From the today's Manchester Union Leader (NH):

"BY NOW EVERYONE has seen the image of the American flag wrapped around the head of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad last week. The story of that flag’s journey across the globe is one of the greatest tales of the war. As The Union Leader reported on Saturday, the flag was given to Marine Lt. Tim McLaughlin, 25-year-old son of former New Hampshire Attorney General Philip McLaughlin, for his service helping rescue victims at the Pentagon on Sept. 11. McLaughlin, of Laconia, brought the flag with him from the Pentagon to Iraq.

Last Wednesday as McLaughlin’s tank, among the first to enter Baghdad, approached that statue, a British war protester screamed at McLaughlin, “Yankee bastard . . . go home!” He returned her kindness with a few choice words of his own, then pulled out the flag and gave it to a comrade, who carried it to the top of the statue and, in that now famous scene, wrapped it around the big bronze head of Saddam.

The tale functions as a powerful allegory, with Lt. McLaughlin representing American resolve and the poor protester representing European irrelevance in world affairs.

Allegory or no, it’s a great story of one American patriot’s determination to make the world a better place, preserve the memory of those who died on Sept. 11, and make his country proud. Lt. McLaughlin, America is proud of you and all of your comrades. You’ve done a fine job, and we are all grateful. "

Media Research Center is doing a lovely compare and contrast job on the Hollywood Left, especially Janeane Garolafo: http://www.mediaresearch.org/mrcspotlight/war/welcome.asp

Kathleen Parker's article on the "yes but-ters" makes for satisfying reading: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/orl-edpparker13041303apr13,0,6043276.column