In late December, the number of American deaths in Iraq matched the total deaths of September 11, 2001. That total was 2,973. By January 1, 2007, it reached 3,000. Those figures mean everything and nothing.

Each death means everything to the loved ones and friends of the serviceman or woman killed. That death creates a permanent void and scar in their memories. Mothers and fathers, brothers, sisters and friends know that every time they think of that fallen soldier, it's now in the past tense. They might think back to their last conversations or further back, when that “casualty” was in diapers or perhaps in grade school. But they all know their soldier is a memory, never to see life again. Their fond memories will always come with the painful memory of that untimely death.

For the country, these numbers mean nothing. Why would 2,973 mean more than 2,972? Why is 3,000 more important than 2,999? Every war, good or bad, brings death. It may be terrible, but it's not about to change. When people say “no more war”, they might as well say “no more air”. It's been with humanity from day one and will be with us until our last day on earth. It’s part of our nature and isn't about to change.

What matters isn't whether the death count in Iraq matches the death count of 9/11. Our local paper, Newsday, made that fact its front-page story, as did many across the country. It showed nothing except the shallow stupidity of those papers. Within its pages of coverage, Newsday used that statistic to imply it was now time to get out of Iraq. If that logic were applied to World War II, what would have been the result? How about the American Revolution or Civil War? The humans behind the numbers are important. The numbers alone are empty space fillers.

If the war is to be judged, it should be judged on its purpose and whether it's meeting that purpose. War's a cold, bloody fact of life that causes pain and sacrifice. We should talk about whether it’s just, whether we’re accomplishing what we set out to do, whether it’s part of a larger cause, whether it’s hurting or helping us to be there. It shouldn't be treated like a home run contest that tells the world Bobby Bonds passed Babe Ruth on the all-time list. Ultimately, that means nothing. To judge a war as we would a sports event trivializes and insults those who have sacrificed their well-being and their lives.

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