General Says National Guard in Iraq Safer than Riding in a Car

The dangers faced by American troops in Iraq have been exaggerated, adding to the difficulty of recruiting soldiers at home, the Army general in charge of National Guard forces said yesterday.

The casualty rate for guardsmen is low compared with any previous armed conflict, Lt. Gen. Steven Blum said.

He said he recognizes that every death is a tragedy for that person's family. "But I lose, unfortunately, more people through private automobile accidents and motorcycle accidents over the same period of time," he added.

Iraq dangers 'misrepresented'