It would have added to our understanding of public ability to miscalculate if, when "ComRes interviewed 2,021 British adults online from 24th to 27 th May 2013. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults aged 18+", asked these two questions:

"Q.1 How many Iraqis, both combatants and civilians, do you think have died as a consequence of the war that began in Iraq in 2003? Please just give your
best estimate, and

Q.2 What percentage of Iraqi deaths as a result of the war do you think were civilian ie non combatants? Please give a percentage from 1-100. Please just give your best estimate."

they had added a third:

Q.3 How many Iraquis do you think would have died since 2003 if there had been peace?

Then factored that response into their tables.

Joe not only Bilger rubbish as you say but every other bit of rubbish you read daily, which they want you to believe, once again David G you are correct.

Consider it the anger of betrayal, David G, if it will help.

>>Periclueless, you are doing a real job on Pilger. Why? Does that make you feel powerful, divine?<<

Nothing to do with either power or divinity. I did in fact try earlier to put my observations in the context of my own long-standing relationship with Mr Pilger's works...

>>...my personal starting position, by the way, is evidenced by the handful of Pilger's books on my bookshelf; I was not always so clinical in my appraisal.<<

These books are (in chronological order) Heroes (1986), A Secret Country (1989), Distant Voices (1992) and Hidden Agendas (1998). Until the last of these, I was happy to take his content at face value, and was quite angry. About half way through his Introduction to Hidden Agendas - which described how the book was "devoted to slow news" - I started to question the total authority with which Pilger presented his cases. From that point on, I have made a habit of checking his sources a little more closely, ultimately leading to my personal conclusion that the man became over the years increasingly careless of facts, and what previously was exposure of iniquities, is now mere polemic.

Which is the reason for my stated conclusion:

>>In a very real way, it is extremely sad. The world needs someone to occasionally hold it up to an unflinching mirror. By gradually reducing himself to insignificance, Pilger has actually done us a profound disservice.<<

In the absence of a credible Pilger or Pilger-alike (in an investigative capacity), what we appear to be left with is not forensic analysis of wrongdoing, but wide-ranging and vapid conspiracy theories. That is of benefit to no-one.

This is irrelevant, by the way:

>>What have you contributed to making our world a better place? On your C.V., what injustices have you fought against? On my C.V. are many issues<<

Congratulations. But neither my nor your personal virtues makes one jot of difference to the credibility of Mr Pilger, or the accuracy of his journalism.

DavidG. Pericles has done us a service, in the information he supplies in respect of this author. It is helpful information to someone able to receive it and consider it objectively.

Pilger spoke on the ABC a day or so ago. He spoke in support of one of his favorite lies, the baseless “stolen generation”. He also disclosed that he has made a film, supporting the ridiculous notion of a treaty with the aboriginals.

This is the toxic pest which you represent to us as having “humanity”. You appear to have no understanding of the meaning of the term, David.