More U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq than the number of people killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. At least 2,977 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq, and the 9/11 milestone came on Christmas.
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a span of a few hours, 2,973 people were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a span of 45 months, the number of American troops killed in Iraq has exceeded that grim toll.
The milestone in Iraq came on Christmas, nearly four years after the war began, according to a count by The Associated Press.
With new casualties announced by the U.S. military on Tuesday, the death toll of American soldiers since the March 2003 beginning of the Iraq war was at least 2,978 -- five more than the number killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The AP count is 17 higher than the Defense Department's tally, which was last updated Tuesday.
President Bush has said the Iraq war is part of the United States' post-Sept. 11 approach to threats abroad: Taking the offensive against enemies before they could harm Americans.
There has not been any credible evidence linking Iraq to the Sept. 11 attacks. Democrats have said the war in Iraq detracted from efforts against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.
According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, the Dept. of Defense has now confirmed 2,977 U.S. deaths, with another 13 pending DoD confirmation--a total of 2,990 U.S. troops killed in a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.
But hey, at least Dubya is making "good progress" on a fresh strategy on Iraq. That means many more young Americans will die for Bush's folly. And as we all know, deciderating is hard work.
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