[AmericanInTokyo]

Good generalization.

But in my years in hundreds upon hundreds of situations, I have personally seen enough of this phenomenon to say your observation does indeed hold water, DT.

So often (many) American and other western apologies get that little "but" tacked on right after the statement of contrition, followed by a self-protective, CYA-ish, rambling whine, which then totally deflates the value of the apology in the first place and in fact, even removes it from the classification of being an "apology" to one of just another whining excuse and "it's not my fault", or like Obama "I take responsibility" which I truly despise the most.

I personally think somebody is going to hang themself over this....

[DTogo]

Agreed. My better half and I always comment on the oft-absent apology here in the US, and even a simple "thank you" at the check-out counter. Really pathetic.

As other FReepers have mentioned, I agree that this reeks of a Rahmbo Deadfish "never let a good crisis go to waste" moment for the Obamulans and their Government Motors union cronies.

Toyota and Japan Inc are about to get a crash course in アリンスキ tactics.