How many more innocent people have to die before the US and UK exit Iraq and end the illegal occupation? Please release the CPT hostages who were only trying to help create peace.
The Iraq Index
John S. Friedman
As the debate about when and how to exit Iraq intensifies, it is essential to have information that is accessible and that puts the human costs of the war in context.
More American soldiers have died in Iraq than in all US conflicts put together since Vietnam. About eight times more soldiers have died in Iraq than in Afghanistan and all other countries where the United States is fighting terrorism, combined. Most of those who have died came from poor, rural areas. The smaller US territories and commonwealths are paying the greatest price. American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands have the highest number of deaths per capita. On the other hand, Puerto Rico has the second-lowest number. Of the states, Vermont has the highest and Utah the lowest number of deaths per capita.
Approximately 26 percent of those killed have been minorities. This percentage is about the same as in the Gulf War (24 percent), but much greater than in the Vietnam War (14 percent) or even Afghanistan (19 percent). Citizen soldiers (reservists and members of the National Guard) are shouldering a significant proportion of the casualties, accounting for about one-quarter of all US deaths since the war began. More than 15,500 US soldiers have been wounded--more than seven times the number who have died.
I live in Tennessee, USA, and I am horrified by the war in Iraq. Let's make more of an effort for peace and the rebuilding of Iraq's now-shattered governemtn, making progress in its new structure and helping the people of Iraq rather than torturing them. We need to free these men who are simply trying to help make that happen.
I am one of many, many Americans who have always OPPOSED the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq! Please release the C.P.T. workers, in the name of peace and unity... thank you.
In the name of God/Allah please set these men free for they are only filled with love and sympathy for the persecuted may God/Allah speak to their hearts..
I hope that these hostages will be given their freedom and that they will one day return home safely.
We march, light candles and pray that the American troops will leave Iraq, as the American preemtive war against a country that did not attack us violates international law.
President Bush's war on terror is killing more innocent people than the number of those innocents who died on 9-11.
As Ramsey Clark defends Saddam, where is the defence for the hundreds of people in the wrong place at the wrong time, being tortured by agents of the U.S.?
It is love that brings us into this world and love that nourishes us. Without love we have nothing but that which is not love. We must do everything possible to demonstrate our thanks for that love. Peace is the way. Give thanks.
