Other People's Kids
an article by Mary Walworth

What you do with other people’s kids…. Well, you feed them, of course. You figure out what’s in your fridge that resembles what they’re used to at home. You talk to them. You find out if they would like to make a picture with paints or magic markers (though you secretly hope they say magic markers which are so much easier to deal with). You make them feel safe and loved when they come up to you looking a little scared wondering why mom hasn’t picked them up yet, and you say she’s almost here, she just called as she was leaving work -- you’re hoping that accident on the Parkway isn’t going to add another hour to this kid’s wait - and wouldn’t you like to pick out a video…Magic School Bus? Dora the Explorer? You find out if they want white milk or chocolate milk, chicken nuggets or meatballs, a Power Puff Girls cup or a Barbie cup.

These are what you do for other people’s kids.

One of the things you don’t do to other people’s kids is bomb them and burn them alive. And blow the limbs off their little sisters and blind their little brothers. And send their mothers (stained with blood and stuck all over with little pieces of broken glass) running away from flames, shrieking with grief.

You just really don’t do that.

And you don’t kill their daddies.... And you don’t steal their countries and their assets. And as for how you act when a kid comes up to you and says he’s thirsty, well, you find out if he likes ice cubes or just plain water, sippy cup or big boy cup or the Spiderman sports bottle or would you rather have the last inch of apple juice from the bottle in the fridge. You don’t cut off their drinking water and make them desperate with thirst and sick with cholera.

And let me tell you.... (click here for continuation.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

How can we put faces on the children killed in war?


As a reader, you are invited to join in the discussion of this article based on any of the above question(s): just click on the question, read the previous comments and add a new reply. You may also enter a new discussion topic on this article - see bottom of this page.

Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed:

IRAQ

LATEST READER COMMENT:

You can order your books directly from me. If mailed in the United States, it is total cost of $6.00. That is $5.00 for the book, and $1.00 covers cost of mailing them. If ordering one. Email me directly at: labratfive@yahoo.com to find out more about the books. I am willing to go on speaking engagements and that we can discuss in email as well.. . ...more.

This report was posted on September 27, 2003. The moderator is Donna.

If you wish to start a new discussion topic on this article, please copy the title of this article which is Other People's Kids and its number which is 82 and enter this information along with your discussion question and a brief text on the new topic form.

A few stories are retained on the main listings if they are considered by readers to be a priority. If you have not already done so, please take the time to check a box below: should this article be considered as a priority?