Question about Iraq casualties ...

[liberal N proud]

This AM, CNN tried to downplay the 3000 by giving the numbers for WW II Korea and Vietnam.

My question: What is the percent of casualties compared to the number of troops deployed?
I don't have the time right now to research these facts, but think it would be good to know.

[babylonsister]

1. That is such a bogus argument when you consider

how advanced medical technology is now. Apples and oranges. And I'll just bet CNN didn't address the number of soldiers who will never lead normal lives due to limbs missing, hunks of brain blown out, etc., who are still alive due to this technology. What category do they fall into?
The fact that CNN is downplaying the amount of death in Iraq is disgusting and telling; whose agenda are they following?

[H2O Man]

2. Exactly.

It is the type of reasoning that is often associated with pre-teens. We catch them doing something they should not be doing, and they say, "Oh, yeah? Well it's not as bad as _____." With our children, we bite the insides of our mouthes, so that we don't laugh when we explain, "Well, this isn't about _____; it's about your behavior." We recognize it is a stage in their development. With Bush and his cheerleaders in the media, it is neither amusing, nor a sign of any "development" that could be viewed as progress.

[maine_raptor]

3. Number of problems with that comparison.

First, the Vietnam war lasted 10+ years, so the number of individuals in the US military during that span would be quite a bit higher.

Second, in WWII and Korea, a large number of those that served never went overseas and thus saw no combat and thereby had no chance to become a "casualty".

Third, the medical advances made in the years between now and 1975 (end of Vietnam) are saving more lives and healing wounds that in the past would have lead to death or permanent disability.

Fourth, it's "apples and oranges". Every war is different and produces a different level of casualties based upon how that war is fought and the intensity of combat.

[demobrit]

4. In wars pre 1901 more soldiers died of disease than enemy fire

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. The biggest problem with this is: in WWII people were willing to sacrifice $ and lives, because they

saw the cause as worthy of it.

Not so in the present case of the Iraq occupation, that's why much a smaller number of casualties are not tolerated well.