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Apologies Abound: Hawaii Says "Sorry" to Leper Colonists

CitizenSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:00:20 -0700

The state of Hawaii has apologized to the former leprosy patients that were forcibly confined to a remote peninsula on the island of Molokai. State Sen. J. Kalani English said in front of 12 former patients, "We're sorry. We're sorry for the treatment. We're sorry for the suffering that you've been through. The entire state is with me today as I say this."

Many families were torn apart when 8,000 lepers were sent to the compound in an effort to control the disease. The containment went on for over a century until 1969 when the requirement was ended. Though curing medicine was introduced in the 1940s, some patients chose to stay because it had become their home.

One of the brother's of the patients who didn't live long enough to see the apology said, "I know they're watching and nodding. All of these people. They're all agreeing. They're just saying 'at last.'"

To see who's in the picture,

"Is This Thing On?" Live-Mic Oops Crank Up Bush and Jackson

CitizenSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:01:38 -0700

Live microphones are turning controversial remarks up to an "11" this week. Jesse Jackson used the N-word — the one for the dangly part of the male anatomy — when dishing about Obama during a break from taping a segment on Fox & Friends on Sunday. Jackson was, he thought secretly, gossiping with his co-guest about Obama's position on black churches and his support for faith-based charities. Jackson made the rude (and puzzling) remark, "I want to cut his n**ts off," into his live mic, moments before going on air.

Jackson didn't know his words had been picked up at the time, but by yesterday the clip was ready to air on The O'Reilly Factor and Jackson was in full damage-control mode, apologizing at a news conference in Chicago and releasing a statement saying:

For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize. My support for Senator Obama's campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal.

Barack Obama has accepted his apology. His spokesman said, "[Obama] will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other, and he of course accepts Rev. Jackson's apology."

Not all hot-mic trouble results in hot water. George W. Bush had an uncharacteristically endearing private/public address series of moments at the G-8 Summit this week. To see what everyone heard him say,

Anatomy of a Gaffe: McCain Adviser's Quote Exposes Pattern

CitizenSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:59:59 -0700

Controversial statements on the campaign trail are sparking a lighting-quick trend, the standard cycle of apology becoming an expected, relay-race reflex. Here's the most recent example: Charlie Black, a top adviser to John McCain, has apologized for this passage in a profile on McCain in Fortune magazine:

As would, Black concedes with startling candor after we raise the issue, another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. "Certainly it would be a big advantage to him," says Black.

As is usual in the current political climate, the problematic statement, that a terrorist attack would be an advantage to McCain, was followed quickly by an apology from the source, with Charlie Black saying:

I deeply regret the comments. They were inappropriate. I recognize that John McCain has devoted his entire adult life to protecting his country and placing its security before every other consideration.

The next step in the pattern follows the distancing by the candidate, with McCain saying:

I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America.

With his campaign officially seconding that emotion. To see what happens next,

Hillary Apologizes For RFK Remark. Was "Sorry" Necessary?

CitizenSugar — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:00:37 -0700

Yesterday, Hillary Clinton used the example of Robert Kennedy's June 1968 assassination while she was explaining why she's still in the race. The world seems to have done a collective jaw-drop. She has apologized for the parallel drawn saying: I regret that my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy.

But was her apology necessary? Was the statement, as Michelle Obama worries, a reference to violence that could befall Obama? Or was it merely an unfortunate way to put historical perspective on the month of June in a campaign year? Here's Hillary's whole original quote: My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand [calls to drop out]."

As soon as the egg of a quote was laid, Liberty and I rushed to the Church of Wikipedia to see exactly what the state of the 1968 election was in June. Was Bobby well ahead, or was the contest still alive? That seems to be the crucial detail to me — was the mention of the assassination just a calendar signpost? A way of saying, of course we all remember the day, it happened in June? Apparently, at the moment of Kennedy's assassination, the delegate totals were: Hubert Humphrey, 561; Robert F. Kennedy, 393; Eugene McCarthy, 258.Hmm. Kennedy was in second place in the delegate totals. Just like Hillary. And we're heading into June. Were people too quick to offense on this statement? Was it just, as a Clinton spokesperson has said, "historical examples of the nominating contest going well into the summer. Any reading into it beyond that is inaccurate and outrageous." Or is any reference to an assassination — especially a Kennedy — despicable? Want to know more about that tragic night in June? New York magazine has a powerful narrative all about it, out this week. Source

Hillary Apologizes For RFK Remark. Was "Sorry" Necessary?

Absolutely necessary. It was a disgusting image to use; she's playing dirtier than dirty.

It was not the smartest statement, she should have apologized — but let's move on.

No! It was a fair comparison. The assassination was in June! She said nothing wrong.

Other. I'll tell you my opinion in the comments.

Is a Political Apology Too Little, Too Late?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:00:14 -0800

Let's call it the "Hussein Heard 'Round the World." As an opening act for a John McCain speech, conservative radio personality Bill Cunningham unleashed a torrent of censor-free remarks at Barack Obama. Cunningham said,

Now we have a hack, Chicago-style Daley politician who is picturing himself as change. When he gets done with you, all you're going to have in your pocket is change. Adding that the liberal-leaning media will "peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama."

McCain immediately followed with a categoric apology for the event before even being asked, and flatly rejected the notion saying,

I apologize for it. I did not know about these remarks, but I take responsibility for them. I repudiate them. My entire campaign I have treated Senator Obama and Senator Clinton with respect. I will continue to do that throughout this campaign...Any comment that is disparaging of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is totally inappropriate.

Whether or not you think Cunningham's remarks were out of line, my question is this: When someone acts on behalf of a politician — even if the politician apologizes for or rejects the sentiment — once a statement is out there, does a politician still benefit? In this case, McCain gets to distance himself from the "crazy right" and make bold proclamations about his fairness and commitment to running a clean campaign — even though the dirt is already out of the bag. Can a political apology be as much strategy as it is reaction?Source

Is a Political Apology Too Little, Too Late?

Yes. A political apology is nothing more than another way to make an argument.

Sometimes. In this case I think McCain was caught off guard and the apology, sincere.

No. Politicians can't control everyone making statements for them. Sorries are inevitable.

Other. I know the answer to this one! I'll tell you in the comments.