Maine has highest state rate of casualties in Afghanistan

[Maine-ah]

Source: Portland Press Herald

Maine has highest state rate
of casualties in Afghanistan
Maine has a long tradition of military involvement, and economic factors play a role in joining and staying with the service.
By Glenn Jordan [e-mail]
Staff Writer

Considering the size of its population, Maine is paying a deadlier price for the war in Afghanistan than any other state.

According to figures released last week by the Department of Defense and published by The Guardian newspaper of England, Maine's casualty rate of 1.52 deaths per 100,000 residents is the highest in the country.

Only one other state – Wyoming at 1.10 – has a rate above one death per 100,000 residents from Operation Enduring Freedom, now in its 10th year.

"I think about a small state like ours," said U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District. "Virtually everybody knows someone who is currently serving, who's been lost, who's been injured, who has a family member who is affected, and it's really taken a big toll."

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/news/paying-a-deadly-price-_2011-06-28.html?cmpid=morning-news-update-html

[No Elephants]

1. I don't know where Massachusetts stands, but weve been having a lot of military funerals.

Mostly babies--Late teens, very early twenties. Though I have not kept records, it seems almost every one they announce is in that age range.

When our government ever tire of killing our children to enrich the MIC and the oil companies?

[w4rma]

2. Maine keeps re-electing those two Republican bozos to the U.S. Senate, also. (nt)

[crim son]

3. The article gets it right - economic factors and the immediacy of the

military option here are taking their toll. I suspect there might be educational factors as well but I need coffee before doing any research.

[Bragi]

4. Why are there no anti-recruitment campaigns?

It seems to me that there ought to be some counter-weight to the military recruiting that takes place targeting the young, the uneducated and the poor. Why are there no "Don't sign up" campaigns? Is everyone too afraid of backlash from the MIC-friendly right wing?

[Gormy Cuss]

5. "Don't sign up" won't counter the economic persuasiveness of joining.

Many serving from Maine are in the National Guard, an allegedly weekend (second)job which is very popular among those living in smaller communities with limited jobs and wages.

[Bragi]

7. It might be persuasive at least for some

I presume most recruits would now be aware that being in the National Guard may not be the weekend job they want, given the strong possibility that they may end up being sent into foreign wars.

As for the economic message, I get that, but they also need to understand that this career choice means they also may end up dead, or mentally or physically damaged.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. I think that today's recruits are well aware of that risk.

However, they're not only seeing some of their family and neighbors come home dead or injured, they're also seeing many who come home fine with more cash for some land or a down payment on a house. They also see others in units that are never sent overseas. It's also not seen as a career choice. Guard income is probably the leading source of supplemental wages in Maine.

[Bragi]

10. Huh. Interesting

Thanks for the insight. Makes sense to me.

[eShirl]

12. yes this is true, I know several that have been doing that for a couple decades

[libodem]

6. Bush family territory

And Wyoming is where Cheney hales from. Hope citizens notice.

[Gormy Cuss]

9. The Bushes's only connection to the state is a vacation villa. n/t

[eShirl]

11. fuck all to do with it, rich coastal summer people are not seen as Mainers