Some statistics...

[Kilter]

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the U.S. involvement in Iraq, here's a sobering statistic.

There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theatre of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,112 deaths.

That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers.
The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period.
That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq.

Conclusion:

The U.S. should pull out of Washington.

 

[thefatlady]

This one has been repeated several times with the period and rate changed.

I assume that the 60 per 100,000 is per month, because that makes arithmetic sense.

Since the population of Washington DC is 500,000, that implies that nearly 9000 people have been shot dead in Washington DC in the past 22 months. Can you confirm that, or are you not comparing like with like?

 

[Jonnysailboat]

...and if those same stats extended to the Metropolitan areas; around 90,000 Americans would be being shot dead each month. That means in 277 years time the entire USA would have been wiped out by disgruntled postal workers.

 

[mel80]

Quick check of your statistics.

Fatality rate per year per 100 000 US troops (from your figures):
2112/(22/12)/(160 000/100 000)=720

Homicide rate in washington DC per year per 100 000 citizens (from here ) = 44

In other words you are 16 times more likely to be killed in Iraq than in Washington. Still surprising, but perhaps a little more believable!

 

[Athene V30]

Someone said (maybe Churchill) 'there are lies, damned lies and statistics'

 

[peterb]

[ QUOTE ]
Someone said (maybe Churchill) 'there are lies, damned lies and statistics'

[/ QUOTE ]

But that's because there are liars, damned liars, and politicians.

 

[Swanrad2]

You just spoiled a funny story by being right; damn you all- I get the Daily Mail for this very reason.

 

[Danny_Labrador]

Benjamin Disraeli

 

[Searush]

"Never let the facts get in the way of a good story."

Mark Twain? Referring to journalism? Or G B Shaw?

But I haven't bothered to check my memory(against the facts) so I will be pleased to accept corrections.