Recently, on one of Amy's sections reserved for links, I posted certain intemperate remarks that openly gay, Japanese-American George Takei (who played Mr. Sulu on the original Star Trek) made regarding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

For those that didn't see the link, Takei, disgusted with Thomas's dissenting opinion, particularly over his misunderstanding that the government can neither give nor deprive someone of personal dignity, called Thomas "a clown in blackface."

I said at the time that Takei crossed a serious line with those remarks. Apparently, Takei, after reflecting on the matter, agrees. Here's Takei's apology.

http://toprightnews.com/somebody-flew-drone-fireworks-display-happened-video/

Would be really neat to see on a large screen smart tv

Patrick, while it is nice he apologized, I wonder how much of it was due to a true feeling of regret or more due to a backlash?

After all, his "side" won and he still had to act like a spoiled child about it!

Charles, we'll never know. Apparently, at least some of the backlash got through to him. Because he admitted he misunderstood Clarence Thomas' position. "In my mind that suggested that this meant he felt the government therefore shouldn’t be held accountable, or should do nothing in the face of gross violations of dignity."

When in fact, Clarence Thomas said no such thing.

I'm also keeping in mind that Takei is a Japanese-American and a survivor of the Japanese internment camps. Yes, I'm aware it was hardly the Nazi holocaust. On the other hand, it wasn't a day at the Ritz, either. I can see why he'd be hypersensitive to anyone making light of the indignity of Japanese Americans. His family had to move into a cramped horse stall.

But that aside, how much store do we set by any forced apology? When Dick Armey was forced to apologize for introducing Barney Frank as Barney Faggot, did anyone truly believe he was sincere? I doubt, even in light of all that's happened, Armey's contempt for gays has abated in the slightest.

When Jerry Falwell apologized for blaming pro-lifers, gays, the liberal media for the 9/11 attacks, it was a gracious apology, but does anyone believe that he changed his mind?

Incidentally, though I'm a gay guy, I don't feel that I've won anything with SCOTUS's decision. I understand the argument that no one should have to wait for their civil rights to be recognized, but I still would have preferred to win over the nation to our side. And we were winning. Well over half the country now supports gay marriage. It was only a matter of time before every state recognized gay marriage. Now, we'll just never know who the last holdout would have been. I'm guessing it would have been Florida.

Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain.

A modern Greek myth

https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11694755_412119725649334_1074200610133214826_n.jpg?oh=e884db02563ed65227c0597c7101213a&oe=561F8924

Not the Linkard of Oz; but, how about the Drunkard of . . . .

This Pumpkin head isn't just left of here - he just "left" as in Boom! And is now nowhere:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/05/man-dies-after-shooting-off-firework-from-top-his-head-police-say/

I guess he nominated himself for the Darwin Awards.

Charles, I would say he definitely should be in the running for a Darwin Award.

"how much store do we set by any forced apology?"

Good question. My cynical take is that most people in the political professions (and that includes entertainers these days) are of the opinion that they have never committed an indiscretion of any sort, and do not regret anything they have ever done. We've seen way too many self-serving apologias, obviously written by publicity flacks, to take any apology from a current-day politican or celebrity at face value.

Cousin Dave, I would say, in most cases, that's true. But I'm willing to cut some slack for folks like Robert Downey Jr., he has apologized for his actions and (as far as anyone seems to know) remained sober since then. I would say his ongoing sobriety is testament to his sincerity.

Whereas someone like Mel Gibson (who is Downey's close personal friend) went on an antisemitic, sexist tirade while drunk, apologized, then went on a racist, sexist tirade while yelling at his girlfriend...not so sincere.

Good points, Patrick. You might could try to explain behavior like Gibson's as being some kind of mental condition that is extremely difficult to overcome, as opposed to just being an asshole. But... from the external point of view, there's no difference.