Conflicting numbers and a surreal press conference

[Emillereid]

http://electroniciraq.net/news/1306.shtml
Iraq Diaries
Dahr Jamail, Electronic Iraq

4 January 2004

<snip>

Thus, the usual conflict in the number of US soldiers killed and injured rests between the many Iraqis who witnessed the scene during the US cleanup and medical evacuations, and the figures given by CENTCOM and Combined Joint Task Force 7.

The US military in Iraq has been under constant scrutiny for under-reporting US casualty figures from attacks throughout Iraq. The effect of this is to give the impression to both the media and people of Iraq, as well as people in the US that the degree of loss of life by US military personnel in Iraq is lower than it may actually be.

Thus, the sense of urgency the US military is faced with in Iraq isn't being conveyed to the public. For example, I just moments ago returned from a CIPIC press conference by General Kimmit where he stated there are 25 attacks per day on coalition forces.
<snip>

Instead, they discuss a "whole new group" of Iraqis stepping forward to help the coalition since the capture of Saddam Hussein. They divide these two groups into the "Hopefuls" (those who want to help now that he is gone) and the "Fearfuls" (those who were too afraid to help while his shadow was still at large).

After the carefully conducted press conference comes to a close, I walk out of the surreal atmosphere of the CPIC in the fancy conference hall, back into the insecure streets of Baghdad to return home. The usual sporadic gunfire from various parts of the city echoes off the buildings as night falls over the land of the "Hopefuls" and "Fearfuls."



The Bushits wouldn't lie about something so serious as body counts and casualties, would they? Well, Virginia, they do seem to be truth-challenged! Is this the real reason they don't want the media photographing the caskets as they return to the US. Afraid someone might see that the official count and the actual number dead don't match?

[Judi Lynn]

1. Great article supports what a lot of DU'ers already suspect. Very helpful.

From the article:

(snip) Not only has the US casualty rate in Iraq continued unabated since the capture of Saddam Hussein, it has increased.

On a daily basis US soldiers are dying here, as well as being severely wounded. When one looks at a general headline on a news website and reads: 1 US soldier killed, 2 wounded, it is not shown the degree to which these soldiers are wounded. Many have suffered permanent brain damage, loss of feet, legs, hands, arms. There lives are changed forever by permanent disabilities; rather than the impression the mainstream media leaves of injured by cuts and bruises.

The system of information control runs deep in Iraq today. The CPA has recently released a law stating that no public demonstrations are allowed without their approval and consent. If a demonstration occurs without said, the people will be detained promptly.

During the aforementioned press conference this evening, attended not only by media but the additional 15 US soldiers in the room, I paid close attention to the words used by General Kimmit and the very uptight man in the suit standing next to him assisting him in answering questions posed by the media.

Resistance fighters are thus referred to as "anti-coalition fighters", "anti-coalition suspects" (detainees), and of course the mainstay, "terrorists." (snip)

Hope the journalist will remain healthy, and un-murdered. Thanks for the article, Emillereid.

[leftchick]

2. It is just like Vietnam....

<Not only has the US casualty rate in Iraq continued unabated since the capture of Saddam Hussein, it has increased.

On a daily basis US soldiers are dying here, as well as being severely wounded. When one looks at a general headline on a news website and reads: 1 US soldier killed, 2 wounded, it is not shown the degree to which these soldiers are wounded. Many have suffered permanent brain damage, loss of feet, legs, hands, arms. There lives are changed forever by permanent disabilities; rather than the impression the mainstream media leaves of injured by cuts and bruises.>

......This is insane! Bring our soldiers home NOW!

[xchrom]

3. and bushco doesn't control the media?

that's pretty extreme control.
amazing -- the halucenogenics right wingers take must be really good.

[Jazzgirl]

4. I read Dahr all the time.

It is amazing how the numbers of the dead and wounded keep changing. I remember reading on Reuters and the NY Times that the number of dead American soldiers was around 200! When I read that I thought did about 250 come back to life or something??!!?? I've been seeing these weird lower numbers all over different news sites lately. I guess the word came from the WH to lower the number reported dead. Remember...if they say it long enough the sheeple will believe it.

Jazzgirl

[loudnclear]

5. Problem is, when the truth comes out it will be told to our grandchildren

on the History channel.