Well. I've known this all the time, but actually seeing the numbers is shocking. My gut feeling is that the rate of casualties has only increased in the last few weeks. The Daily Brew has a few other interesting charts in the end of the page. How did the US ever become like this? Why is it that they need to act as the world police, embracing violence and law of strong for solving problems rather than even trying to lead the world to better, more peaceful times. Why is it that they feel they need to "protect their interests" by invading other countries? Is it just because they have the power to do so?
More and more, the world sees the US as the bully on the playground. The worst thing is that Americans don't even understand why. I don't blame the military. Any man who's seen the war wants to avoid it. I don't only blame the leaders since I truly believe that the people deserve the leaders they elected. The greek already knew this: Caeci caecos ducentes; blind are led by the blind.
How can a country that is built by immigrants, on the land and history stained by the blood of native Americans, just tell no and turn their backs on newcomers on their borders who only wish to have the same rights as those who came before them. How is it possible that the new Americans have grown so different from their European ancestors?
Why is it that the standard American doesn't feel a need to visit any other countries, gives his vote to celebrities without questions and thinks that a plastic dummy is as good as the real one? Why does he feel so superficial?
Back to the original point, I was pondering about the war in Iraq. I don't see the American public questioning much what's going on. There were major headlines before the US forces had reached Baghdad, but after Bush declared the war to be over, the news coverage dropped dramatically. There has already been more US losses in the Iraq post-war era than there was during the actual war, or rather the government acknowledged war time. After all, this is just all mopping up, isn't it?
It seems that the US is reluctant to really do any good, to struggle for the better anymore. They seem to be too content with what they already have, the amazing nature and relative easyness of living. Americans I've met feel much too quick to laugh, to glorify and to rave about everything without actually experimenting, doing the things. They like to talk, but do not like to do. Maybe the too long period of good times and relative safety has made the majority of Americans dull, slowed them down and lulled them into a false sense of superiority.
Granted, the US is a huge country and there's so many different places and people to see and meet that it isn't really justified to generalize. But it's the majority that I'm worried about.