What a difference a word makes

Dear Mr. Good, (RTE News Editor)

RTE reports today: "It is reported that Israeli soldiers are involved in clashes with Hezbollah at two places along the border with Lebanon." [1]

and yesterday: "At least 70 civilians were killed and scores injured in a series of deadly Israeli raids across Lebanon in the deadliest day since the bombardment began one week ago." [2]

The BBC reports: "Captain Eric Schneider from the Israeli Defence Force told the BBC there was heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants in two places inside Lebanon's border." [3]

Although the facts appear to back up the assertion, it is unclear from the much of the reporting I have read and heard, has Israel +invaded+ Lebanon?

On an unrelated issue and at the risk of becoming a bore, a recent UN report estimates that 100 Iraqis a day are dying as the result of violence, this figure is predicted to rise. This is the equivalent of two 7/7s every day, yet RTE and a number of the respected Irish news organisations have consistently failed to cover the issue of how many Iraqis have died as a result of US/UK invasion. Our responsibility, as a conduit for this crime, should at least extend to revealing the death toll.

Kind Regards,

Patrick Cockburn reports in the Independent today:

"The death toll has risen every month this year and totalled 5,818 in May and June. This far exceeds the number given by the Iraqi Coalition Casualty Count, a web site that compiles casualty figures based on published accounts, which said that 840 civilians died in June. Overall 14,000 civilians were killed in the first half of the year says the UN."