Chub, Thank God what you said about a leopard never changes his spots is not true. I think most of us have seen ourselves wise up and change a lot over time. I'd hate to still be who I used to be. And as for the flag, I'm sure he was so blinded with anger that he didn't even see the flag. He did wrong, no doubt about it, but he certainly did not purposely disrespect the flag. He grabbed the object nearest him in a fit of anger.
I do agree that his apology was probably more of a financial decision or he would have done it earlier. I guess time will tell.