posted
Today Rush Limbaugh and Arnold Schwarzenagger took divering paths concerning stupid things they've done in their respective pasts.
Arnold apologized, Rush didn't.
And while I've never been a Rush Limbaugh dittohead, I never really minded him for his views either -- whatever... they're his views.
But Rush should have apologized to Donovan McNabb, the NFL and anyone hurt by his comments today -- even if he didn't think he was wrong. Even if he dreams of wearing a white cap at night. He should have apologized.
Instead, he figures that since he didn't think he view was wrong, that he didn't need to.
I don't understand this. Why is it so hard to fess up, recognize you're wrong and offer up an apology?
While Arnold's apology may have sounded a little thin, I think it's a step in the right direction if anything, to acknowledge he'd committed wrong in the past and vow to be better.
This is why Clinton drove me absolutely nuts. To me, he was a chronic liar when it came to his personal life. How much easier would it have been if he would have just came out and said, you know what? I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better.
Maybe it's a macho thing. I have a friend who is going through with a divorce because he won't apologize to his wife.
I don't get it.
Oh, and I apologize in advance if this post offends anyone.
posted
On one hand I think it's great that Arnold (I'm using his first name since I don't want to type out his last, what with my finger and all ) is apologizing, but I don't want to make a big deal of it because he did still do someting wrong, and it's not like he should get points for it.
As for Limbaugh, I've always disliked the man so I don't have much to say that would really be of any value, but I agree, apologizing if you offended is a good idea even if you think your right.
Which reminds me, I haven't properly apologizied for my comments in the Humor thread...
posted
I don't think the situations are comparable.
I think Limbaugh's comments were off the mark. I also think they were wrong. I think Disney's continued policy of hiring "personalities" who are not terribly knowledgeable about sports to spice up a broadcast is unbelievably stupid.
But I actually don't think his comments, per se, were racist. They were his opinions, and he was doing exactly what they hired him to do. Did they hire Rush Limbaugh thinking he would not be obnoxious and opinionated and off base? What the heck were they thinking?
His statements don't even begin to compare to groping a significant number of unwilling women.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote: But Rush should have apologized to Donovan McNabb, the NFL and anyone hurt by his comments today -- even if he didn't think he was wrong. Even if he dreams of wearing a white cap at night. He should have apologized.
Instead, he figures that since he didn't think he view was wrong, that he didn't need to.
Rush is a problem not only because he says and does hurtful things, but because he lies, and people believe him. About important things.
quote: This is why Clinton drove me absolutely nuts. To me, he was a chronic liar when it came to his personal life. How much easier would it have been if he would have just came out and said, you know what? I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better.
You're right, thats what he should have done. Although I think "chronic liar...came to his personal life" is a bit strong. Still, why should his personal life have come into question anyway, since it wasn't harming the nation. Unlike, say, Bush's vacations to Texas. Those definitely harm the nation. Or his ties to big energy..or...
Sorry, you didn't want to make this into politics, I'm sure.
BTW, as long as we're apologzing, I'd like to offer my own up. I've been posting and probably being slightly antagonisitc all evening. Its because I'm bored and lonely here in Mobile
Plus, you never solve everything if you worry about being too polite all the time.
Still, apologies all round, just the same.
Posts: 54 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Well it seems to me that if you offend someone you should apologize, even if it's "I'm sorry what I said offended but I think it's true" or something similar. Not to say that someone who get's listened to by thousands (or millions, I don't really know) offends 5 people or something they should apologize, but Limbaugh is way above that number.
And Pat, not really. I kind of apologizied, but I was planning on saying more and e-mailing everyone who expressed their displeasure individually.
posted
Definitely... This shouldn't be a surprise coming from me, but it's just polite to apologize if you've offended someone, even if you don't understand why they're offended.
Even a confused apology like "I'm sorry that what I said offended you" is better than nothing.
Posts: 4816 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote: But I actually don't think his comments, per se, were racist. They were his opinions, and he was doing exactly what they hired him to do. Did they hire Rush Limbaugh thinking he would not be obnoxious and opinionated and off base? What the heck were they thinking?
I wasn't commenting on whether his comments were racist or not. I think they were wrong, and if they hurt someone, then I feel it doesn't hurt the first party to say, if anything, I'm sorry I hurt you.
quote: His statements don't even begin to compare to groping a significant number of unwilling women.
I'm not debating that fact. I am saying that if he says he's sorry, it's better than being obstinate and prideful and saying 'You know what? I don't give a crap about those people I hurt in my past."
Is Schwarzenagger a slime for what he did in his past? Sure. Do I think better of him because he apologized. Definitely. Would I trust him around my daughter/wife? No way.
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
There are some cases where people get offended but you should not have to apologize, though. Some people get offended about the most irrational things.
[edit: I am not saying that what I just said is the case here, however]
posted
That's what I meant Pat... what did you think I meant? When I use the phrase "stick to your guns" I just mean don't back down from what your saying/doing.
posted
Also, if you really, truly do not feel sorry for what you said/did, is it wrong to apologize if it is not sincere? Because in some cases, when people say the words but do not look like they are sincere at all, it makes me much more offended then what they actually said.
Posts: 1466 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
If you're a commentator, it's your job to express opinions. Sports commentators express opinions all the time about whether someone is overrated, whether someone deserves to be the starter, or to keep their job, or whether or not this call by a ref was truly awful. People are going to be hurt by such things. If you live in the public eye, it goes with the territory.
There are probably millions of things Limbaugh owed apologies for, but I don't see this as one of them.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I work with a bunch of columnists. When they step over the line, they apologize for their offending statement. It doesn't happen much, but it DOES happen.
Commentators do get paid for offering their opinions. But they're human too.
In the end, it's Rush's decision whether or not he wants to do the right thing. I just don't agree with his decision.
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
I agree Icarus, to a point. Like I said, if it's a small percentage of people who are offended you can't spend your life apologizing for what you think you did right. But if you feel it's a signifcant portion of the people who heard you then I think apologizing is the right thing to do. For instance if your fan base decreases because they find you offesnive, or you strta getting bad press. Or in a more day to day setting if you start losing friends.
[EDIT: Because I posted before I was through typing ]
posted
I feel that, like with Jimmy the Greek, his comments are getting blown out of proportion. And so I can understand why he might be opposed to apologizing. Frankly ::prepares to get flamed:: he's getting a raw deal here. He was hired to be Rush Limbaugh. That's what he's done. Now he gets pressured into resigning.
He is full of it as far as his criticisms of McNabb go. He is full of it as far as his understanding of the state of race in the NFL goes. (It's been ten years at least since a black quarterback was truly a big deal.) But he's actually right as far as this furor being a PC witch hunt.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
My only point would be that he should lay off the macho man, I'm always right schtick and apologize for saying something so stupid to Donovan McNabb.
WHAT WOULD IT HURT?
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
I guess. But everything I have ever seen from him is indicative of some sort of personality disorder: either an enormous ego or an enormous compensation. (Same goes for Al Franken, who is chortling it up all over the web. Classy.)
I'm not sure he has it in him to apologize or to seriously admit having been wrong. Guess we'll find out shortly when he get's charged with prescription drug abuse.
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posted
And see, that would be another chance for the big guy to say, 'Hey, I have messed my life up, I need help, and when I get out of rehab, I'll hope you'll have forgiven me.'
For the most part, people are eager to forgive.
I wouldn't have been such a Clinton hater if the guy would have just come clean, apologized, then moved on.
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posted
It would be such an opportunity. I wonder how he will deal with it.
And I agree that people are generally eager to forgive. But hasn't he made disparaging comments about drug abusers? I'm not a listener, but it seems like this rings a bell. I suspect that his supporters will be forgiving, although it's hard to be sure. I don't know if Republicans are real forgiving of this type of fall. But the large segment of the population that vehemently dislikes him will probably sieze upon this as an example of his hypocrisy, and see any plea for forgiveness as an example of that same hypocrisy.
I think people are forgiving for the most part, but not of people who polarize public opinion like he has.
I agree with you that Clinton's behavior while under investigation was a national humiliation.
Sorry about your friend, btw. Somehow I missed that when I first read your post. How close are you to the whole situation?
posted
But I need your laughter! Or else I will have to validate my self worth in Pat's thread rating thread. Posts: 4116 | Registered: Apr 2002
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