Why does the media focus on deaths in Iraq but ignore thousands of highway deaths and murders?

Question

"One hundred dead soldiers in Iraq this month; the Drive-By Media's having a big push on this today. You know how many people in the United States have been murdered this month? One thousand two hundred and twenty-five based on average yearly statistics from the FBI -- but we don't see repeated references ad nauseum about that." -- Rush Limbaugh

Kut: Tell that to the families of people who were killed on a highway or were murdered.

02B30C1: Try to focus on my question, if that is possible. I know you can do it if you just try!

Kut, who cares where the quote came from? Did you read it?

02B30C1: Im surprised you fall for this absurd logic. One does not have to directly experience something to be in favor of it or comment on it.

Are you against crime in your neighborhood? I hope you're a police officer.

Don't like arson? You'd better be a firefighter.

Angelhunt:

The deaths in Iraq are also "authorized" ? lol, ok! The deaths in Iraq (which occur in 4 provinces out of 18) are occurring because of Iran's direct assistance to al Queda. Is such assistance "authorized" too? Even if I follow your "logic," just because deaths are "authorized" they ought to be placed under a microscope vs. ones that are accidental? This didn't apply to the media's focus on Hurricane Katrina deaths, all of which were "accidental" or due to nature.

Answer 1

Wow, not one person actually answered your question. I don't know the statistics on homicides, but I did look up the statistics on highway deaths. In 2005 alone, over 39,000 people died on the highways. I wish the media would make repeated references to that. I think the media focuses on the deaths in Iraq because war, conflict, civil strife, and political scandal sell. Car crashes, which result in a much higher cost in human life, do not sell papers.

As far as being an authorized action, 49.3% of this country voted against Bush and his war. I wouldn't qualify that as an overwhelming majority for an authorized action. More importantly, why exactly does the war in Iraq make those deaths anymore meaningful or important than the 39,000 people who died on the roads last year? I am a paramedic, and I know that everytime I go to work, I will be with at least one or two of those 39,000 people in their last moments. Maybe next time I should let one of them know their death wasn't authorized and therefore irrelevant.

Answer 2

A fifth U.S. Forest Service firefighter has died of burns suffered when flames from a deliberately set wildland fire overran his five-man crew in Southern California last week.

Twenty-three-year-old firefighter Pablo Cerda died at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

Cerda was burned over 90 percent of his body Thursday in the Esperanza fire as he and four other firefighters tried to protect a home. Three crew members died at the scene, with a fourth dying later that day at a hospital.

Answer 3

Gee, if its so nice and wonderful over there, why havent you signed up for a tour?

When you have signed up and done a tour in Iraq, THEN you can talk about how nice things are over there. Until then, STFU.

And before you even ask, yes, I've been there. its not pretty. We are not 'doing great things rebuilding the coutnry' that the media just doesnt show. We are trying not to get killed. Thats it. You cant even go outside the green zone in Baghdad without a fully escorted convoy. What does it say about the plan for rebuilding Iraq when we cant even secure the road to the airport after 3 years?

Answer 4

Great question.....didn't know Rush had mentioned it, but have asked the same question myself. Why does the media focus on it? Because they can divide the nation easier by choosing the war on terror efforts than those who drive drunk, drive while talking on a cell phone, driving too fast, or carelessly.

Answer 5

The action in Iraq is authorized and supported by the government. Accidental deaths and murders are not. Are you just bored, or do you really have to have the obvious pointed out to you?

Answer 6

Try telling that to the families of the soldiers that died. I'm sure they would LOVE to hear your rationalization.

You're hilarious, you know that? You accuse me of being a parrot, but all you can do is cut and paste from Rush Limbaugh.

Answer 7

Because they are againgt conervative America! They want to see us lose so that we can become an communist state.
i.e. the elitest think they can spend our money better that we ourselves. So they want the government to own EVERYTHING!