Real numbers, false impression

Maybe it's just me, but it sure seems like many in the mainstream media are still willing shills for the Republican war machine. Take this story prominently featured in yesterday's New York Times:

U.S. Death Toll in Iraq in July Was the Lowest in ’07


By Stephen Farrell
Published: August 1, 2007
BAGHDAD, Aug. 1 — The deaths, announced today, of four American soldiers in Baghdad on Tuesday brought the total American military death toll in July to 78, the lowest monthly figure so far this year….
On July 26, Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the second-ranking American commander in Iraq, said that the decline in the American death toll was a “positive sign,” but that it was too early to say whether the reduction was a “true trend.”

Finally, some good news! Maybe we should give this "surge" a chance, eh? Well, let's look a little deeper... U.S. and coalition troops have had more than four years to learn how to best protect themselves in the dangerous summer heat of July. Now, with all of the advantages of this recent surge, this ought to be just about the best July our troops have had in Iraq, right?

Let's take a gander at the relevant figures:

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq

July 2003-- 48

July 2004-- 54

July 2005-- 54

July 2006-- 43

July 2007-- 78

Can you think of a better headline? Maybe...

U.S. troops face worst July ever in Iraq. Death toll 90% higher than last year. ???

BTW, if the NYT needs anyone to help in headline composition... my salary requirements are very reasonable!