Skip to main content

Why is admitting one isn't perfect the equivalent to an apology to some?

Over the past 3+ years, Republicans have laid claim that President Obama went on an apology tour early in his tenure and has consistently apologized for America ever since then.

To these Republicans, for one to admit this country isn't perfect, that we made a mistake is akin to apologizing. I don't understand this. If I tell a woman that I'm not perfect, is that me apologizing for who I am? No - I'm simply being honest and I'm sure she'll appreciate that. I could do one better by telling her I'd work on these imperfections in an attempt to better myself and in turn, our relationship. That's not me saying I'm sorry. That's me being realistic and honest. There's a stark difference between the two. 

Every fact-checking site out there has looked over these Republican accusations of the president apologizing for America and every one of them has come back with the same answer - it's not true. 

Let's be realistic here - foreign nations and their leaders didn't think too highly of our country during and immediately following the Bush presidency. The president invaded Iraq based on the false pretense that they had weapons of mass destruction and some other leaders, upon hearing and believing these accusations, followed suit. Millions of dollars and hundreds, even thousands of lives were lost due to their efforts. When it was found that Iraq didn't possess weapons of mass destruction, to say we weren't well liked by foreign nations and their leaders would be like to say cows go moo. So after President Obama came into office, he wanted to improve relations with other countries and improve the U.S.'s image abroad, so he went on a tour to accomplish this goal. On that front, it was largely successful. He provided a stark contrast of he and former President Bush's ideas and actions or plans of action in Obama's case. He was not coy about criticizing the former president and trying to provide for a renowned sense of hope and trust to people abroad. 

How is that apologizing? The president was realistic in that he knew he had to work on repairing some damaged relationships with foreign countries and leaders, and he was honest about mistakes the U.S. had made over the course of the previous 8 years when Bush was in office. He wasn't saying he was sorry for the American way of life. He was simply saying that the country had messed up a few times over the past several years, he acknowledges that and will do everything in his power to improve relations abroad.

In closing, I'd like to compare and contrast President Obama's way of communicating how perfect or imperfect the country is with the Republicans whom claimed he was on an apology tour. Both settings will be at a home featuring a male politician and a date.

Democrat: "I just want you to know that while I do try, I'm by no means perfect. I..."

Special Lady Friend: "Oh, that's okay. Nobody's perfect..."

Democrat: "I know, but I know my faults and I'm really trying to improve upon them and not just for me, but for you - for us."

Special Lady Friend: "That's sweet. Why couldn't more guys be like you? I have an idea...."

Democrat: "What's that?"

Special Lady Friend: "Come to my room and I'll show you..."

Democrat: "Are we going to play Scrabble?"

Special Lady Friend: "You're cute, but no..."

::what ensued afterward is X-rated and will not be permitted on this blog, YouTube or even most pornos::


Republican: "Hey baby, how's it going?"

Special Lady Friend: "Fine and you?"

Republican: "I'm awesome, as always. Do you realize how lucky you are?"

Special Lady Friend: "No. How lucky am I?"

Republican: "You're the luckiest girl in the world, because you're with me, right?"

Special Lady Friend: "Yeah, I guess..."

Republican: "Ah, yeah, I know. You know, when people ask me what my biggest flaw is, do you know what I tell them?"

Special Lady Friend: "No - your taking a half-hour to comb your bald head, yodeling in your sleep, going more limp than..."

Republican: "Very funny, but no. I always tell them, 'I have no flaws. I'm perfect.' ...and do you know why?"

Special Lady Friend: "...but..."

Republican: "But nothing. I am the greatest. As I was saying, I tell them I'm without flaw and am perfect because well, I am."

Special Lady Friend: "What about that time that you..."

Republican: "Put a sock in it, honey. I am like a god. Maybe I am God. Would you worship me? I worship myself sometimes."

Special Lady Friend: "Gosh, why do you always do this? Why can't you admit you're ever wrong or that you're not perfect?"

Republican: "What - you mean apologize? Fat chance of that."

Special Lady Friend: ::stares at her man:: "Speaking of fat..."

Republican: "Yeah, yeah - whatever. I will never admit I'm wrong about anything, because I will never allow myself to stoop as low as to make an apology...and also because I'm never wrong."

Special Lady Friend: "What's the capital of Massachusetts?"

Republican: "Massachusetts City"

Special Lady Friend: "No, it's Boston. You're wrong."

Republican: "No, I'm not. Boston is a city in Massachusetts. I said the capital of Massachusetts was Massachusetts City and am therefore right. I win."

Special Lady Friend: "I'm out of here. Don't call me until you can actually be honest with me and stop worshiping yourself. That little temple in your bathroom with your speedos hanging from it is kind of weird. I'll be at my other boyfriend - Raul's house, who may I add never goes limp. Bye."

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Boycotting jukeboxes because of TouchTunes

I love music and enjoy hitting the bar(s) over the weekend, so naturally, when the mood strikes me, I've never been coy about playing some songs on the jukebox. This past Thursday, a friend of mine turned 50, so several friends of her's, including myself, all met up to celebrate the occasion. At around 9:30, a friend of mine and I both chipped in $5 to play some songs on the jukebox. Four hours and 231 skips later, we gave up on hearing the songs we had selected, and went home knowing we had just wasted $5. This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened to me (and many others), and due to that, I'll be boycotting jukeboxes. Why? The scam known as TouchTunes. You see, here's how the plot typically breaks down. A person (or group of people) downloads the TouchTunes app on his/her phone, consumes one too many adult beverages, and due to this, has less care for spending extra money to hear the songs of their choosing right NOW. That's the thing with TouchTun
2 comments
Read more

The difference between "looking" and "checking out"

I may be way off with these numbers, but it's my approximation that at least 75% of individuals whom are involved in a serious relationship feel it's perfectly acceptable to "check out" members of the opposite sex they're not involved with. Meanwhile, approximately 25% either don't feel this is acceptable or aren't sure about the matter. I hadn't thought about this matter for a while, but since I've been dating a woman for about 8 months, the topic has been pondered about some. When reading or hearing others discuss this very issue, I often times hear comments similar to the following: "It's human nature to look." "There's nothing wrong with checking others out. I'm sure he/she does it too!" "It's fine to do it. Just don't tell your boyfriend/girlfriend about it or do it in front of them!" "It's natural to find people attractive." When observing the array of comments, I i
Post a Comment
Read more

The verdict is in. To no one's surprise, Jonathan Hoenig has been found guilty of being an idiot.

Just recently, when discussing the Michael Brown shooting and whether or not race had anything to do with it, Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig said, "You know who talks about race? Racists." One moment while I provide Mr. Hoenig with the well deserved slow-clap. :: slow-claps for two seconds :: So, that was quite the line by Mr. Hoenig, wasn't it? "You know who talks about race? Racists." Well, wasn't he just talking about race? So, by his own words, I guess that makes him a racist. Also, if he wants to be consistent, does this mean that people whom talk about gender are sexists and people whom talk about sexual orientation are homophobes? With that line of thinking, Hoenig would engage in the following back-and-forths: Hoenig: "So, who are you voting for?" A woman: "The Democratic candidate, because he's been adamant about his support for equal rights for women." Hoenig: "You sexist feminist nazi!"
Post a Comment
Read more