The Barton Apology - Subtle Notes

[NeedleCast]

I heard the Barton (non)Apology this morning. It's crap.

I'm a professional software/IT trainer. Part of my job is paying close attention to what I say, so I have an ear for what other people say. Barton's apology this morning was politics at it's best. Many people will just hear the fact that he said "I'm sorry" and say "well, there's my apology" but it wasn't an apology at all, it was actually a subtle jab at the rest of us.

Lets look at what he said: "I'm sorry if my words were misconstrued..."

Folks, that's not an apology. In fact, it puts the blame for the incident on us and not Barton. Barton is saying we're guilty of not understanding him, not that he's guilty of saying something beyond stupid.

Just about any time a politician (but especially republicants) apologize, you hear this. When they get caught in a sexual scandal and get caught, you'll always hear the same line: "I'm sorry I've brought shame to my family and to the people I represent..."

That's not an apology for actually having done whatever deed brought about the need to apologize. It's an apology that there's fallout from getting caught.

[Wickerman]

1. precisely

Say, Joe, just was it that you then intended to communicate? Cause, frankly, nothing else computes and you have offered no clarification.

[EOTE]

2. I'm sorry if you dumbasses can't understand what I'm saying.

What? You thought I was apologizing to BP? That's just what they'd want you to think!

Anyone who actually bought that as a legitimate apology is a chump. Legitimate apologies should never feature the word "if".

[NeedleCast]

3. Yeah, the spin being put on this is disgusting

At least Bachmann has the stones to go out there and be an unapologetic lunatic.

[BurtWorm]

4. Let's be clear, though, that you're referring to his backpedaling, not his retraction.

He was forced to disown his original remarks or lose his position on the committee. The GOP smelled their own blood in the water.


http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/barton-what-i-really-meant-to-say/


In a statement, Mr. Barton apologized “for using the term ‘shakedown’ with regard to yesterday’s actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning, and I retract my apology to BP. As I told my colleagues yesterday and said again this morning, BP should bear the full financial responsibility for the accident on their lease in the Gulf of Mexico.”

[NeedleCast]

5. You're right, but again, the only reason the apology and retraction was done

was because Barton had something to lose. He wasn't sorry he said it, he was sorry he was going to lose his position if he didn't retract the statement.

[BurtWorm]

6. Probably.

The thing to note about this is that it's the unretracted apology that will stay freshest in people's minds, which *is* a good thing in this case, as it's probably a close reflection of the truth. And, more to the point, it's much more damaging to assholes like Barton than the retracted apology is (though that isn't exactly the greatest thing for him to have on his record either).