What passes for an apology these days May 15, 2008
Posted by Brendan in Politics, Religion.trackback
Like the term “tolerance” the word “apology” has undergone a subtle transformation in understanding (if not in definition) over the past decade. Tolerance once meant something akin to respect for differing opinions. Now its usage suggests (or demands) agreement or submission to opinions differing from one’s own.
An apology was always understood to be sincere regret for words or actions that caused harm to another; now it’s morphed into some vague remorse that one’s words or actions have been misunderstood.
Enter John Hagee – the virulently anti-Catholic fundamentalist preacher who is pulling out all stops in his support of John McCain’s presidential bid. Hagee, a long time Catholic basher (You can read some of his choicer quotes here) recently offered a politically timed apology to Catholics:
“Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”
Did you catch it? He didn’t say “I was wrong” or “I repudiate my anti-Catholic screeds” he just expresses general regret for whatever Catholics may have found “hurtful”.
It’s as if I purposely ran over your dog and then said “I’m sorry if you were hurt by my actions” (no personal responsibility) but not “I’m sorry FOR my actions.” (Clear personal responsibility)
It’s not an apology.
In any case the media will accept it as a done deal and anti-Catholicism will continue apace without so much as a tsk-tsk from our friends in the press. (See my earlier entry: Pat Buchanan and the Jews for proof of that…)
[...] Feeding the Shark wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptEnter John Hagee – the virulently anti-Catholic fundamentalist preacher who is pulling out all stops in his support of John McCain’s presidential… [...]