October in Iraq - the deadliest month - ever

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq has nothing but bad news these days. In October 2006 UNAMI pegs the civilian Iraqi deaths at 3,709.

That number of people were killed in one month.

... the U.N. reported that 3,709 Iraqi civilians were killed in October, the highest monthly toll of the war and one that is sure to be eclipsed when November's dead are counted.

There's even more joyous news...

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq also said citizens were fleeing the country at a pace of 100,000 each month, and that at least 1.6 million Iraqis have left since the war began in March 2003.

Of course, certain elements of the Iraqi government disagree and the UN has had to identify sources.

The U.N. said its figures for civilian deaths were based on reports from the Iraqi Health Ministry, the country's hospitals and the Medico-Legal Institute in Baghdad. The previous monthly record was 3,590 for July.

And the Iraqi government still disagrees.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh called the U.N. report "inaccurate and exaggerated" because it was not based on official government reports.

So... we'll have to read the official government reports to get the actual figures.

Asked in a telephone interview if any such report existed, al-Dabbagh told the AP that one "was not available yet but it would be published later."

Ah, yes. "The dog ate my homework" defence. At least the Iraqi politicians are learning something from the Bush administration.

And the warhawks continue to ask, "Would you rather have Saddam in power?"

I wonder... do they really want an answer to that ridiculous question?