First Clint Eastwood had a few "Chice Words" for him, now over half of Italy is doing the same link: http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20081001/122289041500.html
This is no worse than any war movie based on real situations, like "Bridge over The River Kwai" or "The Great Escape." But IMO Spike is best when he sticks to what he knows - characters you can relate to, like The 25th Hour or The Malcolm X movie.
Set in Italy during World War II, it is the story of a shy, giant Negro soldier named Sam Train of the 92nd all-black, segregated Buffalo Division. Train befriends a six-year-old Italian orphan who leads him and his squad into the Serchio Valley and the site of a little known, tragic massacre. What I don't know is how much was changed for the movie. Its a fictional tale based on actual facts. Look up James McBride. I grew up in the next town over from him. His first book was about his life and growing up black with a white mother. I could really relate to the story because I walked those same street. But I know that he created some fiction within the facts. Its common. The Spike Lee movie is about that black squad. the players are real but the event of the movie are part fact and part fiction.
Come on man. Lets take The Titanic for an example. Its done all the time. The list is too long. It a story created around factual events. From what I read, what the changed doesn't impact the story of the soldiers.
I think there's a difference between adding in some fictional character development and altering facts to misrepresent what really happened. These people seem to think Spike has twisted an important fact which complete changes the nature of the story.
But its not even the main emphasis of the story. Still its done often. Linda R. mentioned two. And the book its from is an historical tale of fiction.
I would say that the people who feel they are getting screwed over by this 'don't care'. But they are just a minority of the people who will be seeing this film. Hmm... Spike Lee screwing over a minority, there's some irony for you. Oh well I guess so long as its not the minority he belongs to its ok.