A Little Perspective, Please

I was churning over my thoughts on the subject of military deaths in the War On Terror yesterday trying to figure out how to best put it. The news media and the leftist terrorist-sympathizers (how else would you describe those in this country who wish President Bush ill will and want us to give up in Iraq and pull-out?) are having an orgy over the more than 1,800 military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. But compared to other military ventures, isn't this an absurdly SMALL number? 58-thousand in Viet Nam over the 15 years (give or take) we were there works out to, what? Almost 3,900 per YEAR. That's almost 8 times the casualty rate (on average) of the current War On Terror. Yep, just like Viet Nam, eh?

Or what about accidental deaths in the military on average? What's that number? Well, as it turns out, someone else was thinking the same thing. Only puts it even better -- John Hinderaker at Powerline has this very subject covered to a "T". The answer to accidental deaths is even more amazing (quoting from his post):

"The media's breathless tabulation of casualties in Iraq--now, over 1,800 deaths--is generally devoid of context. Here's some context: between 1983 and 1996, 18,006 American military personnel died accidentally in the service of their country. That death rate of 1,286 per year exceeds the rate of combat deaths in Iraq by a ratio of nearly two to one.

"That's right: all through the years when hardly anyone was paying attention, soldiers, sailors and Marines were dying in accidents, training and otherwise, at nearly twice the rate of combat deaths in Iraq from the start of the war in 2003 to the present. Somehow, though, when there was no political hay to be made, I don't recall any great outcry, or gleeful reporting, or erecting of crosses in the President's home town. In fact, I'll offer a free six-pack to the first person who can find evidence that any liberal expressed concern--any concern--about the 18,006 American service members who died accidentally in service of their country from 1983 to 1996."

Amazing. Especially considering we're fighting a REAL war here. So how about some HONEST reporting for a change -- in PROPER context. Hmm?