A Hypothetical Democratic Apology

[YankeyMCC]

(snip)
in the light of the Democratic Party's statement that there is no place at the table when Democrats gather to discuss morality and/or the common good (since only 'people of faith' were invited to these discussions), I want to state now what would count as a legitimate apology.

A legitimate party is an admission of wrongdoing that states that one understand what one did that was wrong, that at least admits to owing some sort of restitution to those who were wronged, and makes a sincere promise not to engage in the same behavior in the future.
(snip)

(snip)
These are some of the things to look at in determining whether somebody has given an honest and legitimate apology. Simply because a sentence contains the word 'sorry', this does not make their claim an apology. One has to look for an admission of wrongdoing, an explanation of why the act was wrong, a willingness to compensate those wronged for the harms done, and a sincere promise not to do the same thing in the future. Without these four elements, no apology has taken place. Instead, a mere pseudo-apology has been offered, and no just person can find merit in a mere pseudo-apology.
(snip)


http://atheistethicist.blogspot.com/2008/08/hypothetical-democratic-apology.html

In fact I heard the Interview of the registered republican minister - I forget his name at the moment - who will speak at the convention and helped 'draft' the statements related to abortion in the party platform.

I do understand these gatherings were really more about the political necessity to demonstrate and truly giving some of the more hard line evangelical believers input, showing inclusiveness and gaining some understanding of how to reach out them them - and not necessarily about 'morals' and 'ethics' but that will be the general perception and they are just perpetuating the idea that there are only two sides, anit and pro religion and that only religious codes are valid as moral and ethical guide.

[cosmik debris]

1. I'm used to being sold out by my party

I just wish they wouldn't make such a show out of it.

If I'm going to be thrown under the bus, I'd like it to be done with a little more dignity.

But I never have any expectation of an apology.

That was a good read, thanx.

[HelenWheels]

2. It's the arrogance and ignorance of the people of "faith"

they all believe their religion is the basis for morality and since that's true those without religion must be immoral. I'm sick of it. It's like back before women were valued and the dem's started to see their worth but made the same excuses they make about us, you can belong but we can't be honest about you or have you at the table, we're just supposed to understand.

Just because we are the minority they can shit all over us and then tell us to just be good little boys and girls and do what we're told.

[onager]

3. No kidding! Remember the Raw Story blow-up here at DU?

Some time ago, Raw Story ran an editorial by a woman who openly called for the Democrats to kick out non-believers and suck up to people of faith. The full piece was linked to DU, I think on the Front Page, even.

This predictably led to some huge flame wars. But many of the NBs just asked for an apology, for a very offensive attack on us.

I've seldom been more disappointed with people who call themselves "liberals." IMO, the Raw Story staff and the Faith Faction here on DU acted exactly like the GOP. First they tried to stonewall, then they came up with a bunch of irrelevant reasons why we shouldn't be angry. Overall, the response was an infuriating combination of arrogance and condescension.

Nothing close to an apology was ever forthcoming. Sorry, but as the old saying goes: don't piss down my collar and then try to tell me it's raining.

You wrote: Just because we are the minority they can shit all over us and then tell us to just be good little boys and girls and do what we're told.

That reminds me of another old saying, from the Sixties culture wars. I know it's highly over-dramatic and violates Godwin etc. etc, but I still like it: They want us to be good Germans. But if we can't manage that, they expect us to be good Jews.

[salvorhardin]

4. Boy, do I ever remember that

Especially since I started that whole kerfluffle. Actually, I think PZ ended up posting on it first, but I remember exchanging e-mails with scores of liberal, atheist bloggers that morning. Ended up royally pissing off Larisa Alexandrovna too.
http://archives.neuralgourmet.com/2006/04/23/et_tu_brute

[awoke_in_2003]

5. Hey onager...

I know I already said this via email, but now I can finally do it publicly (as some kind person donated in my name)- I really enjoy reading your posts and hearing your perspective.