Staggering numbers ....from Iraq

[veracity]

NY Daily News article today has these numbers:

"The number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq mounts incrementally each day, rising to 315 and bringing sorrow to families halfway around the world.

But in a devastation that has gone almost unnoticed, nearly 2,000 G.I.s, Marines, Navy and Air Force members have been wounded in the war.

Many have lost limbs, suffered severe head trauma and shrapnel wounds in combat, vehicle accidents and other mishaps. Additionally, more than 3,000 soldiers have left Iraq with illness or psychiatric problems."

I'm not sure this included today's casualty, but these numbers are NOT discussed by the mainstream media. Things, after all, are going remarkably well. Yeah, right.

[Faygo Kid]

1. Pay 'em a visit, George

At least, Congress has now passed legislation that relieves them of the requirement of paying for their meals while they are laid up in Walter Reed Army Hospital with their legs blown off. Say, George, get in a limo and go see 'em. Right up the road from the White House. Take Cheney and Wolfowitz with you. Or are they just abstractions (and do I need to ask?) Thanks for a good post.

[Ilsa]

2. I thought we hit 315 a couple of weeks ago.

Abizaid said over 6700 have gone to hospital at Germany, and that was alomost two weeks ago.

You are right: these numbers are not routinely published by media. Instead, they say things like "Up to 98 have died in combat-related incidents since Bush declared Mission Accomplished", making it seem like a significantly small number.

[jab105]

3. You can see the numbers here...

and they provide news links...

http://lunaville.org/warcasualties/Summary.aspx

It does seem like the violence has been increasing recently...and with the SHiites now wanting us out...I'm starting to get really queezy...

[chookie]

4. 1/4 do not have body armor

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/10/13/national1530EDT0604.DTL

Maybe I'm just one of those "glass half empty" types, but today's revelation is troubling.

I'm no West Pointer, but even I know our service men and women ought to have this basic measure of protection.

I guess the Pentagon spent all the money on buying vases to put in all the flowers the grateful Iraqis were going to throw at our soldiers, and didn't think body armor was a high priority.