THOMAS STARR'S grim graphic (op-ed, March 26) of the four coffins, each representing 1,000 dead American service men and women, shows that the so-called "surge" has failed to reduce the rate of US casualties.
The first 1,000 deaths occurred in just under 18 months, and the next 3,000 in increments of 1,000 over periods of 13 1/2, 14, and 14 1/2 months, respectively. As the recent escalation in troop deaths indicates, the insurgents are quite capable of continuing to inflict this level of casualties indefinitely.
Sad to say, in much of its coverage, the Globe has contributed to the myth that the surge is working. Even sadder, there has been an absence of reportage on the issue of how much Iraqi oil, if any, is being pumped and what, if anything, is being done with the proceeds of its sale; if, indeed, any is even being sold.
One of the early lies propagated by the Bush-Cheney gang is that Iraqi oil was going to help pay for the war. Given OPEC's refusal to increase production and ease the upward pressure on oil prices, shouldn't the powers-that-be make every effort to increase Iraqi production to mitigate the crisis?
DOUGLAS S. SEGAL
Boston
