2008: Chicago Murders Total Tops U.S. Soldier Deaths in Iraq

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2008: Chicago Murders Total Tops U.S. Soldier Deaths in Iraq

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uploaded by BMCWrites

Few Americans realize the number of people murdered in Chicago during 2008 was larger than the number of U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq during the same period.

In a Sept. 4 post, I noted an effort by Chicago’s CBS television affiliate to change that fact. CBS2Chicago broadcast a report that included an interesting stat — that is, the city’s 125 summer murders total nearly doubled the number of soldiers killed in Iraq during the same time period (65).  Unfortunately, they seemed to stand alone.

Five days ago, Associated Press had the opportunity to share the facts for comparison.  Unfortunately, they opted to publish a story containing only half of the story (i.e., that at least 314 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq during 2008, down from 904 in the previous year).

Four days ago, the folks at the Chicago Tribune had a similar chance.  Unfortunately, their article that appeared in yesterday’s edition also included only half of the story (i.e., that the Windy City closed 2008 with 509 homicides, an increase of about 15 percent over 2007).

Combine the two stories, and the whole 2008 picture — the picture unpainted by members of the media — is made clear:

• 314 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq;
• 509 people were murdered in Chicago.

You read about it here.

Hat tip:  NewsBusters

-- Bob McCarty Writes