Were U.S. Deaths Really 'Down' in Iraq Last Month?

[RamboLiberal]

For two days, the press has touted the notion that July was an encouraging month for the U.S. in Iraq, partly because American deaths declined from previous months this year. Maybe this meant the surge was working?

Closer (but usually ignored) analysis shows something else, however.

Actually, the number of fatalities made it the deadliest July yet for the U.S. side.

The number of confirmed deaths, 78, was indeed the lowest for any month in 2007, but it easily topped the worst July ever, with the previous mark of 54 in both 2004 and 2005.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003620357

Thank you E&P - wish more pundits got this!

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Yes they were

http://icasualties.org/oif/

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Thank you, Mr Harvey, for telling us

the rest of the story.

[wuushew]

3. If August follows historical patterns deaths will be in excess of July's

making the spinning of the upcoming surge report more problematic for the Whitehouse.

[TomInTib]

4. The reason is the fucking heat.

Same in Viet Nam.

You stay close when it gets that hot.

Thus, fewer casualties.

Certainly not because we have turned any fucking corner.


Jeez, I better wait until I wake up a little more before I start getting pissed off.

[radfringe]

5. they insurgents/terrorists or whatever they are called this week

are busy packing for vacation. see - when the iraqi government goes on vacation over here, the terrorists will follow them from over there

[madrchsod]

6. depends on how many wounded eventually die later..n/t

[cliss]

7. I don't believe it.

I just don't believe the numbers. Especially not with the "surge". All we did was expose a lot more US troops to danger + death.

Also, the surge was in Baghdad - one of the mostdangerous places. There are blind alleys, narrow streets, bombed-out buildings with insurgents and they're expecting company. Statistics have shown that US troops are the most vulnerable in CITIES.

And that's where the surge took place.

So the figures are DOWN? In their dreams.