, both at home and abroad.

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Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:30 PM

Rex (34,560 posts)

75. Seriously? Why did they take the picture? REALLY?

THAT is your question? Okay I will answer it then, even though I did not take it - it was taken to illustrate a point. Now do you get the point or do I have to explain it as well?

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Response to Rex (Reply #75)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:32 PM

lunatica (28,837 posts)

76. Get over yourself

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Response to lunatica (Reply #76)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:40 PM

Rex (34,560 posts)

78. Right back atcha.

nt.

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Response to lunatica (Reply #10)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 04:22 PM

The Wielding Truth (8,436 posts)

82. Seems like it could have been taken from a bunkbed.Orphanage, right?

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:45 AM

AnneD (14,836 posts)

15. I here...

Dick Cheney's new heart is working well. Let's give it a real workout and put his ass along with every other war criminal in the Bush Admin on trial. There is more than enough documentation of their war crime to put them away for a long time.

Until these bastards are tried and convicted, they will never understand their crimes to humanity.

This should never happen to another country, another parent, another child.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:53 AM

spanone (72,049 posts)

17. too sad

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:00 AM

nclib (650 posts)

19. Heartbreaking

just too much.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:01 AM

Chorophyll (5,042 posts)

20. It's so easy to get people excited about war.

Here's the reality of war.

Everyone knows this, but they manage to forget every damn time.

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:37 AM

sinkingfeeling (27,783 posts)

28. Heart wrenching.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 10:48 AM

Fantastic Anarchist (2,336 posts)

32. Good grief. We're a terrible nation.

Meanwhile Bush and Cheney live lavishly.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:19 AM

lastlib (3,739 posts)

35. Is there any way we can send this to George Bush and Dick Cheney???

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Response to lastlib (Reply #35)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:41 AM

tech_smythe (190 posts)

40. Perhaps his new heart will make him feel some shame and humanity

shrub... he's just living in some bottle.
he knows what a waste of life he is... thats WHY he drinks.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:24 AM

Uncle Joe (24,997 posts)

37. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, grits.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:37 AM

yardwork (37,074 posts)

39. Poor little kid. k&r

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:23 PM

SunSeeker (4,993 posts)

46. There's nothing sadder than a motherless child.

Sometimes it's because the mother died of illness or accident. But when it is because of war, and it's a war that had NO reason, it's too tragic to take.

And for the cynics up the thread who can only think about whether the photo was staged or if the kid really drew the chalk picture, do you really doubt that the pain this picture captures is real?

I mean, does ANYONE doubt that a little boy like this (he looks about 5) would not be wishing he was sleeping in his mother's arms?!

If you have a child, don't you see your child in this picture? And doesn't it make your heart break thinking how your child would undoubtedly react if you were taken from his life?

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:39 PM

progressoid (27,267 posts)

47. So, I did a little research. This is a still from an Iraqi PSA

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Response to progressoid (Reply #47)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:58 PM

Poll_Blind (23,166 posts)

53. Excellent catch! It looked like it was a screen cap of video but I couldn't dig up any more.

I did do a lot of searching for "iraq orphans" in Google images and while I did not find an image as artistic, the photographs were a hundred times as stark- real photographs from Iraqi orphanages.

Others may want to steel themselves before doing the same.

Anyway, thanks for the info!

PB

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Response to Poll_Blind (Reply #53)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:04 PM

Uncle Joe (24,997 posts)

54. How can you tell a screen cap of video from a still pic,

what do you look for?

UJ

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Response to Uncle Joe (Reply #54)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:45 PM

Poll_Blind (23,166 posts)

58. Grainy. Color bleed. Soft edges.

Much tougher to tell back in the early days of digital cameras. A picture taken with a Sony Digital Mavica MVC-FD5 (1997) would have some of the same problems. There's two main video formats, NTSC and PAL. NTSC is used mainly in the US and some other places. Anyway, both of those formats are pretty terrible (generally) for preserving an image and so artifacts are introduced.

It also appeared that the image had been blown up in some way (it turned out that it was cropped) and so that made it look odd. For instance, if you do that grim Google Image search for Iraqi Orphans you're going to see a good example of what modern (last 7-10 years) digital camera stills will look like- which is much sharper.

The color bleed and soft edges is a big one too. There's not a lot of contrast and so things appear darker, generally. There's a yellow overcast to the whole thing but I've seen red overcasts and sometimes blue. Just not a lot of dynamic range in the image.

PB

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Response to Poll_Blind (Reply #58)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:48 PM

Uncle Joe (24,997 posts)

60. Thanks for the info, Poll_Blind.

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Response to Poll_Blind (Reply #53)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:13 PM

progressoid (27,267 posts)

55. Yeah, searching for anything with Iraqi children is pretty depressing.

Good way to ruin your day.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:47 PM

marshall gaines (347 posts)

50. sad

Heartbreaking

I'd be willing to bet, shrub and darth caused this

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 12:55 PM

young_at_heart (3,310 posts)

52. Please send this photo to Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld

I know it won't have any effect on them, but maybe some of their family members will notice!

Reply to this post

Response to young_at_heart (Reply #52)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:33 PM

Throckmorton (2,651 posts)

57. They will masturbate to it,

They all have no soul.

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 01:48 PM

Beacool (19,008 posts)

59. Oh, my............

That has to be one of the most poignant photos I've ever seen.

The poor tyke!! I wish I could give him a hug.

Reply to this post

Response to Beacool (Reply #59)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:14 PM

yurbud (31,395 posts)

62. he looks like he could be any American's kid.

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Response to yurbud (Reply #62)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:15 PM

Beacool (19,008 posts)

63. True........

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 02:16 PM

yurbud (31,395 posts)

64. We rightly mourn the loss of a kid like Trayvon Martin...imagine that story hundreds of thousands of

times over, sometimes with the child killed, sometimes the parent, sometimes the whole family.

Bush and Cheney are Zimmerman a million times over, but at least he might have been acting out of paranoia--they were acting out of pure greed.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:00 PM

Blue_In_AK (37,715 posts)

68. Oh, my god, that breaks my heart.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:06 PM

Botany (36,027 posts)

69. Thank You to:

William Rehnquist ·Sandra Day O'Connor . Antonin Scalia · Anthony Kennedy David Souter · Clarence Thomas

This would never of happened if bush v Gore had not gone down.

I wish I could adopt that little boy.

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:41 PM

Rex (34,560 posts)

79. Depressing.

Very depressing to say the least.

I hope the child can mentally heal one day and move on, but I don't know if I could.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 03:59 PM

Laura PourMeADrink (15,187 posts)

80. wow..wish I hadn't clicked on this post !!! That will stay in my head forever. why

would you post this.

Reply to this post

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 04:48 PM

Initech (38,777 posts)

84. It's not a war on terror - it's a war of terror.

Caused by the profit hungry greedy fucking bastards in our nation's military industrial complex. They are the worst human beings alive. I hope there's a special place in hell for them.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:33 PM

krispos42 (45,123 posts)

87. That is incredibly sad.

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 06:36 PM

joeybee12 (41,659 posts)

88. KNR

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

JerseyMac This message was hidden by Jury decision.

Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 07:25 PM

WillyT (45,496 posts)

90. K & R !!!

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 08:33 PM

Honeycombe8 (18,002 posts)

91. Oh, my. :( Life can be cruel. Maybe he'll get adopted after this pic gets exposure. nt

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 09:00 PM

MMJjestic (34 posts)

92. DAMN THOSE PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE WAR!

DAMN THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE WAR!!! DAMN THOSE PEOPLE WHO OPPOSED AND REFUSED TO SPEAK OUT!!! DAMN THOSE PROFITED FROM WAR!!!! IF GOD/KARMA/FATE EXISTS, MAY THIS NATION PAY FOR THIS SPADES!!!

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Response to Are_grits_groceries (Original post)

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 10:00 PM

Arctic Dave (12,546 posts)