Iraq death toll higher than many think

I am writing this letter to encourage the advocacy of truth, rather than partisan propaganda so many of us put forth in our letters and discussions.

In his Nov. 15 letter, William Gadberry wrote that the Iraqi civilian war dead is not 100,000 but between 14,000 and 17,000, based upon his Internet checking at various locations. He then accused “those on the left” of dramatically reducing their credibility “by tossing out wild and unsubstantiated numbers” of Iraqi war dead.

A question of Mr. Gadberry’s own credibility and unbridled partisan loyalty will now be raised. He is the one who tossed out unsubstantiated numbers.

The 100,000 figure is not exaggerated, but on the contrary may be an underestimate. Mr. Gadberry’s checking apparently missed the first (and thus far only) scientific study of the Iraqi civilian war dead recently completed by the prestigious British medical journal Lancet. The results were published on Lancet’s Web site on Oct. 29, two weeks prior to his letter. The Iraqi civilian war dead is listed at in excess of 100,000 in this scientific study. Check it out!

I would hope all writers would please check their facts before slamming any group with personal or partisan propaganda, whatever partisan side the writer represents. How about sticking with the truth?

Norm Kosky

Camano Island