Thank you so much for the response, and let me be the first to say that one thing I've learned to treasure is a measured rebuke and correction from those who know better than I do. I really do appreciate it. And on a side note, if I had my life to live over again, ancient history and archaeology would have been at the very top of my choices for careers. Yes, I'm jealous.

In contrast with my defenses to others who claimed that John Cleese wasn't referring (or wasn't referring only) to Confederate statues, I have to admit that your argument is stronger than my own. Therefore I must edit my document to reflect admission of my error. Accuracy is and must always be more important than pride.

I would ask your advice, though, as to the more professional path: as a writer, I'm loath to slice-and-dice my article to ribbons, but it seems that I must either delete the article, rewrite it, or include a sincere mea culpa at the beginning. Please let me know what you think.

Lastly, concerning the statue, you're right. I'm as prideful as any other woud-be-literary prima donna, but any defense I might try would be disingenuous. I will change it today. And again, I sincerely appreciate the rebuke and correction.