Case No. 1 to Oppose Limiting Lawsuit Liability

This story yesterday in the LA Times tells a disturbing and ironic story about the US Government-specifically Justice, State, and White House lawyers, backing the government of Iraq against a group of seventeen Gulf War I vets who have filed suit against Iraq for abuse they suffered while prisoners of war. These vets have won a judgement against Iraq for damages inflicted on them, some of these soldiers were tortured in Abu Ghraib, and the Bush Administration is appealing arguing that Iraq needs the $1.7 billion the soldiers have been awarded more than the soldiers, because they have a lot of rebuilding to do in that war tonr country.

Now, I am slightly simpathetic to this argument. Iraq is as in debt as a country can be. They have massive infrastructure problems. There is that insurgency. However, the U.S. and other countries have pledged billions in direct assistance that has not been spent, and there are untold amounts of natural resources that have yet to be exploited. $1.7B is pennies compared to the potential amount of money Iraq could recieve, both from other countries and from the resources below ground.

It may not be technically correct, or it might be seen by some as exploitative. However, I think Democrats should make this their talking point number one for the next week, at least. First, it shows a truly disgusting side to the administration: betrayal of U.S. soldiers tortured by Saddam. Second, this case, if any truly could, demonstrates how bad of an idea it is to try and limit punative damages in lawsuits. Conservatives have made women who sue when they spill hot coffee on themselves for burns, as well as burglars who win suits against people they were trying to rob and injure themselves in the process, as poster children for why the U.S. should limit lawsuit awards. Democrats should put these soldiers front and center in the debate about limiting lawsuit liability. After all, if you were on a jury who would you side with: Bush and his cronies or tortured American soldiers? I know who I would side with.