And it has nothing to do with Iraq, Afghanistan, war, or any other “headline” news item for political use.

Where’s the public outrage? Where’re the politicians grandstanding for CNN? Why are THIRTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY deaths in a single year not important enough to make the evening news?

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Drunken driving fatalities increased in 22 states in 2006 and fell in 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, federal transportation officials said Monday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released data showing there were 13,470 deaths in 2006 involving drivers and motorcycle operators with blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher, which is the legal limit for adults throughout the country. The number was down slightly from 2005, when 13,582 people died in crashes involving legally drunk drivers.

The overall number of deaths involving drivers and motorcycle operators with any amount of alcohol in their blood was 17,602 last year. That was up from 17,590 in 2005, according to spokeswoman Heather Ann Hopkins.

I wish people would keep these numbers in perspective. The 3,000+ that have died while working to kick terrorist ass and improve the lives of millions of Iraqis, Afghanis, and frankly the entire Mid-East are a horrible loss by any measure. But to ignore the thousands killed every year by idiots on our own road is downright dishonest of those who flout that number daily.

Drive drunk? Do the rest of us a favor and put a bullet in your own brain — faster, more efficient, and safer for the rest of the world.