Getting a lot of email about Andy Rooney’s

column (via Drudge). Here’s an interesting response from an Ivy League academic:

Most laughable is his claim that 23 suicides (however tragic) is
evidence of how awful the situation is in Iraq. According to
statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, there were
10.7 suicides/100,000 individuals in
2001 . However,
the ratio of male to female is 4:1. Therefore, the rate for males
is 17.2/100,000, assuming a 50/50 population gender split (check
math with Derb). 1 in 7 soldiers deployed in Iraq is female
(http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/1265/context/cover)
(maybe not the best reference). Assuming 130,000 soldiers deployed
in Iraq, one would expect 19.2 male suicides and 0.78 female
suicides for a total of 20 (once again, check with Derb). The 23
suicies in Iraq is most likely not significantly different from any
random group of 130,000 people in the US with a 6:1 split of male
to female over a year. As usual, when condemning our actions,
people fail to factor in what would have gone on over the last year
had we not invaded Iraq. If by some wild chance you decide to post
any of this, please don’t use my name. Thanks and keep up the good
work.