Huckleberries Online

I’m Sorry … So, So, So Sorry

Posted by DFO

Feb. 4, 2009 11:01 a.m. • 53 comments

Delivering a proper public apology is a skill that, eventually, many powerful figures are forced to learn. Lately, some big names have had to offer their mea culpas—Tom Daschle, whose apology wasn’t enough to move beyond his tax problems, is only the most recent. But why do some apologies exonerate, while others just make a sorry bastard appear even more disingenuous? Here are some that persuaded us—or at least entertained/The Daily Beast.

Question: Why do some public ap-hollow-gies resonate with listeners — and others don’t?

53 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

zelda on February 04 at 12:08 p.m.
The worst apologies are the ones that start with “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “I’m sorry that some people believed that I might have…” This puts the blame back on you, as if your perception went haywire and it’s really your fault for having negative thoughts.
Joker on February 04 at 12:14 p.m.
Keys to saying your sorry.

1. Be sorry for what you did (not sorry for getting busted).
2. Be sincere (mean it or don’t bother).
3. Use direct and simple words (no lawyer talk)
4. Take responsiblity for what you did (don’t blame anybody).
5. Offer your own punishment (I am resigning).
6. Promise to do better next time (American’s love to give second chances).
Bent on February 04 at 12:25 p.m.
I agree with Joker…

There is a big difference between being “filled with sorrow” and offering an apology.

I always try to make sure that I do not say I am sorry unless I am truely filled with sorrow. Otherwise, I apologize if I am in the wrong…(which is rare)
Kage_Mann on February 04 at 12:29 p.m.
I like the apologies people offer on the Jerry Springer Show; which start like this:”You know how much you mean to me,
right”?”aaand we do have a pretty good life together,don’t we”?
“aaaand we love each other,right”? “Weeell,there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,not only have I been seeing the neighbor but,also––––—.%#@**%#!

Then there’s a fight and Jerry Springer standing there trying to make sense of it all.It cracks me up.LOL.
Bob on February 04 at 12:32 p.m.
Hey Joker, when you steal stuff off the internet and post it as though it’s yours it’s called plagiarism. I understand your need to steal the work of others having accidentally read you a few times.

Just sayin’
Bob on February 04 at 12:33 p.m.
Kage, you’re trying too hard. It almost works when you turn the knob down a few.
Joker on February 04 at 12:37 p.m.
Bob,

What are you talking about? I didn’t steal jack. I think those are pretty obvious. No cut and pasting here. Least I am not trying to dazzle everybody with my “creative writing” ability. Insecure much?
Bob on February 04 at 12:46 p.m.
No, but you seem to be, “Joker.” Feel free to actually add a cutline entry rather than just ankle bite at mine.

Again, always cite the material you take off the internet when posting.
Cindy_H on February 04 at 12:51 p.m.
This post has invited John Denver into my brain.

~I’m sorry for the way things are in China
I’m sorry things ain’t what they used to be
But more than anything else
I’m sorry for myself
‘cause your’e not here with me~

Somebody help me.
DFO on February 04 at 1:01 p.m.
I see no evidence of Joker cutting and pasting that material, Bob; unless you can find some, you might owe Joker an apology.
Cindy_H on February 04 at 1:06 p.m.
~I’m sorry for all the lies I told you
I’m sorry for the things I didn’t say
But more than anything else
I’m sorry for myself
I can’t believe you went away~

It’s stuck. I tell you. STUCK!
Bob on February 04 at 1:08 p.m.
Nah, I don’t apologize to pseudonyms. He got it off a wiki.
JeanieSpokane on February 04 at 1:25 p.m.
For Bob: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Humble
Kage_Mann on February 04 at 1:25 p.m.
Bob,apologizing would be like the FONZ saying he’s SSSor—rrry
:-)
Cindy_H on February 04 at 1:39 p.m.
Everybody sing:

~I’m sorry if I took some things for granted
I’m sorry for the chains I put on you
But more than anything else
I’m sorry for myself
For living without you~
Sisyphus on February 04 at 1:48 p.m.
Allrighty sister, yer pushin’ my buttons. You’re damn lucky I don’t know the tune.

Somebody close whap Cindy upside the head to clear it.

Or try the substituting the Brady Bunch theme for it. ;-)
Cindy_H on February 04 at 1:52 p.m.
Just for you Sis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPerk6aYXbk

It’s not John Denver. It’s some dude with ukulele.
You can thank me later.
Cindy_H on February 04 at 1:54 p.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMr9mVqlims&feature=related
In case you want to forgo the uke ;-)
toadman on February 04 at 2:17 p.m.
I’m glad Daschel withdrew…
I’m proud that Obama didn’t mince words and said “I screwed up.” That’s refreshing honesty.
Lastly, I don’t think Phelps has anything to apologize for.
Joker on February 04 at 2:39 p.m.
Ha, I don’t even want a sorry from old Bob. He’s like the aging fighter who has taken one too many direct hits to the old noggin and he’s throwing wild haymakers and connecting with shadows and air. He holds out hope that one day he’ll get another title shot, but he’ll always be on the undercard. In six months if you see him on the corners of the net, toss him a coin, cause the guy is down on his luck.
Sparky on February 04 at 2:43 p.m.
Everybody makes mistakes, it how you take responsibility that measures your character.

Side note: there are some mistakes that an apology is not enough. I am still frustrated by the two young car racers who received light sentences and will be up for parole in 6 months.

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2009/02/03/news/news01.txt
Sparky on February 04 at 2:47 p.m.
new song

Sorry by divinyls

You’ll be sorry for those words
Was it my enemy or my friend I heard
Some sane day not too far away
I shall be gone and you could Be Looking for me

I’m giving love new perspective, I’m giving you new directive
I’m giving love new perspective, I’m giving you new corrective

Some day you’ll be sorry, Sorry so sorry
Some day you’ll be sorry , Sorry so sorry
Cabbage Boy on February 04 at 2:55 p.m.
Virtual shadow boxing. Is that like dreaming about playing the Wii?
Whippersnapper on February 04 at 3:38 p.m.
Obama’s apologies today were eloquent and unqualified. Very refreshing.
Escapee on February 04 at 6:39 p.m.
Something I’ve always wondered…why, oh why, did John Denver mention CHINA in his “I’m Sorry” song? What’s China got to do with it? It’s a song about love lost…isn’t it? Or did John lose his copy of the Little Red Book? Why China? I’ve always wondered about that.

Actually, this whole apology-thread brings to mind Brenda Lee: “I’m Sorry…So Sorry…Please Accept My Apology…”
Escapee on February 04 at 6:42 p.m.
For those who have difficulty apologizing, this 1976 song from Elton John: “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”.
thawtfulreader on February 04 at 9:30 p.m.
“We’re so sorry, uncle Albert.
But the kettle’s on the boil and we’re so easily called away.”
––––––––––––—

“Kage_Mann on February 04 at 12:29 p.m.:

I like the apologies people offer on the Jerry Springer Show; which start like this:”You know how much you mean to me,
right”?”aaand we do have a pretty good life together,don’t we”?
“aaaand we love each other,right”? “Weeell,there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,not only have I been seeing the neighbor but,also––––—.%#@**%#!

Then there’s a fight and Jerry Springer standing there trying to make sense of it all.It cracks me up.LOL.”

This explains much, thank you Kage.

Some of worst so-called apologies:
Mistakes were made.
I apologize IF I offended anyone.

Obama did it right, good on him. He admitted he screwed up. Whether it was he or his advisors who were pushing for Daschle, either way, it was his decision to make, he blew it, he admitted it, and took responsibility.

Obama’s critics went overboard on this (WE DEMAND PENALTIES FROM THIS TAX CHEAT!) , which typically never happens when someone REPORTS their OWN error to the IRS, and pays up with interest immediately, however, granted the Obama critics looking for anything and everything to hang Obama over, and given Geitner etc, it was somewhat half-way justified to bleat about.

Besides, I didn’t like Daschle for the position anyway. Good riddance.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.