All Apologies

[21stCenturyCat]

cont.

because let's face it even now, how often has someone told you bad news, you say you're sorry and they reply "it's not your fault" - so lets face it, if it was an ancestor of mine I would most certainly apologise even though I had nothing to do with whatever they did that was wrong.

3. Good timing that I saw this today, I'm sure I saw something in the papers today about the government saying sorry for sending WW2 children away and saying their parents were dead!??!?!

[andymooseman]

I was amazed when i saw the news too. Although thats exactly the kind of thing i was talking about. Ii do feel thats a little different, as a lot of the people who were exploited are still alive. Also, seeing the reaction of the people who were apologised to shows how much it meant to them.

That alone made that apology worthwhile.

it's when the crimes were perpetrated centuries ago that i have more of a problem with.

Still, better an apology than none :)

[21stCenturyCat]

Interesting topic... and this came to mind on your day off?!?! ;)

But a few thoughts:

1. Nobody thinks they are bad.. so yes, in the days of slavery (or choose any other era/topic) I'm sure they were some real nice families that even now you would love to meet... but probably didn't think twice about having slaves because it's 'just the way it was'

2. Should we apologise for the sins of our fathers... I actually think yes. It's just courtesy.

[phekwig]

I agree with you completely and take it a step farther...

Only those who have personally done the wrong should have any RIGHT to apologize for a wrongdoing... Otherwise, like you said, it's only paying lip service...

[andymooseman]

That was partly my point. How can somebody who was not involved in the issue, apologise for it?

if the person who commits the offence makes that apology, it has far more weight :)

[TamHickey67]

In the fairly recent past there were notices on Bed and Breakfasts which read "No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish". That only goes back to the 1970's. I personally think it's great that all of that hatred and ignorance seems to have been swept aside nowadays, although there does seem to be a growing intolerance of immigrants now too. Are the Asylum seekers the new Irish? If you read the history of it, there are very close paralells between the two. The BNP had nothing on the Church of Scotland.

[andymooseman]

Maybe it's a case of the racism etc being more hidden & not so open these days.

As you suggest, it's still there.

Funnily enough i did a blog post recently saying that ultimately we are all immigrants :)

[NaturalTwentyFilms]

"Sort out the wrongs of the present."

Best vlog line I've heard in a long time. Well said.

[andymooseman]

Thanks. I just feel that's more important than dwelling on the past, important as history is :)

[BarryAldridge]

Interesting points Andy. We should not let all of this bad stuff happening like everyone should be equal but that is not happening.

Apologies dont work all the time.

Great video by the way Andy.

[andymooseman]

Thanks, as always Barry :)

[kayleewyatt]

Love your vids! I do think that in some way they are trying to show other Countries that what thety are doing is wrong still

[andymooseman]

Thanks. That's a good point & one i hadn't thought about. If any apology shames another country in to stopping what it's doing, then it can only be a good thing :)

[bearchay889]

I agree with all you said i think most of it is just lip service because it's just like a child being scolded but no one trying to change the way the child behaves so that the same result won't occor again.

The hole world just likes to cover it's butt for the most part which will allways insure the status quo.

[andymooseman]

I would certainly agree with that butt covering aspect of an apology.

it's been interesting reading all the comments on this video. Good stuff & it just proves that i have some very sensible subscribers. Not that i ever doubted that for a moment :)

[kenrg]

Interesting topic. Yes, those who need to apologize are long since in their graves, but I still think that the symbolism of a modern apology is not lost or wasted, and can do some good in righting historic wrongs and help in the healing that's still going on. Legal slavery may have ended nearly 150 years ago, but its legacy is still very much with us. (And, yes, slavery is still in each of our communities, but well hidden.)

[kayleewyatt]

hear hear

[andymooseman]

It's a topic i've been thinking about for a while now & inspiration struck whilst i was walking along the beach. As it did for the other 2 vlogs i also recorded!

I see your point about righting those historical wrongs. Better an apology than none i guess :)

[petuniabelle650]

I agree with everything you said, Andy. Thanks for posting.

You've got such a pretty day there. Here it's raining and the leaves are falling all over the place. It's pretty, too, though.

[andymooseman]

It's good to see a sensible debate here about this topic & it's also good to see that people share my point of view.

Today it's cloudy, rainy & the leaves are falling, just like with you. What a difference a day makes :)

[americannamor]

I agree with the first part of raycolondotcom's comment. I don't think apologies for past events are heartfelt or really function as apologies at all. The important thing is governments go on record and publicly recognize the wrong. Apologies are a pretty good way to do that. But to make a real difference, to let us remember and learn from past mistakes we need to give kids an accurate view of history in school and not white wash things.

[andymooseman]

I like that idea of governments going on record & recognising the wrong that has been done. As long as they also make a pledge that it won't ever happen again in their name, i'm ok with that :)

[MrRandomWritings]

I don't get all this apologising for the Sins of the Fathers. Learn from mistakes instead of prolonging the agony.

Of course catholics have a whole religion based on guilt - they would be a bit stuffed if someone forgave them

[andymooseman]

It appears that we have great difficulty learning from those mistakes & that was partly my point.

Good point about the Catholic church ;)

[OhCurt]

Gary stole my comment thunder, which is an ironic description given that all 3 of us appear to have clear skies above our heads.

I will add, though, that sometimes lip service isn't an all-bad thing, but it depends on the spirit with which its done I suppose.

[anakin1814]

Did Paramount ever apologize to you for botched job they did with the opening to Rhoda, season 1 on DVD?

[OhCurt]

No.

And I'm very upset.

Then again, Paramount didn't release the set. Shout Factory did.

They didn't apologize either.

And I'm very upset.

[anakin1814]

UNION!!!!

[OhCurt]

BEWBZ!!!

[kayleewyatt]

Norma Rae?!?

[andymooseman]

No clear skies here today i'm afraid. it's lucky i wne tout & recorded this video yesterday.

The spirit does indeed need to be right. That's my problem. I just don't always feel that the apologies are done for the right reasons :)

[anakin1814]

For me, it makes sense to have our political leaders apologize "for the record" to let their constituents know that we no longer accept that kind of behavior or to truly acknowledge that it was wrong. I think sometimes, that's what it takes for a country to move on past a subject and let the healing begin. Maybe that's extremely optimistic of me, but hey, the sun is shining here today! ;)

[andymooseman]

Thats a good point about an apology letting a country move & letting the healing begin. I guess that until you actually acknowledge the wrongs of the past, they can't be left behind.

Interesting point Gary :)

[popebenadict16]

seems to me they only dish out apologies after all involed are dead and gone so nobody can be held accountable and taken to court.therfore its baseless lip service.

[andymooseman]

I doubt very much that you are the only person with that opinion Stuart :)

[bf6067]

In America, everything with politicians is black or white. They seem to forget and ignore their are shades of gray. Most times in political debates, neither side is correct. The answers always lie some where inbetween.

[andymooseman]

And therefore i guess it can sometimes be very hard to get it right?

It can't be easy being a politician. But, nobody gets elected unless they put themselves forward for the job do they?

And your right, the answer does often lie inbetween :)

[popparoc46]

Beautiful beach and a beautiful day, Andy.  Canadians are famous for our apologies - we like everyone to be happy and comfortable and we generally like to take the blame for stuff. It seems to me that politicians just like to look like heros. It can be more condescending rather than apologetic.

good to see you - roc

[andymooseman]

As i've said elsewhere. I do wonder about the motives of some politicians. I take your point about the apology being a little condescending though.

I guess any apology is better than none, but.... :)

[PappyStu]

My view of politicians is so jaded that my objectivity is likely in short supply... Most of what they do is for show or has an agenda... However actions speak louder than words...

[PappyStu]

ps I too love to vlog outside and HATE the wind problem... wonder how the pro's deal with it... Perhaps it's only a matter of money spent for the right gear?

[andymooseman]

Actions do indeed speak louder than words & are worth a great deal more too.

As for the wind problem!

It is very annoying sometimes. I often go down to the beach & find it's just too windy, or get home & find the vlog i've recorded is useless.

That's why i often have to shelter behind those big rocks :)

[PappyStu]

BTW I'm still waiting for the Romans to appologize for what they did to my family in the German Black Forests... Do you think I'll wait long?

[andymooseman]

That sounds intriguing.

What have the Romans ever done for us? :)

[PappyStu]

Damn little if you ask me...

wait you did....

[raycolondotcom]

Hi Andy, apologies issued by governments as a means of giving official recognition to a wrong now corrected are as important as any other apology that is offered. Rather than focus on the guilt of the offending government, the value of the apology is to be gauged by how it is received by the offended, or their descendants. I'm puzzled by the rational which states that, "It was long ago, and I had nothing to do with it," since many gladly accept positive historical recognition with pride. Ray

[andymooseman]

That's a very fair point. As you say, as long as any apology is considered worthwhile by the receiver, after however many years, then that's ok.

I do wonder about the motives of the politicians sometimes though :)