Iran fined $2.65 billion for terrorism (thanks to Leslie for this one)
WASHINGTON - Iran must pay $2.65 billion to the families of the 241 U.S. service members killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, a federal judge declared Friday in a ruling that left survivors and families shedding tears of joy. U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth described his ruling as the largest-ever such judgment by an American court against another country. “These individuals, whose hearts and souls were forever broken, waited patiently for nearly a quarter century for justice to be done,” he said. Iran has been blamed for supporting the militant group Hezbollah, which carried out the suicide bombing in Beirut. It was the worst terrorist act against U.S. targets until the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Yes, justice is generally a good thing…and I can understand how and why the families of those killed in the 1983 barracks bombing would want for their loved ones. Twenty-four years later, they finally have it, though in the end what they have to show for it will be exactly what they started with- nothing. Sure, they have a judgement against Iran for $2.65 billion. Unfortunately, they have no real way of attempting to enforce that judgement. Given that Iran and the US have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran, it’s not as if Iran has much in the way of assets in this country that might be seized in order to satisfy the judgement.
Of course, there is no amount of money, and no judgement, that could bring back the 241 Marines who lost their lives on that terrible morning in 1983. If this judgement helps to bring some measure of peace to the families and loved ones of those killed in Beirut, then it’s probably a good thing. I’m just not certain what purpose is served by an immense judgement that will without a doubt prove to be large symbolic. Yes, justice needs to be served…I’m just not at all certain that this comes anywhere close to achieving justice for the families and loved ones of those killed. After all, $2.65 billion is just an almost impossible to comprehend number, and you have to know that the Iranians are laughing in their sweet tea right about now. OK, so y’all won a minor skirmish; the (cold) war continues unabated…and no one should begin mentally spending their windfall any time soon.
