Death is not a final diagnosis — Murder rates in US cities comparable to Iraq!

Death may not be a final medical diagnosis but the state of being dead is final! Are the deaths of our courageous soldiers any more final than those who die on our own streets?

On September 8, 2004, the Los Angeles Times reported (The Conflict In Iraq, U.S. Toll in Iraq Reaches 1,000) that through September 7, 2004, 1,000 US soldiers lost their lives in Iraq due to both hostile and non-hostile actions. This is certainly a tragic loss correctly reported in the media and mourned by the US populace. However focusing exclusively on these statistics does not provide the much needed perspective.

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report of May 24, 2004, the number of murders reported during calendar years 2002 and 2003 show a comparable death toll exists in several US cities. Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City reported 1,168, 1,246 and 1,184 murders during the subject 24-month period.

The average monthly death toll for US soldiers in Iraq is 55.6 deaths per month while the average reported murders per month in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City are 48.7, 51.9 and 49.3 deaths per month. The murder statistics in the US cities are for hostile deaths only — whereas the death toll in Iraq includes both hostile and accidental deaths. This makes our own murder rates in LA, Chicago and NYC even more appalling. Yet there is not an equivalent amount of reporting or hand wringing.

Reasonable people can disagree about the wisdom of going to war in Iraq. But objectivity requires that these deaths be put in perspective. Do we continue to condemn death in Iraq while simultaneously ignoring the concurrent deaths in our own cities — or should we consider all violent deaths a terrible waste of life?

Got something near to hand for you.

Businessweek, 28OCT02, p12: "Casualties of War and Piece" (a small table, not an article). Most recent data read thus:

1999-2001: 1.37 million avg active duty troops

Cause and number of deaths in that period:
Terrorist attack: 70
Accidents: 1,258
Hostile Action: 0
Homicide: 110
Self inflicted: 405

Data from DoD

G

"...Yea, and I've been wondering what would be the death rate here in the US of 130,000 men in this age group in a similar length of time..."

My husband and I were discussing this very thing just the other night.

I am so proud of our military and grieve every death and injury in Iraq. I believe they know their importance in the defense of this country, and in eliminating terrorism. And we should honor them.

I also believe that the media portray every death as "Bush's fault" and Kerry goes around saying things like "Keeping our troops safe", Bring home the troops" "Elect him to keep the troops from suffering needless death."

Well, what exactly is the purpose of a military if not to defend the country? They are defending us against the very people who want to come here and kill more innocent people as in the 9/11 attacks. I believe the military understands that far more then Mr. Kerry, who seem to believe terrorists will stop the terror if only the troops are brought home. How degrading. Kerry thinks the people should protect the troops, and fails to acknowledge that the troops are doing an admirable job protecting the people. Which by-the-way is exactly their purpose.

I am not disrespecting anyone in the military when I say that any group of 130,000 +/- suffers the loss of 1,000 over the course of a year. Be it accident, violence, suicide, illness and natural causes. I've personally attended more than 12 funerals.(this year) Only two were elderly. The rest were between 25 and 40.

It was a democrat who introduced a bill to reinstate the draft. (Rangle) And Kerry who used that proposed bill to accuse President Bush of wanting to secretly reinstate the draft. Collusion or what? Political trickery or what?

1999-2001: 1.37 million avg active duty troops

Cause and number of deaths in that period:
Terrorist attack: 70
Accidents: 1,258
Hostile Action: 0
Homicide: 110
Self inflicted: 405

Data from DoD

Wondering if these are per year or for the 2 or three year time period ... can you specify please?

Also, I am very happy with the info: "...during calendar years 2002 and 2003 show a comparable death toll exists in several US cities. Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City reported 1,168, 1,246 and 1,184 murders during the subject 24-month period." I knew it was close to this, but having the numbers posted is great.
/

Yeah, the numbers are for the entire time span indicated. It's unclear here because you can't see the table and have to rely on my typing.

The years reported go 1990-92; 1993-95; 1996-98; and 1999-2001.

Number of accidents drops slightly from 1993-2001; homicides and self-inflicted deaths drop nearly in half. The period 1990-92 reports 2,487 deaths by accident, but I believe that's so high due to huge GW1 deployments.

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