Writer apologizes for "Madman of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" column

Capitol Hill Blue ^ | February 26, 2003 | DOUG THOMPSON

[Doug Thompson]

(WRITER'S NOTE: Last week, I published a column entitled "The Madman of Pennsylvania Avenue." It was written during a time when I was letting a memory of a family tragedy depress me and affect my judgment. The column was pulled within two hours of its posting after family and friends convinced me that it went too far. Unfortunately, given the speed of the Internet, it has already been picked up and reprinted in full on other sites. This column was over the top, even for me, and I apologize for it. It has been erased from the files of this web site and will not be republished. If it appears on any other web site, it does so without my permission and is a violation of copyright law).

[farmfriend]

We all seek forgiveness and so show also forgive. My condolences on your loss.

[MEG33]

Doug has my heartfelt sympathy for his horrendous loss. I await a heartfelt disavowal of the last line of his column.

[nopardons]

This is a far better apology and fuller explination, than what was originally posted. I accept your apology.

I am very sorry for your loss and know what it's like to lose loved ones.

[Doug Thompson]

I await a heartfelt disavowal of the last line of his column.

Of course I do. I disavowed the entire column. It was wrong. I did not mean the last line and it should have never been printed.

[nopardons]

I agree; though the latest apology, was better and much more fulsome.

[baseballmom]

Thank you for your apology. I had read the original, but didn't add a post.

I'm so sorry for your loss. No parent should have to suffer the loss of a precious child and grandchildren. I saw my parents bury our oldest sister 35 years ago. It was an agony that only parents can know.

President Bush has seen his own parents go through this agony too. They lost their daughter to leukemia at the age of 4, when GWB was 7 years old. It affected him deeply. Knowing how deep his faith is, I'm sure he will be very moved by your letter. That was a stand-up thing to do.

[swheats]

You were brutal in your column. Wimpy in the apology.

[MEG33]

I type very slowly so I missed your fuller apology.Thank you for that. Let me again say how sorry I am for you great loss.

[paul51]

I did not mean the last line and it should have never been printed

Alright, alright already. But what about the liberal part? Come on. You can have a real cleansing here.

[swheats]

Thank you for further explaining. There are those Bush haters who are looking for writers that are in positions to fortify their hatred of this administration.

I'm glad you've disavowed the article. Apology accepted.

[JavaTheHutt]

As a Christian, I accept your apology. As a soldier who has served under the last four POTUS, I won't forget that you viciously attacked my CINC.

Of course, a good way to start rehabilitating your reputation around here would be to start doing some googling of your own, and forcing all of the anti-Bush, anti-war, pro Saddam, Pro traitorous left wing websites to remove your column. They have all run it up to the top of the flag pole and are saluting you for your vile attack on Bush. Wether you meant the words or not, you have made yourself a hero to the left wing.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you for admitting you were wrong, and for being man enough to apologize to President Bush personally.

[Mo1]

And now I've read it.
I almost wish I hadn't. It was sickening. It was like reading Michael Moore

I'm with you .. I wishe I hadn't either ... that was a cheap shot at Bush

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

If you keep reading the thread, you'll see that he eventually explains that he apologized to President Bush. It was a horrible article, but he now seems to know he was wrong.

[Texasforever]

Janet Reno accepted "personal responsibility" for Waco and all was forgiven along with exuberant praise for her “courage” in doing so. I guess this is at least as forgivable as that.

[Lancey Howard]

Your article was vile and I am glad for your public apology (and retraction?). Two suggestions - - First, if you ever have to apologize again, make it unconditional. No matter the excuse, it diminishes the apology. Second, in the future if you get emotionally pumped up (or down) for whatever reason, do what Ann Coulter does - - go after the real enemies of traditional America, the terrorists and the scumbag liberals. Take it out on them, not the good guys.

Regards,
LH

[Doug Thompson]

Of course, a good way to start rehabilitating your reputation around here would be to start doing some googling of your own, and forcing all of the anti-Bush, anti-war, pro Saddam, Pro traitorous left wing websites to remove your column. They have all run it up to the top of the flag pole and are saluting you for your vile attack on Bush. Wether you meant the words or not, you have made yourself a hero to the left wing.

I have been doing that. The link that these sites post no longer works and those who have run the full text of the article without our permission have received emails demanding they remove the article.

Unfortunately, the first two "hits" that come up on Google are the two full texts of the column right here on FR.

[Mo1]

And a letter of apology was delivered by courier to The White House on Friday, February 21, 2003, four hours after the column was pulled off our web site. I chose not to publish that letter because it was a private communication. I also apologized publicly on my web site.

Thank you for doing this

And I am sorry for the loss of your loved one ..

[MEG33]

Good advice.

[Mo1]

If you keep reading the thread, you'll see that he eventually explains that he apologized to President Bush.

I just noticed and now I am sorry for jumping when I shouldn't have

Please accept my apology Doug