# A half a milliion to save your kid. Would you do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2010, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575 "2010-09-13T08:19:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/1 "2010-09-13T08:19:41Z")
The good news is Iran is prepared to release Sarah Shourd. The hiker that has been imprisoned for a year. They are willing to do it for a cool half million bucks. :eek: It’s supposedly bail. > **[Detained U.S. hiker could be freed as early as Monday - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/13/iran.detained.american/index.html?hpt=T1)** > > Sarah Shourd, one of three American hikers detained in Iran for more than a year, could be released as early as Monday once $500,000 is submitted to the Iranian judiciary. I feel for the parents. I can’t imagine selling everything you own and getting a bank loan to raise this kind of money. For most people a half a million is almost unreachable. In theory bail money gets returned after the trial. But, given Iran’s love of stoning and whipping people I doubt Shourd will ever step foot in that country again. Even if she returned and risked the death penalty there’s no guarantee the bail money will be returned. I don’t know what I’d do if I were the parents. Especially if I had other children. Is it fair to them to impoverish yourself and your family for the rest of their lives? I’m glad I’m not in their position. A decision like this must be agony. Even if a human rights group fronts the money, you’re basically paying off another country to release a single prisoner. That’s not a good precedent at all. I’d probably do it. I’d sell my house, car and everything I owned to save my kid. But, darn living off white bread and campbells soup for the rest of my life would totally suck. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/2 "2010-09-13T09:24:54Z")
Generally its a lot easier to live with being poor than letting your child die. Noone would want to have to go broke but Im not seeing a huge choice here, unless they never ate their broccoli. The worst case scenario would be if they took the money then didnt release her as well I guess. But at least you’d know you’d done everything you could I guess. Otara ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/3 "2010-09-13T09:56:02Z")
Would not even be a moment’s hesitation. I would do whatever I could to get the money and pay it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/4 "2010-09-13T10:47:53Z")
Sounds like they want the half million and Shourd can leave. A nice money maker for the clerics. She’ll probably be convicted in absentia like the Canadian journalist last year. I’m glad they are able to save at least one of the three. The other two are facing a spy trial and ten years in prison. > [@](#): > > Dowlatabadi said the conditions of Shourd’s bail do not bar her from leaving the country – a situation similar to that of Canadian-Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari of Newsweek, who was allowed pretrial bail last year,\*\* left Iran and was later convicted in absentia.\*\* > > The provisions of Shourd’s bail have not been disclosed, but it’s unlikely she would face a demand to return for a possible trial. At the same time, any comments or criticisms she makes could be closely watched by Iranian authorities who still have custody of her two friends. ][http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/12/iranian-prosecutor-says-hes-ready-release-jailed-american-woman-bail/](http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/12/iranian-prosecutor-says-hes-ready-release-jailed-american-woman-bail/) ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/5 "2010-09-13T11:39:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A half a milliion to save your kid. Would you do it? If it was to save my kid from an illness, it would be a question of how easily I could get the money together. If it involves permanently crippling the entire family’s financial position, I can’t see it being practical. If it’s to pay off someone holding my kid hostage? No. Rewarding such evil only encourages them to inflict this pain on other families. I’d rather give it to the US military for a “Drop a Cruise Missile on that Wanker’s Head” Fund. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/6 "2010-09-13T12:04:04Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > > [@aceplace57](#): > > > > A half a milliion to save your kid. Would you do it? > > If it was to save my kid from an illness, it would be a question of how easily I could get the money together. If it involves permanently crippling the entire family’s financial position, I can’t see it being practical. > > If it’s to pay off someone holding my kid hostage? No. Rewarding such evil only encourages them to inflict this pain on other families. I’d rather give it to the US military for a “Drop a Cruise Missile on that Wanker’s Head” Fund. Is this an actual kid or a hypothetical kid? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/7 "2010-09-13T12:18:15Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Is this an actual kid or a hypothetical kid? A hypothetical kid. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/8 "2010-09-13T12:18:47Z")
If it were to save my hypothetical kid from an illness, it might depend on the projected quality of life for the child afterword–I’m not sure I’m up to raising half a million dollars for experimental treatment which leaves the child physically and/or mentally handicapped and dependent on me for the long run. Although, how in the world do you not try? But to pay off the person holding the child hostage? I’d gather the money in a heartbeat assuming the banks would loan it to me. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/9 "2010-09-13T12:43:08Z")
Money’s just money. My kid is one of a kind. I wouldn’t hesitate. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/10 "2010-09-13T12:57:55Z")
Of course, without a moments hesitation or regret. She’s in the hands of extremists who see no value in her life other than as a pawn in their ideological struggle. They’d sacrifice her without remorse. I’d gladly give everything I could get my hands on to save her from such cretins. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/11 "2010-09-13T13:05:21Z")
Without a second thought. And I expect any siblings would agree. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/12 "2010-09-13T13:07:14Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > > [@MandaJo](#): > > > > Is this an actual kid or a hypothetical kid? > > A hypothetical kid. Have an actual kid and then weigh in. Your answer will be different. I would do everything I could to scrap together the money. Is there any governmental or private assistance being offered to the family? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/13 "2010-09-13T13:13:19Z")
Obviously I would, and I think most parents would say the same. However, I do _not_ think that the US government should be involved with financially assisting the family. No good will ever come of the US making known that it is willing to trade money or anything else in return for hostages. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/14 "2010-09-13T13:16:29Z")
I don’t think they are. The news last night made mention of that but didn’t offer an explanation as to where the money was coming from. Off to research… ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/15 "2010-09-13T13:20:24Z")
> [@howye](#): > > > [@Grumman](#): > > > > A hypothetical kid. > > Have an actual kid and then weigh in. Your answer will be different. I would do everything I could to scrap together the money. Hey, it would be a hypothetical kid for me, and I’d do everything I could to scrape up the money. That’s what you do, it’s your kid. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/16 "2010-09-13T13:21:04Z")
Yes ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/17 "2010-09-13T13:31:18Z")
I would sell a kidney to save one of my kids. My own kidney, if it came to that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/18 "2010-09-13T13:40:08Z")
I would do everything I could, as many other parents have noted. After she gets back home, she can write a book about it, and we’ll make the money back. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/19 "2010-09-13T13:44:59Z")
Of course I would. Whether I _could_ is another matter - it would depend how long I was given to raise the money. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/20 "2010-09-13T13:56:42Z")
Yes. And then some. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575.md?page=2)