Maj. Gen. Caldwell: total number of deaths -- civilians, Iraqi and US forces up 10% since "surge"

[sabra]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/11/AR2007041102121.html?hpid=topnews

<snip>

Caldwell also painted a mixed picture of the violence in Iraq eight weeks into a security plan intended to quell turmoil in the capital. From January to March, civilian deaths dropped 26 percent in Baghdad, he said. But violence surged in many areas outside the capital, resulting in a rise in civilian deaths across Iraq over the same period. Most of the victims were killed by car bombs or suicide bombers, he said.

From February, when the security plan was launched, to March, the total number of deaths -- civilians, Iraqi security forces and U.S. troops -- rose by 10 percent, he said. "What does this mean? It means that we still have a lot of work to do," Caldwell said.

"The goal of these murderers is to ignite a cycle of violence. They want to murder people of one sect to try to provoke revenge killings, so that this country will be divided and weak," he added.

[sutz12]

1. Yeah waddya know?

Didn't they fire a general a while back that said putting more troops in would just make for more targets?

:shrug:

[TexasLawyer]

2. the surge is working!

We are successfully creating hell on earth!

[ConsAreLiars]

3. More butchering, more deaths. Who'd have guessed?

Sending more killers into the streets of Baghdad to break down doors and kidnap whoever they found scary seemed like such a sure way toward achieving social harmony. :sarcasm:

[caligirl]

4. And of course they must protect a clump of cells from murderous

scientists. :sarcasm: Respect for human life is a political slogan for repug politicians, has no real meaning.

[solara]

5. The surge is working

Even though the cycle of death, destruction and terror is escalating.. there is not enough blood. The world can smell the stench of death that hovers over Iraq, but only a few in Washington can. Must be the cherry blossoms.


INVESTIGATE IMPEACH INDICT IMPRECATE INCARCERATE :banghead:

[KT2000]

6. Keira Philips on CNN

said the surge is having some successes!!!!
I guess it's best to look on the bright side of was like Keira does - somehow it's all not so bad.

:puke:

[tanyev]

9. Always look on the bright side of life...

[Supersedeas]

15. CNN has some success at disseminating some propoganda

[malaise]

7. But but but

that means the surge is working - people are surging to their grave.

[kimmylavin]

8. "What does this mean?"

"What does this mean?"
It means that you idiots fucked up - AGAIN!
It means that the majority of the people in this country were RIGHT about this ridiculous "surge".

So they "surge" into Baghdad, and "quell turmoil" there.
But then violence "surged" everywhere else.
Does this sound like an incredibly gruesome game of Whack-a-Mole to anyone else?

And this is priceless: "The goal of these murderers is to ignite a cycle of violence."
Uh - why? So they can follow in our footsteps?
The cycle's been ignited, man, and YOU are holding the match.

[magellan]

14. A cycle of violence that we unleashed and continue to feed

Don't you love how it's always the "enemy's" fault, and how simple truths like you state ('So they "surge" into Baghdad, and "quell turmoil" there. But then violence "surged" everywhere else.') are conveniently overlooked?

I really wish we were the "good guys" in this. But the truth is the Iraqis didn't ask us to "liberate" them, they're worse off for it, and Bush** is doing nothing but playing a shell game with the lives of our troops to keep us there.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[yardwork]

10. Nobody could have anticipated!!!!!

Yeah, right.

[maxsolomon]

11. once this little spike is over

peace will reign over bagdhad. trust our president.

this baby seal does:



don't you like the baby seal?

:sarcasm:, natch.

[19jet54]

12. Treated as liberators?

... we are liberating the shit out of them :sarcasm: SURGE LIBERATION!

[AlCzervik]

13. is that the gop's secret plan?