Well, I'd like to think that part of the reason their stories were toned down is because TSO and I were there - we've been busting out liars and fablists for a few months. They all knew we were there (we were monitored by six security people and our blogs were monitored while we typed - we had to get special permission and had to present our own bona fides).
If you're at all interested, I also blogged about the Rally for the Troops today in DC at
http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=1351