Baghdad morgue's revised toll for August undermines claims of steep drop in violence

Baghdad's morgue almost tripled its count for violent deaths in Iraq's capital during August from 550 to 1,536, authorities said Thursday, appearing to erase most of what U.S. generals and Iraqi leaders had touted as evidence of progress in a major security operation to restore order in the capital.

Wow. Tripled? That's really surprising. A week or so ago some conservatives were all over the claim that the recent increase in the U.S. troop presence in Bagdhad had directly resulted in a sharp decline in violence. I wonder how that could have happened? Must have been an honest mistake.

U.S. count of Baghdad deaths excludes car bombs, mortar attacks

U.S. officials, seeking a way to measure the results of a program aimed at decreasing violence in Baghdad, aren't counting scores of dead killed in car bombings and mortar attacks as victims of the country's sectarian violence. In a distinction previously undisclosed, U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Barry Johnson said Friday that the United States is including in its tabulations of sectarian violence only deaths of individuals killed in drive-by shootings or by torture and execution.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

At least the Baghdad economy is thriving with new business, right?

Coffin maker Abbas Hussein Mohammed opened a new shop in Baghdad to cope with rising demand. Last month the capital's morgue received 1,536 victims of violence. Photo Credit: By Khalid Mohammed -- Associated Press

Hat tip - Atrios.

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