One Nation Under Gene

12:30 PM -- "Let's run it up Gene and see if it flies." Springfield, Ill.'s State Journal-Register reports on patriotic doings in the Land o' Lincoln Blagojevich:

Republican county chairmen (party leaders, not county board leaders) held a meeting and prepared to recite the pledge. Oops. There was no flag in the room for them to face while reciting. What to do?

Why, call on a fellow named Gene to come to the rescue. Gene was wearing a shirt decked out in an American flag pattern. He came forward, and the group of assembled Republicans pledged allegiance to his shirt.

How times change. Remember when it was only draft-dodging-commie-pinko-hippie-freaks who could be identified by their American flag apparel, proving they had no respect for Old G?

No? Well...

— Larry, Agèd Monkey, Light Reading