5 Years ago TODAY!

[Army_Strong]

I think the point that the Flying Dutchman is trying to make is this. In one Kansas County there have 7292 deaths. In the same time frame in the War in Iraq there have been 4046. If you figure that there have been 130,000 to 150,000 troops in Iraq at any given time. So over the last 6 years that is somewhere between 780,000 to 900,000 people. So that you have a better chance of being killed in an accident or from natural causes then you do from fighting a war in Iraq.

[Detector]

I don't think anyone is making lite of American deaths, but simply trying to point out banging the "American deaths in Iraq" drum isn't working.

Fact is, like it or not, I don't know of a single war were in 5 years there has only been 4064 American deaths. I believe even if only 1 American had been killed in the Iraq war some would still be beating it to death. Excuse the pun.

[wordsmythe]

And my point is comparing those unavoidable deaths by natural causes to those in Iraq cheapens the sacrafice those soldiers were forced to make.

I guess I shouldn't expect any better from those who are grasping at straws to defend their support of this debacle.

[Detector]

First you've got to believe the war was unnecessary to believe the American deaths were not 'unavoidable." If you believe, like myself, that the war was a necessary evil, then those American deaths were "Unavoidable deaths."

[Army_Strong]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

And my point is comparing those unavoidable deaths by natural causes to those in Iraq cheapens the sacrafice those soldiers were forced to make.

I guess I shouldn't expect any better from those who are grasping at straws to defend their support of this debacle.

As someone who was in Iraq, had his wife in Iraq, and had several friends hurt in Iraq, I don't feel that I am grasping at straws.

[BroncoFan]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

And my point is comparing those unavoidable deaths by natural causes to those in Iraq cheapens the sacrafice those soldiers were forced to make.

I guess I shouldn't expect any better from those who are grasping at straws to defend their support of this debacle.

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq include those that were killed by accidents? I remember a newscast stating "another soldier was killed in Iraq. He was pinned between two military trucks as they were parking". It is hard to tell if we are losing soldiers to "hostile environments" or the normal accidental deaths you would have with a population the size of our troop numbers. And I do not belittle any death of American soldiers.

[wordsmythe]

Would they have had those acciednts if they were home?

The comprarrison is a joke and a deception.

the numbers who died here in the same time period are not relevant to the number of soldiers killed in Bush's war unless you can show me the same demographic would have died here by natural causes in the same time period.

To do that you whould have to show that without the war there would have been another 4000 plus deaths here at home if the troops weren't there.

Otherwise, yes, you belittle thier sacrafice.

[BroncoFan]

No, the only thing I belittle are those that have NO concept of war and will only argue that if we weren't there, then these soldiers would not have died.

Soldiers go into the military knowing that they may fight in a conflict or war. Most are happy to go. I WANTED to fight in a war when I was in. Now, I do not. I applaud every soldier that has given their life fighting for America, regardless of what the war was about.

BUT, IN REALITY, the death count is extremely low for the amount of time we have been fighting this war. This is due to new technology and better equipment (yes, we need more) and some improvement in strategy. IN REALITY, this type of war could be costing us way more lives due to the enemy and environment we are fighting in.

We have a military for a reason, Wordy. They are here to fight, and unfortunately, will pay the ultimate sacrifice. I want our boys and girls home, too. This war scares me, but I do support our troops there, and I do not want to have them home until it is time.

[BroncoFan]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

Mission Accomplished...

Mission Accomplished...Sadam Hussein no longer in power.

New Mission...Stabilize the power vacuum created.

[wordsmythe]

Yes indeed they knew or should have known there was teh possibility of getting shot at and they have done what they have been asked as best they can with the "leaadership" and the materials they had to do so.

On that we can agree.

But standing behind the "well there aren't as many of our soldiers dead as there might have been" banner does nothing for me when ther enumber should be zero.

Once again, as far as I'm concerned, doing that does indeed belittle their honorable service.