US soldier fatally electrocuted

[Qanisqineq]

http://framehosting.dowjonesnews.com/sample/samplestory.asp?StoryID=2004032012550000&Take=1

20 Mar 2004 12:55 GMT DJ US Soldier Fatally Electrocuted Working On Equip In Iraq


TIKRIT, Iraq (AP)--A U.S. soldier was fatally electrocuted while working on communication equipment at a U.S. military base in Baqouba, north of Baghdad, the Army said Saturday.



Total now 578

[saigon68]

1. OOPS Collateral damage--Nothing to see here

Seriously

R.I.P.

I'm sure the family will miss the soldier, sadly--- another life cut short too soon.

this was so unnecessary.

[Flagg]

2. Bring 'em on cried the AWOL chimp

[saigon68]

27. Resistance still "Bringing it on"

another sad day

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. US soldier fatally electrocuted

Redundant title. Electrocution is, by definition, always fatal. Electrocution = execution by electricity.

Nitpicking. Sorry.

[Qanisqineq]

4. I didn't write it

I just copied it. Oh, and you CAN be electrocuted without it being fatal... ask any electrician.

Edit: while the dictionary only gives that strict definition of electrocution = killing, the word is often popularly used to mean to receive an electric shock, fatal or not.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. I didn't write it

You're right; it was in the original headline. It was my fault for not being more specific.

As for electrocution (does/does not) always = fatal:

Well, I think the electrical workers who were "electrocuted" and lived to tell the story actually received a severe shock (and how), but they were not electrocuted.

There's a great thread going on over at eham.net, where hams (amateur radio types) are swapping stories over who received the worst shock. Some of the stories are really scary too. Let me find that link....

http://www.eham.net/articles/ in general; specifically:
http://www.eham.net/articles/7682
"My Most Electrically 'Shocking' Moment"

After reading some of these, you won't even want to get near a radio.

Best wishes.

[Qanisqineq]

6. eek! This story gave me goosebumps the way it is

as my husband is a communications guy in the Army.

Having once been engaged to an electrician, I've heard lots of scary (yet, oddly funny) stories.

[Occulus]

7. My father was a master electrician

I don't think he ever suffered a single shock. If he did, he never said anything about it. And I'm talking about a lot of homes and schools and businesses that the man wired up...

I've a feeling that there was a very sinple safety error made- not that that makes the soldier any less dead.

My heart goes out to his family. This was one death that could likely have been easily prevented.

[DS1]

14. I've seen a guy fly across the inside of a personnel carrier after

someone keyed the radio he was working on.

I've also seen a guy just about die from arcing his wrench from a battery terminal (6 batts in serial) to the frame of the tank, it was instantly fused in place. Scary shit.

[Fovea]

11. I kind of like Edison's term

'Westinghoused'
He went around electrocuting dogs with DC current to show that his AC was better.

[DS1]

15. You've got that backwards, but yes, Edison was a f*cking asshole

edit: He even went as far as to chain an elephant over a metal plate and electrocuted it through it's feet, no very quickly I might add.

But at least he wasn't throwing dogs off ships like the U.S. Army.

People suck.

[Qanisqineq]

16. don't stereotype the whole US Army

as dog abusers

[DS1]

17. I didn't

I just said that they threw dogs off ships. It's a little known fact. They had the Navy stop the ships, and the dogs that weren't put down as soon as WWII ended and were smuggled aboard by their handlers were thrown over the sides to drown, paddling after the ships when they started moving again.

People suck.

Semper Fidelis.

[Qanisqineq]

18. I didn't think you meant to, but it sounded like it

However, even I can't help but think horrible things about them some days. My husband's company in Iraq adopted a stray dog and another soldier tortured and brutally killed it.

[DS1]

21. Too funny - I think I'll go out and tie a yellow ribbon just for that guy

:eyes:

[Bertha Venation]

8. The Bush Administration is FUCKED.

How many more you gonna kill, you mother fucking piece of shit?

[saigon68]

22. Bertha !! Seriously tell us how you feel !! LOL

I guess my "Clueless Sock Puppet A/K/A CHIMPANZEE McSHRUB", pales in comparison.

:-) :-)

[lebkuchen]

9. Another one of our guys

He'd only just arrived...

[Qanisqineq]

10. oh that is sad

unfortunately, that is going to be true for most of the recent casualties: "only just arrived" with this massive troop rotation going on.

As for "another one of our guys", are you referring to him being part of a unit you are in some way associated with or someone from your state?

[lebkuchen]

12. choice (a)

Our base was at half mast last weekend. The 1ID had several casualties.

[Qanisqineq]

13. I am so sorry

My husband is 4th ID and is flying back to the US this coming week. My best to all you 1st ID

[Qanisqineq]

19. A grotesque thought...

will we hit 600 dead by the end of this month?

at this time... www.lunaville.org lists 578 dead
www.antiwar.com/casualties/ lists 579 dead

[Zhade]

23. Death toll is likely at least twice that number.

Remember, they only count deaths that happen in the field. They medevac anyone who has a chance to survive - even if it's only until the helicopter lifts off.

Deaths due to casualties are, I'm guessing, much higher than we're being told. They're hiding the bodies, just like in Viet Nam. It's abhorrent and cowardly.

[alcuno]

24. That's not correct. W/in the last 24 hours, there is a name added

of a soldier who died on the 18th in Germany after being mortally injured in Iraq on the 11th. http://lunaville.org

There are others if you look for them. It is a credit to the medical personnel that so many who are injured ultimately survive.

[Zhade]

25. I stand by my comment. I don't believe they are telling us the full truth.

This administration hasn't to this day, I doubt they would start now - especially with a potentially explosive issue like how many have died in this illegal invasion and occupation.

[alcuno]

28. Our government plays fast and loose w/ the facts. I won't do it.

Since my earlier post, another soldier has reportedly died on 3/19 at Landstuhl in Germany. When it comes to US military deaths, the facts are what they are.

[wellst0nev0ter]

20. And That Brings The Total To 393

Of course, his death doesn't count since he wasn't being shot at </dripping sarcasm> :eyes:

[daleo]

26. Funny about that

Just the last few days, this playing with the numbers has gotten bad again (you don't count as dead unless a bullet saying 'from Saddam with love' goes through you). I wonder who put the word out, and why now? Maybe a response to the Spanish election, or the one year anniversary.