Hey, moderators, can we get a NSFW on this thread... as well as my local newsstand?
Seriously, I'm surprised I haven't seen any interviews with Arthur Hochstein yet, who is credited with this "photo-illustration". If I were using a "tear through the flag" metaphor, I'd have the hands reaching through from the reverse-side of the flag; the Time Magazine version looks like you are trying to
escape from the USA.