Posted on 08/01/2008 6:05:34 AM PDT by Mr. Brightside
U.S. Deaths In Iraq Fall To Lowest Of the War
Bush Suggests Gains May Allow More Troops To Come Home Sooner
By Amit R. Paley
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, August 1, 2008; Page A01
BAGHDAD, July 31 -- Five American troops died in July as a result of combat in Iraq, by far the lowest monthly U.S. death toll of the five-year war.
The number of Iraq-related American troop fatalities in July -- a total of 13 when noncombat deaths and the discovered bodies of two missing soldiers are included -- is a dramatic drop from just over a year ago, when more than 100 troops a month were confirmed dead for several months in a row.
...........
Linton's troops spent Thursday distributing $2,500 grants to merchants in Sadr City's Jamila Market and chatting with the owner of a candy store.
"When we used to walk the streets in April, they were empty and we would be destroying buildings used by enemy positions," he said. "Now we walk the same streets that were covered in sewage and rubble and utter destruction, and they are vibrant and full of people.
"As the situation improves, it feels more like the race is almost finished," Linton said, "compared to you're in the middle of the race and you have a long way to go."
Marine Cpl. Stephen M. McGinnis was first sent to Anbar in 2006 and returned for a second deployment in May.
"I noticed the decrease in violence immediately," McGinnis, 23, of Philadelphia, wrote in an e-mail.
"I knew it was safer, but I refused to believe it. I still had the same image of trash-filled streets and decaying buildings. When we drove through the city that first night, I was in shock," McGinnis said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Pelosi and Reid deeply saddened. Obama claims death toll down because soldiers “don’t look like the other Presidents”.
(1) Our military and civilian presence in Iraq is comprised entirely of volunteers.
(2) Our goal was never to govern Iraq or settle in Iraq but to allow Iraqis to govern themselves.
(3) Our executive has exhibited unshaking persistence in this project.
In no large scale "colonial war" has any Western power combined all three of these factors.
What do you mean, obama saddened”?
He and his lockstep press will take full credit for this.
No way, the MSM won’t mention it. Only if American troop losses balloon will they say anything.
Well said indeed. The problem liberals have is that they view us and countries like the Soviet Union as being equivalent.
It is completely incomprehensible to them how we would fare any better than the USSR in Afghanistan, or Nazi Germany in France.
They think we are there to steal things from the Iraqis...and to take their land.
This is good news, but it is also old news and isn’t breaking in any way.
No American POW has survived capture by Al Qaeda. We should return the favor.
Old news?
The story states that only 5 soldiers were killed in July.
How "old" could this story be? July ended 10 hours ago.
Sheesh!
It was reported this morning for the first time.
Not sure what you mean Cedar. This article is from the Wash Post, and they are as MSM as you can get. Or are your referring to the Alphabet Station broadcast news media?
I like your reasons! For myself, I’d say that the Sunnis got tired of fighting the Shi’ites and the U.S., that the Shi’ites got tired of fighting the Sunnis and the U.S., that the Sunnis and Shi’ia both got tired of fighting Kurds who were otherwise enjoying what is for them prosperity, and that they all want oil money and local political power...which the U.S. is readily making available to them at all levels.
Or as a certain General would say: “we killed enough of them that they just stopped fighting.”
Of course, as you made clear in your point #3, it’s all possible because President Bush remained firm and persistent for so many years. Faced with an unwavering U.S., the major parties involved in the war started looking elsewhere...at other options like peace (or what will pass for “peace” in a Third World country).
Anyway, it’s a good problem to have: analyzing why we won.
I’ll take the victory regardless of the reason!
Bears repeating.
Oh rest assured they will.
If the death toll reaches 7 in August, they'll say that it "surged" 40% from the previous month."
Granted, every life is precious and we shouldn't settle for ANY number of deaths, as good of news as this may be. More the reason we need McCain elected. If Obama wins and pulls out, there is no doubt in my mind the Iraqi death toll will skyrocket to Hussein proportions. Maybe more.
Whether it takes 5 years (Iraq), 5 months (Sherman) or 5 minutes (Hiroshima), the remaining constant is that a certain number of people necessarily have to die before everyone is sick of fighting.
That's how wars are won & peace finally achieved.
Didn't even look at the source -- the Wa Post surprises me. However, even some of their liberal correspondents have been pointing out the faux Obama. They may be reflecting their discomfort at someone so far to the left it's outside even liberal sensitivities.
Thank you Troops and Vets, those among us and those who have given all.
‘How “old” could this story be? July ended 10 hours ago.’
Ouch. Thank God the Surge worked. I hate to admit it, but I was a skeptic. [I tend to like smaller forces and tight plans, such as the Afghan war and the original invasion.] Urban skirmishes with nanny rules of engagement, where one must rely on low tech solutions— I never guessed it could get so murky for a modern military.
And an unshakable President who has stood firm on seeing this battle finish in victory.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.