What does "taking responsibility" mean to you?

[Poiuyt]

Today, Gonzales said that he takes responsibility for the Justice Dept fiasco. In the past, Bush has taken full responsibility for the way the federal government handled Katrina and he also said, “I take personal responsibility for everything I say, of course. I also take responsibility for making decisions on war and peace." Cheney took responsibility for shooting his friend in the face. Rumsfeld took responsibility for Abu Ghraib two years before he left office.

OK, what does "taking responsibility" mean to these people? Is it just something to say to reporters to get them off their backs? Shouldn't taking responsibility mean that there is some kind of personal accountability or personal consequence for what had happened? I mean, if I break a window and I say that I take responsibility for it, to me that means I pay to have the window fixed. If you say that you are accepting responsibility for an action or an event, then you have to accept some kind of personal consequence for it.

I'm getting tired of these people saying that they take responsibility when they clearly don't. Frankly, I doubt that they even care enough to do so.

In my opinion at least.

[sendero]

1. I'm really wondering what happens next..

... my wife says that she believes that the congress just gave Gonzo his only chance to step down volunrarily, and if he doesn't there will be hearing after hearing leading to impeachment or censure or something.

I hope, hope, and hope some more that that whiny-voiced litte mini-lawyer gets kicked to the curb, but I also hope that maximal damage is inflicted on his handlers in the process.

It's going to be juicy, I hope.

[EST]

2. Amen!

To those crooks, it is just somenting to say, to look like a grown up. Means nothing.

[razors edge]

3. Pay the bill due.

You fuck up, you fix it. If he will not reinstate with back pay, then he is not responsible.

But I hold him responsible for so much more. Obstruction of justice charges are in order.

[jobycom]

4. Reminds me of the scene in Talladega Nights

where Ricky Bobby tells his boss "With all due respect, when did you have your balls surgically removed?" The boss gets angry, but Ricky says "I said with all due respect."

They are just words the Republicans use to accept blame when it is beyond obvious that they are at fault. To a Republican, "I accept full responsibility" means "Shut up and leave me alone."

[LibDemAlways]

5. Taking responsibility means nothing to these people....

There is no accountability. There is no consequence.

In the real world "taking responsibility" means making amends or restitution. I damaged your property. I'll fix or replace it. I screwed up. I'll make it up to you.

Within the BFEE, "I take responsibility" means "I'm parroting words I don't mean so you'll leave me alone."

[msongs]

6. for bushco it means Yeah I did, so WHAT? nt

[Swamp Rat]

7. If Gonzales REALLY wanted to take responsibility, he would resign then go waterboard himself.

Gonzales wants to take responsibility? .... pffft!!! ... ¡Mierda de toro!

:eyes:

[mcscajun]

8. Just words...meaningless words. Sound bites and nothing more...

"taking responsiblity" and "accountable" are pleasant pabulum words and phrases they trot out to Pretend they are the adults they'd claimed to be when they took office way back when. They lack all conviction and/or meaning, and may as well be written on wet sand at low tide.

[BuyingThyme]

9. It's like taking a dump.

But it stinks.

[BlooInBloo]

10. No consequences, business as usual. Duh - why, what does it mean to you?

:rofl: