« Trashing the Republic: an overdone pastime | Main | Bhutto sentenced in Switzerland »

Casualities hidden, mystery illness hits US troops in Iraq

Posted August 5, 2003 to World category.

Gulf War Syndrome? A 100 soldiers is too small a sample to tell from. Maybe all the depleted uranium weapons they used are kicking in.

…What’s not counted in the total is over 100 soldiers who have caught some kind of pnuemonia-like illness, not only in Iraq, but across CENTCOM deployments in the region.

…Combine the poor sanitation common in most of the CENTCOM areas, the lack of decent permanent housing for US troops, especially in Iraq and no idea if or how Iraqis are fairing, a medical disaster for American troops is possible. We have no idea if Iraqis are getting sick from this and with the chaos in the hospitals, little way of finding out.
>> DailyKos

Update: Couterpunch: Military Equipment and Pneumonia

SOLDIERS and civilians in Iraq face a health timebomb after dangerously high levels of radiation were measured around Baghdad.

Levels between 1,000 and 1,900 times higher than normal were recorded at four sites around the Iraqi capital where depleted uranium (DU) munitions have been used across wide areas.
>> Drudge Report via Eschaton

May 18 ‘04: Reports on DU are trickling in:

It’s a year into the occupation and U.S. troops are being killed at a rate of more than four a day. These deaths from roadside bombs, suicide attackers, anti-U.S. militia and mobs of angry civilians make headlines. More quietly, American soldiers also are beginning to suffer injuries from a silent and pernicious weapon material of U.S. origin—depleted uranium (DU).
>> Depleted Morality: The first signs of uranium sickness surface in troops returning from Iraq

Updated at 10:13 AM on August 15, 2005 | Email
Comments (12 comments so far.)
1. | Bobbe at August 12, 2003 12:44 AM:

April 4, 2003: “a 39-year-old specialist in the Army National Guard came down with a sudden illness and died March 26 in Kuwait. Military officials told his family he had a blood clot in his lung and acute pancreatitis.”

Ahttp://www.naplesnews.com/03/04/naples/d928298a.htm

2. | Pamela Thompson at October 10, 2003 9:21 PM:

The United States Government has abandoned our children,brothers,fathers,sisters husbands, and wives. For GOD’S SAKE……….Do Something!!
Our President is a COWARD!

3. | Jennifer at March 18, 2004 11:15 AM:

The U. S. has abandoned no one! Quit whinning like a bunch of babies. All your complaining does nothing to help those who are serving overseas so shut up! My son is in Iraq, and went willingly. These soldiers deserve all the pride and support we can shower them with and all your political agendas are doing nothing but make them feel they are worthless. Maybe all of you should move to Iraq or better yet Iran, then maybe you could appreciate the freedoms you have here because of our brave and our true!

4. | KO at March 18, 2004 10:10 PM:

Those who believe that the Bush administration is truly trying to protect American freedoms are either ignorant or deluded. The fact is, we have lost more liberties since G.W. Bush became president than during any administration since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
>> Freedoms Lost Under Bush

5. | kelbooo20032003 at July 12, 2004 2:21 AM:

WHO DO THE BUSHES THINK THAT THEY ARE? EVER SINCE THEY’VE BECAME PRESIDENTS, AMERICA IS CATCHING UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF CASUALITIES AS THERE WERE IN THE VIETNAM WAR. WAKE UP AMERICA AND VOTE BUSH OUT OF THERE!!!

6. | Michelle at August 9, 2004 8:23 PM:

Question: Through the high school at which I teach, an email has come through from an American soldier in Iraq complaining bitterly about lack of water. Is this for real? How could such a fundamentally important resource get overlooked for U.S. troops?
Does anyone know anything about this matter? Thanks for any info you can provide!

7. | truth at October 16, 2004 2:00 PM:

to Jennifer: just pray for him, coz with the number of death among the US army growing in Iraq and the hidden wounded numbers, you´ll be lucky if he comes intact from this mess that this coward Bush putted you.

8. | Hilal Ahmed Dar at November 27, 2004 5:43 PM:

Americans deserve more boom slams.. bcoz they
have again choosen “Devil Bush” as their
President. But they should agree this that
(Muslims) Dare…. to challenge anyone.
(Muslims) fear noone except god.

Americans are pride of their hollow strength
which got scattered in heat and dust of middle
east.

The day is not far.. when the Middle East will
come close to EU and ignore the West. Fight them
(west) on the other hand and that day will be a
called as Judgement Day in Muslim World.

9. | Jordan Harris at January 10, 2005 8:52 PM:

hey god bless you all in the war and thank you for serving our counttry

10. | Mehmet at August 23, 2005 4:37 PM:

Arent you the one who save, protect and support Saddam Husein for nearly 3 decades. Thats your government do that. Everyone knows except you, and can proof it. Your army bombing the cities, devastating everything, showing no respect even to the holy places, for saving that country. That marvelous youre saving the people by killing them. Thats a new way to save them. Why do rest of the world like, can yolu tell me? You just keep living in your imaginary world, keep going. Believe all the lies which told you.

11. | Ibrahim at April 3, 2006 8:31 PM:

Bush Administration is driving Americans to the point of no return, the battles at different fronts he promised americans is a battle of the light time as those he so wish to eliminate are stronger than anything he can think of. There are alot good people in america they can change it with their votes during the next coming mid-term elections.

-Liman

12. | Rob at September 11, 2006 12:21 AM:

I dont know what to say really. I am a soldier, a medic who has seen fifteen months of combat in the four years I have been in. I left Iraq in july of 04, and to be honest with you I still cant sleep. Im surprised tylenol PM hasn’t given me a CEO position. I dont really talk about it, and am not going to give you details here. All I can tell you is that I cant stop thinking about it. Im tired, and have been since I came back. I spend most of my nights running around all over the place til I finally crash out at 2 or 3 in the morning. I then get up at six in the morning to start my 12 hour work day. To be honest with you I dont know much eccept that I hate my life! Its weird when your with a big group of people, and you still feel alone. Ive tried to get help but the army kind of frowns on the whole mental issues thing. If you have a son or daughter over there I give you fair warning. This can happen to them. The whole thing is like a bad movie that just wont end. Ive been waiting for the last two years for the credits to role, but they dont. For those politicians who may read this. I dont want your medals, or suport. You can have it back. I just want my life, and the guys who didnt come back back!

Enter Your Comment

Please read the comment policy before commenting

(required)

(required)

(if you've got a website)

recieve reply via email

Please be considerate of others. Keep comments relevant. Content deemed inappropriate or offensive may be edited and/or deleted.