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On the heels of the Iraqi abuse ugliness - comes new and equally appaling news of a U.S. civilian beheaded by terrorists in Iraq. Video of the act posted on the internet as a warning to a westerners. More of the same to come.

As horrifying as this is, the media attention surrounding this act carries the unmistakeable stink of distraction - in the face of the growing military abuse scandal. My Wednesday newspaper carried a half-page photo of Nick Berg and his captors - as if responding in kind to the images of U.S.-sponsored prison terror tactics.

Only after this sensational photographic information has been spread around - and Berg's story used as a diversion - , do we learn from his family that U.S. forces had actually held and questioned Berg for two weeks - assessing his credentials as a contractor looking for reconstruction work. This timing is crucial, according to his family, who now blame the U.S. adminstration for not releasing him before the escalation of violence in April.

I'm reminded of Pvt. Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman. Two more U.S. citizens used to plug media holes in this sham of a war. Given the response from Berg's family, one wonders if this story will blow up in the face of those who are pushing it.