Afghan anger at US casualty payments - Asia Times

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

Ungrateful Afghans! We kill them for their own good and we even pay them for it! They should be paying us for the privilege of dying for America.

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy.” - Gandhi

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LD14Df01.html

KABUL - An ad hoc system of payments by the United States military primarily to victims of its Helmand operations has enraged Afghans who feel a price has been put on their lives.

The existence of payment guidelines for commanders in the field regarding civilian casualties was first reported by Western media in February and quickly picked up by their Afghan counterparts.

According to the original Associated Press report, the death of a child or adult is worth US$1,500 to $2,500, loss of limb and other injuries $600 to $1,500, a damaged or destroyed vehicle $500 to $2,500, and damage to a farmer's fields $50 to $250.

"Afghans must seem like animals to the Americans if they can put prices on them," said Ismail, a 55-year-old Afghan businessman in Kabul, shaking with anger as he spoke.
"If someone killed an American and offered to pay $10,000, would they accept it? They destroy a complete village if one of their soldiers is killed, but set a price of $2,500 for an Afghan's life," he added.

[tekisui]

1. Bad to worse.

I don't think we will ever leave.But, we will suffer the consequences for generations.

[bigtree]

2. the two sheep weren't enough?

go figure

[Echo In Light]

3. Oh, stop being so "negative!"

:sarcasm:

[Robb]

4. I like the options suggested by the interviewed Afghans

..."Increase the amount." Followed by "channel the money through the Afghan government," amusingly from an Afghan government official. And finally "eye for an eye" executing of US soldiers.

B and C are unlikely, and everyone on the ground knows it.

Edited to add: K&R.

[ixion]

5. And this is what passes for liberation, eh?

:puke:

[Prometheus Bound]

6. An eye for an eye is the only thing likely to put an end to the murders.