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Tom DeLay's Non-Apology

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 11:38:38 PM EST
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Tom DeLay reportedly apologized Wednesday for his over-the-top comments about federal judges made during the Terri Schiavo case.

DeLay created a furor last month by saying that "the time will come" for federal judges who refused to restore the brain-damaged Florida woman's feeding tube "to answer for their behavior," and by criticizing what he called an "arrogant, out-of-control, unaccountable judiciary."

If one of my clients gave this kind of apology at a sentencing, the Judge would throw the book at him:

"I said something in an inartful way, and I shouldn't have said it that way, and I apologize for saying it that way," he said. "It was taken wrong. I didn't explain it or clarify my remarks, as I'm clarifying them here. I am sorry that I said it that way, and I shouldn't have."

So he's not sorry for the content of his intemperate remarks, only for the way he phrased them. That's like saying he isn't sorry for the crime, only that he got caught.

< DeLay Praises Newt's Contract on America | Questions Surround Ronald Bell Conviction >

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    • Tom DeLay's Non-Apology | 34 comments (34 topical)
    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#1)
    by scarshapedstar on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 09:52:19 PM EST
    I did something, and I shouldn't have done it the way I did. I should have said this at the time. Sorry. Well, color me convinced!

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#2)
    by cp on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 10:46:49 PM EST
    you need to read the follow-up to his earlier "apology". doesn't sound to me as though he has seen the error of his ways. this might be a good thing, as many republicans are distancing themselves from the "bug man" of texas, from gw, to bill frist. i think the good ship delay is sinking, and the rats are hurrying down the gangplank, getting as far away from the stench of a quickly decaying career as they can. wasn't jim wright from texas?

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 11:00:09 PM EST
    His apology sorta sounds like one similar to Mr. William Jefferson Clinton

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#4)
    by bad Jim on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:55:30 AM EST
    I'd liken this to rats leaving a sinking ship, if I didn't have so much respect for rats.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#5)
    by kipling on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 02:39:07 AM EST
    The best "apology" I ever heard from a politician was British rightist Enoch Powell (no relation, I think): first, he never said it. But, if he DID say it, he didn't mean it.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 05:37:50 AM EST
    I hope the media "Par-Boils" Tom DeLay and that DeLay is tried, convicted and run out of Congress on a rail.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:10:19 AM EST
    His apology sorta sounds like one similar to Mr. William Jefferson Clinton
    Except, GM, that Clinton owed the apology to his wife for cheating on her. Delay owes an apology to the Federal Judiciary and to the American People for abusing his power for self gain. REALLY, GM. Still hung up on the fact that the Pres. got a BJ? From whence comes your sense of personal betrayal? You thought when he took office that he didn't cheat on his wife? I say, to quote a great bumper sticker: Better an unwise hummer than an unarmored humvee.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#8)
    by Darryl Pearce on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:14:30 AM EST
    ...I'm glad I'm not the only one that inferred DeLay's statement that way.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:23:02 AM EST
    mfox - No, Clinton also apologized for lying to the american people. Which he should have. His lying was one of the worst moves ever made by one of the best politicans ever. et al - Delay has the absolute right to criticize the judicary. Get over it.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#10)
    by Darryl Pearce on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:33:57 AM EST
    PPJ (aka Jim): Criticize yes. Threaten no.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 07:36:50 AM EST
    His lying was one of the worst moves ever made
    PPJ, I know I'll regret asking... but how d'ya figure? Just for fun, if you're feeling academic I'd love to see your answer compared to Nixon's "I am not a crook" statement (incidentally, Karl Rove got his first public exposure defending Nixon et al against the "scurrilous" (sp - I know) charges leveled against them.)

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 07:39:35 AM EST
    Besides Jim, if Ashcroft and Congress decided to go after Bush, how long d'ya think it would take to trap HIM in a lie. Let's go for something that's none of anyone's business. Like his former drinking habit. Or the fact that the lovely Laura sold dime bags in college. Or that his pathetic excuse for military service reeks of patronage and payoffs. You want to get behind this crew? Go for it. Just watch the cargo hold for the rats leaving - it's the first sign.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 07:49:00 AM EST
    PPJ "His lying was one of the worst moves ever made by one of the best politicans ever." you say. I say "Bush's lying was one of the worst moves ever made by one of the worst Presidents ever." and I have over 1,500 and counting dead Americans to proove make my point! How dare you suggest a lie about consenual sex is one of the worst moves ever. Impeaching clinton by the repuglican congress, led to and enabled the attack on 9/11 costing thousands more American lives all because a guy lied about sex! Bushes Lie vs Clinton, I'll take the BJ fib any day. You can take The Bush DEATH lies.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 08:15:40 AM EST
    Has anyone noticed the wingnut propensity to exaggerate and over dramatize the most inane and minor missteps of the left while at the same time ignore and defend real corruption, bribery, and abuse of power, including Treasonous acts of the right!

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 08:32:03 AM EST
    YES ED. SOME OF US DO NOTICE THAT THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 09:41:16 AM EST
    DeLay is using comedian Steve Martin's apology: "Well, excuuuuuuuse me!" Problem is, the media think it's not a joke.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:10:38 AM EST
    Ed - All lies are bad, but Clinton didn't have to lie. Very few cared, certainly not me, if he was getting BJ's morning, noon and night. At least if he was, he wasn't thinking up new taxes. (Same reason I didn't mind Reagan's naps.) By doing so he gave the Repubs something to scream about. Some claim that he lied because he was concerned that it would show a pattern in his abuse case, Paul Jones, etc. and etc. Maybe, maybe not. But whatever, it was just dumb. As for your vacuous claim regarding Bush, a lie is defined as saying something you know to be untrue. Americans understand that Bush was using the best information available. I wonder. Are you one of those who claim that prior to 9/11 Bush was ignoring all of the intel claims and information about an attack? If so, don't you see that is hypocritical? mfox - See above re Clinton's lies. And yes, poor old dumb Bush. Twice Governor of Texas, twice President, fighter pilot, Harvard MBA... Ah yes. The guy knows nothing. As to his drinking, he quit. Millions of thers have quit. And where is your proof that Laura was selling dime bags in college? Can you show any, or do you just want to make a snarky charge? BTW - Are you aware that when Bush went into the TANG, there was a waiting list of about 130 people for NON flying duty, and NO waiting list for fighter pilot training? Do you remember what he signed up for? Pilot training. Get smart. Get educated. You're being lied to, and just lapping it up.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#18)
    by scarshapedstar on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:51:56 AM EST
    "BTW - Are you aware that when Bush went into the TANG, there was a waiting list of about 130 people for NON flying duty, and NO waiting list for fighter pilot training?" Source?

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:46:41 PM EST
    Get smart. Get educated. You're being lied to, and just lapping it up.
    glade to see your back in form, delfecting your short comings to the rest of the world. happy thursday!

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:50:10 PM EST
    PPj Where do you come off defining a lie? You are a perfect example of those who support facists. YOU AND THOSE LIKE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for thousands of deaths. Face it your guy lied and you are complicit. Don't try to drag Clinton into your crimes! Bush knew or SHOULD have known. He did what he does best blame everyone else for his neglect and incompetance.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:03:28 PM EST
    I just can't understand why any one bothers to acknowledge/argue/comment on PPJ's post. I love the discussion and development and exchange of ideas that TL offers, but really! I have yet to see anything even remotely resembling a rational statement from Jim. You can lead a horse to water, but there are some that would sooner die than drink.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#22)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:19:49 PM EST
    DeLay is what most people plainly consider a garden variety as*hole. I hope he burns but, with the way power avoids accountability in this nation, I could see him skating pretty easily. Might be out of the senate, but he'll still be in the money. The only justice for a guy like this is jail time. As opposed to my buddy who's serving years for getting caught with a few plants -- pot plants. ah, justice!

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:29:55 PM EST
    Ed Beck,...... Impeaching clinton by the repuglican congress, led to and enabled the attack on 9/11 costing thousands more American lives all because a guy lied about sex! Man, that's a stretch...the impeachment proceedings led to the 9/11 attack?? As they say on here ..."do you have a link"? I think the more accurate statement would be.... Clinton ignoring the growing number of attacks on US interests (IE - various embassies/military barracks around the world, the USS Cole, the first WTC bombing... etc.. etc.) led to 9/11.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:33:29 PM EST
    Ed Beck.... Has anyone noticed the wingnut propensity to exaggerate and over dramatize the most inane and minor missteps You mean like the left going bananas over Tom DeLay giving jobs to relatives...? (not illegal & something ALL politicians have done for centuries)

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:55:45 PM EST
    BB, you can't blame the left for the sharks circling when they smell blood. He shot himself in the foot. That said, his payments to family members are very generous but not outside the realm of 50 or so K per year which in politics is reasonable. However, this guy stinks of corruption and influence peddling and is relying on the house that Rove built to shelter him. Imagine Newt telling DeLay "Don't let the door hit you on the way out"! BooBear, I have petitioned regularly for folks not to let PPJ hijack a thread, but he even hooks me back in once and a while.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 02:56:50 PM EST
    Yes PPJ knows as much about this as he did the facts in the Terri Schaivo case. I think that DeLay said what he said because of some unknown reason..

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#27)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 03:00:01 PM EST
    Calling Bush a "fighter pilot" is like calling John Wayne a cowboy. C student who got in on a legacy, ditto Grad school, set up in business with the kind patronage and connections that most can only dream about, mainly drove said business's into the ground, but not before leaving in a life boat in drag - kind of like his Nam service. Oh, and he dosnt mind executing a juvenile - like those nasty Arabs - if it'll give him a bump in the polls. This all on top of being a damn lier, and a bad one at that.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 03:16:24 PM EST
    jondee - Driving F-104 is no laughing matter, requiring great skill and determination. The F-104 had a very high stall speed. Meaning that the plane was prone to crash both at take-off and while on approach to land. Our President may have not been in the jungles of SouthEast Asia, but he was busy escorting and shadowing Soviet Bombers out of US AirSpace out of Cuba. A commendable task indeed.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#29)
    by soccerdad on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:00:13 PM EST
    Our President may have not been in the jungles of SouthEast Asia, but he was busy escorting and shadowing Soviet Bombers out of US AirSpace out of Cuba. A commendable task indeed.
    Links please

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#30)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:07:22 PM EST
    How's this for a bone?

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#31)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 06:35:04 PM EST
    Boq, They are F-102's and the stall problem had been corrected by the time monkey boy got in the seat.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Apr 15, 2005 at 06:12:18 AM EST
    Boquisuco Your a bone head. What nonsense. You voted for a genuine COWARD. STOP trying to make a silk purse out of a repuglican pig's ear.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#33)
    by cp on Fri Apr 15, 2005 at 09:46:01 AM EST
    i know i won't respect myself in the morning, but i agree with ppj's assertion that clinton's lie about the bj was unnecessary and stupid. who really cared? i sure as hell didn't, and neither did anyone i know. as far as most people were concerned, that was between him and hillary, none of their business. ok, i'm done debasing myself now. lol there is scant evidence gw spent all that much time flying actual missions, subsequent to his qualifying as a pilot. you kind of have to actually show up for work, before you get assigned a mission. since he didn't much bother, after his first year, i doubt they had him penciled on to the mission board a whole lot. oh, you also have to be physically cleared to fly, and, well, we all know about that. actually being in vietnam, on the other hand, didn't give one much opportunity to just not show up for work, if you had other things to do, like, oh, i don't know, help one of dad's buds run for congress, or something like that.

    Re: Tom DeLay's Non-Apology (none / 0) (#34)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Apr 15, 2005 at 01:32:40 PM EST
    Boquisuco Your a bone head
    that's an understatement!

    Tom DeLay's Non-Apology | 34 comments (34 topical)