Western officials were quick to claim that
Of course, most people in all parts of the world agree that no persons have the right to kill innocent people anywhere, by bombing or any other means. It is significant to note, therefore, that on the same day as the
When judging the standards by which human life is valued, it is also significant to note that the American
When judging the standards by which human life is valued, it is also significant to note that the Americanmedia provided blanket four-day hour-to-hour coverage of the
Other Examples of How Human Life Is Valued by Different Standards
In case after case, and place after place, it is obvious that human life is valued by different standards. Generally, the highest value is attributed to those who belong to the strongest nations; the lowest to those belonging to the weakest. Here are some examples:
-- Many Afghans claim that Western-made arms have been distributed to various groups in order to destabilize the region and make it easier for Westerners to take advantage of precious minerals and other natural resources.
--In 1983, U.S. Marine barracks in
--In 1987, when an Iraqi missile hit an American ship in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. demanded that the Iraqi government pay over ten million dollars to each dead navy crew member, in addition to the repair cost of the ship.
--In July, 1988, when an Iran Air civilian aircraft carrying 290 passengers and crew was shut down by a missile from the U.S.S. Vincennes, the
--In February, 2010, Christopher Torchia, an A.P. reporter, stated that U.S. Army units follow a system to provide compensation for any death or injury to Afghan civilians or damage to crops and buildings they may cause. Each unit carries a list that gives guidance on payouts: the death of a child or adult is worth $1,500-$2,500; a loss of limb or other injuries $600-$1,500; a damaged or destroyed vehicle is valued at $500-$2,500; and damage to a farmer's fields $50-$250. (The obtain the compensation, various claim forms must be completed.)
-- With respect again to the recent Boston bombings,
-- With respect again to the recent Boston bombings,it is expected that additional restrictions will now be placed both on American citizens and non-citizens
Though many people in Third World countries suffer from the prejudicial practices listed here, Westerners are often oblivious to the harm that their own governments cause other nationals. When Western countries inadvertently kill Afghan, Pakistani, Iraqi, or Lebanese individuals, they offer their families a fraction of the compensation they demand for their own citizens. In fact, claims in Western courts have been dismissed when other nationals have submitted them. This demonstrates that the court systems in Western countries have in at least some cases been used as a political tool, not as the judicial forums they are expected to be. It also shows again the sad reality that human life around the world is valued by different standards.