Iraq Youths See Frozen Futures

[cal04]

In a dimly lighted living room in central Baghdad, Noor is a lonely teenage prisoner. Many of his friends have left the country, and some who have stayed have strange new habits: a Shiite acts holier-than-thou; a Sunni joins an armed gang.

At 19, Noor is neither working nor in college. He is not even allowed outdoors.

Three and a half years after the American invasion, the relentless violence that has disfigured much of Iraqi society is hitting young Iraqis in new ways. Young people from five Baghdad neighborhoods say that their lives have shrunk to the size of their bedrooms and that their dreams have been packed away and largely forgotten. Life is lived in moments. It is no longer possible to make plans.

“I can’t go outside, I can’t go to college,” said Noor, sitting in the kitchen waiting for tea to boil. “If I’m killed, it doesn’t even matter because I’m dead right now.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/world/middleeast/08iraqyouth.html?hp&ex=1160280000&en=f8f8ae38d477a3da&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[BattyDem]

1. Why the f*ck didn't we stay out of that country?!

Women have been reduced to nothing. Young people have no hope. There are no jobs, no infrastructure and the violence is out of control.

Iraq didn't attack us! We had no right to do this to those poor people! :grr:

[msongs]

2. all they need is Islam nt

[bhikkhu]

3. Exactly. Got Purpose? Same damn thing.