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Iraq: The hidden toll

The Americans are said to be moving to their military leaving Iraq sometime in 2012. Obviously McCain and Obama are positioning themselves on what their respective withdrawal plans are. Meanwhile the pr machine is putting it out there that the "surge" in Iraq has shown positive results in the war-torn country. But has it?

Greg Mitchell, writing on The Huffington Post, reflects on the casualties in Iraq - but no less importantly [but largely "hidden"] the death by suicide of veterans back in America post service in Iraq:

"When the U.S. military death toll in Iraq dropped to 13 last month it received wide attention. But now, midway through August, the toll this month has already topped the July rate. Meanwhile, two more Iraq vets have killed themselves here at home.

A U.S. marine killed by gunmen in Fallujah west of Baghdad on Thursday became the 15th American to die in August. A troubling seven had died in noncombat incidents. The 15 tally tops July by two.

And the war at home? Each week -- some time each day -- brings the report of another Iraq vet suicide."

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