BAGHDAD, Jan. 1, 2007
U.S. Death Toll In Iraq Passes 3,000
Texas Specialist Killed By Small Arms Fire Last Week; Caps Deadliest Month Of 2006
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Photo
A Defense Department-supplied photo of Spc. Dustin R. Donica, 22, of Spring, Texas. (CBS/DoD)
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Interactive
Battle For Iraq
The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
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Interactive
Iraq Study Group Report
Bipartisan commission warns that situation is "grave and deteriorating."
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Photo Essay
Saddam's Final Moments
Saddam Hussein went to the gallows Dec. 30, 2006. Contains photos some may find disturbing.
The death of a Texas soldier, announced Sunday by the Pentagon, comes as the administration seeks to overhaul its strategy for a conflict that shows little sign of abating. The tally of 3,000 members of the U.S. military killed was a figure compiled by The Associated Press since the war's beginning in March 2003.
In large part because of discontent with the course of the war, voters gave Democrats control of the new Congress that convenes this week. Democrats have pledged to focus on the war and Bush's conduct of it.
Three thousand deaths are tiny compared with casualties in other protracted wars America has fought in the last century. There were 58,000 Americans killed in the Vietnam War, 36,000 in the Korean conflict, 405,000 in World War II and 116,000 in World War I, according to Defense Department figures.
Even so, the steadily mounting toll underscores the relentless violence the massive U.S. investment in lives and money — surpassing $350 billion — has yet to tame.
A Pentagon report on Iraq said in December the conflict now is more a struggle between Sunni and Shiite armed groups "fighting for religious, political and economic influence," with the insurgency and foreign terrorist campaigns "a backdrop."
From mid-August to mid-November, the weekly average number of attacks in the country increased 22 percent from the previous three months. The worst violence was in Baghdad and in the western province of Anbar, long the focus of activity by Sunni insurgents.
Though U.S.-led coalition forces remained the target of the majority of attacks, the overwhelming majority of casualties were suffered by Iraqis, the report said.
The American death toll was at 1,000 in September of 2004 and 2,000 by October 2005.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., called the figure a "tragic milestone" and said the government owes its troops "a new policy that is worthy of their heroism and brings them safely home."
Asked about the 3,000 figure, deputy White House press secretary Scott Stanzel said that the president "will ensure their sacrifice was not made in vain."
"We will be fighting violent jihadists for peace and security of the civilized world for years to come. The brave men and women of the U.S. military are fighting extremists in order to stop them from attacking on our soil again," Stanzel said.
In other developments:
Having launched the war against the advice of a number of nations, the Bush administration never got a huge international contribution of troops, meaning foreign forces involved in the fighting are overwhelmingly American.
The death toll shows it. As of late December, the British military has reported 127 deaths in the war so far; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 18; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; and Denmark, six. Several other countries have had five or less.
©MMVI CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Video and Galleries from Iraq After Saddam
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Photos
Iraq Photos: July 6?July 12
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Photos
Iraq Photos: June 29-July 5
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Photos
Iraq Photos: June 22 ? June 28
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See all 91 CommentsI agree and no they have no respect for the soldier or the family. It is all part of the fodder for media and there is no "taste". If it sells...it good as far as they go.
I wonder if the strategist planning the "new way forward" realise that we no longer call the shots in Iraq. Rather, we are one of a number of factions operating within a fragmented stucture. Surely, the so-called "new way forward" is just another delusion or at worst a deception.
Here are four reasons why:
1. No militarily solution - although we have the most sophisticated war machine and finest troops in the world, nearly 5 years into the war we have yet to tame a determined enemy deploying "dumb" munitions. Our own generals have put it like this: "Iraq is not winnable militarily."
2. The will of the Iraqi's - at the moment the Iraqi's are playing out their own "vision" of the future. It is sectarian, violent and fuelled by historical tensions of which we know little and can do absolutely nothing about.
3. Syria & Iran - there will be no peace in Iraq (of any description) without Syria and Iran being part of that solution. At the moment the administration refuses to speak to either nation and in response both have ensured that Iraq remains ungovernable. Syria and Iran have as much, if not more influence in Iraq as we do.
4. We are seen as part of the problem - with intervention comes expectation. 5 years into the war, beyond a government that cannot seem to govern and troops whose loyalty is questionable, little has been achieved by the US led invasion. Our troops are now a cause of violence and tension. Our days in Iraq are numbered.
On the wider point of the media's role in the war. To my knowledge the media did not send US troops to die in Iraq, did not commit acts of bestiality in Abu Grahib, is not planting IEDs in Baghdad & elsewhere, is not blowing up mosques, is not kidnapping foreign contractors, is not responsible for sectarian killings and is not blowing up oil pipelines in Kirkuk etc
These are the facts of our 4 year adventure in Iraq. One may or may not be happy with the way in which these facts are being reported and the way others are being under-reported. However, they are still the facts and the media is fully justified in reporting them.
If anything, the media is culpable for its pre-war hesitancy and lack of courage. Instead of doing its job and subjecting pre-war intelligence to sustained examination and critique, it allowed itself to be cowed into submission by an administration that labelled "unpatriotic" any who dared question it.
"5 years into the war "
It is not 4 years yet.
We went into Iraq March 2003.
1. No militarily solution- "Iraq is not winnable militarily."
Well the ones that have been quoted in the news.
There are as many who say the opposite.
The truth as usual is somewhere in the middle.
The truth is none of us know what the situation is, we only know what the media chooses to tell us.
I just don't believe that if we really want to that we counld not take Iraq. In fact we could level it if we wanted. If "winning" was the goal...no problem.
The challenge is how do you teach people who have never lived in a democracy...Democracy ?
They have no concept.
We can't even teach democracy here.
2 It is sectarian, violent and fuelled by historical tensions "
Change sectarian to political...and you have the U.S.
Look at the rant's on these boards. Mean, vicious, several inciting folks to violence. There is as much hate on this board, in this country as there is in Iraq , it is just that not everybody here has an AK47.
3. Syria & Iran
I agree with NOT dealing with either one.
Both are rogue states ,isn't that what all the libs are on about? Dealing with tyrants.
part 1
4 "5 years into the war"
nope,not even 4 years.
We did what we went to do. Depose Saddamn and see that he was not armed.
We offered to help in rebuilding and offered protection for a short time. They can take it or leave it. It is their call. They now have the same opportunity that we did in 1776.
We better start working on keeping this country together instead of keeping Iraq together.
This board would be a less interesting place without your posts!
Re: 5 years into the war. I was referring to calendar years. We are now in our fifth calendar year of the war.
Re: the "winnability" of the war. Well Gen John Abizaid seems to think it cannot be won militarily and has testified to the Senate to that effect. In the recent issue of Newsweek Lt. Gen Ray Odierno also seems to suggest that the war is not winnable militarly. These are not my views, these are sourced references from those on the ground.
I think you under-play the impact of sectarianism in Iraq. The roots of this are deep and were stoked by Saddams's 30 year oppression of the Shia's. Long term scores are being settled. Deep seated fears are being vented. It also has an international dimension to it. The Saudi's recently made clear that they would support the Sunni's, whilst the Iranians are already actively supporting the Shia's. I therefore find your comparison to domestic political tensions in US quite hard to follow?
As for dealing with Syria and Iran. Was it not the Iraq Study Group that suggested that we broaden the discussion and speak to neighbours? If we decide not to speak to Syria & Iran then fine. Let us do so on principle and stop "doing deals" with some of the other tyrants we are cosying up to.
"Gen John Abizaid "
Yes... heetseeker , I watched his testimony and I believe he is correct in the conventional terms.
This is the time for some "creative" thinking in Iraq.
I am thinking more 'carrot & stick' quick ...lol
It really is not as bad as the media portrays.
My friends grandson says he has not raised his weapon in 2 months.
Even in Fallujah, 30 miles from Baghdad Civil Affairs teams still make daily trips out of their compound to help get the city's day-to-day needs functioning. And the men and women stationed there say it's just not as violent as it looks.
"I go out every day," says 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion Sgt. Bill Belongea. "I have not had to raise my weapon yet. It's not as bad as the media portrays it."
Iraq Study Group
I hate to say I have not had the chance to read this yet. I have heard the reports but I like to read the whole thing...myself.
On the various mb's I use, there are probably a dozen or more with kids or hubby's in Iraq. In these 4 years I know of only one casualty and I believe he has recovered and returned to Iraq.
"We can not "Give" people what we have anymore than someone could "Give" it to us."
We gave it to Japan...after we defeated them.
We gave it to Germany (not just us )
Germany didn't want it.... and the newspapers were saying the same thing they are saying now..."It can't be done"....
"Terrorism can no more be defeated by a bigger bomb or faster jet than fire can be defeated by a bigger blaze. "
Call the fire dept. and ask " What is a backfire".
Actually it is a very effective way to fight a fire...
From the beginning, this war has been made as sterile as possible to the American public, ie, no reporting from the battlefields, no planes loaded with flag-draped coffins landing at Dover, and no local daily coverage. Is the Media, or the current Administration, the one to blame? Or, both? What about the silence from the civilian population? Must we wait another two years before our voices be heard? IT IS WAY PAST THE TIME TO END THIS SENSELESS WAR!!!
You are so right, brother. Those of us who saw first hand the waste of American warriors and treasure as a result of a moronic strategy in Viet Nam smelled this boondoggle from the get go.
What amazes me and breaks my heart as well is the number of idiots who, after seeing the results of 4 years of failure in Iraq, still do not understand that a change in tactics will not change the results of moronic strategy.
"Three thousand deaths are TINY compared with casualties in other protracted wars America has fought in the last century."
"There were 58,000 Americans killed in the Vietnam War, 36,000 in the Korean conflict, 405,000 in World War II and 116,000 in World War I, according to Defense Department figures."
...............
My words:
3,000 dead in four, going into five years of war.
Can you imagine the orgiastic agonies of the liberal left if 10,000+ died in just ONE DAY as did happen on June 6, 1944 (D-Day)
..........
You appear to be an intelligent person. However, you also appear to fail to understand that a standing army is not an effective weapon against terrorism. It's like using a hammer to kill cockroaches. You'll get one here and there, but until you stop their breeding, the problem ever abates.
Quite the contrary - you encourage the breeding and the problem only gets worse.
A question for you:
What do you feel is a fair price for Iraq? Obviously, you feel that 500 billion American dollars, 3,000 American dead, and 25,000 American maimed and wounded is not too high of a price.
What's a fair price for you? A trillion dollars? 10,000 American dead? 50,000 American maimed and wounded?
Re. MissAmerica4 posting 7:59 am Jan 1, 2007:
%u201CIt is not 4 years yet.
We went into Iraq in March 2003.%u201D
True, but the planning stage for the invasion of Iraq started at the beginning of the Bush administration, now heading into its 7th year, well before 911.
%u201CWinning in Iraq: You appear to be in the center at first, then express the opinion that that the conflict can/will be won%u201D
It all depends on what you call winning.
If we were to miraculously find a safe way out of Iraq, it could, in the win-lose sense, be compared to person playing 10 hands of poker, losing $1000 in each of the first 9 hands, then winning $1000 in the last hand.
%u2026 The person could, in one sense, accurately claim to have won. The bottom line however would be a $9000 loss.
The costs to America would have to include, the killed and injured, Trillions of dollars in cost to future American taxpayers (including the increase in the national debt directly related to Iraq), The almost total loss of the American credibility in the world and confidence in our government at home. The list is endless. It would be very hard indeed to find WIN here as the bottom line.
The historical sectarian situation in Iraq is and has been well known for centuries, and is all the more reason we should not have invaded in the first place and the major reason finding a safe exit would indeed be miraculous.
We did not as you say depose Saddam to SEE that he was not armed. The UN inspectors were already doing that. We invaded the sovereign country of Iraq because we were told that Saddam, with his connection to AQ and Osama, was directly responsible for 911 and posed a PRESENT and immanent threat of using the nuclear bombs he supposedly possessed. Remember the %u201CMUSHROOM CLOUD?
When I see the way you handle a daily count of the casualties in Iraq I have to wonder what's you motive for this. Our fighting men and woman are all very important to us, yet you do a count down to numbers 2974 and 3000 as is they are some sort of prize winners, or as if their deaths say something that none of the others did.
What your doing just screams that you have some ulterior motive that you don't seem to want to clarify.
It's kind of disrespectful & goulash.
I think you owe the other 2999 troops that have died for this country; a full front page spread the same as number three thousand.
The battles in WW2 were against an identifiable, uniformed and generally well-armed and barricaded enemy. Our forces had to openly storm these barricades to defeat said enemy. There were many of these battles with huge numbers killed and injured. There were also millions of ground forces in WW2 verses the 140,000 now in Iraq.
Hardly the grounds for any HONEST comparison.
According to Pentagon,there are One Thousand attacks against US troops per week which mean more then 140 attacks a day by an UNSEEN ENEMY who doesn't wear MILITRAY UNIFORM and love to gives his and his family members' lives for killing Americans.The sophistications of these attacks are evident form the following link;
www.memri.org
Then click on
Islamist websites monitors project
Then click on
Islamist website monitor #17
Then click on the link under the heading of
Islamist videos show bombings in Iraq.
ISLAMIC RADICAL MALIKI is taking US tax payed money and weapons for the killing of US troops.Why the protector of CHRISTIAN in IRAQ named SADDAM was removed from power by a RADICAL CHRISTIAN named BUSH and why an ISLAMIC RADICAL named MALIKI is given power,money and wapons by CHRISTIAN BUSH for the killing of US troops.Is BUSH a PSYCHOTIC.The answer is YES.He is suffering from PSYCHOSIS known as CHRISTIANITY.
How can I tell our govt to stop sending my TAX MONEY to a RADICAL ISLAMIST named MALIKI and his BOSS namely MUQTADA AL SADR,AYATOALLAH ALI AL SISTANI,etc. for the killing of our men and women in uniforms.All of us whose tax money is used in the killing of our troops in IRAQ are guilty of murder.BUSH and his RADICAL NEO-CONS had no right to force me and my fellow AMERICANS to contribute in the killing of our troops in IRAQ.
Posted by marcpcbs at 11:59 AM : Jan 01, 2007
If all of the MSM including FOX had done that from the start The Iraqi fiasco would already be over. And Bush would not have been re-elected in 2004.
I'm a Vietnam Vet, I didn't vote for Bush and I'll be the first to admit that this country isn't perfect but it really sounds like you would be happier in Iraq.
If you hate this country and it's president so much why do you stay.
Probably cause they don't have your favorite brand of beer in Iraq.
And you call your self "patriotic9".
I would love to hear constructive criticisms from anybody but infantile, cynical blurts don't do anyone any good.
All the countries on the planet are works in progress. Patriots are those who donate constructive ideas.
Posted by patriotic9 at 12:17 PM : Jan 01, 2007
The answer to that question is simple. It starts with the election of our government representatives.
As a wise man once said "politics begins at home".
Electing people because they actually represent your ideals and holding them to it is the best way to do that. If you are satisified with the voting record of your representives let him or her know it, and vise versa. Use all avenues (LIKE THIS CBS site) to express your opinions. I dont recommend violent marches or angry name calling and insults, but contacting any representative in congress even from other states than your own can be effective too.
I think your right.
Sir,I highly appreciate your service for our country.I can't even think of hating my country.America-haters are those who support BUSH and his NEO-CONS in the destruction of USA.You said you would love to hear Constructive criticism.Sir,we have no right to criticize anybody unless we have knowlege and VALID REASONS to support our criticism.Whatever I wrote in my past messages were supported by valid reasons and proof.If you don't think so, please inform me with valid reasons and evidence.I'll accept my mistakes and change my point of views.I don't know why you consider me as AMERICA-HATER.Is it because I hate to see my tax paid money going to an ISLAMIC RADICAL named MALIKI on the name of REBUILIDNG IRAQ and our weapons on the name of ARMING IRAQI SECURITY FORCES to use the same in killing our soldiers in IRAQ.If you really love America,would you like to see your fellow American soldiers to get killed by your tax money.Don't you agree with me that a SECULAR DICTATOR is much better for the US interest the a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED RELIGIOUS RADICAL.
One last thing.I have never said America is bad and I can't even imagine of saying that but I have no problem saying that the PSYCHOTIC ENEMIES of UNITED STATES suffering from a PSYCHOSIS known as CHRISTIANITY are the WORST and MOST SHAMEFULL CREATURES on the FACE OF EARTH.The most important step in securing our country is to remove all the UNCONSTITUTIONAL REMARKS form our POLITICS like One nation under GOD and in GOD we trust.
True justice would have been Bush, Cheney & Rumsfeld being sent to the gallows to stand beside Saddam Hussein, to pay the price for their war crimes.
"In the eyes of empire builders men are not men, but instruments."
- Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)
I highly appreciate your sincere and sensible advise.Violent road marches don't do any good at all.After these Holidays,I'll call senators and congressmen I know and tell them about my concerns.
The way you attack religion and politics make Archie Bunker look like an alter boy.
Try This.
The next time you have a thought to express ask yourself.
How would Thomas Jefferson express this idea?
"More then 3000 US troops die every month.If there are 1000 attacks on our troops per week,it means 4000 a month."
Right on...Bush should be able to do the math.
"It is near to impossible that only one soldier dies in those sophisticated attacks by an UNSEEN ENEMY in an UNCONVENTIONAL WAR with no front line.""
Thanks pat9.
You are an excellent representative for the libbers. I think you deserve an award...
Your posts clarify the situation for us all... and allows us to see the purposeful and clear thinking of the left. You have a way with words that is really amazing.
Thanks
Sir Thomas Jefferson would totally agree with me as my ideology is exactly the same like Sir Thomas Jefferson who had stated that all the men have been created equal unlike the RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST CHRISTIAN IDEOLOGY according to which Americans have been created as GOD-NEGLECTED and have not been promised a single penny from the GOD and NON AMERICAN EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE are GOD CHOSEN and have been promised a land in the MIDDLE EAST.If I have not been promised a single penny from GOD because of being AMERICAN and some NON AMERICAN has been promised a land in the MIDDLE EAST,this is INJUSTICE and RACISM against me because of being an AMERICAN.When I can't tolerate a live HUMAN BEING to discriminate against me because of me being an AMEIRCAN,how can I allow that GOD whose existance is not proven by any scientific evidence to hate me or neglect me or racially discriminate me becasue of me being an AMERICAN.If I do tolerate this ANIMOSITY,RACISM and INJUSTICE,I'll be as unpatriotic as those PSYCHOTIC CHRISTIANS working under BUSH who are giving our tax payed money to the RADICAL ISLAMISTs working under MALIKI for the killing of US troops in IRAQ.
I think it would do you some good to get out once in a while. Take a walk and get some fresh air.
If you really cared about America and American troops,you would have watched the link I told you to see what type of hardship our troops are going through and how can we help our troops to fight against an UNSEEN ENEMMY in an UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE,our troops are not used too of.But you seem to be a narrow minded person who wants to be in the STATE OF DENIAL to prove BUSH is right even if that STATE of DENIAL hurts us and our troops overseas.If we don't acknowlege the FACTS and REALITY on the GROUND,we won't be able to find solutions to prevent us and our troops from further CATOSTROPHIES.If Bush administration is trying to lie about the casualties in IRAQ and his newly appointed Secretary of DEFENSE is accepting that we are not winning this war,It's more shamefull to loose a war for a country like USA with the best Militray in the world to loose a war with the deaths of only 3000 soldiers then to accept the truth and make desicions to avoid further damage and killing of US troops by our tax payed money which BUSH is giving to RADICALS like MUQTADA AL SADR and NOURI AL MALIKI so that they can please their ALLAH by killing us.
Thank you Sir for your humble advise.Unfortunately you didn't come up with a valid reason or point to prove a single point raised by me as wrong which further proves my point.I first thanked you for your service in Vietnam and now I thank you so much for proving my points.YOU THE MAN SIR.
I love your nic.... says it all.
"I really don't need anyone else -"
How true.
Carry on....
I invite all to look up more info. on this conflict of 3 years 1950--53.
We should not and can not afford to leave the Middle East.
When Iran/Syria move into Iraq after we leave, as most of you seem to want, and then move on Saudi arabia and the rest, a much larger conflict will brake out. When it does , 3000 Americans dead now will melt into obscurity when we go back.
We have a ferm foothold in Iraq and I don't care who is in office, Repub. or Demo. if for no other reason then to keep them in check we have to stay.
How about stealing billions of dollars?
Your post shows that you are indeed capable of reasoned debate and discussion.
I believe you are sincere but I am sorry to say I often do not read your post because they are so irrational IMO.
pat9 , I know what "type of hardship our troops are going through ."
Do you know the hardest hardship they are going through?
The thought that the American public will polarize and politicize this war to the extent that they will be brought back before their task is completed. You are trying to save folks that don't want to be saved. I am sure there are some soldiers who want to come back and not participate and I would hope they could but the fact is...They volunteered.
Because of certain groups I belong to I know over a dozen families with men in service, all ranks. In these almost 4 years, none of these service folk have complained , instead they are proud of what they are doing.
They watch TV, they see American TV, and are distressed by what they see.
"When Iran/Syria move into Iraq after we leave, as most of you seem to want, and then move on Saudi arabia and the rest, a much larger conflict will brake out. When it does , 3000 Americans dead now will melt into obscurity when we go back. "
Exactly driver.
Without exception everyone of the service people I have contact with say the same thing.
Just 3 weeks ago one of the guys ask for toys for the kids in his little town. While American folk are standing in line for $500.00 games
all he wanted was some simple little toys, cars, dolls.
We are so selfish and so spoiled.
Our soldiers see how blessed this country is, and they don't want that life here. That is why they stay.
But only if cool heads prevail, and someone applies the brake.
Exactly, and we have to stay, to be that very "brake" you speak of.
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