‘Apologies’ often aren’t what they ought to be
In reference to the article “Pro-McCain pastor apologizes to Catholics” (May 14): It is one of my pet peeves what passes for an apology these days.
The pastor being referred to is John Hagee. Now, I could not care less about Hagee and his politics. I am also not a Roman Catholic. However, Hagee’s apology is not an apology at all. He states, “I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”
What is missing here is any admission at having made a mistake. Apparently, the mistake was that Catholics have taken it wrong and Hagee is sorry for that. It puts the mistake on the Catholics, not him.
Has anyone noticed that kind of “apology” is prevalent among well-known people and, indeed, by some of us?
Take the blame, people, and admit you were wrong when you are wrong.
Carol Borugian
High Point
Comments (39)
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Hagee doesn't think he was wrong. He hates Catholics, it's that simple.
I mean, Catholics, you did know that you're a member of a cult, right? That you're doomed to hell?
Posted on May 21, 2008 3:35 AM
“I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”
Basically means "I meant what I said and I'm sorry if you were offended by it". That's the new way of apologizing these days.
Posted on May 21, 2008 5:06 AM
"Catholics, you did know that you're a member of a cult, right? That you're doomed to hell?"
No. Catholics have this really coool thing going on .. you do what ever the heck you want to during the week, and on Sat or Sunday .. lots of confessional hours available ... you go tell the Priest what you did, and he forgives you if you repeat "Hail Mary, full of grace" a specified numbers of times.
Great program! I think I'll sign up to ... but then I'm not a pretty girl or a little boy. If I were, I'd wonder what that priest is doing with himself as he sits there in the dark and hears my story of youthful indiscretion ... then makes me wait ...
Posted on May 21, 2008 5:08 AM
.. I read somewhere that the celibacy was added in the dark ages by a powerful priest who had been a horn toad in his youth but as age took away his wood, he decided to universally restrict the use of that tool.
Posted on May 21, 2008 6:18 AM
James!
You must repent or go to hell! Blaspheming the Holy See! After all, those Priests know what's best for women, and small boys.
What a joke. Women can't hold leadership positions in the church, but the church comes out firing on any issue that can keep women in their place.
A dinosaur, but some are yet to realize it.
Oh, and I'm sorry "if" I offended anyone here. LOL!
Posted on May 21, 2008 8:29 AM
That 'confession' gig is great. Guess that's why some refer to the confessional as the "Wackenhut"?
Posted on May 21, 2008 8:32 AM
Just so I'm sure I'm properly informed, are we talking about things like those recently told to our own Winston-Salem Journal?
"Obviously, if I worded things in a way that made people offended, I deeply regret that."
Change indeed.
Roger
Posted on May 21, 2008 9:13 AM
I, too, deeply regret that Obama's words were worded in such a way that may have made people feel offended.
Either apologize or don't. Apologizing means saying "I was wrong and I'm sorry."
Posted on May 21, 2008 9:46 AM
Sounds like the "rev" Hagee is a political whore, John McBush tells him to appologize and he does.
"rev" Hagee is selling his flock spiritual __ssy;
he gives them what they want for a price. He is a Republican so lying would be his sock in trade.
Posted on May 21, 2008 12:24 PM
He should appologize for his sock in trade (as should you for your speling).
Posted on May 21, 2008 3:37 PM
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/13/1016597.aspx
You can read the whole letter at the link above.
It actually sounds much better than the soundbite we got above, which I agree sounds like a pretty lame apology.
I admire people for apologizing. It takes a lot to admit you are wrong. However, if you're gonna apologize, do it fight.
I think there is a difference between listening to a Reverend Wright for 20 years and refuting an endorsement of the religious right.
Either way, politics and televangelism are dirty businesses and I don't put much 'sock' in either.
Posted on May 21, 2008 4:33 PM
I don't really get offended when people say things about me or my religion IF:
1. they seem to sincerely hold their own beliefs
2. they believe in my right as an American to hold beliefs they think to be wrong
3. they don't want to take my money to promote their beliefs
4. they don't insult my mama
Posted on May 21, 2008 4:51 PM
Well. Your dad kills dogs when he tries to de-flea them with his rifle!
:)
Posted on May 21, 2008 5:06 PM
BRIAN666
MAKE THAT STOCK IN TRADE, BUT SOCKS OR STOCKS, HAGEE IS STILL A WHORE. AS FOR AN APPOLOGY -
I'M SORRY - IT'S MY TYPING NOT MY SPELLING, BUT HAGEE IS STILL A BIBLE WHORE. OK MY SPELLING BITES BUT I CAN IMPROVE BOTH TYPING AND SPELLING AND YOU WILL STILL BE A WINGNUT.
Posted on May 21, 2008 5:20 PM
Poor dog!
My mama, however, is a saint. She once sufferred a broken arm because she went out on the porch after an ice storm to feed a stray dog. She fell, broke the arm, but not till after that dog got fed.
Posted on May 21, 2008 5:38 PM
Mama,
The dog your mom fed, is more worthy of respect than the religious nutz who make their living fleecing people in the name of Jesus--that includes the Catholic Church which covered up pedophillia for years---apologizing after years of trying to lie about it.
Posted on May 21, 2008 8:30 PM
People are fleeced because they don't read the words of Jesus for themselves and instead listen to a preacher give them his own words.
Fret not, LC, someday those who deceive in the name of Jesus or abuse children while pretending to serve Jesus will face Jesus Himself--and realize the gravity of their error. In the meantime, read the Bible for yourself and always know who your children are with.
Posted on May 21, 2008 11:09 PM
Yellowdog, I applaud you for attempting to improve your spelling and typing. (On the latter point, typing is normally done with both upper-case and lower-case letters. In the future, you'll want to avoid pressing the "CAPS LOCK" key on the left of your keyboard.) Because so many Democrats today are content with mediocrity, I find your program of self improvement both heartening and inspiring. In an effort to help, let me point out that "apologize" has only one "p." Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Posted on May 22, 2008 12:01 AM
Looks like old yeller has dubbed you the Antichrist Brian, so maybe you can answer my question: What is "spiritual ssy" and how much does it go for? Also, could this be the reason old yeller referenced the "trade in sock"? (not sure I'd want to use a 'sock' that has been traded in)
Posted on May 22, 2008 6:19 AM
Looks like Demon Deacon resurrected Proud Donkaaay in the form of old yeller. All three are exactly the same but Demon Deacon has a spell checker and knows where the caps lock key is.
Spiritual __ssy? Where do I sign up? Whoops, gotta go, my wife is coming down the hall......
Posted on May 22, 2008 7:30 AM
Mama,
I salute your frankness. I also salute your words for the Catholic Priests. The truth shall set you, me, us, FREE!
Posted on May 22, 2008 8:36 AM
Dan says,
"One time I went to the beach for a weekend with some buddies when I was in college. One of them brought some cocaine. They all tried some so I decided to as well."
Yep, just another 'day at the beach' for our moral crusader!
Goes right back to my point about Dan. He lives by the "Looky, looky! They did it too! Not just me!" mantra.
Posted on May 22, 2008 8:43 AM
TLC I CONGRATULATE YOU FOR FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT; HOWEVER, YOU CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE ON THIS BLOG. YOU JUST CAN'T POLISH A TURD.
DAN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT HE IS EMOTIONALLY SCARRED BY BITTERNESS.
HIS BROTHER AND FATHER ARE EDUCATED AND HE IS NOT. HE IMAGINES HIS FATHER FAVORS THE BROTHER (I CERTAINLY WOULD) .
MY TYPING AND SPELLING ARE SOMETHING I NEED TO WORK ON, CAPS ARE MY PREFFERED STYLE, BEING A LIBERAL ELITE.
GOOBER444 - I DO NEED YOUR HELP, MY SHOES NEED A GOOD SHINE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, BUT, THAT'S ALL FOR WHICH I COULD POSSIBLY NEED YOU .
Posted on May 22, 2008 9:34 AM
DAN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT HE IS EMOTIONALLY SCARRED BY BITTERNESS.
"Dan is a little different; he is emotionally scarred by bitterness." Note that two independent clauses need to be separated by a semicolon or by a comma and a conjuntion. See also this example:
GOOBER444 - I DO NEED YOUR HELP, MY SHOES NEED A GOOD SHINE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, BUT, THAT'S ALL FOR WHICH I COULD POSSIBLY NEED YOU .
"Brian444, I do need your help. My shoes need a good shine if you're interested, but that's all for which I could possibly need you."
That eliminates both a comma splice and an unnecessary comma. I would also suggest rewording the concluding construction, which strives to eliminate a concluding preposition, but which does so awkwardly. It is, however, grammatically correct, so I won't quibble. And congratulations on owning a pair of shoes.
Also noted that "preferred" has one f and two r's. There are a few other things we can work on later, but let's take this slow.
Posted on May 22, 2008 10:04 AM
Neo, I do worry about old yellowdog's prophylactic practices. As you know, socks (however small or tight) prevent neither pregnancy nor the communication of disease. I would mention this to him, but right now we're working on his grammar and spelling, and I don't want to overwhelm him with advice.
Posted on May 22, 2008 10:10 AM
RUSH444
SO YOU WILL SHINE MY SHOES. OH NO SPIT PLEASE WHO KNOWS WHERE THAT MOUTH HAS BEEN.
Posted on May 22, 2008 12:11 PM
"So you will shine my shoes? Oh, no. Spit, please. Who knows where that mouth has been?"
or perhaps it's "Oh, no spit please!" (You see how your problems with punctuation obscure the clarity of your prose.)
Keep at it, yellowdog. We'll have you to up to third-grade literacy in no time.
Posted on May 22, 2008 12:58 PM
"Yep, just another 'day at the beach' for our moral crusader!
Goes right back to my point about Dan. He lives by the "Looky, looky! They did it too! Not just me!" mantra."
This is working much better than anticipated. Posting the same thing all over different threads. Keep up the good work Demon Deacon, I'll reveal the intent eventually. But for now, please keep posting. Thanks.
Posted on May 22, 2008 2:09 PM
"DAN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT HE IS EMOTIONALLY SCARRED BY BITTERNESS.
HIS BROTHER AND FATHER ARE EDUCATED AND HE IS NOT. HE IMAGINES HIS FATHER FAVORS THE BROTHER"
Based upon your butchering of the English language, you should be the last person on this thread to comment upon the education of others.
Which brother yaller dawg? I have more than one. What about my sisters?
Indeed, bitterness can emotionally scar people. I heard from a reputable source that bitterness can even make people cling to their guns and religion.
Posted on May 22, 2008 2:25 PM
You guys look like you're having fun!
Maybe I'll give it a try.
Posted on May 22, 2008 2:44 PM
TOYD, you and your SCREAMING GRAMMAR MISTAKES make me think that you very well may be Dan's friend from long ago who brought cocaine to the beach. Looks like Dan stopped, but your continued addiction has fried your brain. Just remember that first aid for nose bleeds has changed since the 80's and that crack's cheaper, but the jail sentence is longer. Either way, you may do well do heed brian44's grammar advice, even if he is a self-loathing pawn of the Republican party who, along with our friend Dan(ny Boy), gets a hard-on every time Rush's voice booms through the radio speakers. I bet they even get together with neocon and have a circle jerk while discussing their hatred of homosexuals, blacks, and plotting more ways to make TLC appear foolish. Not that he needs much help, as he's out trying to stop women from committing suicide in their war against themselves, selling Canadian Flags at the international terminal in the airport, drawing KKK hoods on Hillary Clinton and John McCain signs, and just generally doing everything he jeers others for doing.
Posted on May 22, 2008 3:07 PM
I apologize if anyone misconstrued anything in my previous post as an insult.
Posted on May 22, 2008 3:11 PM
rahrah, you are too funny for this old woman! I'm going to need some Depends if I reread your post.
You should be a speechwriter, not a politician. They get to have more fun. Or maybe you could the first liberal radio talk show host that is actually entertaining.
Posted on May 22, 2008 3:41 PM
Bravo rahrah, you are officially a lifetime member. That was a classic!!
Gotta go take a snort now, see ya later!
Posted on May 22, 2008 4:22 PM
rahrah,
funniest thing i've seen in a while on this page.
Posted on May 22, 2008 5:24 PM
Dan said,
"One time I went to the beach for a weekend with some buddies when I was in college. One of them brought some cocaine. They all tried some so I decided to as well."
May 21, 2008
Just when we thought Larry "Wide Stance" Craig was the world's biggest hypocrite, out comes Danny boy. Yes, the fellow who rushes to claim the moral high ground on just about every issue, is now, admittedly, a recreational cocaine user.
Love how he tries to deflect his own words.
Will he blame it all on Reverend Wright?
Will the narcissist dig into his "stalker files" he calls his "archives" and try to make someone else the bad guy?
Will he continue to claim some "holier than thou" moral high ground?
How will he answer his children when they ask,
"Daddy, why did you use cocaine? What? Just because your friends did?"
Yes, our solid rock, mouthpiece for morals is now an admitted cocaine user. Rather than face the music, he begins his campaign to make someone else responsible.
Nice try, Dan! Nice try.
------------------------------------
Rahrah,
This sentence is a KEEPER:
"our friend Dan(ny Boy), gets a hard-on every time Rush's voice booms through the radio speakers."
I'm still laughing. The truth IS funnier than fiction.
Posted on May 22, 2008 9:53 PM
Operation "coke post" is now accomplished. Anything more is simply icing on the cake. Only in a mere 36 hours, well ahead of schedule. But keep going, it gets better every time!!
If you would like to quote rahrah don't forget the other part:
"I bet they even get together with neocon and have a circle jerk while discussing their hatred of homosexuals, blacks, and plotting more ways to make TLC appear foolish. Not that he needs much help, as he's out trying to stop women from committing suicide in their war against themselves, selling Canadian Flags at the international terminal in the airport, drawing KKK hoods on Hillary Clinton and John McCain signs, and just generally doing everything he jeers others for doing."
No he doesn't need much help, that was the point of operation "coke post".
Posted on May 22, 2008 10:32 PM
I called a cease fire in my war against myself--I'm just too tired this week.
Posted on May 23, 2008 8:00 AM
Then how are you ever going to win, mama?
Posted on May 24, 2008 4:09 AM