# The value of an Iraqi life: $15,000. What a bargain! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 1, 2007, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196 "2007-10-01T20:20:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/41 "2007-10-02T21:19:35Z")
Let’s be prismatic here and split. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/42 "2007-10-02T21:58:21Z")
Let’s be prurient and misogynistic here: $15,000 for an Iraqi woman? Sounds like a deal. You know, when the Arab men talk about how the burka is to protect _them_ against the cunning sexual charms of the women you can’t help but roll your eyes, but then you start to look at some Arab women and you start to reconsider. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/43 "2007-10-02T22:41:16Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] Let’s be skeptical here: is there a point to this comparison? [/QUOTE] 😕 Is your outrage solely limited to Blackwater and that company’s policy on compensation? Maybe I’m not following the point of this pitting… More information for you: the military’s going rate for compensation to an Iraqi family is [$2,500.](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/06/08/condolence_payments_to_iraqis_soar/) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/44 "2007-10-02T23:52:04Z")
[QUOTE=A Monkey With a Gun] And why you’re bringing up one of my criticisms of you from another thread is beyond me.\* [/quote] I’m giving you shit because whatever revisionism you are now trying, the fact is I made a solid point in that other thread, your response was to mutter some idiotic question about whether I’d read a history book, and then you slunk off and never responded despite me asking you to. Presumably because apart from said muttering, you had nuthin’. Indeed, the footnote to the post under reply is your first attempt at a substantive response to my post in said other thread. As for “dodging the roman question” that’s some shit you made up. You never asked me that question. I suspect you are confusing me with some other poster. > [@](#): > > If you had at least cracked a nespaper in the past four years, you would know how fucking easy it is to get yourself shot in a war zone. Unarmed civilians get shot all the time. Easiest way to get yourself shot is to not stop at a checkpoint. Other cases involve some poor guy who happened to be walking up to some American troops holding the distributor cap to a truck. Why don’t you just fly over there and start walking toward some of the assholes working for Blackwater while holding a metal object with wires sticking out of it and see what happens. If somebody wants to get themselves shot, I don’t suspect it would be too hard. Thanks for the links. They confirmed what I knew from previous reading: namely that it is damn hard to get a payout. What they show is that in only about a third of claims in which compensation is requested is it paid. Plus if you look at the examples of where it is paid, they include: 1/ driving through a checkpoint where the soldiers arguably hadn’t set up the warnings correctly (ie ordinarily driving through a checkpoint won’t get you compo) 2/ being shot by accidentally fired rounds (no way to engineer that) 3/ incidents where soldiers have got nervous and fired on someone thinking they were doing something suspicious when they weren’t. How do you engineer that with any certainty? Soldiers must pass Iraqis doing ordinary things a thousand times a day, setting yourself up so that you do something suspicious enough to get shot but not suspicious enough that the military will argue that you were doing something that disqualifies you from payment would be very difficult. In other words, the idea that Iraqis would waste their time attempting by some elaborate process to get themselves killed on the off chance they can make appear to have been the soldier’s fault is a stretch. You should try carefully reading your own links. Reading is so important, as you keep reminding me. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/45 "2007-10-03T01:11:16Z")
[QUOTE=EJsGirl] If you actually care at this point, that is bad math. While Blackwater USA might charge $1222 per day per man under the contract, the operator himself is making between $500-750 per day on average. And on average, operators will do 3-4 months in country, then 30-60 days out, then back again. So, while $445,000 would be a bit high, a guy could make $202,500… The above info is pretty generic, and I have no idea if Blackwater operators fit that profile. But operators from other companies do. [/QUOTE] Well, I was talking about their comparative value to the U.S. government, which pays Blackwater at its rate, of course. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/46 "2007-10-03T01:34:58Z")
[QUOTE=Ravenman] 😕 Is your outrage solely limited to Blackwater and that company’s policy on compensation? Maybe I’m not following the point of this pitting… [/quote] Well, I must admit I do tend to get more upset about evil being done supposedly in my name - in this case, by the U.S. Department of State - than evil being done by people who have nothing to do with me. There’s also an element of [idealism about America](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7140770&postcount=49) in it. I don’t have that same idealism about the Burmese junta, I’m afraid. > [@](#): > > More information for you: the military’s going rate for compensation to an Iraqi family is [$2,500.](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/06/08/condolence_payments_to_iraqis_soar/) Thanks for that info. Makes a guy proud to be an American. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/47 "2007-10-03T06:49:51Z")
[QUOTE=Princhester] I’m giving you shit because whatever revisionism you are now trying, [/quote] I called you an idiot in the other and I’l call you an idiot in this one. _READ_ damnnit! > [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > I really don’t have a point, personally, so much as I’m explaining the diplomatic-security wonk’s point. I still think you’re one of the most obtuse posters on this board. You argue with passion, but no knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/48 "2007-10-03T07:15:03Z")
[QUOTE=A Monkey With a Gun] _READ_ damnnit! [/QUOTE] I presume, since I countered you on the basis of your own cites, that this is directed to yourself? Or are you once more going to slink away from the substantive point I made by just posting vague content free snidehoods and insults? I’m noticing a pattern here. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/49 "2007-10-03T07:27:33Z")
Chriist, **Princhester**. I reiterate. You’re an idiot. Read a book. Or for the love of God, just _Read_. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/50 "2007-10-03T07:48:40Z")
Please post another insult, and/or empty exhortation. Another six or seven content free posts from you and even the thickest bystander is going to be quite clear you’ve got nothing. And then my work here is done. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/51 "2007-10-03T10:17:27Z")
Look, asshole, you’re the one that carried this into another thread. If it means that much to you, start another thread and pit _me_. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/52 "2007-10-03T10:29:50Z")
**RTFirefly** , my apologies. The above was directed at **Princhester**. There is a very good discussion buried somewhere in this mess. I’m sorry if my and **P** ’s little pissing match is derailing it. I’m also sorry for helping to create the “Let’s be X, here” thing. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/53 "2007-10-03T11:24:22Z")
**AMWaG** I haven’t insulted you, I haven’t suggested any lack of basic life skills. You have. So if there’s a pissing match, you’re the only one pissing. Frankly your apology to the OP rings pretty hollow given that I made a substantive on topic non hijack response to your point several posts ago and you’ve made no attempt to reply other than by way of piss. Have you got anything or not? Put up or shut up. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/54 "2007-10-03T12:05:42Z")
Aw, hell. No use sticking lipstick on this pig. g’night. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/55 "2007-10-03T13:36:19Z")
Let’s be cryptic here. LRN46 NW58C 80C2$ XMY41 9K8D5 NTO3H ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/56 "2007-10-03T14:56:37Z")
Let’s be here, here. I mean, let’s just _be here_, man. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/57 "2007-10-03T15:05:42Z")
Remember to be here now. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/58 "2007-10-03T21:26:00Z")
Let’s be numismatic here, to coin a phrase. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2007, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/59 "2007-10-03T22:18:39Z")
Lets be strictly Constitutional here, and hang **Scissorjack** from an Executive Branch. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196/60 "2007-10-04T01:02:20Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Lets be strictly Constitutional here, and hang **Scissorjack** from an Executive Branch. [/QUOTE] Let’s be arboreal here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-value-of-an-iraqi-life-15-000-what-a-bargain/421196.md?page=2)