Elizabeth Lauten, the aide to Congressman Stephen Fincher (R-TN), resigned on Monday over her comments regarding President Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia.
This is what she said in a blog post after seeing a picture of the President's daughters at the annual Turkey Pardon: "Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don't respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I'm guessing you're coming up a little short in the "good role model" department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don't make faces during televised, public events."
Then she "apologized." Here's that:
That's what she said. This is what she likely meant:
What she said : "I reacted to an article and I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager."
What she meant: "I still think they looked like they deserved a spot at a bar, but I wouldn't have wanted anyone to judge me for terrible clothing choices I made when I was a teen if they made me look like that."
What she said: "After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were."
What she meant: "My parents said I was crazy for actually saying that in public so that the whole world could read it. Then I re-read it and thought to myself "Did I just say that out loud? What was I thinking? I could catch some serious heat over this and hurt my political career."
What she said: "Please know, those judgmental feelings truly have no place in my heart."
What she meant: "Those are my true feelings. I'm being judgmental. That's how I really feel, but the way I really feel is not the way people are saying I should feel, because it might cause me and the Republican party some heat and make me seem insensitive."
What she said: "Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those that I've hurt or offended with my words..."
What she meant: "Furthermore, I'm so sorry to those I've hurt, like myself, my Republican Congressman boss, the Republican party and my parents, who are really ticked off at me right now."
What she didn't say and obviously never meant: "Furthermore, I apologize to President Obama, his wife and especially his daughters for my comments, which I didn't mean and should never have uttered because they were despicable comments coming from a grown woman with an important job like communications director to a congressman. Especially since I aimed my deplorable, sexist comments at young girls. I must have watched too much Fox News and listened to one too many Rush Limbaugh broadcasts and I truly apologize to Sasha and Malia for my deplorable behavior."
She apologized for "the post" - not her words. She probably does feel bad about "the post" - or at least she feels bad about the negative reaction to it. Like many people who get caught and then immediately feel bad about it ... it's because they got caught, not because they are actually remorseful.
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