152

Cpl. Brian Pinksen, RIP

We don't have the usual Defence Department photo of yet another Canadian soldier who died in Afghanistan. This is Corporal Brian Pinksen, who was injured in an IED blast last week, and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Germany today.

I'm also sorry not to be able to tell you Cpl. Pinksen's age. He looks young, doesn't he. Most of them are young -- young lives wasted in "Operation Enduring Freedom". No, I'm not making that up.

That's 152 so far...and still counting. Canadians only hear about these casualties when they die. The Defence Department doesn't publish the number or names of those wounded, many of whom will never have anything like a normal life again. We aren't told about them because, well, you know...looks bad in the papers and damages the government's standings in the polls.

For those who want a bit of help keeping score, check out http://www.icasualties.org/ for the latest body counts from Iraq and Afghanistan. You'll find the Canadians listed under "other".

Footnote: The picture of Cpl. Pinksen is from his Facebook page.