We thought July was deadly in Afghanistan.
But August was already showing its deadly side by mid-month, after the Taliban shot down a US helicopter and bombings, shootings, and drone strikes killed dozens.
Two weeks later, this last month has been proved the deadliest ever for American soldiers in Afghanistan, with 66 killed, beating out July 2010 by just one death. The news comes on the very day Obama spoke to the American Legion in Minneapolis on veterans issues, including medical care and their struggle to find employment at home.
Left uncounted, as usual, is the Afghan civilian toll. At least dozens have been killed this month in shootings and bombings by insurgents and occupying forces. In March, the UN declared 2010 the deadliest year yet for Afghan civilians.
This proves what I've saying for a while: the Afghan rebels are only beginning to warm up now. This is the final phase of the show down (even if the decade behind it didn't give it away).
I sure am glad this will be all over the evening news, on every channel. Oh wait, no it won't.
Funny how we "supprt the troops" by suppressing news about their deaths and injuries and covering Lindsay Lohan and Casey Anthony instead.
The last six US soldiers to die this week in Afghanistan all died in Kandahar over six days from last Tuesday, August 23, to Sunday August 28. One soldier died each day, (except Friday) in a reported mixture of IED attacks and small arms fire. Two soldiers died on Thursday, August 25.
The Taliban are taking advantage of US command insistence that US soldiers conduct dismounted patrols. The oldest soldier to die from this string of attacks was 25. The youngest only 20 years old.
They all volunteered. They chose to take the risk of entering a dangerous occupation during wartime. I can sympathize with their loved ones.
But i doubt that new recruits are thinking of risks. The pro-military/patriotism propoganda has its effect, especially on young people.
To mend is is never too late and stop this bloody blame games against Islam and Muslim as Islam loves and preaches peace with thself, with God and the people.
A Muslim complies with Islamic teachings and just to blame will not turn bad to good.
We wish to live in peace ad harmony and is only possible if americans leave our region. They have nothing to do with us.
Wew can,t harm america and never did but state media and money and propaganda is huge for nothing.
A dream a day will come when america goes back and leave peace loving Muslims. We are suffering fro christian aggression since 300 years. W did no harm to them but they did to us. as aggression is in blood of americans and Europeans.
66 so far for Aug, with 6 or 7 more NATO fatalities in Aug still unidentified by name or country (2 of these were "non-hostile" fatalities on Aug 16, very long time for not being identified; http://icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx). So the deadliest month already is likely to get deadlier, to at least 70.
Somehow, a CBS news article managed to give the deadliest month an upbeat spin: "CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark reports that the figures, so heavily skewed by the attack on the Chinook, actually belie a more peaceful month for U.S. troops on the ground." (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/30/501364/main20099087.shtml)