The defenders of the Newsweek kerfuffle are relying on the fake-but-accurate defense that Dan Rather pioneered after the forged documents scandal at CBS. They are claiming that while the Newsweek story may be fake, it accurately portrays how our evil imperial military machine treats the poor Muslim activists who were rounded up and thrown into prison.

What is most shocking is that defenders are not only circling the wagons around Newsweek, but they are relying on the word of "released detainees". The MRC reports:

CBS and ABC passed along allegations from prisoners. Richard Roth of CBS recalled: "Detainees released in 2003 came home claiming American guards had routinely provoked them by sitting on the Koran, or putting pages in a toilet." ABC's Martha Raddatz argued: "The Newsweek article was not the first time U.S. personnel have been accused of desecrating the Koran. Last year, this British detainee released from Guantanamo said guards 'would kick the Koran, throw it into the toilet and generally disrespect it.'"

A caller to Tuesday night's Chris Core show on 630 WMAL in Washington D.C. parroted the same view and asked, "Why would the prisoners lie?"

The greater question is why are some Americans more apt to believe prisoners of war - members of the Taliban and al Qaeda who have sworn to destroy the "Great Satan" - instead of believing their own military or government?