Art Buchwald had a whole Washington Post column — "Non-Apology Accepted" — in 2005 ("This period in history will be known as the 'Age of Non-Apology.' Politics means never having to say you are sorry.")
I used it here, this morning, in the comments to the post analyzing Trump's Mother's Day rhetoric.
The first commenter said "I seem to recall a pledge to ignore him during the campaign."
I was all: "Have I ever made 'a pledge'? I don't think so. That doesn't sound like me. Link?"
The commenter backed off. He wasn't "sure about literal 'pledge,'" at some unlinked-to place in the archive, but he thinks he "chimed in to endorse the quasi-pledge." He wasn't going to search for a link to the place where that happened (or didn't happen). "Not trying to set any blog agenda," he said. "I'm fine with whatever, for what it's worth."
I said — and I recommend this usage — "Nonapology accepted."
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8 comments:
I initially glanced your headline as "Nano-apology accepted."
A new term that I kinda like, actually.
Akin to the "world's smallest violin."
Yaaaaah…that’s the kind of biting snark the whole world appreciates…
"Nonapology accepted."
Which I appreciate. Considering I was sorry not sorry. Hazards of memory, and all that.
In attributing a pledge/desire/inclination/preference to tune out Trump ("too much Trump!" "Go away Trump!") to Althouse I may have projected my own preference on her. For which I am actually sorry! Though that may be unforgivable.
Anyway, the preference I associated with the fuzzy recollection is less Trump and less attention to Trump, and less emotional investment in the presidential campaign of 2024 in general, considering the structural blue advantage that is very likely to disappoint us deplorables, with or without Trump.
I'm a relative newcomer here, but I never took the Prof for the public pledging type . . . or much of the apologizing type either. NTTAWWT.
Have I ever made 'a pledge'? I don't think so. That doesn't sound like me.
You may not have made ‘a pledge’ but I seem to remember various times you’ve made ‘a vow’ — is the distinction cost-effective?
“I seem to remember various times you’ve made ‘a vow’”
I can’t think of when. I don’t think there’s a meaningful distinction.
I can’t think of when. I don’t think there’s a meaningful distinction.
Try March 4, 2008 — or December 13, 2011, when you asked readers for advice on whether you should continue your vow.
The demand for apologies considerably exceeds the supply.
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