Article

2008-04-02 Iraq

Iraqi casualties at highest level since August

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Posted by Fred 2008-04-02 00:00|| || Front Page|| [8 views ] Top
File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1 The figures are a blow to the Iraqi government and the United States, which have pointed to reduced overall levels of violence in recent months as evidence that a major security offensive has made significant progress.

An outstanding example of poorly reasoned, tendentious editorializing posing as "reporting". This, along with egregiously distorted selection of facts, constitute the core pathologies of today's failed journalism.

It's also an excellent example of a sub-pathology within the overall disaster. A very real and significant development, full of meaning for the trajectory of the larger story - the improved security situation in most of Iraq, the rout of AQI, the disarray and distress of other Sunni rejectionist elements - was largely ignored as it unfolded. But once a bump arrears in the road - the Basra stuff - the phenomenon is referred to, in the past tense, in a way that casts doubt on its importance.

Oh to be the chief editor for a day at any major news agency. The marked up copy would be hilarious and instructive, posted on the web for all to see. Some dispatches wouldn't have 25% of their words left intact.

Posted by Verlaine 2008-04-02 12:38|| 2008-04-02 12:38|| Front Page Top

#2 The figures are a blow to the Iraqi government and the United States, which have pointed to reduced overall levels of violence in recent months as evidence that a major security offensive has made significant progress.

I can hear the cycles of surging violence getting ready to overwhelm the overstretched landsers.

Cliches, I has them.

Posted by Zebulon Angavick7428">Zebulon Angavick7428 2008-04-02 12:52|| 2008-04-02 12:52|| Front Page Top

#3 "civilians" being largely Mahdi dead guys, Rooters?

Tet II, catch the fever!

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-04-02 13:33|| 2008-04-02 13:33|| Front Page Top

#4 This is the highest level seen since August and is (only) 923? How the heck did the idjits at the Lancet ever come up with death tolls of 600,000?

Posted by Omemble Wittlesbach5601 2008-04-02 14:03|| 2008-04-02 14:03|| Front Page Top

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