I love the list that JTA compiled of the top apologies of the year. They might not have all been heartfelt or sincere, but they were interesting nevertheless.
Of course, Detroit’s own Delmon Young made the list after apologizing for his anti-Semitic rant outside the Detroit Tigers’ Manhattan hotel this past spring. I think we’re still waiting for apologies from Michigan Speaker of the House Jase Bolger for banning Rep. Lisa Brown from speaking on the floor of the Michigan House for using the word “vagina” a few months ago. And an apology might be appropriate from the owner of a clothing store in India that goes by the name “Hitler”.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.)
For skinny dipping in the Sea of Galilee during a congressional visit to Israel.
For circulating unsubstantiated claims about casino magnate and Republican Party donor Sheldon Adelson.
For helping deceive investors in his brother Bernie’s Ponzi scheme.
For not doing enough to stop sexual abuse in its midst.
For launching into an anti-Semitic tirade at a New York hotel.
For initially suspending funding for Planned Parenthood.
For an opinion column in which he counted President Obama’s assassination as among Israel’s options in heading off a nuclear Iran.
For teaching students about “crafty” and “treacherous” Jews.
For not being quicker to address charges that her hotel had discriminated against pro-Israel activists.
For saying “don’t try to Jew them down” during a public hearing.
For being disparaging in a meeting with Jews.
For putting up billboards with the slogan “Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing.”