Education Chief Again Apologizes for 'Terrorist' Remark

[Khephra]

Education Chief Again Apologizes for 'Terrorist' Remark

Education Secretary Rod Paige was hoping for a friendly exchange of views about a sweeping federal education law when, a month ago, he offered to fly 50 of the nation's best teachers to Washington at government expense.

But as the teachers gathered here on Monday, many said they were still feeling the sting of Mr. Paige's remark that the nation's largest teachers union was a "terrorist organization" and were eager to give the secretary an earful about what they said were arbitrary provisions in the federal law, known as No Child Left Behind.

Dr. Paige quickly used the opportunity to apologize, again, for his words last week.

"I made some inappropriate remarks," he told the teachers, according to a statement distributed to reporters, who were barred from the meeting. "If you took offense at anything I said, please accept my apology. I have nothing but the highest esteem for teachers and the teaching profession."

more.................

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/02/politics/02PAIG.html

[Journeyman]

1. Show us the depth of your remorse, Dr. Paige. . .

resign. It's the only honorable thing to do.

[scarletwoman]

2. "If you took offense..."

That is a typical NON-apology. It basically says, "I wasn't wrong, I'm just sorry that you're so damn thin-skinned."

sw

[Tom Kitten]

3. Exactly

"if you took offense at my calling you a TERRORIST organization I apologize..." type of apology is NOT an apology whatsoever! It's a cop-out...
The jerk has the power of his allies in the "Justice" Dept. all lined up just eager to begin "investigations" as to whether the NEA actually "is" a terrorist organization!

[Voltaire99]

4. The right wing is always "hoping for a friendly exchange of views". . .

. . .especially right after disparaging denigrating their opponents.

[Sing]

5. This is just the tip of the iceberg

I have a strong feeling that anything we could possibly prepare ourselves for, in terms of terminology used, and levels sunk to, in the coming months, will be inadequate.

This is going to get real ugly. And we will have to get ugly back.

[salin]

6. er.. the other day you were sorta appologizing for the words - but NOT the

intent. Having to now backtrack on the intent conveyed?

[Kool Kitty]

7. I love this.

"...if you took offense at anything I said, please accept my apology." This means the problem is YOURS, since YOU are offended by his words, meaning he feels that there is nothing wrong with what he said. Which means he isn't sorry. Which means he needs to resign or someone in this misadministration needs to fire him.