Michael Dobbs: Hussein Scores in Propaganda War cites Kenneth M. Pollack, who

argues that the American media have been playing into Hussein's hands by paying too much attention to the issue of U.S. casualties, which are still relatively minor, compared with other major conflicts.

No kidding. Last night on ABC news they showed the picture of the downed helicopter three times. They'll turn me into a hawk yet.

Update

The dark calculus of the moment is the likelihood that Iraqi commanders still hope they can actually win--becoming the first Arab force to defeat a Western force in centuries--if they can just inflict enough causalities....Does this mean American commentators must take a hard view of American losses? Within reason, yes....Also, commentators must accept that U.S. helicopters are going to get shot down. Helicopters fell in Vietnam whenever within range of small-arms fire. Our technological mastery has not altered the fact that helicopters remain fragile.

Gregg Easterbrook, Great Expectations