I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t notice that the American flag was hung the wrong way in this photo that ran on the front page last Saturday. But many people did notice, many angry people. I was covering the opening of the new Bosnian Chamber of Commerce on Gravois. I had a feeling it was going to be a tough assignment: lots of dark suits and dull speeches. So I jumped at the opportunity when these two Bosnian men tacked up the Bosnian and American flags before the official grand opening began. At least I had some symbolism in case everything else failed. But, it turned out to be the wrong symbolism for all the people who took the time to email me. Some wondered why I didn’t point out the mistake to the Bosnians. Others questioned my patriotism. All but one told me I should have known better.

Sorry, folks, but that’s not my job. I’m not there to tell people what to do. I’m there to record the event through my camera. I am an impartial observer. I am not supposed to interject myself into the story. Apparently, a great many people at the event failed to notice how the flag was hung including the mayor, other city, county and state officials and a few cops. Or maybe, if they did notice, they thought it would be too impolite to correct their hosts.

On assignment, I don’t tell people where to stand, what to say, or how to look. I don’t tell Pujols how to swing. I don’t tell Obama how to lead. I am the messenger, please don’t shoot. The one and only nice letter came from a Bosnian. He was thrilled with the photo and asked for a copy. That is something I can do.