Chicago Daily Observer

Combined casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan (including non-hostile) came in at 31, the lowest count since February 2004.

Does anyone think this is a story?

Reuters noticed the low death toll in Iraq, as did CNN, and a blog entry at USA Today, but all are careful to omit the similar reduction in casualties in Afghanisatn. The New York Times skips Iraq, and claims "American casualties on the rise" in Afghanistan which is incorrect, as the number of casualties declined approximately 50% from September to October, and declined 12% between August and September.

In their only story mentioning casualties in Iraq the Chicago Tribune plays up the violence in Mosul, but then notes that terror attacks have gone down by 75%. The Economist has had basically nothing to say about the violence levels in Iraq in the last two months, as that could ... Read More...

“Anyone who wants to pull troops out of a vitally important country where we’re finally winning and send them to a marginal country where ultimate victory is impossible must be a Democrat.”

“Thanks to the surge, whose effectiveness my opponent refuses to admit, the Iraqis now see a way forward to peace and democracy. If they are correct, Iraq will set an example for the entire Muslim world of a nation prosperous, pious, progressive, and free. This is an outcome my opponent was unable to imagine and cannot imagine yet. For some reason, he’d rather fight in Afghanistan, a primitive collection of clans and warlords on the fringes of Arabia that for centuries has defied every attempt to civilize and reform it, chewing up and spitting out every invading army that tried. Osama bin Laden is nowhere to be found in Afghanistan, and neither is the future of the Arab-Muslim ... Read More...

In July, by my count, there were 8 American Soldiers killed in Iraq as a result of hostile fire, and 5 killed as a result of accidents and mishaps. I also count 49 Homicides in Chicago in July, but did not bother to count the number of accidental deaths in the City.

There were 30 casualties in Afghanistan in July. Tentatively totaling it up (with 3 days remaining for the Chicago Police Department to report July numbers) more people were murdered in Chicago (44) than American casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan combined (43).

The 20th Ward seems to be the most dangerous in Chicago, with around 9 homicides. Alderman Willie Cochran serves the 20th ward, which was represented for many years by Arenda Troutman.

Not to make light of the American servicemen and women who are on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the City ... Read More...