Reply #25: Why didn't I hear about it?

[Ratty]

Reminds me of a couple of other characters who "recanted."

For anybody who doesn't remember, Eddie Murphy used to say hurtful, really hateful things about gays in his comedy albums. He later "recanted." I believe this consisted of a very quiet little apology in some interview or other. Let's see, he sells millions of albums targeted at an impressionable young community, makes his anti-gay statements in front of a total of millions at his concerts, then quietly says "I'm sorry about that folks" during some interview or other. Yeah, that makes up for it.

Let's see, who else. Oh yeah, Ronald Reagan. Never once said the word "AIDS" publicly while in his 8 years of office, at the beginning of the plague while thousands were dying in their youths. Oh right, once he was out of office and no longer had political influence, he casually mentions that he probably should have said and done more.

It may not sound like it to you, but I am a forgiving sort. There are people who have done terrible things but have truly and demonstrably shown their regret. George Wallace comes to mind. He made a career of atoning for all he had done while he was governor. Some may never forgive him but everyone should be honest enough to admit the man tried.

These people who "recant," let see them devote at least the same amount of time and effort and publicity they expended doing all their harm in the first place.