An Aussie reports on US war casualties

[The Aussie]

Subject: You won't see this in your local paper or TV station in the US.

Military Death Numbers compiled by a friend from DOD reports.
Below is some very interesting data reference deaths in the military. I guarantee you will not read this in your local newspaper nor will you see it on the daily news broadcast. I hope this will help you to enlighten folks around you to the brave and courageous young people serving in the US military.
Deaths in the Military
1980 .......... 2,392
1981 .......... 2,380
1982 ......... 2,318
1983 .......... 2,465
1984 .......... 1,999
1985 .......... 2,252
1986 .......... 1,984
1987 .......... 1,983
1988 ......... 1,819
1989 .......... 1,636
1990 .......... 1,508
1991 .......... 1,787
1992 .......... 1,293
1993 .......... 1,213
1994 ......... 1,075
1995 .......... 1,040
1996 .......... 974
1997 .......... 817
1998 .......... 826
1999 .......... 795
2000 ......... 774
2001 .......... 890
2002 .......... 1,007
2003 .......... 1,410 [534*]
2004 .......... 1,887 [900*]
2005 .......... [919*]
2006 .......... [920*]
Figures so noted with an asterisk (*) indicates deaths as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
You may initially feel confused when you look at these figures - especially when you see that in 1980, during the term of President Jimmy Carter,there were 2,392 US military fatalities. What this clearly indicates is that our media and our politicians pick and choose and tend to present only those facts that support their agenda driven reporting.
Another fact our media and politicians like to slant is that these brave men and women losing their lives are minorities.
Wrong again.
The latest census shows the following:
European descent (white).........69.12%
Hispanic.........................12.5%
African American.................12.3%
Asian.............................3.7%
Native American...................1.0%
Other.............................2.6%
The fatalities over the past three years in Iraqi Freedom are:
European descent (white)........ 74.31%
Hispanic.........................10.74%
African American..................9.67%
Asian.............................1.81%
Native American...................1.09%
Other.............................2.33%
Source:
These statistics are published by DOD and may be viewed at:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf
Pass this on,Semper Fi

[Americano]

As the US has not been attacked since ww2 and the military is volunteer service, I personally place no higher value on that job than any other societal contribution. The US enlisted military is basically a job with better pay and benefits than what's available for the uneducated in the private sector, nothing else.

[The Aussie]

As the US has not been attacked since ww2 and the military is volunteer service, I personally place no higher value on that job than any other societal contribution. The US enlisted military is basically a job with better pay and benefits than what's available for the uneducated in the private sector, nothing else.

Interesting concept. As this is an American forum and I am a guest here I'd like to see if anyone else has a comment on this as it will help me to judge what this forum is about.

[dilettante]

As the US has not been attacked since ww2 and the military is volunteer service, I personally place no higher value on that job than any other societal contribution. The US enlisted military is basically a job with better pay and benefits than what's available for the uneducated in the private sector, nothing else.

I don't think that analysis captures any of the cultural context surrounding military service. While I don't have any special respect for someone who joins the armed forces primarily because they see it as a means of advancing their personal economic status, I know several members of the military who volunteered as an attempt to serve their community/nation, some of whom delayed promising career opportunities in order to serve a term.
I find that desire to serve worthy of respect and I know of very few jobs in the private sector where there is the same mentality of service, loyalty and honor. This isn't to say that all men and women in uniform are heroes (they aren't), just that for some (possibly many) the decision to join came at least in part from a desire to serve others and I deem that worth respecting.

[Dominick]

Interesting concept. As this is an American forum and I am a guest here I'd like to see if anyone else has a comment on this as it will help me to judge what this forum is about.
Most of the membership is American but it's not an American board as such. Physically it's located in Canada. The owner is Canadian and the technical staff is stateless *

These numbers are not really US war casualties, or are they ? It seems they're simply deaths that occured within the military, thus including accidents, suicides and whatnot. I don't really understand where you are going with these numbers ?

* Okay, okay, Belgian.

[Americano]

I don't think that analysis captures any of the cultural context surrounding military service. While I don't have any special respect for someone who joins the armed forces primarily because they see it as a means of advancing their personal economic status, I know several members of the military who volunteered as an attempt to serve their community/nation, some of whom delayed promising career opportunities in order to serve a term.
I find that desire to serve worthy of respect and I know of very few jobs in the private sector where there is the same mentality of service, loyalty and honor. This isn't to say that all men and women in uniform are heroes (they aren't), just that for some (possibly many) the decision to join came at least in part from a desire to serve others and I deem that worth respecting.

One doesn't face prison in the private sector for disobeying a supervisor's order, which to me says the motivation for mentality of service and loyalty
is not self-instilled. I don't see any honor in serving military unless it is in fact defending a country. Otherwise I still view the US enlisted ranks as cannon fodder for special interests.

[bug]

One doesn't face prison in the private sector for disobeying a supervisor's order, which to me says the motivation for mentality of service and loyalty
is not self-instilled. I don't see any honor in serving military unless it is in fact defending a country. Otherwise I still view the US enlisted ranks as cannon fodder for special interests.

The appeal of joining the Army can be seen in its commercials. With some psuedo-metal blaring, they say things like (my paraphrase)"Wanna play with awesome toys?" "You ever seen guns like these?" "This thing you can operate if you join could blow up, like an entire continent." Then, there's (not my paraphrase) "Dad, I've done the research and the Army will pay for college." I've known some good people from the Army. However, good or not, not one of them have joined because of their love of their country. The closest any soldier I have known has come to this is the one who joined because of a hatred for other countries. (P.S.--That's not one of the "good" ones)

[Americano]

The appeal of joining the Army can be seen in its commercials. With some psuedo-metal blaring, they say things like (my paraphrase)"Wanna play with awesome toys?" "You ever seen guns like these?" "This thing you can operate if you join could blow up, like an entire continent." Then, there's (not my paraphrase) "Dad, I've done the research and the Army will pay for college." I've known some good people from the Army. However, good or not, not one of them have joined because of their love of their country. The closest any soldier I have known has come to this is the one who joined because of a hatred for other countries. (P.S.--That's not one of the "good" ones)

I've never personally known people to join for the love of their country in peacetime. I have known a few true warriors who made a career out of it but they're honest enough to admit they liked the action and that's why they stayed. One, an original Navy Seal who served in Korea and Vietnam now in his late '70s, said HALO jumps and operating behind enemy lines to assassinate NVA officers and the firefights were the best part of his life. There's a world of difference between a true warrior and some schmuck joining the military because pay/benefits are better than Wal-Mart.

[The Aussie]

As the US has not been attacked since ww2 and the military is volunteer service, I personally place no higher value on that job than any other societal contribution. The US enlisted military is basically a job with better pay and benefits than what's available for the uneducated in the private sector, nothing else.

Yeah is that a fact? You might think like that but there are some who might just have other thoughts. Like memories of what Grandad did so that people like you can live in peace and have the luxury of the freedom of speech and the written word.
Like this little Canadian Boy. Pay is far from the reason he is taking the salute. The soldiers also all know that they didn't have to give an eye's right to a little boy. Try and guess why they did?


http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/Pictures77_2008/th_LittleBelgianladsalutingCanadianTro.jpg (http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/Pictures77_2008/?action=view&current=LittleBelgianladsalutingCanadianTro.flv)

[Americano]

Boredom and pity for a kid with nothing better to do?

[The Aussie]

Boredom and pity for a kid with nothing better to do?

There are some crappy people on this forum pal. Why aren't you the moderator? You are highly qualified for the position.

[Americano]

There are some crappy people on this forum pal. Why aren't you the moderator? You are highly qualified for the position.

Why would I want to moderate a public forum for no financial gain?

[The Aussie]

Why would I want to moderate a public forum for no financial gain?

It is just the things you say and your attitude in general. You are so suitable to be the leader here. Kind of like God's representative on Earth.

Financial re reimbursement is not the only reward to take on the mantle of public service. I wish you would re consider. I need someone like you to look up to and guide me.

[Dominick]

There are some crappy people on this forum pal.
10. We ask that you will endeavor to be civil and curtious to your fellow members and refrain from engaging in disruptive, insulting or obnoxious behavior at all times. (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=25&postcount=1)
It isn't much we ask here, isn't it ?

[The Aussie]

10. We ask that you will endeavor to be civil and curtious to your fellow members and refrain from engaging in disruptive, insulting or obnoxious behavior at all times. (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=25&postcount=1)
It isn't much we ask here, isn't it ?

No I will try harder. But it is difficult.

[The Aussie]

You know who I am now after I have done 50 posts. I'm an international poster which you aren't used to here. If you don't want that, I invite you to put your forum where the sun doesn't shine before we go any further.
I am certainly not going to work on here enhancing this place if the only message I get from the owner is a threat.
Make a decision before I invite others to join me here.

[Americano]

You know who I am now after I have done 50 posts. I'm an international poster which you aren't used to here. If you don't want that, I invite you to put your forum where the sun doesn't shine before we go any further.
I am certainly not going to work on here enhancing this place if the only message I get from the owner is a threat.
Make a decision before I invite others to join me here.

The forum has several international posters. What threat did you receive?

[partofme]

You know who I am now after I have done 50 posts. I'm an international poster which you aren't used to here. If you don't want that, I invite you to put your forum where the sun doesn't shine before we go any further.
I am certainly not going to work on here enhancing this place if the only message I get from the owner is a threat.
Make a decision before I invite others to join me here.

Enhancing?

[The Drunk Guy]

You know who I am now after I have done 50 posts. I'm an international poster which you aren't used to here. If you don't want that, I invite you to put your forum where the sun doesn't shine before we go any further.
I am certainly not going to work on here enhancing this place if the only message I get from the owner is a threat.
Make a decision before I invite others to join me here.
I just don't think you fit in. If you don't like it here, then just don't come back. You're no forum hero and we only applaud those who do something remarkable. You, sir, are just an unremarkable character.

[The Aussie]

I just don't think you fit in. If you don't like it here, then just don't come back. You're no forum hero and we only applaud those who do something remarkable. You, sir, are just an unremarkable character.

Gosh, that's terrible that you feel like that and at Easter too.
Try and get your life back tomorrow. Here's an Australian flag to cheer you up.