Note what he says about casualties being “down.” First — certainly the number of casualties in May (19) was down from what it had been in April (52). But, um, April was way “up.” You have to go back to September 2007 for a worse number. It’s not as if the violence has been steadily diminishing; it just comes in waves. We may head back “up” any time.

Second — 19 deaths in May are still 19 too many.