Apologies vs Taking Responsibility

I think I've posted this before (so sue me) but it came to mind today with Bush and his "sorry."

I don't put much truck with "apologies". Apologies are cheap. And easy. (Though you wouldn't know that judging by Bush & Co.) Maybe it's because, while on a nonprofit board, I dealt with a guy who used to discuss things with me, proceed to do what he wanted, then apologize afterward. It was freakin' PLANNED. He got his own way and got to look all noble and stuff. (Well, once anyway. After I called him on it in front of the rest of the board it didn't happen again. At least to me.)

Taking responsibility is another thing altogether. It takes a real, live GROWN-UP to say this shit happened, I was in charge, the buck stops with me, I take responsibility, and I regret my action/lack of action. No excuses. And no "apology" is needed above that.

The thing is, besides being the right thing to do,taking responsibility usually brings closure and can even swing those opposed to rally with you. (Witness JFK's words after the Bay of Pigs after which his popularity rose.) Apologies don't work, unless coupled with taking responsibility. Of course, Bush & Co. are too damn stoopid and arrogant to realize this. I suppose I should be grateful for that because as long as they continue on the path they are on, it hurts them politically. But I'm very, very worried about our reputation in the world - especially the Arab world. I worry about our safety, and particularly the safety of our troops who are in even greater danger now.

What we need as a President isn't a brainiac (though one who like, well, READS would be nice) or even a Churchill (though someone with a CLUE about the rest of the world would be kinda neat.) What we need as a President is a fucking GROWNUP, as in someone that realizes that actions have consequences and if you make decisions about the former, you bloody well OWN the latter.

eileen from OH

one of my favorite sayings.....

"Put the grownups back in charge." One of my favorite slogans for this year, and with good reason. Thanks for posting that, I agree.