Deaths decline as reservists play smaller role in Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.dispatch.com/national-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/08/26/20060826-A1-02.html

The death toll among National Guard and Reserve troops in Iraq has plunged this year as citizen soldiers play a smaller combat role against an insurgency that increasingly targets Iraqis.

Five members of the National Guard and Reserve have died this month in Iraq, compared with 44 at this point in August a year ago, the deadliest month of the war for the National Guard and Reserve.

The number of National Guard and Reserve deaths for the year totals 54 — less than one-third of the 189 recorded at this point last year. In the comparable period in 2004, the death toll was 92, according to Defense Department casualty records.

The death count for all U.S. forces in Iraq — both active and reserve — has slid from an average of a little over two per day last year to a little under two per day this year. The insurgents continue to target U.S. troops, but the worst violence has been aimed at Iraqis in what some consider a civil war.

[Monkeyman]

1. Let me understand this why did they call up 2500 IRI Marines

Is this just a rosy picture or true

[LynnTheDem]

2. US dead at "a little over 2 per day last year to a little under 2 per day

this year"

"PROGRESS!"

bush & all MFing rightwingnuts; stupidest MFers on the planet.