Farris Hassan's Day Off

Dr. David Yeagley takes a close look at the Farris Hassan story and asks some questions:

Farris Hassan: the Mis-told Tale
The media marvelled at the story of Farris Hassan, the American-born Iraqi teenager from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, who decided to make a bold and daring trip to Baghdad. The young man has been lauded for his courage, albeit reprimanded for his naivete. Yet, the media, which always loves the exitement of the story, rather than the truth about it, has completely avoided the most important matters of the story, and the most obvious concerns.

How did this underaged young man get his passport? Anyone who has ever travelled internationally knows how carefully these things are examined, or at least supposed to be. How did he stage this trip without his parents knowing? In fact, they knew he wanted to go. They just didn't believe he was going to do it, and made no effort to prevent him. It makes a better story to say, "Why, the kid ran off on an adventure without his parents knowing!" A lot of money was involved in the expenses of the trip. What kind of 'officials' allowed all this to happen? What kinds of stories did Farris tell them? Why did they believe him? The details of the story are revealing, yet no one seems concerned. No appropriate reprimand has been pronounced.

Shame on all. Shame on the stupidity of the media for not investigating the important details of the story. Shame on the "adults" who approved of Farris' trip at every step--and there were many steps. Shame on Farris' parents--who knew he was dying to go to Baghdad for some time, and had given him money. Shame on Farris and his parents for allowing this farse of a story to be paraded in the media, without telling the whole truth. Shame on the two high school friends who did not report immediately what they knew of Farris' plans.

This is a story of lies, really. Was Farris never questioned at the airports? Were his belongings never examined? Was there no thought that this whole trip was a wreckless endangerment? Are Arab people to never be suspected of anything? Ever? Do they own the travel business of the world now? Are all things subject to their whims and indulgences?

One of Dr. Yeagley's thoughts was this perfect money quote:

The kid wants to be a newsman. Therefore a wonderful news story he provided for the newsmen of the world. He has in fact revealed anew all that is ill in the media, the distortion, the bias, the irresponsibility, the carelessness, and the insult the media offers the public.

Some good thoughts and yet another perfect example of mis-reporting and bias on the part of the Main-Stream Media...