Maybe people were never really good at it, but I am really sick of the modern celebrity/politician insincere non-apology apology.

After comparing the president of the United States to Hitler, Hank Williams, Jr. offered this apology:

"I have always been very passionate about Politics and Sports and this time it got the Best or Worst of me. The thought of the Leaders of both Parties Jukin and High Fiven on a Golf course, while so many Families are Struggling to get by simply made me Boil over and make a Dumb statement and I am very Sorry if it Offended anyone. I would like to Thank all my supporters. This was Not written by some Publicist."

Here is how apologies work, Hank - you acknowledge what you did was wrong and you say "I'm sorry."

Period.

No explanations, no qualifiers, just say you are sorry for making a boneheaded statement. What Williams did was try to justify his boneheaded comment. If you aren't really sorry, then stand by your idiotic mumblings. Otherwise, simply say, "I WAS WRONG AND I'M SORRY."

How hard is that?

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th' only knower of th' cosmic mysteries alive at this time

JetBlue may have set the gold standard in how to apologize. A few years ago they screwed up and left many of their passengers stranded. Their CEO sent a letter to all of their customers and posted a video apology that said, in part,

"We are sorry and embarrassed. But most of all, we are deeply sorry. Last week was the worst operational week in JetBlue’s seven year history...You deserved better - a lot better - from us last week and we let you down."

He then went on to explain how they would rectify the problem.

No justifying, qualifying, or putting the blame back on the wronged party. No "I'm sorry if you were hurt or offended" kind of crap. Just a simple, straight-forward admission of a wrong and an honest expression of regret.

That is how you apologize


http://www.jetblue.com/about/ourcompany ... index.html

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th' only knower of th' cosmic mysteries alive at this time

can't I just go to rehab to cure my racism?

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Hold my beer and watch this...

The key to a meaningful apology is owning what you did. If you beat around the bush, that means you really don't feel like you have anything to apologize for, and probably shouldn't be trying.

The most offensive thing about Hank William's apology was his Random capitalization Of random Words in the Apology.

Why Do people do That????!

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

Regretably, in this day and age, especially concerning politics, to apologize is regarded by many as showing weakness or indecision.

Let's talk bloodlines for a second. Hank Jr's dad was a fantastic songwriter and one of the most influential musicians anywhere or anytime. Hank Jr's son is also a really good talented musician and is a smart, thoughtful (although somewhat crazy) guy. But Hank Jr. is a moron.

Here's Hank III's take on his dad. The part that cracks me up is he says the only musician who should comment on politics is Jello Biafra. Then they ask him about his politics and he basically says 'no comment'. Do you really need to ask a Jello Biafra supporter about his or her politics? I guess if you're a media flunkie you do!

http://www.tmz.com/2011/10/04/hank-will ... -politics/

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This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
--Emerson

As MN said, to muster a decent apology, you have to both recognize that what you did was wrong and then give a shit. Very few people can even do one of those, especially on the internet where it's easy to type and forget without having to face the person you've denigrated.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Say what you will about Don Cherry (and plenty can be said), but the guy knows how to apologize.

"I was wrong...100% wrong...I'm sorry."

Video: Ex-enforcers get ‘Coach’s Corner’ apology from Don Cherry
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_d ... hl-wp14955

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th' only knower of th' cosmic mysteries alive at this time