Since they don't keep statistics

Rob is quoting the official US government stats, I believe. They're almost certainly too low -- to be included, a death has to be reported (by name) by two different WESTERN journalists. That rarely happens, especially latey with the increased risk to journalists (and in many cases, their being actively targeted ) To put things in perspective, for at least the last year there have been 25 or more Iraqi deaths reported on the news (most by car bomb) on the majority of days. 25x365 = just over 9,000 per year. And those stats also ignore the Iraqi soldiers killed in the invasion's inital stages; while the Republican Guard and irregulars tend to be dedicated, most of the regular units were conscripts who really didn't want to be there, but had no alternative.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
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The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

280,000 is a lot of people.

which I don't, unless they are backed up better.

But SOME of those people most likely deserved to die.

in mass graves that good ole saddam killed

but thats ok as it was his people hes allowed to kill and terrorize

Perhaps you should start to "tone it down a bit", just incase some of the stories that are going around, prove to be true.

on earth to think that the ratio of deaths to injuries would be the same for ''Iraqi civilians'' as it is for American soldiers.

You are correct in that statement.

American soldiers are all wearing bullet proof vests and helmets heavy boots.

Civilians are wearing sandals and street clothes, not very good at stopping bullets or shrapnel, which would increase injuries and deaths.

So the ratio would be much higher.

your total killed and injured would be much lower.

But you don't know. Your numbers are useless.

I'm not sure which statement "if so" applies to, but are you saying

If they have less protection, they are less likely to be killed or injured?


IF that is what you are claiming, I would like to hear an explanation

You started talking about the ratio of deaths and injuries between Military and civilian NOT only the ratio about of deaths and injuries.

Your statement

There is no reason on earth to think that the ratio of deaths to injuries would be the same for ''Iraqi civilians'' as it is for American soldiers.


My statements

I said you were correct

American soldiers are all wearing bullet proof vests and helmets heavy boots.

Civilians are wearing sandals and street clothes, not very good at stopping bullets or shrapnel, which would increase injuries and deaths

SO

So the ratio would be much higher.

I'm talking about the ratio of Military and civilian.

I'm getting off the bus now.

your total (dead and injured) would be LOWER than you seem to think.

I explicitly said the ratio of deaths to injuries for Iraqi civilians would NOT be the same as the ratio of deaths to injuries is for American soldiers.

You based your math on he assumption that the ratio would be the same.

You seem to be saying that because they have less protection there would be more deaths AND more injuries among Iraqi civilians. I am saying no, more likely there would be comparatively fewer injuries. More protection means someone who would otherwise be killed is injured instead.

That's correct

I was being generous/lenient.

Experience in past wars has been that the number of injured was LOWER in comparison to the number of deaths for the reasons I mentioned. So you weren't being generous or lenient...YOU DON'T KNOW.

has pulled away, and I'm walking towards my destination.

walk away.

Just dropped in to see what was being peddled some pedal today.

and then walk when their woof tickets go unsold.

not near 100,000

and how many died in ww2? korea? nam?

In the National Cemetery in Honolulu, known as the Punch Bowl, there is a monument to about 28,000 American servicemen from WWII and Korea whose bodies were never recovered or buried at sea.

Tom

I am named after him.

Wanted to say something funny, but WWII vets and all have my respect. Sometimes wonder how I would have handled being on Iwo, or a floating metal bucket and no where to run or rock to crawl under. What a generation.

Tom

some more than others

was in illinois army national guard on maneuvers for two weeks in texas. they were activated and he went to flight school. he always wanted to fly. he didn't come home until training complete. sent to alaska and was lost in bering sea valentine's day 1944. 26 years old. his mom buried an empty casket. never met him. this year I surprised my mom with a permanent white wooden cross, honoring her brother, this memorial day. local vets have 289 crosses and stars of david in a perfect grid like a mini arlington. they list the name, what war and branch of service. no rank, all are equal in the field. any one can honor their loved ones, nobody cares where they were born. it's an idea I highly recommend for other towns.

i allways like the p 38
allso like the wart hog