Why do people think the NUMBERS of this war are so sensational?

Question

I'm not trying to sound callous to the deaths in this war, but people, usually very young and/or uneducated people, think that a war with 2,500 deaths in two years is significant. Let me go back to my WWII perspective ...

When Germany invaded Russia at Stalingrad and Moscow, Russia lost more than 24 million people, including more than 1 million soldiers. The United States lost more than 400,000 soldiers with more than 100,000 still missing in action.

Yes, the U.S. has suffered 2,500 killed in action in this war but that's over more than two years. The U.S. lost more than 4,000 soldiers IN ONE DAY during the invasion of Normandy. In fact, during WWII the U.S. lost more than 2,000 soldiers per week EVERY WEEK for more than four years.

Sure, the U.S. has spent a couple of hundred billion dollars, which is A LOT of money. But WWII cost the U.S., adjusted for inflation, almost $12 TRILLION dollars.

Some perspective ... please.

"dapixelator" ... there is absolutely no difference when comparing Iraq to Nazi Germany or Japan in WWII. The distinction you're trying to make is that left unfettered Saddam Hussein backing the Islamic Terrorists wouldn't have tried to take over the world. And thinking that you'd clearly be wrong because the leaders of the Islamic Terrorists have stated in no uncertain terms that their goal is a world united under Wahhabi rule.

Answer 1

War is always horrible, and even one death is more than I want to see. But you're right. The news media has made the relatively few deaths from this war seem astounding, when in reality, this is far better than one can expect in a war.

War is hell, people! That's why we try to avoid it. But this war is nothing like wars in the past. It is far less costly in human life than most wars we've ever been engaged in. Get some perspective!

We can argue over whether we ought to be there or not, but I think when we use the deaths of these courageous young Americans as arguments against fighting, it dishonors their work. When we commit to a war, we know there will be loss of life. If the loss of life is as low as it has been here, that's wonderful. It is sad for those who have lost their lives, and for their families, but history tells us that we should have expected it to be much worse. We should be rejoicing for all the men and women who are ALIVE!

But, I think some people just like to use emotional arguments to attack the president.

Answer 2

Before I go any further, a single American soldier lost is tragic.

Looking at these numbers, we have fared better than in other major campaigns. Over two years, 2500 soldiers have been killed. Looking at Vietnam, we lost 58,000 soldiers during that timeframe. During Korea, 54,229 were killed. These heavy numbers stay with us to this day.

Sadly, the media is driven by a hard-lined liberal agenda. The media, espceially television, has rarely shown the military in a positive light. Furthermore, it appears that the media prefers to unleash bad news upon us as a means to improve their ratings and get us to wholly believe in just their side or view.

Remember, this was the same media that jumped on the bandwagon about G.W. Bush's questionable military record that was later proven to be falsified. It ended one prominent career and made many people wonder if he had lied about other news stories regarding people he did not approve. This is the same media that rallied to support Bill Clinton during the sex scandal with Monica Lewinski, just about stating he was innocent of all charges. When Fox News emerged, all the other media outlets bashed them because Fox was not like the rest of the media vultures in their political and social views.

If you wish to look at finances, we have spent billions on this war. However, we spent similar amounts when we are involved in a UN sanctioned military action, because the U.S. comprised 80-90% of the actual fighting forces involved. Also, if we were to adjust to inflation regarding examination of war efforts, the media would have been constantly barking that we were on the verge of going broke - even after the heroism displayed in WWII.

Also, look at polls being listed on the news. I could guarantee that I could write up a poll and make the war appear popular. News agencies set up polls with questions that will give them the numbers they want. That is how a poll works. They also go to areas that, when they ask the question, they are certain that those answering will take the bait and provide the answer and numbers they wish to have.

Whoever said politics and the media don't share the same bed?

Answer 3

They're being sensationalized. Compared to other major wars, the numbers are relatively small (of course, unless its YOUR kid, husband, father, etc. that died there)

Insofar as perspective goes. The scenarios are quite different in many ways.

WWII Europe - If left unchecked Germany (Nazis) would have taken (did take over much of) over Europe. England probably would have fallen too. Some of africa would have (did) fallen.

WWII Pacific- Japan had moved into China and taken over parts of it.

Both would have continued to take over parts of the world and would have been a mess for the US. In very real terms, the world was in danger from the Axis.

Iraq- we had them surounded and isolated (even Condi indicated this early on in Bush administration). We could have controlled them and approached much better than invading and "owning" the clean up.

$280BB+ is a very big number no matter how you slice it. That meter is spill running at very fast clip. I can't speak to your 12 Trillion number as I haven't verified but will take at face value.

Answer 4

When you say numbers you mean DEAD AMERICANS. You are obviously still alive any your mother or father can hug you. What have you sacrificed for this war. One dead Marine is to much for this BS war. This politicians war. I am a former US Marine and my sister is in the Air Force what are you doing besides writing your statistics. Go pick up a gun and die for Iraq because this war has nothing to do with the average American only the Big Busniess defence contractors and oil companies like exxon making record profits this year. Thats whats up

Answer 5

My brother is heading over to Baghdad in the next couple of months. I obviously don't want him to go and am scared silly. I pray that his orders are changed every day.

That said, what if I lived over there, where people were being killed every day, car bombs were constantly going off and I had to be afraid of my shadow all the time? Sure, here in America (at least in parts of it) we lock our doors at night. But you don't see ordinary people walking around with guns, people afraid to worship or express their religion or afraid to go to the market because someone might try to blow it up. If I lived there and someone told me that American soldiers were coming to make my country more like theirs, I imagine I would be very happy (politics aside).

We have it good here in America. I think we've all gotten so used to it that we don't realize how good we have it here. Whether it is right to go over there or not, we are committed to the fight. If we supported our leaders, perhaps the whole thing would be over sooner.

As for money...well? You can't take it with you. You might as well spend it trying to save people and make the world a little better.

I understand the viewpoints, I really do. But honestly, I don't think either side is completely "right". There is no right in war. The fact is, we're in it and the powers that be are obviously committed to it. A little support, please. And for those of you out there-the men and women in the military have no choice in the matter. TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT! Even if you don't agree with the war. While you may not be quite as patriotic or willing to die for your country, respect those who are!

Answer 6

More people died in Detroit last year than all the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. And that was Americans killing Americans. The media has to aggrandize the numbers so they can use it to get the Demorats back into power.

Answer 7

Is it a real war? Perhaps Bush should downgrade it to a police action. Would a training exercise be a truer description? More people are getting killed by drunk drivers. It's not even really a distraction at this point.

Answer 8

For the duration of the height of the struggle 500,000 men have been deployed. There used to be many extra guys than that however that was for the period of the peak of the conflict. Fifty eight,196 names are listed on the Vietnam wall.

Answer 9

Americans don't have the stomach for war anymore. We are a sissified and spoiled society(in general) and just can't cut the mustard anymore. That's what Bin Laden thought and it would seem the left and the liberal media and people like Murtha and Pelosi are proving him right.

Answer 10

Perspective? Hard to apply to those who've lost a family member..to you a number, to them the world.
I am not referring to just our dead, much less those maimed and crippled; I am also referring to the thousands of elderly, women and children , and yes, soldiers defending their country, who are dead.
I am not speaking blame, numbers can break a heart, assuming you have one.

As for the money, our future generations will be saddled with the debt, Besides, it's just numbers!