More Than Mere Numbers

I'll let the right-wingers bloviate about how the body count isn't all that important--it shows a stunning disregard for the families of the soldiers and offers insight into their twisted mind set. But for those who actually care about the consequences of war, here's a The New York Times article accompanied by this grim slide show. Those killed in the war are more than a number of the day/week/month or year. They leave behind friends and family, who carry the memories forever.

Iraqis who've been killed in the conflict also leave behind friends and family. The numbers are decidedly higher, but the grieving isn't any less significant.