US reaches 1000 deaths in Iraq.

[diamond geezer]

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged the death toll earlier Tuesday, but told reporters at the Pentagon that going on the offensive against terrorism "has its cost."

"It should be noted that the civilized world passed the thousandth casualty mark a long time ago," he said. "Hundreds were killed in Russia last week. And this week, of course, on September 11, 2004, we remember the 3,000 citizens of dozens of countries who were killed on September 11 in 2001."

What does Iraqis defending their country against an illegal occupier have to do with terrorism?

Why don't the "Christians" who support your leaders, ever get het-up about the constant lies and misdirections of this administration?

Commandment 9 is "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Why is it ok for your Government to do this constantly and yet still have the support of the "Moral Majority"?

[Archaeopteryx]

What does Iraqis defending their country against an illegal occupier have to do with terrorism?

Why don't the "Christians" who support your leaders, ever get het-up about the constant lies and misdirections of this administration?

Commandment 9 is "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Why is it ok for your Government to do this constantly and yet still have the support of the "Moral Majority"?

I concur whole heartedly.. But ive realised that argueing this with any one is argueing against a wall.. so live and let live :-D

[blackfox]

Quite a milestone...

on a side note, it is interesting to note that only 15 short years ago, the Russians were our enemy. And Iraq was...

attention spans...gotta love t...ooooh shiny,pretty....

[Thanatoast]

I find it depressing that we only count US military deaths, and not Iraqi civilian deaths. Hey, all in the name of terror, though, right?

[Neserk]

I think I lost track of Iraqi deaths around 10 - 12,000. I'm afraid of what it is now.

[sorryiwasdreami]

What does Iraqis defending their country against an illegal occupier have to do with terrorism?

Well put. This is what most Americans just don't get; in this situation, America is the terrorist.

[mactastic]

I'm afraid of what it is now.

Seems like it hardly matters to most in the US. 40 Iraqis get blown up and the corporate/conservative media hardly reports it. 7 US Marines get blown up and it's front page headline all day. Just one more example of the corporate/conservative media bias in our society.

[patrick0brien]

I think I lost track of Iraqi deaths around 10 - 12,000. I'm afraid of what it is now.

-Neserk

I read this morning that Iraqi civillian deaths count at "around" 10,000 and Iraqi Policemen and soldiers around 5,000.

[blackfox]

Seems like it hardly matters to most in the US. 40 Iraqis get blown up and the corporate/conservative media hardly reports it. 7 US Marines get blown up and it's front page headline all day. Just one more example of the corporate/conservative media bias in our society.
This almost seems like a chicken-and-the-egg deal...The News media only reports about the deaths that are important/relevant/understandable to us (US forces), because we cannot relate or do not have the proper context to care or understand about (in this case) Iraqi deaths.

We do not have the proper context/ability to relate and care about Iraqi deaths, so the Media does not report them...and because the Media does not report them...

you get the idea...

[patrick0brien]

This almost seems like a chicken-and-the-egg deal...The News media only reports about the deaths that are important/relevant/understandable to us (US forces), because we cannot relate or do not have the proper context to care or understand about (in this case) Iraqi deaths.

We do not have the proper context/ability to relate and care about Iraqi deaths, so the Media does not report them...and because the Media does not report them...

you get the idea...

-blackfox

That's an interesting point. Media must deliver to the lowest common denominator. And there are far more stupid people than smart ones.

[Neserk]

-Neserk

I read this morning that Iraqi civillian deaths count at "around" 10,000 and Iraqi Policemen and soldiers around 5,000.

So 15,000. I'm not sure if my original tally included only civilians. Sounds like it was all Iraqi's. Thanks for the info -- as depressing as it is!

[ocellnuri]

Why is it ok for your Government to do this constantly and yet still have the support of the "Moral Majority"?

As far as I'm concerned, it's not ok. That's why I'll be doing my part to get rid of the current administration in the upcoming election. I just hope the Moral Majority gets counted this year.
:mad:

[Neserk]

That's why I'll be doing my part to get rid of the current administration in the upcoming election. :mad:

:D I think more people need to get angry. Where is Dean when you need him?

[IJ Reilly]

Meanwhile, Don Rumsfeld comes out of hiding just long enough to insert his foot into his mouth:

President Bush did not directly comment on the tally, but Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld cast the death toll as evidence that the U.S. was aggressively engaging terrorists around the world. At a Pentagon news briefing, he said that in the overall scheme of the Iraq war, the losses were "relatively small."

"Taking the offense … of course has its cost, just as staying on defense has its cost," Rumsfeld said before the White House had announced the death toll. "And soon the American forces are likely to suffer the 1,000th casualty at the hands of terrorists and extremists in Iraq. When combined with U.S. losses in other theaters in the global war on terror, we have lost well more than 1,000 already."

He added: "If you think about the fact that we have thousands of patrols every day … if you take all of those patrols, and look at the number of incidents, they're relatively small."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-iraq8sep08,1,1988240.story?

Relative to what, Don?

[wordmunger]

For anyone who's interested, I wrote a satirical article (http://wordmunger.com/index.php?p=76) about this today.

[Leo Hubbard]

Wasn't Saddam's score over 2 or 3 million? Compared to that 1000 is nothing.

[SiliconAddict]

I've been wondering lately. What would public opinion be like if the American death toll was greater then or equal too the aprox 3,000+ people that died on 9|11. Personally I think it would give people pause for thought.

All I know is the first thing that popped into my mind when I heard it rolled over to 4 digits was: could this cost the Shrub the election. Not for the brave men and women who gave their lives. Not for the people they left behind. Quite honestly I've never hated someone so much in my life and it irks me that those people didn't come first. Damn him for setting his entire presidency up in a way that makes me loath him with every fiber of my being. I've never been a fan of any president but Shrug takes the cake. I shouldn't have to feel this way about the leader of my country. The feelings being anger and embarrisment. I've actually apoligised to several international friends I have for the bahavior of Shrub and the people he's put in place.
:(

[wordmunger]

Wasn't Saddam's score over 2 or 3 million? Compared to that 1000 is nothing.
So wait, it's all okay, because SADDAM is evil?

But aren't we fighting the "terrorists" now? Saddam has been captured, remember, so if we're counting bodies, I think we've done a lot more damage than they have: 15,000 (military + civilian deaths in Iraq) to 4,000 (1,000 troops + 3,000 9/11 victims).

[takao]

hmm does this 1000 include killed 'civilian contractors(armed for self defense)' from security companies ?
coalition or US only ?

[takao]

Wasn't Saddam's score over 2 or 3 million? Compared to that 1000 is nothing.

2-3 is the score of that cambodian guy
saddam has more around 1 million including wars but i might be wrong...

and of course 20 years ago the US was perfectly fine with him being in power...

[Don't panic]

So wait, it's all okay, because SADDAM is evil?

But aren't we fighting the "terrorists" now? Saddam has been captured, remember, so if we're counting bodies, I think we've done a lot more damage than they have: 15,000 (military + civilian deaths in Iraq) to 4,000 (1,000 troops + 3,000 9/11 victims).

actually if you count iraqi military from the beginning of the "awe" bombings you have to add 30,000 (according to pentagon estimates).
plus of course another 12,000-15,000 of casualties (total) in afghanistan.
so the total is well over 50,000 "terrorists".

[Leo Hubbard]

2-3 is the score of that cambodian guy
saddam has more around 1 million including wars but i might be wrong...

and of course 20 years ago the US was perfectly fine with him being in power...
20 years ago he wasn't rubbing our noses in his defiance.
20 years ago Russia was our enemy.
Things change.

[takao]

Things change.

yeah the "freedom fighters" of 'Rambo III' noticed that as well ;) (that irony makes the movie even more funny ...)

i wonder who will be the enemy/'evildoers' in 20 years...anybody wanna guess ?

[mactastic]

i wonder who will be the enemy/'evildoers' in 20 years...anybody wanna guess ?

I'm not sure exactly who, but I am sure we are supplying them with arms right now...

[zimv20]

I'm not sure exactly who, but I am sure we are supplying them with arms right now...
i think the chinese are capable of making their own

[Leo Hubbard]

I'm not sure exactly who, but I am sure we are supplying them with arms right now...
You wouldn't think the French? Nah?

[katchow]

[Chip NoVaMac]

Commandment 9 is "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Why is it ok for your Government to do this constantly and yet still have the support of the "Moral Majority"?

Same question I asked of the state politicians here in Virginia. Recently they enacted laws to make it harder for Gay/Lesbian couples to enter into contracts that "mimic" the rights granted to those that can legally marry. All on religious/moral grounds. (This is mentioned as a point of reference, not to open a side debate).

This same body passed a law that contained a loophole that allowed an employee to get either a Saturday or Sunday off. Presumably so that they could observe the sabbath of their choice. Business leaders cried foul. The Governor was forced to call a special session to allow the lawmakers to close that loophole.

Hypocrites one and all - on both sides of the aisle - that beat their bibles when it serves their interests.

[Chappers]

I'm not sure exactly who, but I am sure we are supplying them with arms right now...

Holy ****** that probably means the UK.

[patrick0brien]

You wouldn't think the French? Nah?

-Leo Hubbard

Nah, they'd just wine the U.S. to death. -Or is that whine?

Thanks! I'll be here all week!

Ok, yeah, you guys need to shoot me. I'm getting back to work...

[Chip NoVaMac]

-Leo Hubbard

Nah, they'd just wine the U.S. to death. -Or is that whine?

Thanks! I'll be here all week!



So how's the veal? :rolleyes: