March 28, 2008 11:30 am Editor's note: A letter published Wednesday alleged that more American military personnel died during the eight years of the Bill Clinton administration than have died since George W. Bush became president. That claim is false. According to factcheck.org, citing the Congressional Record, more military personnel died during the first six years of George Bush's tenure than during the entire eight years that Bill Clinton was in office (including military deaths in the U.S. from accidents, murders, suicides and natural causes). Most of the numbers cited in an e-mail now circulating are completely made up. In point of fact, 7,500 troops died during Clinton's eight years in office. During Bush's first six years, the number was 8,792. And that excludes the 899 combat deaths in 2007, which was the deadliest year of the Iraq war for U.S. troops; final totals for 2007 were not yet available at the time of this report. Factcheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Scout leader remembers I was the Girl Scout leader of Crooked Tree Council's Troop 57, way back in late 1960s, when we did sell and deliver door to door. Selling cookies was important; not only did they make it possible for some girls to go to Camp Sakakawea in the summer, but also my girls learned how to represent a product and introduce themselves politely to the community. They told about activities our troop had during the year, the history of Girl Scouting and how the badges they earn will help them in the future to either serve the community or be a good mom and homemaker. Our girls canvassed their neighborhoods during cookie sales and learned about clean competition -- if you get to the house first, you make the sale. People welcomed my girls and were very generous with orders. I can't remember any parents taking order forms to work to gain more orders. Personally, I can't see where that would help to gain a badge. Sandy Heater (March 5 letter), as I knew her then, was one of my Girl Scouts. We had a very active troop and I am proud of them all. Joyce (Lorraine) Whaley
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Traverse City
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