Sadly, the Iraq war reached a numerical milestone with the death toll reaching 4,000 soldiers killed in combat. Why we pay so much attention to the round numbers, especially when every single death counts and every single death will leave parents or spouses behind. Every single death with leave children or childhood friends behind. Every single death is one too many. 97% of these deaths came after Bush declared “Mission Accomplished” on May 1st, 2003.
BAGHDAD (AP)  A roadside bomb killed four U.S. soldiers in Baghdad on Sunday, the military said, pushing the overall American death toll in the five-year war to at least 4,000. The grim milestone came on a day when at least 61 people were killed across the country.
Rockets and mortars pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone, underscoring the fragile security situation and the resilience of both Sunni and Shiite extremist groups despite an overall lull in violence.
The soldiers with Multi-National Division  Baghdad were on a patrol when their vehicle was struck at about 10 p.m. in southern Baghdad, the military said. Another soldier was wounded in the attack.
The cost of this war does not just entail lives lost but the trillions of dollars spent, not just now, but in the future. It’s almost impossible to quantify these future costs, but it most certainly will leave future generations in debt. The only other war to cost more was World War II. Nancy Pelosi released a Statement regarding the death of 4,000 US Soldiers.
WASHINGTON, March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on reports that the death toll for United States soldiers in Iraq has reached 4,000:  ÂÂ
“Today, we mourn America’s fallen heroes; the deaths of 4,000 American soldiers is a grim reminder of the enormous cost of war in Iraq: the human cost. We honor those soldiers, America’s best and bravest who have paid the ultimate price, and pray for their families and loved ones.  ÂÂ
“With 4,000 American lives lost and thousands injured, many of them permanently, Americans are asking how much longer must our troops continue to sacrifice for the sake of an Iraqi government that is unwilling or unable to secure its own future.   ÂÂ
“Americans also understand that the cost of the war to our national security, military readiness and our reputation around the world is immense and that the threat to our economy — as the war in Iraq continues to take us deeper into debt — is unacceptable.  ÂÂ
“America wants a New Direction, not the continuation of the President’s plan for a 10-year, three trillion dollar war in Iraq.”
DFA is having a vigil to mark this unfortunate milestone, if you are interested in attending the details are below.
Please attend Vigil Marking 4000 Dead on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 6:00 PM. You can RSVP here.
What: Vigil Marking 4000 Dead
When: Monday, March 24, 2008, 6:00 PM
Where: Veteran’s Memorial at Depot Park
100 N. Atchison St.
Orange CA
300 million Americans
9.9 percent in the 18 to 24 are range (Most troops are this age)
4,000 US troop deaths in Iraq over five years. (War is hell)
As a comparison, in 5 weeks an equal number of American die behind the wheel of automobiles as have died in Iraq in the 5 years.
Of the 40,000 plus auto deaths per year, most are in the age of 16-24.
About 25.11 per 100 thousand deaths per 100k in 16 to 20 and about 25.82 per 100 thousand deaths 20-24.
As a comparison : About 4000 US deaths in IRAQ over 5 years, mostly in the 18 to 24 age group.
About 11,937 US death PER YEAR in the 18 to 24 age group in AUTO accidents.
Recap.
4000 deaths IRAQ war over 5 years all ages.
210,000 deaths plus AUTO wars over 5 years all ages.
I think you can add the IRAQ war death costs to the total of deaths costs attributable to the almighty automobile, because it is “all about oilâ€Â. Right?
Iraq is costing Taxpayers $5,000 a second. Iraq has no stable government. There are more terrorists fighting us today, not fewer. We’re looking at a tab of $3 trillion when this is over. Has this war been worth it to you? Its blood AND TREASURE.