I’m noticing seriously short blog posts being published by one A-lister in particular and wondered, seriously, why I didn’t indulge in that practice just to keep the pump primed and everyone on the edge of their chair wondering what she’s gonna write about next.
That’s, seriously, the issue of late — the time I recouped since kidlet got back to school a week ago today already, has been seriously eaten up trying to catch up. No can do; cannot get ahead, cannot complete projects, cannot find the time to do serious writing. (How many times did I use that word in a few short sentences? That is your morning quiz!)
So, this seriously short blog post (due entirely to the last sentence as my excuse) is about this:
- I am disgusted with the alleged role models in this country running for public office and or in public office.
- I am disgusted with the fact that tax-payer-funded political junkets result in “booze-fueled skinny dipping” in Israel’s Sea of Galilee (done late one night in summer 2011 and just now coming to light).
- I’m even more disgusted when a man running for Senate states and believes rape is “legitimate” and that women’s bodies can reject that kind of pregnancy.
- I am disgusted with former Rep. Anthony Weiner who last year didn’t wow us with images of his package sent to women by text across the country.
You see, it doesn’t matter whether these men are Republican or Democrat. Each of them has had lapses in judgment; I have my view on which boils me more. And, there are so many more to add to this list.
What happens next, as President Clinton knows so well, is the public apology. Deb Weinstein writes about here relating it more to brand apologies. I commented and gave her an earful, and this is what inspired this post; my passion for a sincere apology and who’s going to regard it from the heart. If you want to read about brands apologizing, please do visit Deb’s blog, called Strategic Objectives; it’s an excellent read and I skirted her content entirely and went off on apologies in general. Thanks, Deb!
I dunno…this is what happens when my mind percolates without release and writing therapy. Anyone want to toss in an opinion or two?
Good for you J! I like people that dare to take a position. I’ve been following a lot of the Julian Assange coverage over here and I’m horrified by some of the commentators (men!) trying to defend him and his reported actions.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/21/julian-assange-rape-denial
@jonbuscall Thank-you for sharing that, Jon. What a mess, with so many differing opinions, blurry lines, and generalizations being thrown around about such an emotionally-charged subject, and by people who already have such strong feelings about Assange one way or the other. Wow.
@jonbuscall ARGHH…you’re right…another fiasco that is internationally viral. I’m certain Israelis are in shock over skinny-dipping congressmen, too.
Jayme,
Last week I went to see The Campaign, starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. I’m really not one for American politics or politics in general for that matter and I didn’t really enjoy the film. At first, I thought it was a complete fabrication of the truth and found it to be kind of rude. There are references linking politicians to drinking and driving, adultery, and abuse among other things. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good comedy. This just didn’t do much for me. And then I read this post and see how accurate the movie really was!
I have to say, like @jonbuscall I appreciate you taking a stance! However, as a Canadian who is likely more informed than the average citizen but not informed enough to express concerns in this context, I am going to be political here. However, I do greatly appreciate your opinion. And as far as public apologies are concerned, this is the best example I have ever seen and I think there’s a lot to be learned from Maple Leaf CEO Michael McCain. I believe this is a Canadian example, but it applies to everyone! Especially politicians 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSrazdNo55U
@GeoffReiner Thank-you for sharing that, Geoff. What I note here is Mr. McCain’s acceptance of responsibility, even if just “our best efforts on your behalf failed.”
We had a much-loved pet die last night after we brought her home from a very risky surgery. She almost died on the operating table, but pulled through, only to die in my husband’s hands several hours later. This morning, when Scott thanked the vet for doing all she could, she apologized and said, “We’re sorry it wasn’t enough.” Her attitude made all the difference.
@New England Multimedia @GeoffReiner So sorry to hear that, Michelle. That is the saddest thing. But, you know, in cases of families and caregivers, an apology is issued so much more genuinely.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing My condolences Michelle.
Apologies are all about authenticity. I’m sure you felt deep remorse and a sincere apology from your vet. It’s certainly what many apologies are missing, especially in politics.
Another point. Being authentic and transparent is not something you can teach someone – especially when it requires taking responsibility for action. It’s a skill you have to want. I agree @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketinga personal apology that’s face-to-face requires sincerity and genuineness.
Thanks for sharing your experience Michelle.
@GeoffReiner @jonbuscall Thanks, Geoff. I watched that, but is it real? The lip sync with audio did not match at all and the headline has “apology” spelled wrong. Also, a CEO would do a video that is branded with some sort of logo in the background. Is that a spoof?
I didn’t know listeria was causing fatalities in Canada (with Maple Leaf); we just had an outbreak here of listeria/salmonella in cantaloupe grown in a neighboring state.
While I believe YouTube videos and full-page ads in national newspapers serve the purpose of apology mediums/media, you’re speaking about brand apologies. That’s more in line with what your peer Canadian Deb Weinstein wrote about (as I link to above).
Politicians act personally; a CEO acts on behalf of his company and the effect it has on consumers and customers. One could argue that pols are supposed to uphold ethics and standards; indeed.
It’s unfortunate everyone who elects to be visible in the public eye (pols, celebrities) can’t be secretive about their private lives, Mr. President, Congressman Weiner, Mr. Akin and the South Carolina married governor who trysted in Columbia with his mistress, etc.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I made the mistake of watching the video after posting it. And it does look like a spoof but it’s not. This was a case study in one of our crisis management classes about 4 years ago and I can assure you it’s 100% real.
And I do agree, there’s something to be said about apologizing on behalf of a brand or a company vs. taking responsibility for your own actions. Politicians need more personal accountability!
@Sharon Gilmour Glover Thanks for the clarification, Sharon! How odd that that CEO wasn’t coached better with some personalization, not wearing a green shirt that matched the background, having a logo to indicated it was the real deal, audio/lip synch, etc.!
While the words weren’t bad, the delivery was painful. It’s very difficult to go on camera without years of practice as a figurehead and come across genuine. It’s a medium that is foreign to many people.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing@jonbuscall
I made the mistake of watching the video after posting it. And it does look like a spoof but it’s not. This was a case study in one of our crisis management classes about 4 years ago and I can assure you it’s 100% real.
And I do agree, there’s something to be said about apologizing on behalf of a brand or a company vs. taking responsibility for your own actions. Politicians need more personal accountability!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing@jonbuscall
I made the mistake of watching the video after posting it. And it does look like a spoof but it’s not. This was a case study in one of our crisis management classes about 4 years ago and I can assure you it’s 100% real.
And I do agree, there’s something to be said about apologizing on behalf of a brand or a company vs. taking responsibility for your own actions. Politicians need more personal accountability!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @jonbuscall
(I will try again)
I made the mistake of watching the video after posting it. And it does look like a spoof but it’s not. This was a case study in one of our crisis management classes about 4 years ago and I can assure you it’s 100% real.
And I do agree, there’s something to be said about apologizing on behalf of a brand or a company vs. taking responsibility for your own actions. Politicians need more personal accountability!
@GeoffReiner @jonbuscall Thanks for deconfusing the issue, Geoff!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @jonbuscall
hahahaha ANYTIME! 😉
I LOVE the short posts that keep us coming back for more! Have 2 percolating now. So, I’m gonna go write one!!!
On the douche bags you so eloquently highlight here, they are ego driven and therefore incapable of real apologies. The problem is that they have too much air time and unfortunately, given just enough rope to publicly hang themselves. It still doesn’t dawn on them that they’ve done anything wrong until they’re caught and publicly vilified. Even then, their apologies are so weak, it only makes things worse. By that point, the news cycle has hit recycle and they dig their heels in even more, refusing to admit their stupidity or that they’re not fit to run or be in office.
sigh.
@EricaAllison The public has a short attention span and even shorter memory. If you apologize and spend a minimal amount of time showing you have changed your ways you retain your office and get to go about your merry little way.
@thejoshuawilner @EricaAllison Like that sportscaster who was wearing women’s underwear who did penance for 6 years or something and showed up back on TV sporting a different do? Like that, Josh?
@EricaAllison As Deb Weinstein’s post alludes, the social media cycle puts bad behavior squarely in the spotlight a very long time. They can run, but they can’t hide.
First, Jayme — welcome back! Your audience loves the time you spend with your daughter when she’s home. We all, whether we’re Moms or Dads, can take a cue from the way you make her your #1 priority. You’re raising the next generation, so your right priorities will benefit all of us!
No matter what our political philosophies are, we can all agree that we sometimes want much more than an apology when anyone says or does something that truly offends us. While some want justice of some kind (and will seek it, even through social media attacks), most of us just want to see a change that backs up the apology. We want to see a change of heart, a change in behavior, a change in attitude, a change in perspective.
Unfortunately for public figures, unless we’re really close to the supposedly repentant, we’re not likely to see those changes, so we might believe that they’re not really sincere.
If we’re honest, though, we can all remember a time or two or three when we apologized, and then found ourselves repeating the offense again. Sometimes, change is slow in coming, especially when the root of our issues runs deeper than a mere moment of weakness. (I’m thinking, for example, of Bill Clinton, Ted Haggard, Anthony Weiner, Jim McGreevey, and others who betrayed the women they’d promised to love, honor, and cherish until death parted them.)
Knowing myself, I try (and try again) to show grace to those who have made serious errors in judgment, no matter the cause. That doesn’t mean I excuse it or sweep it under the rug as unimportant — I just don’t throw stones and jump on the justice gang right away. While my own sins would not appear as grievous as those above, they are no different to me, or to those who are the “victims” of my choices, attitudes, or words. My sins are just private, not open (yet) to public scrutiny. And I hope they never are!
@New England Multimedia Would everyone uphold themselves to your pure standards, Michelle, the political world in which we have to live would be not only tolerable but acceptable. Thank you for sharing your grace.
What is it with public figures thinking their not special? I mean that in the sense that if you CHOOSE to be in the public eye you have a RESPONSIBILITY to behave. If you want to be an ass-clown then do so but stay out of politics.
Frankly, the public apology as closure is a crock. The damage is done, people are hurt and sure you need to face the music and apologize but that should be the EASY part.
We all make mistakes but it seems that abuse of power is just a bedfellow that many of these folks are incapable of managing.
It burns my socks.
@rdopping So much more of it going on; do we have more news of this b/c of social media? I’m thinking so…and it takes longer to die down, too.
You’d think the politicians, at least, would have some good crisis management resources to call on in an emergency. Jayme, maybe that’s a promising area for bizdev!
@barrettrossie Nope! Not moi. Have purposely stayed far away from divisive and labeling of the nature of politics. This is not a good time for anyone in PR to be in politics unless it’s your lifeblood and you thrive on rancor. Very unhealthy and toxic.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @barrettrossie Gah, I cannot imagine how awful it would be to work as PR for a politician. I imagine it would change even the most ethical and principled person, into quite the opposite, all in the name of “keeping their job.” No, thank-you.
@New England Multimedia @barrettrossie Exactly. I recall when Chicago PR firms took on controversial clients like tobacco and pro-life or pro-choice campaigns. People dropped like flies on those accounts, but there was always someone to jump in and take their place.
I live in DC and am surrounded by this. It’s one of the reasons why I am glad to not have gotten into political fundraising, lobbying or PR (again, political). It’s a dirty business, and it attracts the worst people in the world, IMO.
@geoffliving I can’t imagine how you cleanse the toxicity.
I have to remind myself that we cannot know what is in men’s hearts. That gives me some comfort.
@jennwhinnem Thank-you for that reminder, Jenn!
Politicians are idiots – even those who start out with a good heart desirous of changing the world for the better…
The problem is, it’s filled with a bunch of double talking, power hungry, money mongers who will do and say just about anything to get elected and eventually lie to the American people in the name of “protecting national interest.” Yes, people are stupid enough, weak enough, and lazy enough to buy this crap.
The system is broken, the people serving in political office are broken; one positive thing is they’ve made bankers richer; but at the expense of stealing a lot of money from the future and dreams of many hard working people and kids that had no say in the matter.
Quotes from a few good men:
“I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you’ve earned, but not greed to want to take somebody else’s money.” – Thomas Sowell
“The Constitution is NOT an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” – Patrick Henry
“The issuing power of money should be taken from banks and restored to Congress and the people to whom it belongs. I sincerely believe the banking institutions having the issuing power of money, are more dangerous to liberty than standing armies.” – Thomas Jefferson
“Give me control over a nation’s currency, and I care not who makes its laws.” – Baron Rothschild, BANKER
I could continue to paste smart quotes or our founding fathers and intelligent men whose vision, words, and actions gained the freedoms that America once provided (other than the idiot banker). But they’re all gone now. All the blood shed and what these great men and women who came before us fought for are for NAUGHT.
America will never be the same. The global population is has gained a voice; opportunity abounds in developing countries whose people are getting smarter, wiser and desirous of elevating their standards of living… Hey, they want to consume shit and have nice things too!
Many people with brains and financial wherewithal are relocating overseas; because America is no longer the land of opportunity. It has become a police state, filled with more paranoia, red tape, high medical care, increased taxes, AND where liars, thieves (politicians) continue to squander any wealth and/or freedom that were won by regular Joes like you and me who picked up guns and fought for it.
What was earned and built by the people is now being squandered in the name of “protecting national interest.” What a bunch of crap.
I don’t ever talk about politics or religion; because it’s such a waste of time to talk about… But you did open up the floor for a rant, so I took you up the offer. It’s not that I’m anti-American… I love what our country once stood for – but I can’t sit back and watch what’s happening to the heart and soul of our country… The American people are getting screwed over and nobody wants to do anything about it. They would rather stick like glue to CNN or FOX and just continue to get ‘dumbed down.’ It’s a shame.
That. Is. All.
@Mark_Harai I LOVE THIS ANSWER. Everyone is having some sort of reaction to the state of this country and how it affects them personally. Many are blaming one man; others are blaming two. It makes no difference, Mark, because at the end of the day what this all boils down to is how you comport yourself.
Where is your heart; where are your standards as a public role model; who is taking $$ from whom; who is wasting $$ in this country; and, who should uphold that accountability.
Should the government apologize to the U.S. tax payer for sending millions of $$ to dead people as tax refunds? Should the government apologize to tax payers for throwing lavish Las Vegas parties on our dime and skinny-dipping excursions in foreign countries? Will these apologies fall on deaf ears?
Because an apology take a minute to share; what comes next is the action to fix the problem that put that person in those shoes to begin with.
I’m tired today and exhausted from the rancor; I truly, truly am. I need to stop now. Thank you for sharing such heart-felt comments; I feel your passion and welcome it always.
Whoa! Talk about creating controversy. Did you see that article about The Other Side? Let me see if I can find it.
This one: https://reason.com/archives/2012/08/20/the-wrong-side-absolutely-must-not-win
@ginidietrich OK, that was so well done my head is spinning. What a smart writer who clarified the entire whackadoodle U.S. political system today…everyone still listening? Jump in to Gini’s link and have a read today…well worth it!!
Great having you over, Friend! Welcome back!!
@ginidietrich Proud to say that’s from the newspaper I grew up reading, and which regularly reported on my athletic exploits.
I have never followed American politics as closely as I am now. Maybe I did follow it when President Obama was running the first time; but then this time seems a lot more controversial! I see the issues being raised every day and see how politics is really going to some people who really aren’t fit to be there.
You just can’t say things all the time and then say sorry.
I come from a country that is run by corrupt politicians and it just gets worse every time. I really see no hope in politics. The ones who are actually making a change are individuals who go ahead and make the change rather than promise and talk about it – politician or not.
@Hajra Show me a country where politicians are not corrupt? I want to live there. The older I get, the more upset I become. Look at the women in Russia with the PuXXy Riot moniker sentenced to two years for hooliganism? Because Putin can’t stand their insolence against his brand?
At least in the U.S., there is freedom of speech that does allow people to air opinions, right or wrong, left or right, conservative or liberal.