Decency Is Not

Oops, I’m sorry?

Is it enough to speak those three words after demeaning, verbally mocking or ridiculing another person publicly?.

There have been several instances of exactly that during the past year beginning with a fading female public figure holding a severed head as a “joke.”

“I misspoke” is today’s version of mea culpa after protests begin to appear. It is also after the video clip or printed article has received wide recognition by both the press and public. In some ways that achieves the publicity desired.

Sorry, I don’t believe the limp apology.

You said exactly what you wanted to. You were able to get an insulting opinion or witty ridicule of another human being out into the public domain and receive the attention your fading careers needed.

Then you gave it more visibility with a widely quoted quasi apology after the damage was done.

There was a classic example of such objectionable behavior this past week as America prepared to say a final goodbye to a good woman who by all accounts was a devoted wife and Mother, but who chose not to follow the edicts of high fashion.

She deigned to follow her own drummer avoiding the temptations of Botox, plastic surgery and weight watchers. As the saying goes, she was comfortable in her own skin, and America was comfortable watching her frequent public appearances regardless of their own political affiliations.

Perhaps occasionally some of us may have wondered why considering her obvious wealth she chose to wear costume jewelry. If we dwelled on the subject it was as a matter of curiosity rather than disdain, and when we mused, we admitted it was really none of our business.

This week after a long life primarily spent supporting a family dedicated to public service, our country begins to pay her homage and farewell.

However, in the quiet of the dark somber night when it could be widely quoted and in a few circles laughed about, a voice was quoted caustically mocking this good woman’s appearance.

Of course, today a tepid apology is released along with a picture of the comedy writer.

No, I’m sorry I don’t accept the “Oops, I’m sorry, but wasn’t I really funny” expiation.

It doesn’t work for me, and I doubt if many other Americans consider your version of mockery amusing.

Decency is not dead even for late night TV viewers.