Former Senator and elder statesman Alan Simpson recently ignited a firestorm when he sent an insulting email regarding Social Security to Ashely Carson, Executive Director of the Older Women’s League, an organization that advocates on behalf of older women. The headlines have included his accusation that America has become a “milk cow with 310 million tits” as an example of how the good former senator shows off his statesmanship.
Now I don’t want to talk about Social Security. I want to talk about the good senator’s subsequent apology.
I apologize for what I wrote. I can see that my remarks have caused you anguish, and that was not my intention.
Good for him, except that this is hogwash.
If it wasn’t his intention, then just what did he think he was doing? You can get a copy of the original email from the OWL website [PDF: here]:
- I have news for you too, my friend.
- […] people like you babble into the vapors […] and all that crap.
- […] take a look at the chart […] which I hope you are able to discern if you are any good at reading graphs — or anything that might challenge your biases and prejudices.
- Call when you get honest work!
I’m sorry, but this is not someone who accidentally strayed into a bout of bad language. This wasn’t a slip of the tongue. This was a calculated, intentional, sophomoric slam. It was clearly his intention to insult Ms. Carson.
Like most politicians, Mr. Simpson is fundamentally unable to issue a real apology. Even when he comes close (“I apologize for what I wrote.”), he obfuscates with disingenuous platitudes (“Next time I’m in Washington, perhaps we could meet in person”), and he lies (“that was not my intention”).
Elder statesman indeed.
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hat tip: Barbara Morrill/dkos: “What was your intention, Mr. Simpson?”