A major media outlet is backpedaling after publishing an opinion piece claiming a famous flag is racist.

Rick Perlstein, a journalist and historian has come under fire this past week for his views on the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag.

In his new scathing opinion piece published in Newsweek, he takes a jab at the flag, arguing  that it should be the next to be taken down.

He thinks the black and white flag made famous during the Vietnam era is nothing but a symbol that “memorializes Americans as the preeminent victims of the Vietnam War.”

Perlstein himself is certainly not a warhawk, but his article reads as though he’s a North Vietnam sympathizer.

There are a few minor details missing from the far-leaning left journalist’s/historian’s piece.

First and foremost, as Edward R. Murrow famously said, “It is almost impossible to substitute intelligence for experience.” A quick check into Perlstein’s history shows he has never served in any type of U.S. military.

As a combat-wounded veteran from the 82nd Airborne, I’ve never seen the POW/MIA flag as a negative symbol.

We as a community respect the flag, to honor those who are missing in action or were prisoners of war.

What does a man who has never felt the adrenaline rush of bullets whizzing past his head know about the ultimate sacrifice?

He doesn’t.

Instead, Perlstein overanalyzes to the point that it makes it look like the flag was “strategy” used by the republican agenda.

Mr. Perlstein argues that the flag and POW/MIA organization is nothing more than a cult to Nixon, but the organization was founded by the wife of a prisoner of war.

Another frightening aspect to the article is that a national news media outlet published it. The article was first published by the Washington Spectator, filed under Politics. Newsweek published it nationally just days after.

Whether anyone likes it or not, there may have been some controversy with the rebel flag of the south but how could you find a flag honoring captured fighters from our U.S. military offensive?

Perlstein did write an apology letter on Newsweek, but it sounds like a backhanded compliment to himself.

“I’m deeply sorry it hurt people—especially people who’ve selflessly served their country,” Perlstein said in his apology letter.

But in the same graf he says, “soldiers and veterans were manipulated to serve the powerful interests and individuals who blithely and perennially send men and women to war.”

My recommendation for Mr. Perlstein is this: he needs to live a day in the life of a U.S. serviceman. Once he’s endured the long hours of patrolling, the 100-plus pound marches and having his friends and family afraid for his life, I’m sure analyzing a memorial flag will be the last thing on his mind.

Patrick Martin is the news editor for the University Press. For tips regarding this or other articles he can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter (@patrickm954)