Number of Americans killed in Iraq approaching death count from 1991 Gulf

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/08/national1538EDT0676.DTL

The Pentagon on Tuesday raised its count of Americans killed by hostile fire in Iraq since the war began in March to 143, a figure that approaches the 147 killed in the 1991 Gulf War.

When President Bush declared major combat operations had ended on May 1, the number killed in action stood at 114. Since then, guerrilla-style attacks have taken another 29 American lives, and Bush as well as U.S. military commanders have said the war is not yet over.

"Rough road behind, rough road ahead," Gen. Tommy Franks, who commanded U.S. forces in the war, said Monday at a ceremony in which he handed over command of the operation to Gen. John Abizaid.

In the latest slayings, a roadside bomb killed one soldier traveling in an Army convoy Monday, and on Sunday night an American was shot to death in a Baghdad gun battle. Also Sunday, a U.S. soldier was shot and killed at close range while drinking a soda at Baghdad University.

[underpants]

1. Yesterday CNN said 254 ABC said 209

This article is about "hostile fire". Dead is dead.

[MindPilot]

3. About half the casualties are "friendly fire" or accidents.

Does that seem like a high ratio to anyone else?

[saigon68]

4. ITS TOO MANY ALREADY

How many wounded?
How many suffering from PTSD?
How many children killed?
Hospitals bombed?

DEAD IS DEAD !!!!!

How many parents going to bed knowning their child died for oil, thereby making CHIMPY richer??


Been there Done That !!!!

[DemoTex]

9. Saigon 68

You know that, I know that, and most DUers know that. Indeed, most sane people know that. It is the bloodthirsty, rapacious Chickenhawks who do not know and, worse, DO NOT CARE.

Peace brother!

[kainah]

7. They are playing games with the casualty figures

They don't want us to really know how many have died. I've been keeping the names on a poster for my peace group and it's becoming harder and harder to find the names. Recently, the Newshour began again to show the pix and names of the dead at the end of their show. They had suspended it after * declared the war over. They began it again about 2 weeks ago. But in the last week, I've noticed that all of the media is now beginning to limit the figures to "hostile fire" casualties. Not surprisingly, this began after a week when the repug spinners started challenging the numbers, saying that there were only x battle casualties. It took less than a week for the pliant media to fall in line.

[NormanConquest]

2. Is that the best you can do, Franks?

Rough road behind, rough road ahead

That's really brave of you--way to spark up that bag of dog poo on the doorstep of your successor.

At least speak in complete sentences if you're going to flog a cliche!

:grr:

[rook1]

6. Very Tragic

We are going to be mired in this mess for years to come. How many body bags will be coming home?

[kainah]

8. Welcome to DU, rook1!!

:hi: :toast: :hi: :toast:

[The Magistrate]

5. The Tipping Point Will Come

When the number of U.S. soldiers killed occuppying Iraq exceeds the number killed conquering the place. When this occurs, the idea this was done to "liberate" Iraq will seem risible to the people, and the awareness the case for invasion was built by lie upon lie upon lie will become the common wisdom.

In a calculation of total casualties, this point will likely be reached around Labor Day; in a calculation based strictly upon casualties from hostile fire, it will be reached around Thanksgiving.

[Jacobin]

10. Damn shame that so many have to die for this craven lunatic

Bush*.

Their deaths will not be to "protect our freedoms" in the sense that smarmy chant is used on television, but in the sense that they may insure Smirk's defeat in 2004. Gives a new meaning to "dying for your country".

Sick, just sick.

[The Magistrate]

11. That Smarmy Chant, Sir

Is one of the most disgusting features of our time. Iraq was no threat to the freedoms we enjoy in the United States; not even the radical fundamentalists of Islam in arms against our country pose any threat to those. The sole threat to them comes from the criminals of the '00 Coup, using these things for an excuse to warp the political life of our country, and thus cement their illegitimate rule.

[rook1]

12. kainah

Thank you very much. Very good forum.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi rook1!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: