There's a lot of excitement among the anti-liberation left today at the unfortunate news of "2000 dead in Iraq". Nothing gets their hearts fluttering more than some bad news they can use to bash the administration over the head and undermine the war effort. Moveon.org is already using the tragic event for fundraising.

To put 2,000 deaths in three years in some perspective, consider:

• In the years 1980 through 1983, there were over 2,000 total deaths of active duty U.S. military personnel each year.
• In the years 1980 throught 1995, there were over 1,000 deaths of U.S. active duty military personnel each year.
• In 2003, the total number of deaths was 1,410, with 560 of those being accidents and 344 due to hostile action. (the remainder were homicides, illness, suicide, etc.)
• In 2004, there were 1,887 total deaths of military personnel, with 565 of those being accidents, and 737 due to hostile action.

Of course it should go without saying that each of these deaths is a tragedy, especially for the families of those killed. We in no way intend to minimize the death of any soldier. But a little perspective is needed. The picture that is being portrayed by the mainstream media of Iraq as a horrible quagmire and obvious debacle is just not fair or accurate.

We hope and pray that no more soldiers are killed. We share the desire of all Americans to see every single one of the brave men and women of our military come home safely. But we also understand that the war must be won first. Do the fundraisers at Moveon.org really not understand what's at stake in Iraq? Or do they just not care? Either way, it would be a real disaster if they and their anti-liberation fellow travelers got their way, and we pulled out of Iraq before the mission is complete.

Here are the stats for 1980 through 2004.

Some additional perspective from a man who's there, via The Washington Post:

"The number 2,000 means a lot to me -- I mean, two of those were two of my best friends," said Sgt. Brian Zamiska, 27 of Bentleyville, Pa., whose 4-64 Armor unit is based in Baghdad. "But it doesn't mean you pack up and leave. I reenlisted. I'll be in 12 more years. I am sure I will be back over here, and we should be. If we leave too soon, they died in vain. If we get a stable situation first, they died for a good cause."

Michelle Malkin has a roundup.