But I kinda applaud the effort:

A Florida teenager secretly made his way to Iraq this month for firsthand impressions of the war, and was returning home on Friday to family members who said they were galled by his recklessness but thankful he was safe.

The teenager, Farris Hassan, 16, financed the three-week journey with his own savings from investing in the stock market, said his mother, Shatha Atiya of Fort Lauderdale. He left South Florida on Dec. 11, flying to Kuwait City and reaching Iraq on Christmas Day, said his older brother, Hayder Hassan. He said American officials questioned Farris before allowing him to return here.

The family learned of Farris's adventure in e-mail messages he sent after arriving in Kuwait City, telling them not to worry or to expect him home soon. He even reminded another brother, Mehdi Hassan, to feed the cat in his absence.

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