It's all over except for the self-flagellation to come from The New Republic editor Franklin Foer. Over the past couple of days, Bob Owens has posted a couple (here and here) of e-mail exchanges that would appear to cast doubt not only on Scott Thomas Beauchamp's truthtelling ability, but that of Foer himself. Maj. Renee Russo (yes, she's a real person who's not the former supermodel and Hollywood actress) told Owens that she has not been able to confirm the existence of the female contractor with the burned face -- and that she told The New Republic the same. A fact that TNR found unnecessary to relay when they published their defense/correction of Beauchamp's work late last month.

Today, The Weekly Standard reports that Beauchamp has signed a statement, under oath, admitting that "all three articles he published in the New Republic were exaggerations and falsehoods--fabrications containing only 'a smidgen of truth.' "

According to the military source, Beauchamp's recantation was volunteered on the first day of the military's investigation. So as Beauchamp was in Iraq signing an affidavit denying the truth of his stories, the New Republic was publishing a statement from him on its website on July 26, in which Beauchamp said, "I'm willing to stand by the entirety of my articles for the New Republic using my real name."

It will be curious to see how TNR and the left-wing bloggers will react. TNR's reaction will have a lot to say about the future of that magazine. As for the left wing, it will reveal what they really believe about our military if they want to believe Beauchamp's TNR defense over his sworn confession.