yes – the study only confirmed something around 575 actual deaths – the rest were extrapolated by cluster sampling (that’s a bit of a simplification, but it’s the basics).

I have not the training to know whether the study is accurate. I do know the editor of the journal is a staple at anti-Bush and anti-war rallies in the UK and elsewhere, so there may be a bias problem. But as for the study itself: I’ve read pro- and con- and can’t decide who’s right.

I’d prefer a more non-partisan source, though.

Mark IV,

we’re not even close to finished with this Iraq problem. It’s a little early to be celebrating the amount of “lives saved” versus “lives lost.” The death toll is still rising and no one knows when we’ll be finished here or what is going to happen.

Half a million Iraqi children estimated to have died due to our embargo/sanctions on basic medicine and supplies from entering the country. These deaths are reported to have occured from post 1991 Gulf War to the present Iraqi invasion. (per Human Rights Watch and Amnesty Int’l)

And the death figures for the INNOCENTS are estimated at over a 100,000 since the Iraqi War started (Per Amnesty Int’l and Human Rights Watch). I dont think we’ll ever know the shameful embarrassing figure that exists nor does the Bush Admin. want that accurate info out there.

Moreover, Iraq is spiralling into a Civil War and more deaths certain. All we’ve done is take a secular leader/dictator who was not a Muslim fanatic (A very bad man mind you and a murderer) and stir up a giant hornets nest. What have our Billions and loss of human life accomplished? Its appears we have goose egged on this one.

FP: “Give us a day or two on that…”