BREAKING: Iraqi official: 150,000 civilians dead

[Coexist]

By STEVEN R. HURST, Associated Press Writer
1 minute ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A stunning new death count emerged Thursday, as Iraq's health minister estimated 150,000 civilians have been killed in the war — about three times previously accepted estimates.

<snip>
After Democrats swept to majorities in both houses of the U.S. Congress and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld resigned, Iraqis appeared unsettled and seemed to sense the potential for an even bloodier conflict because future American policy is uncertain. As a result, positions hardened on both sides of the country's deepening sectarian divide.

Previous estimates of Iraq deaths held that 45,000-50,000 have been killed in the nearly 44-month-old conflict, according to partial figures from Iraqi institutions and media reports. No official count has ever been available.

Health Minister Ali al-Shemari gave his new estimate of 150,000 to reporters during a visit to Vienna, Austria. He later told The Associated Press that he based the figure on an estimate of 100 bodies per day brought to morgues and hospitals — though such a calculation would come out closer to 130,000 in total.

more...

Its over - the mask has been pulled off.

[Zynx]

1. That sounds more in line than the 600,000 number.

600,000 required an astonishing weekly death toll. This is more reasonable, but still absolutely horrible. That's 15 years worth of homicides in this country on a population 1/10 our size!

[Coexist]

2. I am stunned that they refused to play along with Bush's 35,000 any more.

that is amazing.

[babylonsister]

4. I can easily see 600,000+. 10 here, 65 there, the body count adds up. nt

[NNN0LHI]

8. Oh yes Bush's Iraqi puppets are much more credible than the Lancet n/t

[Zynx]

13. This stands in stark contrast to the 30,000 number Bush came up with.

[ConsAreLiars]

9. The 650,000 number includes what you might call "collateral damage."

People who died because the health infrastructure has been destroyed by the Monsters. People who died because they could not get medicine, or because there is no electricity, or water is contaminated, or because survival in a hell-hole created by the Fascist invaders is far harder than survival in an intact society. The 150,000 is only those who were blown into pieces by an air strike, a car bomb, a checkpoint firing, or a sniper's bullet, a rape and murder of a family, or had their heads cut off.

150,000 murders, 500,000 cases of manslaughter or negligent homicide.

If it makes you feel better to believe that "only" the 150,000 murders really matter, so be it.

(edit typo)

[babylonsister]

3. Not quite-read these comments:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2606906

[Coexist]

7. I remember what the Lancet said

but Iraq was going along so nicely with Bush - did you read the rest of the article?

Check this: "Al-Maliki also said at the time that U.S. forces should clear out of Iraq's cities, according to top aide Hassan al-Suneid. He said the White House agreed, although that was never confirmed in Washington. "

[Mr_Spock]

5. Oh, no

I weep for the truth that has been hidden - and all the unnecessary loss of innocent life :cry:

[951-Riverside]

6. In the report I heard hours ago he blaimed the insurgents for the deaths.

[mikelewis]

10. 1 is too much blood on our hands...

[FyurFly]

11. 500,000 +++ n/t

[Porcupine]

15. Just resting and refusing to bathe. Bad skin conditions.....lost limbs.

decomposition. Not dead really.

[upi402]

12. Republicans will leave a trail of blood on their way to hell

They have innocent, unnecessary, blood on their hands, Iraqis and Americans.

[WritersBlock]

14. And Saddam's been sentenced for killing how many civilians?

We'll never know how many Iraqi civilians have been killed in this illegal war.

But we must never forget that every single one of them was killed by the lies of Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, et al.

As were over 3000 US troops.

That is the main reason why I am so adamant about the initiation of impeachment proceedings against both Bush & Cheney.

There must be accountability, because if there isn't, all that's left is a tacit approval of their actions.