Companies/countries apologising

whyamihere

I've just read this, and was reminded of Tony Blair coming under pressure to apologise for the slave trade.

Does anyone else find these kinds of apologies many years after the act to be ridiculous? Nobody currently working for SNCF would have actually been involved in the trafficking of Jews through to Germany, and they're connected to those people purely through the name of the company which pays their wages.

Agreeing that it was wrong is one thing, but actually apologising seems incredibly insincere.

woodnut

Not just ridiculous but also downright disgusting, quote from the article "The change of language is clearly linked to the lucrative market for high-speed rail contracts in the US."
Vomit inducing, insincere, money grubbing turds

And I bet he eats snails aswell :x

Richie63

Um looks like it was only done for big buck deals, extra incredibly sincere.

whyamihere

Obviously this one was just for money. Try to look wider, at similar acts with no obvious financial incentive.

woodnut

To me it's plain ridiculous to apologise for what your ancestors did. It;s just illogical. A parent can (and should) feel responsible for what their children do, (without going into the whole nature,nurture thing) but not the other way round. Sure I can feel embarrasssed about the slave trade or the crusades but for me to apologise to somebody elses ancestors, doesn't mean a thing. Perhaps in a 100 years a future pious pillock of a prime minister will be apologising to cows for the dairy industry.

blister pus

In the case of 'the state' 'a state' apologising and putting the record straight it's absolutely fundamental and necessary to move things forward with other states that have been wronged in the past, obviously it acknowledges regret for past actions and acknowledges a change in attitude and willingness to make good - it's the state holding it's hands up.

Having said that, there's apologies that carry genuine sorrow and regret with a complete change in attitude and there's sleazy, insincere, political expedient stunts.

cooldad

blister pus wrote:

In the case of 'the state' 'a state' apologising and putting the record straight it's absolutely fundamental and necessary to move things forward with other states that have been wronged in the past, obviously it acknowledges regret for past actions and acknowledges a change in attitude and willingness to make good - it's the state holding it's hands up.

Having said that, there's apologies that carry genuine sorrow and regret with a complete change in attitude and there's sleazy, insincere, political expedient stunts.

Tosh (would have used a stronger word but don't want to be sheepsteethed).

For people who had nothing to do with the original act, to apologise to people who were not affected by that act, is just irrational.

nicklouse

cheese eating surrender monkeys.

blister pus

cooldad wrote:

Tosh (would have used a stronger word but don't want to be sheepsteethed).

For people who had nothing to do with the original act, to apologise to people who were not affected by that act, is just irrational.

Except people are irrational and do hold grudges and generational hatred is alive and well and easily handed down and propagated. Like i said, it's absolutely necessary it's done to put a line under some things to move forward.

cooldad

In that case I demand an apology from the Vikings, the Saxons, the Normans, the Romans, the British (got a Kiwi passport as well), the Dutch and English (South African passport), the Australians (for being bloody Ausies).
In lieu of an apology I'll accept a gazillion £.

cooldad

And the Scots, and my ex.

blister pus

put the beer away, you dick. you've had too much.

cooldad

blister pus wrote:

put the beer away, you dick. you've had too much.

And one from you, or I'll never be able to move forward.

blister pus

stop confusing the state and the individual