Blood Money

Dear Kate,

Yesterday on NPR I heard about Virginia Tech proposing to offer victims of last year’s horrific events $100,000 so as not to sue the school. I was not at first sure if what I heard was correct, as the information floored me terribly. When I got to work, I looked up the New York Times website to confirm the information. And sure enough, there it was: Virginia Tech Seeks to Avoid Lawsuits. I was instantly reminded of the time Stew once told me that, in the event he would be called to serve in Iraq, and should anything (deathly) happen to him while he was serving, I would be compensated $250,000 as aid in my grief. The idea sickened me. I’m sorry, but science is not yet advanced enough to return life to a loved one for any sum of cash. I was, and am still, really bothered by this offer.

Now, in the defense of the military, I understand that they are trying to help in some form or fashion for the horrific loss of our beloved due to their "heroic duty." But I really still feel almost insulted that a governmental branch can buy off my remorse. "In their defense" ... the money, as I was told by Stew, was to help pay for funeral arrangements and other expenses. (Though a quarter of a million makes for an awfully extravagant funeral.)

Similarly, the news yesterday made note that the money offered would be to help with medical and counseling costs for those grieving loved ones lost at Virginia Tech . I suppose I can begin to respect and understand this attempt at generosity. But to tell me I am going to be offered this sum to prevent my legal actions against the armed forces or educational institute just seems ludicrous. I don’t get it. Maybe I overreact.

As you know, Stew and I are no longer maritally involved. However, prior to his deployment last August, he informed me that he had still wanted to leave a portion of his blood money to me in the event of his demise.

My response: I would have to return it all to support the many wounded vets, as they need and deserve that money more than I.

Kate, I don't understand our world sometimes. I feel like it revolves too much over money rather than feelings. Riches equaling happiness? I cannot say that is a beat with which I can fall into step. Cousine, we live in a time of economic hardship. We live in a time of war. We live in a time of senseless killings both in our own country as well as regions halfway around the world.

We also live in a time where someone else must take the blame for any transgressions we must suffer. And sadly, we live in a time where we can bribe others to point fingers in different directions.


Finally, it makes me sad to hear of atrocious amounts of cash being offered to those so they will keep quiet and continue living their lives as if nothing has happened - especially when there are so many suffering, and we insist on turning blind eyes toward them.

It is like placing salt on a wound wanting to heal.

Paix, ma cousine,

Leigh