More Americans Killed in Philadelphia Than Iraq

[sujan]

Philadelphia has seen an unofficial 347 homicides last year,
which is 20 more than the number of American soldiers killed
in Iraq by hostile fire. 347 represents a 20% increase since
2002 which saw 288 homicides.    
 Other US big cities have shown the same trend with homicide
rates rising. The rate in 2002 for Philadelphia was the lowest
in 17 years. 2003, however, is no match for 1990 when 500 were
murdered there. Crime experts think recession may be a factor.
  
 On New Year's Day, homicides continued in Philly with a
shooting right after 1am at Spiro's Park Rail Bar & Grill.
A few hours later, a man was killed in his home in North
Philadelphia. Statistics have yet to come out regarding other
big cities. 

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/7615468.htm

[demdave]

1. What is the diference in size and population between Iraq and Phili?

n/t

[NickB79]

2. I can see Faux spinning this now

"See, Iraq is becoming more stable and safe! We're winning the war on terra!" Of course, it fails to take into account all the murders of Iraqis, but thats ok because they're not American/human <sarcasm>.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

3. A few things to keep in mind...

The population of Philly is 1.5 million, as compared to 130,000 troops in Iraq.

Actual US death tolls in Iraq is closer to 500 than 350

http://lunaville.org/warcasualties/Summary.aspx

BIG DIFFERENCE

[VolcanoJen]

4. So, if we hadn't invaded Iraq, fewer people would have died in Philly??

I don't geddit...

What the hell is the correlation here? Sounds like a RWTalkingPoint^TM to me... worthless, meaningless, empty, branded...

[Skittles]

5. these pointless comparisons are disgusting

and trivialize both murder and war

[VolcanoJen]

6. LBN Rules... locking

The rules of the Latest Breaking News Forum require the poster to use the published title of a linked-to article as their subject line. In this case, the subject line should read "Murders up 20% in Phila. in 2003."

Please feel free to repost this article, using the correct subject line.

Thanks!

DU Moderator

[daleo]

7. U.S. death rate in Iraq over 10 times that of Philadelphia homicide rate

Philadelphia http://philadelphia.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm
Population: 1517550
Homicides: 347
Homicides per 100000: 22.86580343

Iraq
Population (U.S.): 130000
Combat Deaths: 327
Combat Deaths per 100000: 251.5384615

If we take into account all U.S. military deaths, and adjust for the fact that the war began in late March (annualized to 12 months), the U.S. deaths per 100000 goes up to about 492.

As a counter-example, the Canadian homicide rate in 2002 was about 1.94 per 100000 (582 in a population of 30000000). So, being a U.S. soldier in Iraq is about 200 times more dangerous than being a Canadian citizen. I would want an awfully compelling reason before I would be willing to expose myself or my child to this level of risk.

[Robbien]

8. Wrong comparison. It is an Iraqi city. How many Iraqis were killed

is the right question. From what I've read, almost 20 a day. Beats any American statistic hands down. Foreigners/invaders being killed in a foreign city is another animal altogether.