ISG: There is significant underreporting of the violence in Iraq.

[sabra]

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/12/iraq_report_rev.html#more

<snip>

In addition, there is significant underreporting of the violence in Iraq. The standard for recording attacks acts as a filter to keep events out of reports and databases. A murder of an Iraqi is not necessarily counted as an attack. If we cannot determine the source of a sectarian attack, that assault does not make it into the database. A roadside bomb or a rocket or mortar attack that doesn’t hurt U.S. personnel doesn’t count. For example, on one day in July 2006 there were 93 attacks or significant acts of violence reported. Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence. Good policy is difficult to make when information is systematically collected in a way that minimizes its discrepancy with policy goals.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I hate when all the good news (?) hides the real bad stuff, don't you?

What a shell game we've gotten into.

[Joe for Clark]

2. You have no idea how bad it is getting.

I'll say this - in the begining - groups would kill and leave the bodies on busy street corners to intimidate. Then they dumped groups of bodies in certain places for the same effect.

Now, they are skinning people - like pigs or something - and dumping those bodies.

It is amazing how bad this is really getting - and where is our "intrepid" fourth estate???

Joe

[wishlist]

10. CBS Reporter John Roberts says Americans have no idea how bad it is

CBS's John Roberts just came back recently from Iraq after seeing fatal attacks on U.S. soldiers and he confirmed conditions are much worse than Americans realize because the violene is so extreme and camera footage too graphic to be shown on TV.

[Joe for Clark]

11. My kid is there now - 3rd tour.

He said things that made me want to throw up.

My mom and dad were comat vets in WWII. My brothers did their time during Nam. I have heard a lot things that were upsetting.

A few years ago I thought I had heard everything - boy was I wrong.

Robert's is better than many reporters - I think that is just not saying much.

Joe

[SutaUvaca]

3. Ha! Amazing!

The ISG is actually critiquing Rumsfailed and Chumpsters "good slant" approach to information.
In a lab I used to work for we used to say "If it ain't in the database it never happened."
Perhaps the ISG report will recommend canceling that 20 mill contract for slanted "news" gathering.

[Jacobin]

4. man oh man

I knew these guys were lying and minimizing how bad it was, but this is beyond chaos. We are soooo screwed.

[sabra]

5. the Lancelot report also comes to mind after reading this...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. Lancet.

the journal Lancet.

Lancelot's the knight of the round table.

Cue Monty Python fans.

[Jacobin]

7. Looks like the Lancet's estimates are low considering this report

The neocons belong in a lockup....one of their own design...with 'human torture' and all

[sabra]

8. oops my bad :-)

[originalpckelly]

9. I remember it being a square table...

or maybe that's all they could afford in my neck of the woods went I went to the play.