Why Symmetric?!? (Score 1)

I haven't read through the algorithm yet but a few questions/comments: Why are we creating ANOTHER national Symmetric Key standard? Why not go for an Asymmetric standard? 256 bit key max? With the computing power the NSA (and others) have at their disposal, they won't need a back door. And yes of course they are getting free de-bugging, testing... Wouldn't you? That's the only way to truely test the robustness of an encryption algorithm. -forgive any naivity in my posts, I know very little about cryptography... JayDogg