# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/61 "2010-09-15T16:50:38Z")
Do we know where her family got the money from? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/62 "2010-09-15T16:58:14Z")
Their statements (Iran’s) have been very coy about that to date. Lot’s of speculation but so far that’s all it is. I’d imagine it’ll eventually leak out, what with al the interest. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/63 "2010-09-15T17:11:02Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Their statements (Iran’s) have been very coy about that to date. Lot’s of speculation but so far that’s all it is. I’d imagine it’ll eventually leak out, what with al the interest. If they’re paying more than 5%, they got ripped off. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/64 "2010-09-15T17:21:13Z")
Damn you **runner pat** , beaten to the punch. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/65 "2010-09-15T18:33:29Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > No, I’m afraid I wouldn’t. If I get them out of this jam, they’re going to expect me to come to their rescue every time they’re being held in prison by a foreign power on charges of international espionage. Damnit, they’ve got to learn to show some responsibility sometime! But Jimmy’s dad lets **him** get kidnapped by terrorist regimes and held for ransom! No fair! I wish I’d never been born! Regards, Shodan ---
**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 15, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/66 "2010-09-15T19:34:49Z")
In most places crossing a border by mistake isn’t a big deal. The U.S. catches a lot of people crossing from Mexico. They put them in a van and send them back. No big deal. I’d imagine on the Canadian border they may simply walk a hiker back to where they belong. Before 9/11 there was practically no border enforcement. There are towns that straddle the Canadian border. 9/11 has caused a lot of headaches for people in those towns. We certainly don’t lock people up for a year and put them on trial for a border crossing. Unless they are carrying drugs or other contraband. I’ve heard Europe’s borders are even more relaxed. > [@Yarster](#): > > As to the stupidity of the hikers, I can only assume that the danger they were warned about was either very vague or understated. Meanwhile, there was probably some awesome ruins or other thing that was a ‘once in a lifetime’ thing they HAD to see while there. I don’t believe any of them were spies, but rather, were simply young, dumb tourists that took what they perceived to be a minimal risk and got screwed, no different than the jaywalker who gets creamed by a car that came out of no where. When I was their age, I’m afraid I might have taken a similar stupid risk. If you know you’re not a spy, you presumably think no one else would think you are a spy either. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/67 "2010-09-15T19:41:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > In most places crossing a border by mistake isn’t a big deal. The U.S. catches a lot of people crossing from Mexico. They put them in a van and send them back. No big deal. > > I’d imagine on the Canadian border they may simply walk a hiker back to where they belong. Before 9/11 there was practically no border enforcement. There are towns that straddle the Canadian border. 9/11 has caused a lot of headaches for people in those towns. > > We certainly don’t lock people up for a year and put them on trial for a border crossing. Unless they are carrying drugs or other contraband. > > I’ve heard Europe’s borders are even more relaxed. These were not a couple of tweens out to pick flowers. These are adults who are social activists, who’ve been living in the Middle East, who were warned about the danger by the locals, and _should have known better_. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/68 "2010-09-15T19:56:48Z")
It would depend on whether I expected the child to be set free after the payment. My answer would be ‘In a heartbeat if I could, if it were as presented, or in a ‘standard’ hostage situation like South America, where you pay, and the hostage is set free.’ If it was a random whacko in America, I would expect a dead child regardless, and I don’t know what I would do. I wouldn’t want to pay, but I would likely deal with the police and FBI and try to catch the individual. Fucked up scenario. My child is not hypothetical, and I have tried these thought experiments before. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/69 "2010-09-16T01:26:01Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > > [@pravnik](#): > > > > No, I’m afraid I wouldn’t. If I get them out of this jam, they’re going to expect me to come to their rescue every time they’re being held in prison by a foreign power on charges of international espionage. Damnit, they’ve got to learn to show some responsibility sometime! > > But Jimmy’s dad lets **him** get kidnapped by terrorist regimes and held for ransom! > > No fair! I wish I’d never been born! > > Regards, > Shodan Can I have this for my sig? Please? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/70 "2010-09-16T02:31:44Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > These were not a couple of tweens out to pick flowers. These are adults who are social activists, who’ve been living in the Middle East, who were warned about the danger by the locals, and _should have known better_. Doesn’t matter if it’s your own kid. Yes, it’s biased, but without bias the Earth wouldn’t have such a wide range of climates, and then where would we be? (Also, bowling would be very dull). ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/71 "2010-09-16T02:43:35Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > > I’d be willing to rob a bank and do a few years in jail (I could catch up on some reading). > > So, it’s okay for you to steal half a million dollars when it’s your family in need, but it’s not okay for someone to steal a few hours or you time for pro bono work? Yes. I’d kill you if necessary to save my kid (or if nothing good was on TV). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/72 "2010-09-16T12:04:23Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > > [@Shodan](#): > > > > But Jimmy’s dad lets **him** get kidnapped by terrorist regimes and held for ransom! > > > > No fair! I wish I’d never been born! > > > > Regards, > > Shodan > > Can I have this for my sig? Please? If you are serious, feel free. 🙂 Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/73 "2010-09-16T12:36:32Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > > [@thirdname](#): > > > > So, it’s okay for you to steal half a million dollars when it’s your family in need, but it’s not okay for someone to steal a few hours or you time for pro bono work? > > Yes. I’d kill you if necessary to save my kid (or if nothing good was on TV). I don’t remember killing another poster as being one of the options in the OP. Make that up yourself, did you? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/74 "2010-09-16T14:22:42Z")
Well, I would crush a puppy with my jackboot heel if necessary, if we’re just making up options now. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/75 "2010-09-16T16:39:04Z")
In which case, can I trade them **Rand Rover** ’s kid? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/76 "2010-09-16T18:53:35Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > > [@Guinastasia](#): > > > > Can I have this for my sig? Please? > > If you are serious, feel free. 🙂 > > Regards, > Shodan Indeed – thanks! (I would have linked to the post, but for some reason it wouldn’t allow it, even though it has before. And I had to cut out the space because it was too many lines) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575/77 "2010-09-16T19:06:15Z")
I’m flattered! Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-half-a-milliion-to-save-your-kid-would-you-do-it/553575.md?page=3)