The New York Times claims 2,000 Americans have died in the Afghanstan War as of this week. CNN tallied the death toll at 2,000 back in June. The Department of Defense reports the number of U.S. troops dead in Operation Enduring Freedom at 1,972. But is civilian America even noticing? Most polls say no.
When Twentynine Palms Marine Cpl. Taylor J. Baune, 21, died in Afghanistan on June 13th, CNN reported that he was the 2000th American to die in Operation Enduring Freedom, the official military name for President George W. Bush's so-called "War on Terror," launched in response to the 9/11 attacks.
That statistic barely made a ripple in the 24-hour news cycle. Army veteran Matthew Farwell thinks he knows why. Farwell, who served in the Army for five years and in Afghanistan for 16 months, told the Associated Press:
"We're bored with it. We all laugh about how no one really cares. All the `support the troops' stuff is bumper sticker deep."
Polls seem to reflect this disinterest with the war in Afghanistan. An AP-GfK poll taken in May showed 66 percent of those surveyed were opposed the war, with 27 percent in favor.
If you are in the military, or love someone who is, we'd love to hear from you. Do you feel most Americans have grown apathetic to the war?
