Mid-Week Posts

Welcome to Wednesday evening.  Allow me to get a bit of complaining off my chest.  You might noticed that the formats of posts have varied a bit lately.  I've been trying Windows Live Writer as an offline editor, based on several very positive online reviews.  I want to like it. I really do. But they can't seem to keep updated versions online. I downloaded one that seemed to be quite functional; better than an earlier beta I had tried. Then, read a notice that said an even newer version was available, but the download link installed an EARLIER version, one that doesn't function as well for me.  AAARGH.  So, I'm back to my old standby and it looks like I'll be here until I'm assured the Windows Live Writer version issue has been resolved.  With that out of the way (and, yes, I know many of you could care less! But I wanted to explain the changing formats!) here's what's floating around "the internets" tonight. We start with something that is welcome news, indeed.  The key will be keeping the number headed lower.

U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Is Year’s Lowest

The death of a marine in western Iraq brought the American military death toll to 74 so far in July, on course to be the [...]

From the Right, some thoughts and concerns..

U.S. Deaths in Iraq Down in July

The number of U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq in July was 74, the lowest total in eight months. That's good news, obviously, but it's hard to know what to make of it. The "surge" was expected to increase, not decrease, American deaths, as the strategy was to engage more closely with the enemy. It is hard to believe that after only a couple of months, enough progress has been made to [...]

And, from the other side, Think Progress has this analysis...

REPORT: Putting U.S. Troop Casualty Statistics In Perspective

At least 73 U.S. troops are reported to have died in Iraq this past month. The numbers are a decline from the all-time highs of 108, 131, and 117 from the previous three months. Media reports herald the statistics as encouraging and as demonstrating “steady progress” in Iraq. Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno said [...]

Finally, one more.  Just for good measure...

Iraqi civilian casualties up 33% from last month

From the Department of Bright and Cheerful Ledes: Thunderous car bomb blasts echoed around Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least 70 people, as Iraq’s national unity coalition collapsed under the weight of sectarian tensions. New government figures also revealed civilian deaths in the country rose by one third last month, dealing a further blow to a five-month-old [...]

Tags: Iraq War, U.S. Death Toll

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