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The Costs of War

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Posted on Feb 28, 2010
Farah injury
AP / Abdul Malek

A wounded child from the Bala Boluk district of Afghanistan lies covered in bandages in a hospital in Farah province.

Ever wondered how the U.S. and Britain deal with civilian deaths in Afghanistan? For every confirmed civilian death, payouts—from $3,000 to $5,000—are awarded to families and communities.

The amount given by Britain fell considerably over the past year, from almost $15,000 to a little bit more than $4,500. The U.S. shells out only a little over $3,000. —JCL

The Guardian:

Twenty compensation claims relating to the killing of innocent Afghan civilians during operations by the UK armed forces are being investigated by the Ministry of Defence.

In the past, Britain has paid an average of £7,300 for every civilian death in war, although the last figures available, for the year ending April 2009, show that figure had fallen to £2,900.

The issue of compensation for civilian casualties has moved to the top of the political agenda as Nato commanders place an increasing emphasis on securing the support of the Afghan population. Officials are already negotiating to establish a standard system of compensation payments among member states operating in Afghanistan.

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MarthaA's avatar

By MarthaA, February 28, 2010 at 7:33 pm Link to this comment

Here is satirist, Robert Newman’s history of Oil and War, which is really, really very good:

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/32.html

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MarthaA's avatar

By MarthaA, February 28, 2010 at 7:15 pm Link to this comment

It doesn’t bother the Military Industrial Complex how many people die, they are now pushing for war with Iran:

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/806.html

It is time for the populace to wake up and realize there can’t be war if people won’t fight for these private companies to make profits on death.

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RAE's avatar

By RAE, February 28, 2010 at 11:44 am Link to this comment

It’s my bet the multi-nationals making BILLIONS producing the tools of war spend far more than these paltry sums just promoting their products of destruction!

I wonder when the penny will finally drop for the “grunts” who are encouraged by their misguided parents and peers to sign up for military “adventures” - you know, when they realize that, individually, they’re worth peanuts to the politicians and war-mongers and are simply “cannon fodder?” Yes, “Uncle Sam” wants YOU - to die so he can continue to live in peace and comfort back home.

The spectacle of world leaders showing up for the casket unloadings at the airports nearly makes me physically ill. These fascists couldn’t be more transparently self-promoting if they were out kissing babies. Just nauseating.

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By gerard, February 28, 2010 at 11:16 am Link to this comment

Hey, there!  How much are you worth as an item in the “collateral damage” bin?  More for less, or less for more?  Base price per item runs anywhere from $3000 up, depending on condition and quality. Two for the price of one on Saturdays.

warishelliswarishelliswarishelliswarishelliswarishell

stopstopstopstopstopstopsttopstopstopstopstopstopstop

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