Interesting statistics

[tuttlejr]

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the U. S. involvement in

Iraq, here's a sobering statistic.
There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theater
of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,112 deaths.
That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers. The firearm death rate in Washington, DC is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period.
That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq.

Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of Washington.

[JR]

I agree those are interesting stats. I assume the DC rate is overall, though, whereas the Iraq rate is for US personnel only. I think a few others died in Iraq during that period, so that might change the analysis.

JR

[jrnewhall]

Something wrong with the numbers

There are about 600,000 people in DC. That’s 3.75 time the average number of troops in Iraq (if you accept the 160,000 number). That would mean over 7,900 firearm deaths in DC over 22 months just to match Iraq. I think there annual murder rate is under 200. Who ever started this idea must have problems with basic math. If they're a wood worker, I wonder how many board feet of oak they would buy to make an end table?????

[TheRic]

The stat is mixing months and years. DC did have a murder rate of 80.6 per 100,000 for the YEAR in 1991. 2005 it was 35.4

The 60 per 100,000 works out to monthly.

Disclaimer: Not saying one way or another right or wrong, just clarifying the facts.

[Larryl]

No comment about the math, but I agree with your conclusion.

[LCHIEN]

throwing out unchallenged "Facts" is a problem on the internet and the media in general (15-second sound bites?)

The other day I heard someone on national TV say there were 800,000 missing children reported every year. They were trying to raise money.
Somehow, that figure is totally unbelievable.
This country? Worldwide?
how many?

Sheesh.

[MilDoc]

The other day I heard someone on national TV say there were 800,000 missing children reported every year. They were trying to raise money.
Somehow, that figure is totally unbelievable.
This country? Worldwide?
how many?

Sheesh.

That comes to 16,000 per state. Assuming equal opportunity for all. Long ago I learned to ignore most such figures. Especially if they don't 'splin. How many of those "missing" children are found a few hours later, unharmed, just wandered off?

[Deadhead]

Thanks for the chuckle. I think that was the intent.

[430752]

we've only got 160K in Iraq?

I thought the number was higher, like 300K or sumthin. Only 160k at any time? No wonder we're getting our hats handed to us.

Anyway, I agree that the U.S. should pull outta D.C. Less politicians in our Capitol would be best for the country!!!

Curt J.

[ironhat]

I always taught the kids to do some math when they hear a stat and then determine if it's likely or not. Ya gotta use some common sense because it seems we're awash in junk stats.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I was in DC today. I was afraid. Enough said!

[MilDoc]

Uh huh ... and 1 out of 3 women is sexually abused. Really? If you define as SA anything. If you define it as I do, a former director of a Chid Abuse clinic, based on better studies, maybe 1 in 17-20. Still alot but not 33%.

[tuttlejr]

I believe that it was Senator Claghorn who said; "its a joke son, its a joke."

He was a staple on the old Fred Allen show if some can remember.