HEARING FROM THE KIDS

On Thursday, one week after the attack, we went to the school to ask the girls how they feel about the danger that surrounds them.

“After three wars, it's normal!” one of them scoffs. “We're used to it.” The others nod vigorously. Street crime is a much bigger problem for them than terrorist attacks. A guard with a gun stands at the entrance to their school. None of them can go anywhere alone.

“We are more afraid of kidnapping than the bombs,” says a16-year-old named Saduus...

These kids have no problem grasping the concept of free speech, and they like it. “I can talk about the Americans and I can say they are good or they are not,” says Reem, 13. “With Saddam, I can only say good things.”

“We could not talk about anything,” adds another girl. “In the school people would take reports about you.”