Crying All the Way to the Bank

For most Americans, the bottom line is always the "bottom line." No matter how painful a tragedy might be, it will ultimately be measured in dollars and cents. A lot of dollars.

This is what's happening in the Fort Hood case, in which victims and their families -- 83 people in all --  are asking for $750 million in compensation for what they claim was the negligence of the U.S. Government in not stopping the shooter, a man that, had someone paid attention, showed clear signs that he posed a threat to his fellow soldiers. Putting aside the question of their right to be compensated for their loss, this sounds like a typical American get-rich-quick scheme. Seven hundred and fifty million dollars! Come on! A life can be "priceless", but this is ridiculous.

People should also be allowed to sue the U.S. for all those military deaths of soldiers that get killed in  Afghanistan and Iraq, where they were taken under false pretenses.

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