New Poll: Iraq War Unpopular In States

We've entered another unfashionable period for the War in Iraq, according to a new poll. Apparently, a majority of Americans think that our security has improved over the long-term as a result of the conflict, but that the cost in troops hasn't been worth it.

Money quote:

While a slight majority believe the Iraq war contributed to the long-term security of the United States, 70 percent of Americans think these gains have come at an "unacceptable" cost in military casualties. This led 56 percent to conclude that, given the cost, the conflict there was "not worth fighting" -- an eight-point increase from when the same question was asked this summer, and the first time a decisive majority of people have reached this conclusion.

I flatly disagree with the American people.

As I've said many a time, if there's any reason to celebrate this war it would be because of the incredibly low GI body count. Let's put this in perspective:

Solders killed in Iraq to date (21 mths): 1,297
Soldiers killed in Vietnam War (64-73): 58,200
Soldiers killed in Persian Gulf War (90-91): 382
Chicago murder rate in 2002-2003 (24 mths): 1,197

Of course, no deaths are good news. But golly, we went in expecting to see our troops sprayed down with nerve gas by unmanned miniature aircraft. This has been a cake walk, even given awful stories like the one we read today about troops being bombed in their mess halls (wow).

I also do not share the confidence that most Americans feel about our improved long-term security due to this war. I think only time and a few elections will tell. I can easily imagine an Iraq under Shia rule turning just as fascist theocratic after a few elections as its puppet-master neighbor-- a result that would certainly further destabilize the whole region and escalate tensions.

What this poll does quite dramatically show is that America, despite leftist worries of neo-imperial colonialism, has lost its tolerance for war. Again, entirely due to its horrors being broadcasted live and by Hollywood full-montey straight into our living rooms. Soccer moms no likey.