Dr. Paul Y. Song offers a heartfelt apology, and a bit of context: "I Am Sorry"

[drokhole]

I Am Sorry (Huffington Post)
Paul Y. Song, MD
Physician, Executive Chairman of the Courage Campaign, Healthcare Activist

Last night, I was asked to speak at a rally for Senator Bernie Sanders as a physician and healthcare activist who supports him for president. I did not clear my prepared words with anyone in the campaign and a portion of my speech has since generated tremendous outrage.

(snip)

Above all, I want to apologize to Secretary Clinton for my insensitive use of the word “whores” and to adamantly profess that this was never intended nor directed at her, as some have incorrectly interpreted. I have always had a deep respect for Secretary Clinton, and if people took the time to go through all my prior Facebook posts, tweets, and comments, one would see that I have been extremely careful never to attack her personally and if anything, I have tried to focus more on why I was supporting Senator Sanders.

Regardless of my original intent, there is no excuse for my poor judgment in using this word. The backlash has been swift and harsh, and rightfully so. To all fellow Americans who I have offended, I apologize to each of you too. I would kindly ask you to read the rest of this op-ed so I explain my true intent and context.

(snip)

As I mentioned, I am a physician who has been fighting for universal healthcare for the past decade. I was so optimistic when I first saw a 2003 video of then State Senator Obama touting his support for a Medicare-for-all plan. So, in the run up to the Affordable Care Act, like now, I was an outspoken and enthusiastic supporter of President Obama’s efforts. I debated Ron Paul on Larry King Live and voluntarily travelled throughout the U.S. speaking to medical students, community groups, and anyone else who invited me in support of the President’s push for healthcare reform.

As an oncologist for nearly 20 years, I have seen far too many of patients go bankrupt simply because they developed cancer. I have witnessed more of my patients each year being unable to afford rapidly escalating premiums and drug costs, and I have had to fight more and more with my patients’ insurers just to get the approval of the care they needed.

I was wishful that the President’s plan would address these problems and that we would have Medicare-for-all or at least a public option. What I soon discovered is that there were over 3,300 registered healthcare lobbyists for the 535 members of Congress and that they spent over $1.2 million a day, and in total more than what was spent on the Bush Kerry election to influence legislation. And despite initially having a supermajority and filibuster proof senate, the president and the pubic got neither.

(much more at the link)

[BlueMTexpat]

1. Oh, to have been a fly

on the wall in THAT household.

[Buzz Clik]

2. "and to adamantly profess that this was never intended nor directed at her" Interpretation:

"I am a highly educated and articulate man who says exactly what he means at all times. I knowingly and intentionally called Hillary Clinton a 'corporate whore.' Although I have no regrets about doing so philosophically, I am a pragmatist and if I don't have this 'Checkers Speech' moment, my ass is grass. So, I'm sorry."

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. he wrote a nice apology and you just have to shit on it

[BeyondGeography]

3. That's a very heartfelt and substantial apology

He's a good man and he's already better for this.

I have to admit that during this past decade of hyper-polarized politics and disrespectful discourse, I too have become insensitive in my use of harmful rhetoric and have become somewhat numb to its overall consequences. This experience has taken away my numbness and made me reevaluate myself, and my use of certain words. In truth, had this not happened, I probably would never have realized the inappropriateness of this term.

[HassleCat]

4. Wait a second

If he used the word "whore" and it was sufficiently clear he was referring to everyone who takes money in return for favors, he is in the clear. I am tired of random gender bashing. When someone sneaks in an underhanded reference to gender, race, religion, etc. and it's directed at a particular person or group of people, let the firing squad open fire. But when somebody makes a general statement about people being whores for doing quid-pro-quo, that's absolutely legitimate. Dr. Song is right on the money about the Democrats who refused to support Obamacare.

[zalinda]

7. But Hillary supporters HAD to make her a victim. eom