http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051212/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

quote:

Bush unexpectedly invited questions from the audience and immediately was asked about the number of Iraqi casualties in the war. "I would say 30,000 more or less have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis," the president said. "We've lost about 2,140 of our own troops in Iraq."

I'm reminded of a joke which some may say is in bad taste but is nevertheless very appropriate here.

During a daily briefing, a White House aide tells Bush: "Today, Mr. President, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq." Upon hearing this, Bush starts crying like never before, the aides are shocked, and ask him if he's all right. Bush wipes his tears and says, "How many is a brazillion?"

Bush today has reached a stage/point where, whatever he says or whatever he does... people laughs at him.

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quote:

According to Reuters, a White House spokesman said Bush was giving a figure based on media reports and the number wasn't an official estimate from the U.S. government. http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITIC...iraq/index.html

What's wrong with that? They've been permenantly liberated.

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Retro ...

im a Bush supporter, but i gotta say thats a good joke anyway, this figure is kind of pointless if it includes insurgents/terrorists that were killed. and i wonder how many thousands of civilians have been killed by roadside bombs, suicide attacks, etc. And im sure we will see more innocent civilians killed during elections, but of course, that will also be blamed on the US.

While I'm sure there is a greater level of granularity that could be seen by further analyzing the figures (and I'd hope for more official numbers before delving into greater detail) to find out which were insurgents, which were innocent civilians, etc., 30,000 is a lot of lives, no matter how you slice it. One of the primary missions in the war is to have as few casualties as possible, particularly when it comes to the civilian level.

One can only hope that in the long run, the sacrifices of the (relatively, but not really) few will be worth the long-term benefits hopefully achieved and enjoyed by the many.

quote:

Originally posted by Shakka While I'm sure there is a greater level of granularity that could be seen by further analyzing the figures (and I'd hope for more official numbers before delving into greater detail) to find out which were insurgents, which were innocent civilians, etc., 30,000 is a lot of lives, no matter how you slice it. One of the primary missions in the war is to have as few casualties as possible, particularly when it comes to the civilian level.

In this country, even when 1 American dies, there is a long legal process to determine what the causes were and how everything should be documented.

I find it interesting that when it comes to people from other countries, the Americans not only don't have any official numbers, but they don't even bother to start a tally.

quote:

Originally posted by HardTranceProd I find it interesting that when it comes to people from other countries, the Americans not only don't have any official numbers, but they don't even bother to start a tally.

I don't find it that surprising. It's usually the country whose citizens have something happen to them that can keep an official tally. After all, it's not like the U.S. has census data from Iraq to confirm an official number even if the U.S. were to estimate one. Likewise, I doubt that there are people in Sweden (aside from the goat ******s) that are keeping official tallies of Australians killed, or any other 2 countries you'd like to substitute for that matter.


But yeah, the U.S. generally is pretty thorough about keeping tabs on their own peeps. Big Brother lives here, after all.

quote:

Originally posted by Shakka Likewise, I doubt that there are people in Sweden (aside from the goat ******s) that are keeping official tallies of Australians killed, or any other 2 countries you'd like to substitute for that matter.

Thats true, however last time i checked Sweden and Australia have not been in war with eachother for atleast the last few years

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