Iraq Dead Exceeds First Four Years of Viet Nam

[patmacsf]

Sobering statistic that more Americans should know:

"The U.S. military death toll after 10 months of engagement in Iraq surpassed 500 this weekend, roughly matching the number of U.S. military personnel who died in the first four years of the U.S. military engagement in Vietnam."

(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/01/18/MNGB44CJKR1.DTL)

[rusty charly]

1. so

we can stop with "it's another vietnam"


it's worse.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

2. Wrong. The death rate has exceeded the first EIGHT year of U.S.....

...involvement in Vietnam. The following link will give you much more accurate information:

CACCF Record Counts by Year of Death or Declaration of Death (as of 12/98)
<http://www.archives.gov/research_room/research_topics/vietnam_war_casualty_lists/statistics.html#year>

Vietnam: 1956-1964 = 401 dead

Iraq to date: 2003-2004 = 500+ dead

Additionally, we're being told NOTHING about the continued death rate in Afghanistan, nor are we being told anything about the number of the very critically wounded who have died while undergoing treatment in Germany and/or the U.S. My guess is that we have incurred much closer to a total of 1000 dead, or more, in the Middle East since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Why else would the Pentagon be refusing to allow anyone close to the areas where the American dead are being brought home? Why else would the military hospitals refuse to answer questions concerning the number of wounded they have treated to date?

[Valjean]

3. Ominous statistic

This is an ominous statistic.

Though, in Vietnam in was a VERY gradual escalation. One thing thats clear is that the Iraqis clearly want us out. Even those who haven't yet taken to weapons want us out.

When will people learn that you can't FORCE someone into democracy. They have to want it.

BTW, I think the best shot for Democracy in Iraq is an independent Kurdistan. Provided they will give VERY FIRM commitments to the border with Turkey, they should be granted their wish. Let the Kurds duke it out with the Sunnis over the southern border. It's bad. But it's better than American soldiers getting killed over something thats effectively none of their business.

[Kanary]

5. Hi Valjean!

Welcome to DU!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast:

That's my favorite broadway character....

Kanary

[Valjean]

9. Jean Valjean

Jean Valjean is my favorite character EVER. He embodies a true story of redemption and compassion.

Jean Valjean was also a compassionate industrialist who took responsibility for the well being of his employees.

Though, the books are the longest reads I think I've ever experienced.

[mike1963]

6. Well, the Iraqis have been saying they DO want democracy!...but the

neocons here aren't about to let them have it. Shit, if they really did, they'd let them have wide open elections (like we used to have.)

It's all a matter of installing a puppet regime and CALLING it 'democratic'...an interesting challenge to say the least.
:eyes:

[veganwitch]

4. yeah...remember when all the hawk fucks were saying...

this is nothing like vietnam.

Yeah. Fucking. Right!

[Columbia]

7. Ominous, but ultimately misleading

The first 5 years of the Vietnam were exceedingly low-key compared to the 5 years after. The war started with mostly military advisors and escalated until we were the primary force in place. Considering that during the period of 1967-1970, 500 US deaths a month were commonplace, it would be remiss to put the two wars in the same light.

[DisgustedDemocrat]

8. Very sobering statistic

It just breaks my heart.