September 02, 2003


Wounded in Action...unseen casualties?

We can all find the places out there to get the numbers of KIA in Iraq. The number is growing incrementally...how long until they have the standing to ask for and get their monument on the Capitol Mall? At the current rate, not very much longer...

But what about the soldiers who are wounded in Iraq. Their care and treatment is likely better than any time in our nation's history from the moment they are wounded, until they are in the unparalled care of a magnificent Army, Air Force or Navy Doc. Their evacuation times are probably less than if they were in a traffic accident here stateside, and that's a good thing. But what's up with the numbers?

I was under the impression that there were no more combat or major combat operations on-going. The mission was accomplished and the Iraqis were tossing rose petals at the feet of our victorious troops. Yeah, in Perlowitz's dreams...and the cocaine-addled Brain of President Lying Continuosly.

U.S. battlefield casualties in Iraq are increasing dramatically in the face of continued attacks by remnants of Saddam Hussein's military and other forces, with almost 10 American troops a day now being officially declared "wounded in action."

The number of those wounded in action, which totals 1,124 since the war began in March, has grown so large, and attacks have become so commonplace, that U.S. Central Command usually issues press releases listing injuries only when the attacks kill one or more troops. The result is that many injuries go unreported.
...
Fifty-five Americans were wounded in action last week alone, pushing the number of troops wounded in action since May 1 beyond the number wounded during peak fighting. From March 19 to April 30, 550 U.S. troops were wounded in action in Iraq. Since May 1, the number totals 574. The number of troops killed in Iraq since the beginning of May already has surpassed the total killed during the height of the war.
...
Although Central Command keeps a running total of the wounded, it releases the number only when asked -- making the combat injuries of U.S. troops in Iraq one of the untold stories of the war.

Only when asked. Yup, there's the grown-ups in charge again. Said it before, the real cost of this war and the machinations behind it are only going to come out when the 1600 Crew are consigned to the rubbish heap of history.

I guess until then, we'll have to live with our soldiers having RPG's "thrown" at them instead of Rose Petals.

edited to reword a badly written phrase...the docs in the service really are pretty awesome for the most part and do good medicine. My best friend is an ex-Navy surgeon, so believe me, I was not "slamming" the Medical Corps. Thanks for the catch Evan.

posted by Jo Fish on 09.02.03 at 12:41 AM





Comments:

Whats a matter? Didn't the constant tally of dead suit your purposes? Didn't the masses rise up and demand the return of our troops based on the lopsided reporting? Can't they (Americans) understand that democracy should take no longer a pop tart or it will never happen? Now we have to disect another number to make the news fit the liberal spin. Buddy take a deep breath and just wonder why the MAJORITY DOESN'T see the same thing as you.

posted by: Cyber Sarge on 09.02.03 at 12:01 PM [permalink]



I would prefer to have no tally of dead or wounded from this little Neocon-Chickenhawk adventure. The whole thing has been based on lies, deceit, and ego. Something no American Soldiers should have died for.

Actually, I think they are starting to see it the same way, and as VA benefits and other support services for even combat-wounded vets are being reduced, I'm betting this becomes more of an issue.

When you and I were on Active Duty and left, we had more that two years to report a service-connected disability. Not true anymore. Nice way to treat a SSAM who comes home to an "agent orange" type injury...just what is that pnuemonia floating around out there? How long is it latent/dormant? How communicable is it? And if it takes more than two years will the VA even care?

posted by: Jo on 09.02.03 at 01:01 PM [permalink]



Jo, Chickenhawk advernture? Where have you frigging been? We have been attacked and the ONLY thing that has kept the whacko islamists off-balance has been the war on terror. Maybe you would like to wait until they come be-bopping downtown america in a car bomb before you do something. I for one am glad that we are taking the fight to them. They were counting on another four years of Clinton/Gore engagement that allowed them to plan and execute many terrorists attacks against us. Those two were too busy trying to make sure we have 'Fag Night' at the NCO club rather than ensure the safety of the U.S. IF I were King for a day they would both be up on charges of Dereliction of Duty. IF all the Jihadists are heading to Iraq, all the better. This will give the SOF teams some more target practice.

posted by: Cyber Sarge on 09.02.03 at 02:14 PM [permalink]



We were not attacked by Iraqis. If we were, then I would agree with you 100%. We were attacked by individuals trained/provisioned out of Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. The 1600 Crew has all but allowed the Taliban back into Afghanistan, and the Saudi/Bush connection ensures that nothing will ever be done there. Why?

So yeah, it's the PNAC/NeoCon/Chickenhawk adventure. No claims against the former Iraqi regime have proven true (WMD's, Nukes, connections to Osama bin Laden, etc...). The war was and is about militant adventurism on a grand scale by a bunch of guys who either never served or ran away. Sorry if that seems a bit myopic on my part, but that's the way I see it.

posted by: Jo on 09.02.03 at 03:01 PM [permalink]



I agree with most of what you say, but no need to slam the doctors of the armed services. Statistically (which is all you can make valid statements about) they are as good or better than their civilian counterparts.

I was active duty AF for 7 years, and I've just about finished my 5th year in the civilian world. I can tell you confidently there are big problems with the DoD medical system, but the doctors who are actually in exam rooms, ER's and OR's seeing patients are usually not the problem.

Obviously there are bad actors in every system and I expect that everyone will trot out their horror stories. But if you find statistics that prove me wrong that aren't based on uniquenesses of the military medical corps I'd be happy to change my opinion.

posted by: Evan Allen on 09.02.03 at 04:42 PM [permalink]



Not meant to be a slam...poor wording on my part. Just realized that. Oops.

posted by: Jo on 09.02.03 at 04:48 PM [permalink]



Jo, the fact that you refer to the President as the '1600 crew' shows just how 'myoptic' and brainwashed you are. They aren't playing a game here, they are fighting a war. I know it's not like one that ANY Liberal would dirty his hands with but it is one that must be fought and on their soil. No WMDs? What do you think happened to them? I bet that when this plays out will will find out some VERY interesting twist to the story. Do you remember what happened to the Iraqi Air force in the First Iraqi War (uncompleted)? Saddam would rather send his multi-million dollar jets to his enemy rather than have them destroyed/captured by the U.S. Iraq is HUGE country and we are digging up all kinds of interesting things tanks, planes, etc. Of course they are dong this will trying to protect themselves. P.S. Even Saddam himself admited that he had WMDs and a nuclear program. Do you think he simply threw it away?

posted by: Cyber Sarge on 09.02.03 at 07:12 PM [permalink]



No WMDs? What do you think happened to them? I bet that when this plays out will will find out some VERY interesting twist to the story.

that's an interesting thread. considering the reasoning (and I use that term loosely) BushCo used to sell this war, it's ironic you should mention WMD. Were we not told of imminent threat? 45 minute launch times? Tons and tons and thousands of liters of bioweps?

So, where the fuck are they? where the fuck did they go? why did US forces fail to garrison the nuclear processing lab that we knew about (which was found to be looted when we did)? oh, and let's not forget the Niger yellowcake LIE...

If Saddam flew his planes to Iran in GWI, where (if he ever had them) did he send his WMD and isn't that even worse?

give it a rest Sarge, this is a Chimptacular failure. oh, and by the way, Iraq wasn't the supplier of the 9/11 terrorists, Saudi Arabia was (for the majority) and Smirk hisself suppressed 20 some pages of the recent 9/11 report dealing with the Saudis.

so much for getting to the bottom that shit heap...

posted by: the mullet on 09.02.03 at 11:52 PM [permalink]






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