If the facts don't fit the story line, make up new facts

This is rather typical of the Bush administration:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Updated figures from Iraq's Health Ministry show there was no significant decline in violent deaths in Baghdad last month, but the U.S. military insisted Thursday the murder rate in the capital had fallen by 52 percent. Baghdad recorded more than 1,500 violent deaths in August, according to final figures released this week by the Health Ministry. The final count was roughly the same as the figure the ministry released for July, before the U.S.-led security crackdown began in the Baghdad area. [emphasis added]

The number of murders stayed the same, but the murder rate declined by 52%. And, two plus two is five.