Justin,

I am honestly confused as to what you're saying.

Douglas says Iraqi deaths are up. The AP story says that Us military deaths are going down. Both might be true. IF both are true, what are you saying should we conclude?

You're reading Douglas selectively. Emphasis added:

This past summer has been the bloodiest summer of the war for U.S. soldiers; Iraqi deaths from sectarian violence have doubled this year; and there is no political progress in Iraq.

But even if he/she were making a point about native deaths, the call to redeploy troops is misplaced.

Outstanding news from Iraq, Justin! Indubitably! Were you able to venture outside the green zone? And do it without all that clunky, ill-fitting (not too mention fashion disaster!) body armor? Do tell.

With all of this positive news bursting forth, surely you will reenlist?

Soon Iraq will once again be an eden of "flowery meadows and rainbow skies, and rivers made of chocolate, where the children danced and laughed and played with gumdrop smiles".

Stay brave!! You're making a difference. Mission accomplished.

Ah. Thanks. Maybe more careless reading than selective. I now see that, assuming both writers are accurate, declined from June to August, but are higher than previous years for the summer overall.