The semantics of SORRY

About: my way news - madoff pleads guilty to huge financial swindle

     The use of the word sorry is one of my pet peeves. IMHO, it is an extremely overused, often meaningless word which is as quick to be released from the lips as the phrase "I'm fine." to the question "How are you?".  Does it excuse anything? Does it make offenses OK? Is it any kind of compensation for egregious acts against another? Does it remove the need for experience of shame & guilt a person should feel upon getting caught violating another contrary to the Golden Rule?
     I say loudly NO!
     There are those who argue " ..but, some people genuinely feel sorry for what they've done."  I say, mostly that is because they got caught. Feeling sorry is misplaced in time, just like guilt is. The feelings of guilt & sorrow should be activated in one's soul while contemplating what you are doing if you are about to violate the Golden Rule, not after you have already done so.
~ (Madoff - sorry he got caught)

Tags

  1. sorry
  2. golden rule
  3. guilt
  4. shame
  5. madoff
  6. jail
  7. consequences

Comments

Seth says

He said "I am deeply sorry and ashamed" as he was led off to jail in handcuffs.  I've always said that guilt should precede the crime and prevent it.  Guilt and sorrow after the crime is kind of a useless emotion; but it does exist.  Far more useful are the consequences ... may he rot in prison for the rest of his life in humiliation. 

In unrelated news the market celebrated with a 140 point jump over 7000.
Mark de LA says
Some have said the market is responding to the lack of speeches from Obama on the economy in the last few days.

Seth says
source: M asks above
Did he make a deal to get them off the hook?
I heard from several sources that there was no deal.  If he wants to get his conspirators off the hook, not making a deal was the best move.  It means that he does not have to disclose any further information. 
Mark de LA says
MR 2009-03-12 12:31:46 11617
White collar criminals rarely go to the kind of prisons & penitentiaries that violent offenders go to. This is probably the local jail until his sentencing. The consequences to the rest of his family sons & wife is of some interest. Did he make a deal to get them off the hook?


Mark de LA says
Many months later I'll bet he is really sorry now. His son just committed suicide the other day & he is in jail for effectively what is life, 180 years. 

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