If you don't count the dead do they count?
After today's release about the 1000th COMBAT death in Iraq I got to wondering again how many coalition troops have died from anything related to the Iraq war. What is left out of the totals? I've heard (and I'm trying to tract down the source)that people who die from injuries obtained in Iraq aren't counted in the total number of dead. If you are wounded and you die 2 days later in a German hospital, are you counted? If not, what is that number? I'd like to know.
Here is the letter I sent to the Soldiers for The Truth website editor Ed Offley.
Ed Offley
Soldiers For The Truth
Editor Defense Watch
Hi Ed:
I was listening to the radio the other day and a guest said that the Pentagon doesn't count in their total the people who die because of injuries sustained during their time in Iraq. He said the actual number of people who died later (either in a hospital in Germany or soon after they arrive at home) was closer to 3,500. Is this true?
I’ve read elsewhere that the number of actual dead is classified.
The reason I ask is that I just noticed today that it appears the Pentagon is REnumbering deaths based on KIA vs. KIA and accidents.
Is there a resource that adds up all the soldiers who died in any way related to Iraq?
Does this number include independent contractors? Does it include people who die of Iraq war related injuries, diseases or stress-related suicide?
Finally, do you think there a concerted political effort to minimize the total number of coalition dead as a result of this war by splitting the causality totals into several different categories so the America public doesn’t see a much bigger number?
If there is a resource with this info I would appreciate a link. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Here is the letter I sent to the Soldiers for The Truth website editor Ed Offley.
Ed Offley
Soldiers For The Truth
Editor Defense Watch
Hi Ed:
I was listening to the radio the other day and a guest said that the Pentagon doesn't count in their total the people who die because of injuries sustained during their time in Iraq. He said the actual number of people who died later (either in a hospital in Germany or soon after they arrive at home) was closer to 3,500. Is this true?
I’ve read elsewhere that the number of actual dead is classified.
The reason I ask is that I just noticed today that it appears the Pentagon is REnumbering deaths based on KIA vs. KIA and accidents.
Is there a resource that adds up all the soldiers who died in any way related to Iraq?
Does this number include independent contractors? Does it include people who die of Iraq war related injuries, diseases or stress-related suicide?
Finally, do you think there a concerted political effort to minimize the total number of coalition dead as a result of this war by splitting the causality totals into several different categories so the America public doesn’t see a much bigger number?
If there is a resource with this info I would appreciate a link. Thank you.
Sincerely,
3 Comments:
Hey, Spocko!
Your question are very valid. On a side note, you heard about Rumsfeld coming under fire by the troops for lack of supplies, right?
Well, here's what I found that gives a little clearer picture of casualties (unfortunately, its estimates base expected fatality rates on body armor our soldiers might or might not be wearing, so unfortunately, I think the number is even worse).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1041822,00.html
Thank you, Spocko, for asking the tough questions! Keep it up until the whole truth is told.
GradeSchoolTeach
Somewhere the number 16,000 wounded comes to mind but that was several months ago. How would you like it if your child had died in Germany from wounds received in Iraq, and they didn't let you honor him as war dead? These people have learned to manipulate the message, but have no clue how to control the underlying one, that the Pentagon, the Bush administration is cold, cruel, and indifferent to the heartbreak and the ruined lives.
May it come back and bite them in the ass.
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