Soldiers and civilians aren't only ones losing lives in Iraq

Contractors and reporters are finding it increasingly difficult to stay in Iraq.

As the New York Times pointed out this morning, 146 contractors were killed in the first three months of 2007.  According to the Labor Department, since the war began, 917 contractors have died, and 12,000 have been wounded.

Just as alarming is the lack of safety for members of the media.  As of last fall, 580 journalists had been killed over the last fifteen years -- but 78 of those died in Iraq.  Since the fall, the numbers have shot straight up.  The group Reporters without Borders now reports that 123 journalists and 51 media assistants have lost their lives since the war began.

Sadly, those figures have gone up in recent days, as two ABC News reporters were killed this week when their car was ambushed in Baghdad:

"They are really our eyes and ears in Iraq," McCarthy said of thecontribution each made to ABC News. "Many places in Baghdad are justtoo dangerous for foreigners to go now, so we have Iraqi camera crewswho very bravely go out … without them we are blind, we cannot seewhat's going on."

This month, the group Reporters without Borders has put together a program that delivers food and other aide to the families of journalists in Iraq.

Comments

[Tony]

The overall numbers are astronomical and should be posted daily in the media. When we hear "3???", it waters it down a bit...after all thats a "drop in the bucket" for a war.

I truly believe that ALL the conservative pro-war people out there, conveniently convince themselves that its "the price you pay for freedom". I wonder if "these" people encourage their kids to go to war..."Johnny, grab your bagged lunch and go, it's time now. Stay safe and kill 1 for mommy (tee-hee)"

[Chief Editor: Todd]

lol Yes....everything then is worth the cost of freedom -- including using nukes, losing 3,400 soldiers, torturing prisoners, and selling anti-French merchandise...that kind of stuff.

[granny]

I like Tony's idea. Can WE post the total numbers every day: military, civilian, all?

"Since (beginning date of Iraq invasion)(number) of human lives have been lost as a consequence of this action"

Isn't there somewhere that's doing that count, where we can pick it up?