Current events

[weaktwos]

There have been a few developments in the news that pique my interest likely because I've been listening to the news a bit more during my morning commute.

The entire United States behaved like trauma victims yesterday as we collectively flinched when news of an airplane hit a residential building in New York City. Tragically, a baseball player and his friend passed away. But that wasn't as astonishing as it gets. Sadly, there's probably much worse going on at any given moment that we don't hear about because it's habitually occurring.

Top on the list, the casualty estimate from Lancet. 655,000 Iraqis killed since our War. Stunning. How sad I feel when I compare that to other events where death tolls are on the 100,000 plus scale and think, well, "it's not as bad as it could get." Still, it's a shocking number. Based on their margin of error, the actual toll could be as low as 400,000 or as high as 900,000. These are cold, cruel numbers. The Iraqi population estimate as of 2005 was over 28 million, so that's only like losing about 2.2 percent of their population. That would be like the United States losing 6.5 million people, comparatively, since our population is about 299 million.

Keep in mind that this is a statistical extrapolation based on interviewing 1850 households. Maybe they surveyed only the worst, most violent households and the numbers are over-estimated. I'm not sure, yet.

I heard Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salil interviewed on NPR last night. I also heard President Bush sound off on the claims. He calls the study a "guess". Belittlement, anyone? Barham Salil says the estimates are too high, as well. That said, they haven't yet offered any reason why the methodology is not sound, especially with a statistically significant sample size. Salil won't even offer up a counter estimate and his country's methodology of death rates. That was most interesting. His unwillingness to offer up a valid dispute is intriguing.

Here's a discussion of the methodology, incidentally. Here's a link that provides some additional information, as well.

From the files of, "Thank heavens I'm an American", I invite you to read this article. Imagine living in a nation where 33% of your population has AIDs. Imagine as well that you live in a country where there is one doctor to 92000 citizens. Or a medical budget of $12 per capita.

Here's a gem: Accuracy in Media alleges that Foley is a closeted Democrat.

We'll see if this comes to pass.

And finally, because I was talking to libidoergosum about this earlier, the Clinton Foundation is making inroads in making Philanthropy more profitable. Yes, call me a polyanna, but I think the would would be a better place if education could take a corporate spin and educational consultants can go into underdeveloped nations to educate the masses so that they can improve their lot in life. This would come after they stabilize the disease trap places in Africa are currently caught in.

Comments

[mcraven333.livejournal.com]

I made a similar post today about the estimate from Lancet. Here's something else to consider, along with a criticism of study's methodology. Hooray for differentiated sources!

In other news, I really wish the UN would come down here and write a report up on New Orleans. Between the lack of medical care, schools, homes, and jobs along with the ever-rising murder rate, I'm sure we'd fit 3rd world status now. Don't worry; I won't hold my breath for the world community's thunderous applause for our government.

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Here's another bit of news that doesn't get enough attention. Oy veh.