Posted on 07/25/2005 2:57:50 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
In the annals of feckless non-apology apologies, the one just served up by PA Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll scrapes the bottom of the barrel.
Check out the article below, and note this turn of phrase: "If my regard for his family's grief was seen another way, it is thoroughly regrettable."
In other words, what is regrettable is not her awful behavior, but the way the Marine's family saw it. Sickening.
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Slain Marine's Family Gets Apology For Funeral Comments
POSTED: 11:44 am EDT July 25, 2005
PITTSBURGH -- After being criticized for attending a Marine's funeral, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll sent a public, written apology to the man's widow on Monday.
The funeral was held last week for Staff Sgt. Joseph Goodrich, 32, of Pittsburgh's Westwood section. Goodrich died July 10 in Iraq.
Family members said Knoll came to the funeral uninvited, passed out business cards and made a remark about the government being against the war.
Gov. Ed Rendell said Sunday that the state does not have a position on the war, and it supports the men and women who are fighting. He also said written apologies would be sent to the family.
Goodrich's sister, Rhonda, told Channel 4 Action News that Knoll called and left an apology on her voice mail, along with her phone number and an invitation to call back.
On Monday afternoon, Knoll's office released a letter of apology to Goodrich's wife.
"Sgt. Goodrich's service was beyond the call of duty. If my regard for his family's grief was seen another way, it is thoroughly regrettable. The fact that you have been offended deserves and receives my most profound apology," the letter said.
I notice the story did NOT make the evening TV news.
Typical dumb demonrat broad.
She's simply following in the slime left behind by other Democrats.
She's simply following in the slime left behind by other Democrats.
The left has no class. None.
I'm still waiting to see the usual suspect Democreep defenders of the faith rationalize her actions on the news shows. They'll try to save her bacon only because she has a "D" behind her name. She could have said anything at the funeral and they'd still say she was 100% right in doing so. Of course it's hard to shame people who have none.
This is despicable behavior.
What a coward!
Ping.
I hope that family starts demanding that Lt. Governor's resignation. Get a petition going. I'd sign it.
This is her appology: "The fact that you have been offended deserves and receives my most profound apology"
Makes my skin crawl.
Is there a PA state ping list?
Brit Hume just mentioned the story on The Grapevine section of his evening show!
I don't know, Mewzilla. I've been thinking who we know on this forum who is from PA. I'll ask on the ATRW thread and on the presidential prayer and photo thread.
The other 49 states are all in on the war, but PA doesn't support it? I can't wait until we can get this idiot, union thug voted out of office.
Does anyone get "invited" to funerals?
Does anyone get "invited" to funerals?
No but people have enough sense and courtesy to not pass out their business cards and not make back handed comments to the grieving at funerals. Knoll is a fat ugly troll doing a bad Liberace impersonation.
Dear Mrs. Goodrich,
I am writing to further apologize and clarify what happened at the funeral of your beloved husband, Joseph. As a wife and mother, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to lose your husband so suddenly. As an adored member of your family and one of Pennsylvania's sons serving with soldiers from across the commonwealth, SSGT Joseph Goodrich is one of the nation's heroes.
As I said in my phone message to Rhonda, after I learned through press reports that your family was offended by my attendance, I was incredibly upset. I wanted to assure you once again that my intention was not to add to what must be a tremendously heartbreaking, difficult period.
The war on terror is an immensely personal conflict for the thousands of people whose families continue to serve with honor, and I have attended dozens of funerals to offer my sympathy and condolences to the families of soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
My heart and prayers are with your family, and to the families of all the men and women serving the cause of freedom in the fight against terror. I unfortunately did not arrive at the church services for SSGT Goodrich's funeral in time to offer my personal condolences to you. As I also mentioned on Rhonda's phone message, as I do with many Pennsylvanians I meet, I offered my business card so she could contact me, and as a sign of my willingness to help the family through this difficult time in any way I can. To do anything that was deemed insensitive was completely counter to my intent.
Sergeant Goodrich's service was beyond the call of duty. If my regard for his family's grief was seen another way, it is thoroughly regrettable. The fact that you have been offended deserves and receives my most profound apology.
I will continue to support our troops in my role as lieutenant governor and support our president as an American. That I somehow conveyed an impression that was interpreted as other than that will forever be saddening and upsetting to me.
Again, please accept my heartfelt apology and deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
Catherine Baker Knoll
Lieutenant Governor
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