Aug. Death Toll for Reserves in Iraq Soars

[Spiffarino]

WASHINGTON - The National Guard and Reserve suffered more combat deaths in Iraq during the first 10 days of August — at least 32, according to a Pentagon count — than in any full month of the entire war.

More broadly, Pentagon casualty reports show that the number of deaths among Guard and Reserve forces has been trending upward much of this year, totaling more than 100 since May 1. That ranks as the deadliest stretch of the war for the Guard and Reserve, whose members perform both combat and support missions.

There is little evidence to suggest that part-time troops are being specifically targeted by the insurgents, since the Guard and Reserve troops are mostly indistinguishable from — and interchangeable with — regular active-duty troops.


Naturally, the "troop-loving" Freeps are voting it down. Figures.
Link here...

[Joy Anne]

1. done

Pennsylvania had 8 dead this week, and state flags are flying at half-staff throughout the commonwealth until 9/11.

[Barrett808]

2. Done. 2/5 with 958 votes (serious freepage) n/t

[Spiffarino]

3. They don't want us to know Americans are dying? What are they afraid of?

Maybe they're worried that it might make Uncle Dubya pull out of Eye-rack and they will be dishonored...not that they'd actually fight for it or anything.

Freeps don't mind war as long as others do all the dyin'

[SoCalDem]

4. Expectable with a "volunteer" military

Volunteer means "lean"...the slack MUST be picked up by reservists and guard..they are likely to be less trained, less fit, less equipped..and MORE scared..

Not THEIR fault...They probably never expected (or WERE expected) to end up in vicious combat..

I would suspect that the "regular) soldiers are being "saved" for future battles and are safely ensconced in GreenZone areas or remote bases where they have less "contact"..

reservists & guard are 'expendable':cry:

[FlemingsGhost]

5. The "last throes" are a bitch. (n/t)

Flem.

[Spiffarino]

6. Yeah, Cheney really nailed that one

Dumbass. :eyes:

[Lochloosa]

7. Done...still two stars