"I want you to feel that Iraqi life is precious."
The US government is finding that negotiating a settlement with Iraqi civilians is harder than they initially thought.
The US is quick to jump to a monetary settlement-- they assume that because they put a price on everything, others will do the same. They want to know if $10,000 to cover the amount the victim would have earned for the family will be enough, or perhaps $400 for the car that was destroyed by the shooting. Assessments of the situation are done, not to really find out what happened, so much as to find out what didn't happen, in case someone tried to file a false claim.
Negotiating a settlement is harder with the Iraqis, than it is with Americans, because they don't want the money first... they want an apology.
What does it say about American society that we would rather try to settle with money, than by dealing with the situation and the emotional consequences of it? What does this reflect about our ideas of fairness, equity, right and wrong? How is this reflected in our justice system, in our policies?
We are disgusted when a mother is willing to give up her child for money, or the first thing an injured party does is sue the other in a civil case... but what could be expected when this is what all Americans do, whether they are a citizen or a leader?
The US is quick to jump to a monetary settlement-- they assume that because they put a price on everything, others will do the same. They want to know if $10,000 to cover the amount the victim would have earned for the family will be enough, or perhaps $400 for the car that was destroyed by the shooting. Assessments of the situation are done, not to really find out what happened, so much as to find out what didn't happen, in case someone tried to file a false claim.
Negotiating a settlement is harder with the Iraqis, than it is with Americans, because they don't want the money first... they want an apology.
... traditional Arab society values honor and decorum above all. If a man kills or badly injures someone in an accident, both families convene a tribal summit. The perpetrator admits responsibility, commiserates with the victim, pays medical expenses and other compensation, all over glasses of tea in a tribal tent.Funny, to think that that we, the purveyors of Democracy and Justice, would rather slap a price tag on a situation, rather than try to find peace between the parties.
What does it say about American society that we would rather try to settle with money, than by dealing with the situation and the emotional consequences of it? What does this reflect about our ideas of fairness, equity, right and wrong? How is this reflected in our justice system, in our policies?
We are disgusted when a mother is willing to give up her child for money, or the first thing an injured party does is sue the other in a civil case... but what could be expected when this is what all Americans do, whether they are a citizen or a leader?
No comments:
Post a Comment