MSNBC: Palin In "Breach Of Federal Law" for Using the Flag. Or Something.

In case you doubted that Palin derangement syndrome is still one of the most potent forces in American politics, I give you MSNBC's Martin Bashir:

It all sounds like a wonderful commitment to American values and American history, but it's nothing of the kind. In fact, the whole thing could be in breach of a federal law because the United States Flag Code establishes important rules for the use and display of the stars and stripes, the flag of the United States. Under standards of respect and etiquette, it's made clear that the flag of the United States should never be used for any advertising purpose whatsoever. Yet that's precisely what Sarah Palin is doing. She's using the flag of the United States for her own financial purposes. She drapes herself in the stars and stripes and makes millions of dollars in the process. This has got nothing to do with the presidency and everything to do with filling her pockets. And by raising her profile, she raises her income. It is as simple as that. So she was right when she said that hers is not a campaign bus. It's a cash bus and she'll keep it rolling for as long as she can. Thanks so much for watching.

Uh, what? Of all the objections that could be raised, let alone coming from a TV anchor who's British, that is just really, really strange -- not to mention wildly off base to suggest she's violating federal law for using the flag on a speaking tour about patriotism. There's even more of the ridiculous transcript at the link above, and here's the video, courtesy the Media Research Center: