Yes it the Economy Stupid but while the Nation has been engaged on the best way to reward irresponsible behavior, a grim milestone has been passed.
With almost 100 days left in the year, deaths in Afghanistan for 2008 have reached the 2007 total.
http://icasualties.org/...
With the next death, we will mark the 5th strait year of increases in the toll.
23% of the total death toll for Afghanistan since 2001 have occurred so far this year. Baring a miracle, that will approach 25% or more by the end of 2008.
How bad are things? At the current rate, deaths in Afghanistan will exceed those in Iraq for 2008.
Maybe we should point this out to Mr. Surge.