It's defending because you're downplaying the seriousness of the issues involved and suggesting they are to a degree acceptable when you use an argument suggesting something along the lines of "so what, everyone does that" (which I acknowledge is a paraphrase of your comment). That is, by my definition, a form of defending someone's actions.
You're entitled of course to give credence to what you want, but equally, I find it hard to give any credence to people who discount others opinions simply because they disagree with them. That tends to suggest a lack of robustness in their examination of whatever the issue at hand is. On different topics you've said you've done exactly that to SS and Gideon Haigh. Both, in my experience, certainly take strong positions on issues, but are prepared to have a sensible discussion on them (ok, I've had less discussions with Haigh, but I've seen him discuss his views on panel shows etc), and provide an explanaiton of why they're saying what they're saying. SS is definitely not a troll in the vein of wahindiawah or SideshowTim who simply says disagreeable things to try and annoy people. I think you're doing yourself a disservice in doing so. If on the other hand, you're tired of the arguments that can regularly be found in CC, I'd certainly understand that - I go through phases myself where I can't be bothered and hence don't post here much in CC for lengths of time.
