The US flag, the holyest of objects? OK, must be a Rush thingy. The flag is simply a symble of identification for a nation, not an artifact, not a grail of any form. It generally is something for the dishonest to wrap themselves in to justify lying to the people they represent that honor what the flag (supposedly0 stands for. A flag is clothe, nothing more - and if what it once stood for no longer exists (except in the minds of the converted), then it has no meaning at all - except to signify that a nation exists.


As for, Newsweek? Give it a rest, Newsweek is one step above the buyout line trash papers. They print more retractions than any magazine, paper, or newsletter in print. Newsweek is a fun time, and should never be taken more seriously than "People", or Sports Illustrated.

That they printed a story that inflamed the people looking for an excuse to bash us? What a surprise. The people upset, however, would have found another excuse to protest our being in Iraq anyway. So, the only big deal about it is that Newsweek didn't let our diplomatic corp in on their expose - that they went for the "shock and awe" instead.

That they have since retracted it, rather than expose sources - well, Novack has yet to give up his source to CIA agents. Must be easier to retract, ignore, or comply. Don't ya think?