What is a sincere apology? We’ve all received them. We’ve all given them. The real ones are sincere in word and expression. When “I’m sorry” is accompanied by a defensive speech, it is not an apology. Tagging on those words to the end of a diatribe about why I was right is not an apology. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong” is not an apology either. And neither is being sorry for “word choices” as Limbaugh claims he is for referring to Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke as a “slut” and a “prostitute.”
The greater the insult, the more important it is for an apology to be sincere. Otherwise, it’s just verbal camouflage. It’s used to smooth things over rather than set them right. The underlying problem or mindset is ignored — in this case disdain for women who disagree, who defend birth control, and who believe they and their doctors should determine what’s best for their health. A sincere apology expresses regret and takes responsibility for the thoughts and actions that led to offense.
Limbaugh’s so-called “apology” is no more than an attempt to stop his show from bleeding advertisers. He regrets losing them. Nothing else. He’s a bully who has far too many politicians eating out of his hand with no regard for the cost to this country and women in particular.
