In just 2 weeks time, 35 American soldiers and Marines have been killed in the Iraq War according to http://icasualties.org/oif/

The total number of American servicemen killed in the Iraq War is now 1622.

someone tell me why these people died please?

Because a large majority of US voters still believe (contrary to all the evidence)
that waging war is an acceptable instrument of foreign policy. The natural evolution
of culture towards enlightenment has been reversed by the cumulative effects
of Raegan and the Bushes. We're headed back into the dark ages

And how will attitudes change if the American public is not exposed to alternate foreign policy ideas and positions? Where are the Democrats on this issue? I'm STILL waiting to hear a Democrat put forth a vision and means for achieving that vision for advancing world peace, encouraging "democratic- like" societies and confronting terrorism. HELLO, any Democrat politicians out there willing to say something intelligent on this issue?

Good point Amy.... those Dems that you mentioned.... they are getting their BushCon injections... serving the National Goober for it's needs so they can still get their fat checks and perks while dumbing America further! These deaths mentioned in this thread will be considered a low count someday.... we know where all of this is heading.

ghostgov,

We're not headed there, we're already there-a place where Americans have become immune to the "body counts", a place where numbers of dead replace the value of the individual lives lost in this war. Tell me ghostgov, have you heard from any legitimate source any timetable for an exit for our American military? Have I missed any news about Congress pressuring Bush to get our troops home?

I read just less than 2 weeks ago Amy, that BushCo projects US troops remaining in Iraq until 2007. I may not have that information saved, but if I come across it, I will send it to you. Of course, with permanent military bases and oil pipelines being the object of true affection in Iraq, the '07 projection is only a guise leading up to the how they will call our presence there during and after '07. Something like advisors... special agents... instructors.... trainers ...... all that happy horsecrap that they smokescreen Amerians with in such special operations for BushCon profits.

I read just less than 2 weeks ago Amy, that BushCo projects US troops remaining in Iraq until 2007. I may not have that information saved, but if I come across it, I will send it to you. Of course, with permanent military bases and oil pipelines being the object of true affection in Iraq, the '07 projection is only a guise leading up to the how they will call our presence there during and after '07. Something like advisors... special agents... instructors.... trainers ...... all that happy horsecrap that they smokescreen Americans with in such special operations for BushCon profits.

That phrase that I used 'heading into' was referring to the nuclear debacle that is near ahead.

If there were, we would have won the election. The only thing left is to take it to the street.

Thats' how they will smooze it. They HAVE to pretend that they have "left" before 08', or they will lose big time and they know it.

They will overreach in thinking they can fool the American people, because they have been able to so far. They will continue to downplay the cost (with the help of the MSM) in both LIVES and TREASURE. They will continue to insist on "Emergency Supplimentals" of 80 Billion per year , and keep it "Off the Books". This is robbery, as Billions go missing.

We should set a flexible timetable for TOTAL Withdrawl. Iraq will stand or fall, no matter what. The Iraqis should be given the money to rebuild their own country, and run it themselves. They have a blueprint. They are not stupid. If they want one nation then they will forge it. If they can't live together in peace, then so be it.

We NEVER should have gone in there in the first place, as we now have created many thousands who will hate our guts forever. We should get out as soon as is possible. Yesterday would have been a good time if we had handled it right, and empowered the Iraqis to reconstruct their own country, instead of the Robber Baron Corporations like Halliburton, and Bechtel!

So in 2007, our gov. projects that Iraq will be prepared to take over their own security, with continued special support from the U.S. REALLY? What will make 2007 much different from today or yesterday. Iraq has the manpower signed on to take over security, but they're just not well trained enough yet to do the job on their own? Is that the problem? I hope that their prediction is accurate-troops out in 2007. I wish I could believe that story.

Well, even more than that Amy, if we war with Iran.. Syria ... and who knows who else, possibly a conflict inside Central Asia or Venezuela by '07, our attention will be redirected to those places as Iraq becomes much like so so Afghanistan. You know how BushCo works those diversions and smokescreens.

Oh yeah, 2008 is THE date-just in time for U.S. elections. In fact I'm so cynical at this point, I would not put it past Bush and his cronies to plan the Iraq military strategy based on what's best for Republicans come election time. Or, leading up to election time in 2008, N.Korea will be THE big threat, and ofcourse Republicans will be portrayed as THE Party with enough moxy( strong on defense) to face down the imminent nuke strike from N.Korea. AND, a good portion of the American electorate will be SO sick and tired of hearing about terrorism and war, they will tune out the truth and tune into "Survivor" and other escapist TV entertainment.

And I totally agree with you that we should set a timetable to withdraw from Iraq. They'll do okay. Actually probably better with the Americans gone-it's their country and I believe their sense of national pride will kickin enabling them to do what's necessary to build a strong and stable nation-and if they don't, well that means they probably never will without the U.S. acting as military "nannies" with no end in sight for U.S. involvement.

From: Mark
To: Columbus Dispatch
Cc: bmarrison@dispatch.com
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 1:56 PM

Dear Mr. Marrison. I would like to thank the Dispatch for publishing the stories of the brave young soldiers from here in Ohio who died in Iraq. Their service and sacrifice to their country should never be allowed to go unnoticed.

The person or persons who criticized this reporting are very likely some of the Americans who are never going to see a day of service or share in the national sacrifice required to implement the Bush war in Iraq. They will never know sleepless nights waiting for news of a loved-one's status in a war zone. They will never know the anguish parents feel when burying their children or children praying by the grave of their parent.

I served with young US soldiers, some as young as 17 years of age, who shipped out for duty overseas in anonymity, fought and died in anonymity, and were shipped home to be buried by their families in anonymity. Few if anyone outside their families ever knew of their ultimate sacrifice to their country except their comrades in arms, people like myself.

This is the alternative to reporting about these beautiful young men's sacrifice: anonymity. For me, there is no greater crime a government and society can commit against its soldiers.

I have spent the majority of my adult life fighting against wars started based on lies, a government that neglects its veterans and a society that abandons its soldiers on the field of battle due to a short attention span - as we have done once again in Iraq.

I have done this partly to honor and remember the young men that I served with who died in anonymity between 1966-1967. Vietnam? No, the DMZ in Korea. Few people in this country remember the Korean War, let alone the "DMZ war" in Korea that occurred between 1966 and 1969. American soldiers did their job. In some cases that meant dying. No one noticed, no one cared.

Thank you and your reporters for assuring this doesn't happen this time, in this town, with these young American servicemen.

Mark Hartford
Columbus, OH

PS: You might find this web site interesting. I am one of the sponsors of it:
http://americansforsharedsacrifice.org/index.html

PSS: Write me back and I'll send you the names of the men who died in the year I was in the Korean DMZ.

It's now up to 49 dead American servicemen this month.

The total number of American servicemen killed in the Iraq War is now 1636.

It's now up to 57 dead American servicemen this month.

The total number of American servicemen killed in the Iraq War is now 1644.

Now it is reported there are 60 dead American servicemen this month.

The total number of American servicemen killed in the Iraq War is now 1647.

some one tell the moms and dads why their kids are gone, what could justify the loss of a child, today's republican ideal?

Apparently George Bush's ideas of the sacredness of every life only apply to frozen embryos. It seems that the lives of our servicemen are not that important to him. They have all been sacrificed quite easily....based on a big lie. This person has no shame.

The number of American servicemen reported killed in Iraq this month is now 64.

The total number of American servicemen killed in the Iraq War is now 1651.

Sadly, the number since you posted (64 ) may have increased by 2 or more--a helicopter was shot down over North Baghdad today.
http://icasualties.org/oif/

A helicopter was shot down
U.S.: Helicopter Crashes North of Baghdad

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...5034554,00.html
Friday May 27, 2005 12:16 AM


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - An American helicopter crashed Thursday north of Baghdad after coming under small arms fire, the U.S. military said. There was no immediate word on the number aboard or their condition.

An announcement said that two Task Force Liberty helicopters were hit by ground fire while conducting operations in support of coalition forces near Baqouba, about 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

It said one, an OH-58 Kiowa, landed safely at nearby base after sustaining damage. The other crashed and the ``status of the aircrew is unknown at this time.''

``Coalition forces responded to the scene and secured the site,'' the announcement said ``The incident is under investigation.''

The Kiowa, with a crew of two, is an armed reconnaissance helicopter that entered service with the U.S. Army in 1986. Task Force Liberty, under the command of the 42nd Infantry Division, is headquartered in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.