More on Reparations for Libya

I've gotten some email which argues that the money our government has arranged to be paid to Libya is not actually United States government money.  I say hogwash — what difference does it make if the money comes directly out of the treasury or comes because of an arrangement we've made which requires that Libya gets paid but takes pains to see that the funds don't pass through our hands first? 

In fairness, however, I want to highlight a portion of the WND report which I did not excerpt the first time around (though I did link to the report):

An Associated Press report reveals that foreign companies conducting business in Libya – including U.S. companies – will begin paying into a fund to award damages to both Libyan and American claimants.

When WND asked the State Department spokeswoman if oil companies would have any part in paying reparations, she said, 'I don't have any information on that, but the fund has been established. I have no information on what the financial agreement will be or the financial compensation that will be paid.'

While Thompson said Libyans will receive a settlement as part of the agreement, she declined to reveal the source of the money.

'None of this will be U.S. government funding,' she said.

In other words, we're making sure the Libyans get paid 'damages' by setting up a fund that others (including American companies) will be compelled by our agreement to pay into.  The Libyans get the same money, but we are ensuring that it gets to them indirectly rather than making direct payments out of the treasury. 

Slice it however you want to slice it:  we attacked Libya because they killed Americans, and they responded by killing even more Americans.  Now, we are arranging to make sure they receive 'damages' — i.e., compensatory payments — for an attack that was entirely justified.  The State Department calls that 'fair compensation.'  I call it an outrage.  Maybe I'm wrong.  We'll see what other Americans think.