How many dead since May 1?

["Eli Stephens" <elishastephens@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The New York Times, in an article on today's death of American soldiers,
says "At least 20 members of American forces have been killed since
President Bush announced the end of formal hostilities on May 1."

And two days ago, the International Herald Tribune reported: "At least 18
U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraqi attacks since May 1."

Full: http://www.iht.com/articles/100611.html

Yet just last Fridayy, June 20, the International Herald Tribune reported a
startlingly higher number:

"More than 50 American soldiers have died in Iraq since President George W.
Bush declared May 1 that major fighting there was over."

Full: http://www.iht.com/articles/100169.html

There is the difference between "been killed" and "died", but it's hard to
believe that they are trying to pass off the deaths of the 32 missing
soldiers as "accidents." A while ago I said it would be hard for the US to
try to hide its deaths in Iraq, but perhaps I underestimated the compliance
of the US media. After all, if it hadn't been for the unexpected success of
Springtime for Hitler, Max Bialystock's little old ladies would never have
known have many of them there were either. So maybe cutting the number of
American deaths in Iraq in half or more is a piece of cake. After all, who
is going around searching obituaries and adding up the numbers?

Which would you rather be - an undercounted protestor, or an undercounted
dead soldier? Just remember not to accuse the press of "lying" any more than
you would accuse Bush of lying. After all, "50" is "at least 18."

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