Is the surge working? Let's see what you think once you look at the numbers. Above is a graph of the cumulated deaths (Civilian and US) in Iraq comparing 2005 through 2007, June through October (assuming that no more deaths occur in October).
The numbers used to generate the graphs are below. They were found on these two pages US deaths, Civilian Deaths.
If you look at the numbers, and please double check them if you will, you will see that the total deaths are as follows.
- 2005 = 739 deaths
- 2006 = 709 deaths
- 2007 = 749 deaths
Even though the graph will show that, "Yes the number of deaths have dropped from September through October 2007, the total number of deaths is still higher than 2005 and even 2006.
I can see how one group of people might consider this something to be ecstatic about, that our numbers have dropped over the last two months. This might incline a person to say, "Yes, the surge is working" since the graph does show a decrease in casualties from August 2007 on.
But at the same time, I can see how another group of people would question, "Why are you ecstatic when our overall numbers are not only unacceptable... but actually worse than the last two preceding years?"
Does the successful surge take precedence over the total casualties accumulated?
Which group are you? Are you the Cheerleader over the successful surge? Or are you unhappy with our overall accumulated numbers?
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