U.S. Marine killed in western Iraq offensive

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LON518986.htm

BAGHDAD, Feb 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. Marine was killed as American and Iraqi forces continued their offensive to hunt down insurgents in western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Friday.

The Marine was killed on Thursday during security and stability operations, it said, without giving details.

The death takes the number of U.S. soldiers killed in combat since the invasion of March 2003 to 1,129.

U.S. and Iraqi forces began their offensive on Sunday in a bid to stamp out resistance in Iraq's vast western desert province of Anbar, one of the most lawless areas of the country.

more

[Erika]

1. See www.icasualties.org

but Bush pays no attention. Just like when the Vietnam war existed. No skin off his nose, keep them fighting. His uncle drew $450,000 blood money last month alone off of Iraqi profits.

[RoyGBiv]

2. "Killed in combat"

I sometimes wonder what the next re-definition of KIA will be as the death tolls grows ever higher. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pentagon starts demanding finding the bullet and running a ballistics test that can be positively tied to a weapon US forces have siezed before they'll declare a dead soldier one who died in combat.

I spit on this nation's leaders.

[bluestateguy]

3. Indeed

The media routinely ignores so called "non-hostile" deaths, unless the number is very large. Even the people here at DU are now often overlooking non-hostile deaths and sometimes not posting them at LBN.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. BRING IT ON.. screed the chimp!

mission accomplished indeed!

[Erika]

5. But didn't Condi look cute today?

And Bush's uncle profited by $450,000 last month. Life is so good for some.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Of cousre a transfer or wealth is on

[leftchick]

7. 1487 DEAD

Military Fatalities: By Time Period News

Period US UK Other* Total Avg Days
4 51 0 1 52 2 26
3 579 26 27 632 2.93 216
2 717 27 58 802 1.89 424
1 140 33 0 173 4.02 43
Total 1487 86 86 1659 2.34 709

To View Period Details Click The Period Number
Time Periods Defined
Latest Fatality: Feb 24, 2005


Military Fatalities: By Month
Period US UK Other* Total Avg Days
2-2005 47 0 1 48 1.92 25

[llmart]

8. I noticed our Detroit Free Press......

reports these numbers, and not the "sanitized" numbers of the above article. I'm sure many "newspapers", and I use that term lightly nowadays, don't even report that.

And some people here at DU are more interested in some obscure writer named Hunter Thompson committing suicide as evidenced by the 345 posts regarding it.

So sad.

[leftchick]

9. very sad indeed...

It will be a Vietnam redux. Until soldier deaths hit tens of thousands and we have a draft THEN ameriKans just might wake up!

[callous taoboy]

11. Man do I miss the Gonzo!

Thanks for keeping him alive at DU, llmart!

[soup]

10. security and stability

November 10, 2004

>Franks also said he expected the level of violence in Iraq, as well as the number of American casualties, to begin to decline now that the U.S. elections were over and Bush had made clear that the United States would remain on course.<
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/11/10/military/16_07_5711_9_04.txt

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?

RIP, Marine.

[Roland99]

12. It was *three* U.S. troops

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10990075.htm