February 15, 2005
US POWs of Gulf War I Denied Court Ordered Compensation, By Their Own Government.
This story by L.A. Times writer David G. Savage is building a bonfire under me. YOU NEED TO READ EVERY WORD. I'm getting steamed and I'll tell you why.
While scrolling through my favorite lefty Marc Cooper's (click and read every word) blog I came across his latest entry. Marc goes into detail about how the US Government, OUR US Government is denying US POWs who were in Gulf War I court ordered compensation from Saddams Iraq, now replaced by force of arms. The suit was filed against and won against the govt. of Saddam, but just after the court ordered payment, our own Government said no! The CURRENT Iraq government was not responsible for the POW's treatment at the hands of Saddam is the DOJ's feeling and Iraq needs the money.
Well, too damn bad folks, I empathize with the new Iraq government, but the rule of law, if it means anything means that governments ought to be responsible for their actions, even when those actions are of a former ruler.
But, all is not lost. Even if you are a supporter of the war, a supporter of Bush and the US efforts in Iraq. We also need to honor and support those who suffered at the hands of Iraq when our own Courts have said so.
Here are two links to find your Congresman and Senator and write them, DEMANDING justice. Here also is a link to the DOJ and the White House. Let EVERYONE know about this miscarriage of Justice. Close out this blog (never thought I'd say that) and do it NOW.
UPDATE: There are some very interesting comments in Marc Coopers blog regarding this issue. Click here and read them all. As Marc said:
"GM.. Old pal... interesting, dont u find, how the liberals and lefties on this board have joined GW Bush in promoting tort reform and capping liability when they are not so sympathetic to the victims. Likewise, the conservatives -- except in your case-- decide their own compassion is more with the official ideaologues in the beltway than with the poor bastards who got kicked around in Abu Ghraib by Saddam. Sort of renews one's faith in humanity, doesnt it?"Posted by GM Roper at February 15, 2005 10:47 PM | TrackBack
GM, after reading Woody's post on Marc's last thread, I was pretty ticked off. Then I read your comments on his latest thread, and felt much better.
You are a man who gets it, and I thank you for that.
But I really just come here for the photographs...
Posted by jim hitchcock at February 15, 2005 11:49 PM
Oh well
Posted by dougf at February 16, 2005 09:11 AM
Dougf, you are of course absolutely correct, it is the responsibility of the government to make hard choices. However, in this case, I truly think that overturning a valid court decision and blocking the decision of a lawsuit in a legal jusisdiction is the wrong way to go about it. I would rather see a law passed, and not a retroactive one, outlining the requirements for this.
I think, that, all things considered, we have tracked down enough "loot" from Saddam Hussein to pay these folk what is legally theirs. As to the rightness of the DOJ and the President to make that decision, that is for others to say. I disagree with the decision and will argue that case here.
I see also, a nuanced argument for not paying reparations from the Iraqi, but I don't think that argument holds water. The actions taken by the President, Congress and the UN (up until they got wishy/washy over protecting their oil money - France, Germany and Russia come to mind) were the right actions, but there are all kinds of situations where doing the right thing supercedes the thing that CAN be done. Cheers, and thanks for your thoughts as always.
Posted by GMRoper at February 16, 2005 10:06 AM
GM,
While I absolutely concur...and by that I mean, ABSOLUTELY...the realities are that the money will actually come from the U.S. taxpayer. IOW, since we are paying mightily (and I agree with that policy also) to prop up the new Iraqi government and hopefully really get democracy going in that part of the world, we therefore could symbolically take money from the Iraqis (and angering them)while with the other hand put more money back in the fiscal dike so that more bad things do not continue.
This reminds me of the case in which Spain, England (as it was then called) and France demanded repayment of loans made to the government of Mexico in the mid-1800s. The new government of Benito Juarez claimed (maybe,rightly) that "we don't owe you money. You loaned money to those no-goodniks that we fought against and ousted." No, this is not a direct quote, but I believe the main point is.
Of course, the Spanish and English finally agreed that there would be more pain and sorrow if they attempt to force Mexico to pay up. The French weren't so smart. Thus, we have Cinco de Mayo (1862) and on. I could go on, but I'm betting no one wants me to.
I still favor payment...even if we have to pay our own folks.
Posted by tad at February 16, 2005 11:14 AM
"There are all kinds of situations where doing the right thing supercedes the thing that CAN be done."---GMR
Posted by dougf at February 16, 2005 11:38 AM
