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Writer apologizes for "Madman of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" column
Capitol Hill Blue ^ | February 26, 2003 | DOUG THOMPSON

Posted on 02/25/2003 9:06:24 PM PST by Doug Thompson

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To: Doug Thompson
Just exactly what do you regret about the article, the quality or the substance? Even without the insults you have further emboldened both North Korea and Saddam to dig their heels in. Your article, and many like it, have been interpreted by both countries to mean that if they just stall around then public opinion will cause the administration to back down. Do you deny that Saddam is taking great comfort from this type of published opinion?
81 posted on 02/25/2003 11:46:04 PM PST by Texasforever
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To: Doug Thompson
Ignore the statist trolls. They should be obvious.
82 posted on 02/26/2003 2:38:49 AM PST by DAnconia55
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To: Doug Thompson
I read the article and it was a babbling, nonsensical, childish screech that could have been easily mistaken for a DNC fax. It also reminded me of the ranting of a bed-wetting looney who sees John Ashcroft under his bed at night.

But I accept your apology, of course.

83 posted on 02/26/2003 3:03:04 AM PST by AppyPappy (Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris.)
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To: Doug Thompson
Are you sure you wrote it? It looked awfully superficial for you. I though I was reading something from Streisand. You need and deserve some time away. When you start writing DNC faxes, it's time to take to head for the hills for some private time.

Face it, I don't agree with everything Big-Spender-with-My-Money Bush does but I at least know why I don't.

84 posted on 02/26/2003 3:15:08 AM PST by AppyPappy (Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris.)
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To: Doug Thompson; nopardons
I'm sorry some of you have found my apology unacceptable.

Doug, I remember reading the column when it was posted here. I was one of those who expressed displeasure with it in a post on that thread. I agree with nopardons that your apology is weak because it isn't particularly specific in what you are apologizing for. If it is strictly the tone but not the content, I continue to disagree with you. If you want to retract statements, which are they?

All that said, I think everyone needs to look at what you've accomplished in a broader context than just this one editorial. I've read many things from Capitol Hill blue that I've found right on target and appreciation the publication itself. Please keep up the good work.

Given that we all have our bad days, count me in with "apology accepted".

85 posted on 02/26/2003 3:30:17 AM PST by laredo44
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To: Doug Thompson
"the first two "hits" that come up on Google are the two full texts of the column right here on FR. "

So add your apology on to the original thread.

86 posted on 02/26/2003 5:35:49 AM PST by mrsmith
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To: nopardons
Yes, I'll accept your apology; it wasn't a weasley one.

Thank you. :)

I am no " harder " on others, than I am on myself. I don't suffer fools lightly and call 'em as I see 'em. Why is that " wrong " ?

I guess it's not wrong, it's just nice to be nice sometimes.

At least I am honest, factual, and know how to apologize, like an adult ( and I do, if I am wrong ); unlike the writer of the column and post. Reread his apology. He says that he wrote a malicious, vile column because it was the anniversary of a private tragedy.

I've written/said things with my emotions before that I have regreted and didn't truly mean. Emotions really can cloud your reason.

That's like telling your teacher that the dog ate your homework ! I read that particular column. Did you ?

I didn't.

Have you read what the poster wrote as an apology ? Did you happen to see where he refutes what he wrote ? I didn't see it.

I know I need a lot of forgiveness so I wouldn't begrudge it to anyone else. Apologies are difficult to do. At any rate, I'll see if I can find the article.

87 posted on 02/26/2003 6:13:40 AM PST by The FRugitive
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To: Doug Thompson
Doug, thank you. No one could expect more than that.
88 posted on 02/26/2003 6:43:13 AM PST by clintonh8r (It is better to be feared than to be respected.)
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To: Doug Thompson
Doug,

Good job. Don't let them talk you into groveling. You screwed up, corrected it, and opoligized. I agree that posting your second opoligy on the original thread will stop the morons at DU from spamming it all over the net. Matter of fact, I would think that Jim Robinson could probably paste it at the beginning of the thread?

Is it Possible Jim?

To the others, Let it go. I am sure that GW has forgiven him, you should too.

89 posted on 02/26/2003 7:19:01 AM PST by Area51
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To: Doug Thompson
Unfortunately, the first two "hits" that come up on Google are the two full texts of the column right here on FR.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Maybe if you asked the admin moderator to remove them, they will.

90 posted on 02/26/2003 7:26:41 AM PST by alnick
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To: Doug Thompson
Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

Apology accepted Doug. Condolences for your loss..

As a dad of 4 daughters and a son I can't imagine the emotional rollercoaster you must have been on when that anniversary came up. May Gods grace cover you..

91 posted on 02/26/2003 7:37:22 AM PST by BallandPowder
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To: Doug Thompson
>>>...One small problem with that. I'm the editor.

So are you saying that even some editors are stupid?

92 posted on 02/26/2003 7:57:52 AM PST by Dan(9698)
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To: Doug Thompson
We all say stupid things...however you totally lost control....Who was it you said was a madman?

Apologize some more (try Trent Lott's tecqunique)
93 posted on 02/26/2003 8:07:13 AM PST by woofie
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To: arj
>>>...his daughter and three grandchildren were killed in a car wreck a year ago last week

And it was George Bush who arranged for it to happen. (/sarcasm

94 posted on 02/26/2003 8:08:18 AM PST by Dan(9698)
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Comment #95 Removed by Moderator

Comment #96 Removed by Moderator

To: Doug Thompson
I read your apology and then the original article.

The original is a screed that any Pelosi/Daschole/Sodom socialist would love. It avoided a lot of facts and leaned heavily on hyperbole.

My concern with your apology is that it didn't contain a retraction such as: "I was wrong, and here's the list of all the reasons why:". Just a few self-serving excuses.

No, it sounded more like Bush's apology to Adam Clymer, "I'm sorry that the microphones were on." Bush, rightly so becuase he believed what he said, did not retract his thoughts and reasons for calling Clymer a major league asshole, not even why he might have been wrong to ever say it - he only was sorry that it was picked up and distributed.

So do you still believe everything you wrote?
97 posted on 02/26/2003 9:20:17 AM PST by HighWheeler
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To: HighWheeler
I suggest you read the full apology that is Capitol Hill Blue today and then ask me that question again.
98 posted on 02/26/2003 9:36:28 AM PST by Doug Thompson
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To: Doug Thompson
I just read your apology. It was far better than the little one posted at the top of this thread.

You said: "Worse, it did not reflect how I really feel about the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.". When I read that I thought you were going to follow that with substantiating material.

The two big parts of an apology are the retraction and the correction. When you screw up, you make the damage right, too, not just bury the mistake with a retraction.

That said, I accept your apology, it took guts.

I would have liked to read your actual thoughts about Bush in there, too. Such as this:
"I realize Bush is experiencing even more stress now than I was when I wrote the errant piece. Bush has a huge responsiblity to balance freedom with security. It may be very long time in America before we enjoy the level of freedom we had before our enemies of liberty attacked us. I have been so impressed with how well he has handled his job, killing the Taliban while simultaneously sending food and supplies to their victims. For this I applaud him. He has access to far more information than I could possibly have had when I wrote the piece, and I trust his judgement. Given the circumstances, he has not given any reason to question his judgement, and I expect that whatever happens with Iraq will be the best possible outcome."

That type of correction would have been icing on the cake.

99 posted on 02/26/2003 10:16:23 AM PST by HighWheeler
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To: Doug Thompson
I think you screw up too much to be a serious journalist.
100 posted on 07/10/2003 5:00:50 PM PDT by RobFromGa (John McCain is a Liberal Democrat- pass it on...)
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