The Spin Factory

It's being reported by state-run CNN that Gaddhafi's 28-year old son and a few of his grandchildren were killed in a NATO missile strike.

Two interesting twists immediately emerge.

First, this nugget of doublespeak from Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, commander of NATO's military operations:

"NATO is fulfilling its U.N. mandate to stop and prevent attacks against civilians with precision and care -- unlike Gadhafi's forces, which are causing so much suffering."

That's at a press conference addressing killing some grandkids with a missile.

Okay...

But, interestingly, there's immediate doubt over this story.

"We don't believe this is true," said Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, deputy chairman of the Transitional National Council in Benghazi. "It is all fabrications by the regime in a desparate attempt to get sympathy ... This regime constantly lies and keeps lying."

Hmmm. I can believe NATO targeted the house of Gaddhafi's son. I can believe it a lot easier than a story about rebel woman getting raped by 15 soldiers, escaping - with barely a scratch - to immediately hold a press conference.

Of course, that story was presented as incorruptible fact from the moment it happened.

I guess it just depends which side you're on...