I have no problem with people apologizing, if they are sorry, truly sorry, it an act, I think, of genuine contrition, and can save relationships. What I have issue with here are the scripted, phony, disingenuous apologies issued every time anyone says something “offensive” or when someone gets caught at something. These faux apologies to me are a gross waste of time and energy. What purpose do they serve? Take Chris Hayes of MSNBS for example. Hayes said he was uncomfortable calling fallen service men and women heroes. And, shockingly, that pissed off most everyone who heard it. So?
Many people all, across the blogging world lit into Hayes, myself included, and that is where is really ought to stop. He said his peace, he was raked over the coals. Yet, there were those who demanded two things I can not understand. First was the calls for MSNBS to fire him. Why? He is a commentator, he commented. Yes, he offended a LOT of people. But, I am sorry, I do not want everyone who says something nutty, or offensive to lose their job every time they cause someone offense. Face it, ANYONE who comments publicly about ANYTHING is going to offend someone. Do we REALLY want to get to a place where no one is willing to offer an opinion on anything? And, personally, let me say, that Hayes, as an MSNBS commentator is a great source of blogging material. Remember when he said the constitution was like, almost 100 years old? Come on! Stupidity that real is rare. Why would I want to lose one of the main branches on what I call The Tree of Low-Hanging Blogging Fruit?
Secondly, there were the demands that he apologize. Again I ask, why? Does anyone who heard his scripted apology really think he meant a damned word of it? Of course not! Does it change what he said? Or why he thinks it? NO! So, what good does it do anyone?
One last thought here, if Hayes is TRULY sorry, then good. If anything anyone wrote or said about his comments help to change his Left-Wing disdain for the military then good! I hope Hayes would re-think his views, and realize that his freedom comes at a cost, and that our servicemen have been paying that price since 1775. Personally, I would like to see Hayes, in his “you go girl” glasses that he borrowed from Rachel Maddow, explain his comments to a battle-hardened Marine. But, that phony apologies he can keep.
Hayes is not afraid to sport feminine glasses
By the way, I was inspired to write this by a post at Zions Trumpet, but, I ended up going in a different direction. But, I will give a H/T to ZT anyway, because he, like me, is a fan of Rule 5~
I disagree with you politically, but I do agree about the fake apologies. I do wish that people who have controversial/unpopular opinions and express them would have the guts to not back down from their views. This would get them a lot more respect than half-baked I’m sorry’s.