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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAn apology: mea culpa
Several days ago, I posted what I thought was a joke at the expense of women Trump supporters at a recent rally. Bluntly, the OP thoughtlessly mocked their missing teeth. This was wrong. I could waste your time explaining how and why that post was made, but there simply is no excuse or justification for it.
Several DUers rightly criticized what I had said in the OP and, because I respected them, I started to have 2nd and 3rd thoughts about the OP. Sadly, I allowed myself to be distracted from those critics by other posters who saw my mistake as an opportunity to expand the thread with accusations of misogyny, racism and bigotry. If I understand their "reasoning", if I mocked women with missing teeth---which I thoughtlessly did---then, of course, I also was a racist who used the n-word and a bigot. One poster said that I always or frequently picked on women in my posts.
I did not delete the post because, if I understand correctly, that would have erased WHAT I ACTUALLY POSTED and for which I was rightly criticized, but NOT the made-up smears for things I did not---and would never---post. That would paint me as a racist woman-hater, and I just could not bring myself to allow that.
I am certain this will in no way satisfy those who enjoyed my error and sought to magnify it. I hope that others will accept my sincere apology. I hope that maybe those who have put up with me for twenty years will decide to forgive my insensitive---and, as one DUer put it, "crass"---post.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,151 posts)SheilaAnn
(9,664 posts)Yours is a very nice apology and I'm sure all is forgiven.
world wide wally
(21,719 posts)LakeArenal
(28,729 posts)enough
(13,237 posts)MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)When they themselves, and a few others, insisted on using a feminizing term for Trump, over and over. That was objected to many times, but they held their holier-than-thou stance for months. They quietly let the term sunset, and those posts are not journaled. 😄
I appreciate you taking this opportunity for reflection. I have made my share of mistakes, and am always grateful for DU's forgiving nature. We're on the same team, and that's what counts, as far as I'm concerned. 🥸😘
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)There are relentless bullies here and many on all subjects. I am getting sick of it really- while other posts that are promoting agism, holocaust crap and more fly by the radar all the time. Most of the bullies are total hypocrites due to their own non stop behavior.
questionseverything
(9,631 posts)Im sorry
onecaliberal
(32,489 posts)Really?
questionseverything
(9,631 posts)He calls it an apology but never says , Im sorry
onecaliberal
(32,489 posts)Atticus
(15,124 posts)Mea culpa, which means "through my fault" in Latin, comes from a prayer of confession in the Catholic Church. Said by itself, it's an exclamation of apology or remorse that is used to mean "It was my fault" or "I apologize."
questionseverything
(9,631 posts)If you need to belittle others to prove your own worth
Atticus
(15,124 posts)dflprincess
(28,057 posts)(actually we'd recite "Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa" while tapping our chest with a fist. It was translated as "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grevious fault" - it's where all the guilt came from)
You don't necessarily have to be smart just old like me.
questionseverything
(9,631 posts)I guess I could pretend I knew what he meant but lying physically hurts me
If i was better educated And wealthy i would probably have better teeth and a better vocabulary
I found the apology a little elitist as was the tooth joke but as long as we vote together thats all that matters
Celerity
(42,673 posts)The irony is, that by your continued efforts to put the OP under the cosh, the main accomplishment in this thread that you can lay claim to has been the proving of their point, or at least your providing another example of similarly problematic behaviour.
Rabrrrrrr
(58,347 posts)people would even know its relation to the church, since it's such a common part of the English language now.
You're making molehills into mountains here.
BlueLucy
(1,609 posts)The way I knew what mea culpa meant was because I grew up speaking Spanish. In Spanish mi culpa means my fault. It's not just for academia.
Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)questionseverything
(9,631 posts)N/t
Torchlight
(3,236 posts)Docreed2003
(16,817 posts)Response to questionseverything (Reply #8)
Celerity This message was self-deleted by its author.
WarGamer
(12,106 posts)Poverty is never funny and should never be a punchline.
Democrats should be the defenders of the poor.
Poverty is an illness and should be treated like HIV or COVID or Smallpox.
TheProle
(2,101 posts)Celerity
(42,673 posts)dflprincess
(28,057 posts)Not too many years ago my friend was working on an underwriting program for a large national insurance company. Medical rates were pretty much the same everywhere but, in some southern state the dental rates were much less. After some research she discovered that this was because, even with insurance, people in these states just didn't use dentists as much as in other parts of the country.
Another friend, after moving south found that a lot of her co-workers only went to the dentist when something hurt (not even for cleanings). These were people in well paying, professional positions with, per the friend, really good dental benefits (the same ones she had) Her family dentist once commented that she was one of the few clients he had who got her kids in for cleanings every 6 months.
Somewhere along the line, our teeth got seperated from the rest of our body, (why else isn't dental covered by private health insurance & Medicare?). It's not always a matter of money, sometimes it's just that they're an after thought and too many people just figure they can always get dentures - which is true, but not a great solution.
skylucy
(3,734 posts)Those I've seen are always thoughtful and not racist or sexist. Sometimes the ignorant and racist Trump supporters can bring out my worst inclinations too. You're good with me, Atticus.
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)MustBeTheBooz
(264 posts)Kids
that was wrong. Funny, but wrong.
Well done mea culpa, sir.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)And are blind to their own bullying.
Been tiresome for years.
hay rick
(7,522 posts)No argument from me.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)because I used that "pearl clutcher" phrase. No amount of explanation or attempts to reason with them did a bit of good. Calling someone a "pearl clutcher" was supposedly absolute proof of my disgusting homophobia.
Thanks for your response.
DFW
(54,057 posts)I hadn't heard that one before.
(Been away so long, I hardly knew the place, honey disconnect the phone)
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)just who's smearing who this time or what behavior's supposed to be "pearl clutching" without googling the parties. Just imagine how often I do.
Agree!
RussellCattle
(1,506 posts)2Gingersnaps
(1,000 posts)you're only human. We all slip, even those who don't think they do. Not understanding how "An apology, mea culpa" is not an apology. Your good with me.
Paladin
(28,204 posts)---but I can't help but think you didn't do anything worse than what editorial cartoonists are doing in this country, coast-to-coast, every day. They get paid for it, and their works are on display every day, here at DU.
dawg
(10,610 posts)A little bit of gentle correction is okay from time to time, but we need to recognize that most of our hearts are very much in the right place, so there is no need to try and shame each other.
Karadeniz
(22,283 posts)obviously need dental care, and no telling what else, supporting the person and party which happily want to put health care completely out of their reach.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,563 posts)I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about it. It takes a big person to admit an error and apoligise. I regret that I didn't get the same opportunity. The other night on fansite I loved I posted a video that was inappropriate. The next day I felt regret about it and it was my intention to delete but real life got in the way. By the time I finally got the chance to do it, it was too late and I was booted and banned.
didn't read your original post... however thanks for the explanation
niyad
(112,440 posts)TeamProg
(5,788 posts)who DO like country music. Um, denigrate means 'to put down' or 'insult'..
- Bob Newhart
calimary
(80,700 posts)I didn't see the original post, but no matter. Hey, we all make mistakes, ESPECIALLY me!
Your apology is appreciated and accepted. And, frankly, for those who demand the words "I'm sorry," I'd respectfully ask what they don't understand about the title of your post.
C'MON EVERYBODY: Let's not get mad at each other!
That anger is far better directed toward the disgusting disgraceful deceitful Putin-hugging orange schmuck (who I won't name because he craves hearing his name mentioned) who poisoned our discourse, sold out our values, divided our country, and blighted our beautiful White House for four miserable years. We should aim it all at him, NOT at each other.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)MLAA
(17,165 posts)Its good to have friends that will kindly call you on it. Then you do just what you did. Reflect on it and acknowledge when youve made a mistake. I appreciate your posts, this apology one included.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)As someone who struggles to get the funds for decent dental care I did cringe a bit. But I have read your posts for a long time and I believe you to be a good human. Hang in there!
PatrickforB
(14,516 posts)Many Trump supporters of both genders sport a distinct look that is, well, not attractive. So I get it. Anyway, I always look forward to your posts, and do not find them offensive, though I admit to not seeing the one in question.
Hulk
(6,699 posts)I was guilty of a similar post when I used an old expression...and got roasted from angry critics.
Some folks have ZERO tolerance for mistakes. I'm sure they are all perfect...
Just let it go. We learn and move on. Considering what comments I have made over my 74 years of life...we ALL are evolving.
dchill
(38,324 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Nauseating.
iemanja
(53,003 posts)The poster made a crude joke, and others gave their views. Free speech isn't the right to never be criticized.
BlueLucy
(1,609 posts)When I was a child my parents never had the money to take us kids to the dentist. Heck, we rarely went to the doctor unless it was very serious. I've been poor my whole life, still poor. I only have high school plus one year of education. I have dental insurance now through Medicare and a advantage plus plan. Look, as long as you are talking about Trump supporters anything goes. I'm not offended. Lol, Heck! I would even join you in the mocking.