According to Bush's infamous pronouncement on an aircraft carrier, major combat operations in Iraq ended on May 1, 2003. The U.S. lost its first soldiers in Iraq on March 21, 2003. In 43 days of major combat operations from March 21 to May 1, 2003, 140 American troops died. The last 43 days have been significantly more deadly for our forces. From April 19 to May 31, 2007, 167 American troops have been killed in Iraq (and there will probably be additional deaths announced for today).
http://icasualties.org/...
Compared with the "all Iraq, all the time" coverage a largely jingoistic media provided during the first 43 days of this war, note the much less comprehensive and vigorous coverage during a period in which more Americans are dying. Of course, there is nothing to cheer-lead now, no cable ratings bonanza to be gained, just more Americans dying for a tragic and unjustifiable mistake that needs to be brought to an end as soon as possible.
Yet if the media was truly doing its job with vigor and intensity and bringing this war into the living rooms of America, the possibility for ending this war earlier would increase markedly. The public may oppose this war, but the intensity of opposition has not risen to a sufficient level to change the political dynamic in Washington. With more vigorous media coverage of this debacle, the public would be less able to turn away from the brutality and hopelessness of this occupation or continue to tolerate the lame justifications for it.