I just spotted a headline from the Los Angeles Times’ blog that reads, “IRAQ: More Marines commit suicide.”
I don’t even know how to feel about a lede that debunks its own sensationalism this economically:
More active-duty Marines committed suicide last year than any year since the beginning of the war in Iraq, although the rate of suicide remained virtually unchanged because the corps is increasing its size, according to a report issued Tuesday.
In other words, more active duty Marines probably did a lot of things this year. More fell in love; more watched American Idol; more had indigestion; more learned how to cook with a wok, more joined Facebook, etc. But the kicker comes a few lines later.
The 2008 rate remains below that of the Army (18.1 in 2007) and the civilian population with similar demographics (19.5).
I guess “Marine Suicide Rate Stays Low” isn’t much of a headline.
