'Grim Milestone' Alert

One would think they Associated Press would get tired of the constant use of the term grim milestone.

Then again, we're dealing with the AP here.

The overall U.S. death toll in Iraq rose to 4,000 after four soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing in Baghdad, a grim milestone that is likely to fuel calls for the withdrawal of American forces as the war enters its sixth year.

The American deaths occurred Sunday, the same day rockets and mortars pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone in Baghdad and a wave of attacks left at least 61 Iraqis dead nationwide.

Likely to fuel calls for withdrawal?

Hello, there have been calls for withdrawal for five years now.

Good grief.

Expect to see plenty of stories and headlines noting the event, not just limited to the AP.

A sampling:

Death toll in Iraq War hits grim milestone

Deadly milestone in Iraq: 4,000 US soldiers killed

A grim milestone has been reached in Iraq. According to the United States military there, the death toll of U.S. soldiers and or personnel killed since the war began in 2003, has reached 4,000.

Another one here.

The grim milestone came at a time when attacks against the U.S. military are ebbing and officials have claimed significant progress against Iraq's deadly insurgency and sectarian violence. It was reached about 10 p.m. on a day when more than 60 Iraqis were killed and dozens injured in attacks in Baghdad and north of the capital.

Here as well.

They were among the 4,000 U.S. service members killed since U.S.-led forces invaded Iraq in March 2003. Times staff writers share their memories of these and other fallen troops as another grim milestone is reached in the war.

I'm not dismissing the tragedy here as any casualties should be noted and the heroic efforts of our soldiers lauded. We pray for the victims and their loved ones. But it's particularly ghoulish of the media to play up an arbitrary number. Where were they for victim 3150 or 3725? Were those soldiers any less important, or were they to be dismissed because the media couldn't play the number games and trot out the well-worn grim milestone mantra?

Update: Most ridiculous headline of the day goes to the Daily Mail.

As Bush cuddles the Easter Bunny, the American death toll in Iraq tops 4,000

Along with this photo: