How can anyone say that the chances of getting killed are greater?

Question

in an American city than they are in Baghdad?

Do they say that because relatively few, though far too many, American soldiers, wearing armor and traveling in humvees, have been killed?

How many Iraqis have died? Do they not count?

I guess for Lillian when an Iraqi citizen dies it doesn't mean anything.

More PEOPLE or more SOLDIERS?

Answer 1

The chances of an American getting killed in a US city is Greater, More people die by gun fire, car accidents,murder (by other means) here in the US than American citizens in Iraq and Afghanistan together.

Vet-USAF

Answer 2

Apples to apples

The average city in America is not equal to Bagdad in that Bagdad is not an average city.

Bagdad is the capital city of a country in the midst of international conflict. Both sides are intent on bringing the most violence to force the other to submit. Killing and destroying carries the most weight. In addition, the stress, lack of necessities, mistrust, and lack of hope there produces fertile ground for more civil violence.

On the other hand, an individual in an average city in America would be subject to much different risk factors. The major risks in an American city would be from auto accidents, lifestyle, or of natural causes. In addition, our healthcare system also gives those in American cities the greater chance for survival.

In regards to statistics in Bagdad, who is doing the counting?

Answer 3

We aren't concerned dead Iraqis because they are killed by other Iraqis not the US soldiers. Considering the huge number of soldiers there a few deaths a day can be expected.

Go make a trip to Detroit. Its not a war zone but at least 1 person gets murdered there every day.

Answer 4

Well they are.....
1. In Baghdad, you have the right to bear arms. Try that in Washington DC?
2. Most deaths in Baghdad are outside the Green Zone. Most Americans are in the zone & thus safe.

3. In Baghdad I can have on call a AC130 Gunship, 155mm Arty, and 160,000 troops if I get in trouble. In America? Barney Fife & 911.....

Answer 5

There is no American city with 25,000,000 inhabitants.

It may be that the percentage of people killed in Iraq is comparable to the percentage in some American cities, although in raw numbers there are many more people killed in Iraq.

I might prefer to take my chances in Baghdad rather than, say, Newark NJ.

But neither is particularly safe all the time, in every neighborhood.

Answer 6

You are right exactly to the point.
Statistics of fatality should count all fatalities in the region,
by death manner:
- homicides,
- accidents,
- suicides.

And comparable by population.
Let's compare only soldiers and cops killed in a similar American city as Baghdad.

Answer 7

Between traffic accidents, other accidents, crime and drugs, it very well may be higher. Casualties are only about 1% of US troops, thats including wounded. I had 20,000 deploy in my unit, 87 KIA. Not even half a percent. Depending on the city, it very well could be true. The manner of death is different, but not the chance.

With civilian casualties, when terrorist are specifically targeting them, then yes, Baghdad is higher.

Answer 8

Compare apples to apples and the statistics dont lie.
In Iraq you are more likely to die by sniper fire and IEDs than in the states. But you are far less likely to die in an auto accident, pit bull attack, heart attack, overdose, etc.

Answer 9

Well, that's an overstatement. But here in Philly, I think we've had about 270 murders so far this year.

Answer 10

anyone who actually looks at the numbers will see the murder rate in baghdad is about 20X higher than the worst us cities