Ever Wonder Why So Many Troops Die in Car Accidents in Iraq??

[Justice]

I spent this holiday in the hometown of the State Dept official who was just killed in Iraq (shot in the head while driving). In hearing people talk about his death, one of the things I learned was that the troops drive about 90 miles an hour to avoid being shot at -- so when you read that a soldier or marine etc was killed in an accident - it was likely the result of their crashing while driving at high speeds - so as to avoid being shot. Seems to me that the media is being dishonest with us to say these driving crashes were not combat deaths.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Makes sense

And, of course, our blessed press omits those details, preferring to let us believe that "accidents happen."

That damned liberal media.

[Ian David]

2. They're not TROOPS. They're SOLDIERS.

Better still, they're AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

It is the Bush talking-points and spinmasters that started calling them "troops."

Don't buy into it.

We haven't lost 1,200 troops. We've lost 1,200 American men and women, or American soldiers.

RECLAIM OUR LANGUAGE...

or else we'll become "collateral damage." I mean, "civilian casualties."

[Justice]

8. I believe the army refers to its men and women as soldiers, but there

are other branches of the military - marines, airforce and navy. Collectively, our men and women in uniform are called the armed forces, sometimes called troops.

I agree with you completely about humanizing these men and women, and would go even further in asking readers to take time out to hear and read the particular individual stories of these men and women, those that have died and those that are still there, and those that have come home. In the end, they are sons and daughters, sallys and joes, husbands, wives, friends, brothers, sisters, lovers, neighbors.

[soothsayer]

10. yup, the correct parlance is "warfighters"

covers all the branches

[gordianot]

3. Also they are not considered combat casulties.

You may have your Humvee floored and turn it over killing you and crippling others to avoid being being BUSHwhacked or land mines. Forget about your Purple Heart you were not in combat.

There was recently a good example played on NPR that illustrated this sad situation.

[Justice]

5. Exactly my point

They should be treated as combat casualties.

[bhikkhu]

4. I've read 60mph, right down the middle of the road

This certainly doesn't do anything for the "hearts and minds" effort over there, I am sure.

In an article about suits filed by Iraqi civilians there seems to be a large number asking compensation for wrecked vehicles and related personal injuries. Another aspect of the occupation very important to Iraqis, generally unknown here.

[osaMABUSh]

6. Right, I'm sure soldiers are running over Iraqi's left and right

trying to not to get shot at.

[autorank]

7. "media ... dishonest". Mais non, ce n'est pas possible!

Maybe they could embed the media on the roof of these 90 mph vehicles.

This is really tragic. You have a good point, this one story really says all you need to know about the viability of *'s project in Iraq. Our guys can't even drive safely because we are so hated.

[Hanover_Fist]

9. Back when I was in Uncle Sams

Big grey canoe club we had a major fire in the boats engineering spaces. "Officially" there were NO fatalities, or even injuries, yet a Corpsman who worked up at Balboa hospital in San Diego later told me that he personally saw four or five bodies immediatley afterward that were burned beyond recognition arrive at the hosp. I learned a long time ago that ANY arm of our government will lie through their teeth when it's convenient. I have always wondered what the navy told the next of kin...

[The Night Owl]

11. Excellent point. Please send your thoughts to Hackworth. (NT)

[devilgrrl]

12. That's how a friends brother got killed over there.

A CONTRACTOR was driving the vehicle like a bat out of hell turned a corner a BAM into an Iraqi tank, everyone in the vehicle killed. :-(

Three non-combat casualties.

[The Night Owl]

13. Kick for the afternoon crowd!

:kick:

[Columbia]

14. Sorry, that is totally wrong

HMMWVs can not even make it to 90 mph. You're lucky if you can sustain 60 for long periods.