Percentage of US troops killed in Iraq to date:

Since Bush declared "Mission Accomplished": 93%
Since the capture of Saddam Hussein: 75%
Since handover of power to Iraq: 53%
Since initial Iraqi elections: 22%

In case that last number sounds hopeful, that's 22% of our fatalities taking place in 19% of the total length of the war so far—more than two years after the start of the war.

Think about this the next time you hear rhetoric from the president and his administration. The point of this isn't a personal attack on Bush, but instead a profound expression of disappointment and dismay at what our misguided policies have wrought. We can do better as a country, and better as a world, and that's why I oppose this president. He has failed us.

UPDATE (Sept 4, 2005): The last two percentages above have risen to 54% and 24%, respectively, with the current death total at 1,886. That adds up to 24% of our casualties taking place in the most recent 19% of the war--which means it's gotten slightly worse.

UPDATE (Nov. 12, 2005): A full 30% of U.S. military deaths have occurred since the Iraqi elections, and 58% since the handover of power. To what end?

Labels: Politics