The Measure of a [Iraqi] Life, in Dollars and Cents

[Nightsky]

The measure of an Iraqi life, in dollars and cents
Payments for civilian deaths relatively small

By Walter Pincus
The Washington Post

for the full story, see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/17/AR2007061700970.html


What's an Iraqi life worth? How about an Iraqi car?

For the U.S. military in Iraq, it may be roughly the same.

A report released late last month by the Government Accountability Office examines the practices and rules guiding condolence payments that the U.S. military can distribute to families of Iraqi civilians killed "as a result of U.S. and coalition forces' actions during combat." These voluntary payments - known as "solatia" payments - can also cover injuries and loss or damage to property. They constitute "expressions of sympathy or remorse based on local culture and customs, but not an admission of legal liability or fault," according to the report.

The Pentagon has set $2,500 as the highest individual sum that can be paid. Most death payments remain at that level, with a rough sliding scale of $1,000 for serious injury and $500 for property damage.

Despite Iraqi civilian deaths reaching tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, throughout the war, we are not talking big condolence payouts thus far. In 2005, the sums distributed in Iraq reached $21.5 million and - with violence on the upswing - dropped to $7.3 million last year, the GAO reported.

[...]

[Herrmannek]

2,500$ for death is quite a lot for a third world country... My student's insurance is 4000$ for me being dead in accident. I don't see problem really...

[Durandal]

2,500$ for death is quite a lot for a third world country... My student's insurance is 4000$ for me being dead in accident. I don't see problem really...

Read the rest of the article.

There is faulty logic here.

The point is, the U.S. army will pay 2500.00 for a child or a Toyota pick-up truck.

If I am accidentally killed, my wife would receive half a million from one policy alone, 10K from the NRA, another 35K from a farm policy, and so on.

Now, that is something I have done personally, but I'd love to see the U.S. government award 2500.00 to the bankers wife that died in 9-11 and see what kind of $hit falls explodes from that...

The U.S. government's Victim Compensation Fund was something like close to 9 BILLION with an average payout 3.1 million for each of the roughly 3000 victims and who knows how many injured.

That does not include insurance payouts and NGO payouts.

So what does that tell us?

Either we hold the Iraqis in contempt or us taxpayers got screwed after 9-11 by paying to higher a dollar amount for victims.

Edit: Considering the exchange rate though, I guess its fair to give them 2500.00. Which, after a value of 1270 new Iraqi dinar to the dollar, works out to an over payment equivalent of about 50.00 USD...or 60K dinari.

Man, we need to cut back a bit. We could be saving money by simply saying "oops" and moving on.

[Herrmannek]

Read the rest of the article.

There is faulty logic here.

The point is, the U.S. army will pay 2500.00 for a child or a Toyota pick-up truck.


And where is fault? Actually its quite logical, you have two funds, one as a instant grief reliever and one as a reparation for real damage. Emotional damage isn't really a money transferable quality. Don't know about USA but in Poland reparations for death are rather low compared to reparations when you have documented losses like medical bills, actual damage to property, expected rehabilitation and further care...


If I am accidentally killed, my wife would receive half a million from one policy alone, 10K from the NRA, another 35K from a farm policy, and so on.

Now, that is something I have done personally, but I'd love to see the U.S. government award 2500.00 to the bankers wife that died in 9-11 and see what kind of $hit falls explodes from that...

The U.S. government's Victim Compensation Fund was something like close to 9 BILLION with an average payout 3.1 million for each of the roughly 3000 victims and who knows how many injured.

That does not include insurance payouts and NGO payouts.

So what does that tell us?

Either we hold the Iraqis in contempt or us taxpayers got screwed after 9-11 by paying to higher a dollar amount for victims.

Edit: Considering the exchange rate though, I guess its fair to give them 2500.00. Which, after a value of 1270 new Iraqi dinar to the dollar, works out to an over payment equivalent of about 50.00 USD...or 60K dinari.

Man, we need to cut back a bit. We could be saving money by simply saying "oops" and moving on.

Can't comment on that....

[Laworkerbee]

2,500$ for death is quite a lot for a third world country... My student's insurance is 4000$ for me being dead in accident. I don't see problem really...

Yeah but your just a Pole :)

*ducks and runs*

[Herrmannek]

Yeah but your just a Pole :)

*ducks and runs*

Can't do nothing about that. Can I?

[Laworkerbee]

Why would you want to...

you realize I was just busting your chops right?

[Herrmannek]

Why would you want to...

you realize I was just busting your chops right?

I wouldn't and I do. In previous post I wanted to say I can't be angry at you for stating obvious facts. I'm Pole and you don't need to run :)

[Eusebius]

We should consider context.

1. What is the average payment of bloody mone within the Arabs of Iraq? (I am assuming they practice bloody money, correct me if I err)
1.a) Does the US payment meet that average?

2. What other government pays money for civilian deaths in MAJOR combat zones?
2.a) If so, is the US payment equal to what those other nations pay?