There's some talk in Washington, DC about September being the time when Republicans (and some Democrats) in Congress are finally going to get serious about ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq. If you count all the days from today to the day until this September would it look like?
If it looks anything like the past 117 days the next 117 days will look something like this.
Predicted U.S. Military deaths in Iraq from May 9 to September 4, 2007:
May 9-31, 2007
2,10,3,1
8,3,2,4,5,5,3 - Mothers Day
1,11,6,1,1,3,1
6,1,5,1,5 - Memorial Day
= 88 total U.S. dead
Continued below...
June 1-30, 2007
1,1
4,6,5,5,9,2,5
2,4,6,2,0,1,3
5,1,2,2,5,3,1 - Fathers Day
9,1,6,6,3,5,1
= 88 total U.S. dead
July 1-31, 2007
4,9,1,4,7,2,4 - Independence Day
2,2,4,3,6,3,5
1,5,2,0,3,1,4
3,11,2,1,2,1,6
7,2,3
= 109 total U.S. dead
August 1-31, 2007
1,3,5,2
4,2,3,2,3,25,3
1,2,1,5,2,1,3
5,2,1,1,1,4,2
2,6,6,3,7,2
= 110 total U.S. dead
September 1-3, 2007
7,1,4 - Labor Day
= 12 total U.S. dead
Aproximately 400 dead and 1600 wounded later, Congress 'gets serious' about Iraq this September.
For those that think it's macabre to speculate on future casualties the figures above are actual figures of U.S. dead from the past 117 days in Iraq. The first day after the Labor Day holiday is September 4th - 117 days from today. White House spokesman Tony Snow says "you're likely to see escalating levels of casualties," in the coming months so the cost is likely higher than I've estimated.
"There is a sense that by September, you've got to see real action on the part of Iraqis," said Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). "I think everybody knows that, I really do."
"I think a lot of us feel that way," agreed Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
No rush I suppose.
"Mr. McCain said that the fate of the Iraqi venture would be decided in the next six months or so..."
McCain too? Nah, he said that six months ago.