The website Iraq Coalition Casualty Count (see my link at right) is the most thorough resource I have found on the subject of killing in Iraq. It loads very slowly because it consists of nearly 200 "items." This is the salient number: the current death count of U.S. forces stands at 2885.
The facts. . . As you explore the site, under the "News" heading and far down the right side of the page, is what I call a "killed" column, with many story summaries. The variation on killing methods and victims is astonishing. Here is just a small sample: Three car bombs kill 91 bystanders. IED's kill passengers. Insurgents kill contractor. Gunmen kill Iraqi police captain; policeman kills British soldier. Katyush rocket kills two. Kurdish farmers killed.
No kidding . . .
Buried in the killing news column is this headline from the ContraCostaTimes: "U.S. considers ending effort to unite factions - Administration weighs change of tactics that would halt attempts to include Iraq's Sunnis in political process." And this headline from the San Francisco Chronicle reads, "Iraqis doubt prime minister can head off a civil war."
"Coalition" may be a misnomer . . . Here is another headline in the killing column from Scotsman.com. It reads, "Italy removes last troops from Iraq." GlobalSecurity.org is the best resource I have found on the disagreement over what constitutes the so-called "coalition of the willing."
A very different vision . . . Did you know that "Operation Iraqi Freedom" has its own very slick website, available in either English or Arabic? All content is public domain and may be used freely. Today's lead headline reads, "Coalition Forces provide emergency medical aid to save young Iraqi girl." All of the other feature stories consist of similar positive slant stories that the current administration maintains have been missing from media coverage. Here is a sample photo with its accompanying caption:
"On target"We want U.S. forces out of harm's way. That includes the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. It also includes all journalists covering the civil war, contractors and U.S. government civilians working on our behalf in the region. No more targeting, no more wounding, no more kidnapping, no more killing. No more illusions.
Iraqi soldiers fire their AK-47s at stationary targets at a small arms range at Camp Al Asad, Iraq, July 23, 2006. Despite on-going logistical challenges for Iraqi soldiers serving throughout western Al Anbar Province, such as receiving inadequate and spoiled food, many are going the distance and not leaving the Army – a stark contrast from just months ago. At 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division – the headquarters element for three Iraqi Army battalions throughout western Al Anbar Province – a new leave policy which allows Iraqi soldiers to take 10 days of leave more frequently has led to a significant drop in the Brigade’s attrition rates. Department of Defense photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin.
We want the best for the Iraqi people. There is adequate wisdom amongst those U.S. leaders who are clear-eyed, bipartisan, non-delusional and smart. Working together to rescue the current administration from its misguided occupation, and in the process the Iraqi people, our most competent leaders could do what is necessary to change course. We have had enough of random targets. What we need is focus on the target of phased disengagement, so that Iraqis can begin to do whatever they decide is in their own best interest.
Technorati tags: bush iraq articles news news and politics politics
No comments:
Post a Comment