Apologizing Is Evil: doublespeak continues

One of the “pants on fie” statements Mitt Romney made was that Obama began his presidency “with an apology tour.” It was in his book of 2010, “No Apology: the Case for American Greatness” as well as in in his remarks at the GOP convention. You can read why PolitiFact rated this pants of fire at http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/aug/31/mitt-romney/mitt-romney-said-barack-obama-began-his-presidency/

But beyond the lying, the concept of apologizing as a bad, wrong or evil thing to do troubles me no end. It is a new version of “better red and dead” and other such inane statements where appearance is deemed more important than truth or civility or even politeness.

If you read history at all, the U.S.A. along with everyone other country in the world has a lot to apologize for and should do it. Apologizing is not a weakness it is a strength, which apparently almost all of us struggle in doing. Wouldn’t it be nice to see members of congress apologizing to each other over the lies, spins, false interpretations and the like they do on a daily basis?

One of the great aspects of Obama has been to reach out to the Islamic community to find common ground and common interests rather than just condemning them out of hand. And yet, many see this as a weakness; again, it is strength and should be seen as such.

Are our memories so short that we don’t remember how countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the like looked down on the Bush administration as a rather dim witted and bullying group and sought excuses for their aggressive behavior? Do we remember the rejoicing that took place in those places when we elected a man of seeming decency when Obama became president? It was shown in the awarding the Noble Prize for Peace, which even if premature, was a profound statement of other countries about us. Unfortunately some many of us are so insulated in our thinking and understanding these statements may make no sense at all. We have often worked hard to earn the name “Ugly American” and the shame it brings upon our nation. I have witnessed such behavior overseas; specifically when a friend of mind in a Italian airport proclaimed loudly about all the damned foreigners around us. It was embarrassing in a personal level and upon a public level.

Strength was again shown recently when our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton apologized to Pakistan for a Nov 26 incident that resulted in the death of Pakistani troops. It was the right thing and the productive thing to do.

I do not believe in false patriotism or nationalism masking itself as patriotism that Romney creates is such small minded accusations. Actions of apology need to be applauded not condemned; they are true acts of courage. They are the statements of humanity and humility in contrast to demagoguery.