These days, it’s more like “this person did it, and I don’t know them”. Either that, or they say “it’s the other party’s fault” for something they either just did themselves or are still doing. I’m a Canadian referring to American politics here.
Over here we had Prime Minister, John Howard, who was primarily responsible for the gun restriction/buy-back scheme after the Port Arthur massacre. He received a lot of push-back from people who had acquired firearms quite legitimately, since he thereby equated law-abiding citizens with those who’d obtained them illegally, and used them in gang-land conflicts. There he was, in front of a respectful but still rather noisy crowd saying “Blame me..! I did it… !” all the time wearing a bullet-proof vest. Didn’t really show any faith in his constituency, the Australian public. An awful lot of people, after his ‘mea culpa’ wondered – “Yeah, … so what??”
Yeah, accepting responsibility without accepting consequences is the end result of years of false and insincere “I’m sorry” to “resolve” conflicts and bad behavior. Is it really surprising that this is the result?
It always irritates me when I hear or read that such-and-such terrorist group has “claimed responsibility” for an atrocity. I think a more appropriate word is “blame.”
As a Canadian pointed out, today’s politicians rarely take responsibility for anything. Case in point, the Speaker of the House debacle. This was caused by Matt Gaetz, the ultimate Florida Man.Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to admit the stupidity of his decision.
I’ve noticed that if I take responsibility for what I did instead of lying I am generally forgiven and trusted with other stuff. I’ve observed that when other people lie about something and hold the story even in the face of overwhelming evidence and witnesses, they get promoted.
His name isn’t Trump if he said “I take responsibility.” He never took any responsibility, he was too busy grabbing credit—even for things he definitely didn’t do.
responsible and accountable aren’t the same thing. We don’t hold a lot of people accountable for things they are responsible for, not just politicians.
Never sure why in most cases. It just teaches bad habits.
You can claim that everything you’ve done and are doing is going great. If anyone doesn’t agree, just blame it on the previous guy.
The Afghan pullout was a great success, but if you don’t think so, it was Trump’s fault. The Southern Border is secure, but if you don’t think so, it’s Trump’s fault.
Careful Danae. Some are finding there’s a time limit on getting away with stuff like that. Same with denying everything or blaming your secretary/lawyer.
It is exactly the same as catholics going to confession. Saying they are sorry for their sins gets them absolved. But they can go out and do them again next week.
Many politicians don’t even take responsibility for the awful things they do. They deny doing them, or claim their hateful acts are good things. Too bad millions of people believe those lies.
Kids learn early on that often taking responsibility for one’s actions means punishment for some and a slap on the wrist for others. They learn that justice isn’t justice and fair is rarely fair.
Ratkin Premium Member about 1 year ago
That’s the deal. You take responsibility for something you had no control over in exchange for big bucks and lifetime perks. Seems fair.
Charliegirl Premium Member about 1 year ago
Oh no! She didn’t need to learn that already!
Crow Eatery about 1 year ago
Some politicians are too weak to use a sword on themselves.
eromlig about 1 year ago
…then the Scarecrow said, “It seems to me some people without brains do a great deal of talking.”
HidariMak about 1 year ago
These days, it’s more like “this person did it, and I don’t know them”. Either that, or they say “it’s the other party’s fault” for something they either just did themselves or are still doing. I’m a Canadian referring to American politics here.
keenanthelibrarian about 1 year ago
Over here we had Prime Minister, John Howard, who was primarily responsible for the gun restriction/buy-back scheme after the Port Arthur massacre. He received a lot of push-back from people who had acquired firearms quite legitimately, since he thereby equated law-abiding citizens with those who’d obtained them illegally, and used them in gang-land conflicts. There he was, in front of a respectful but still rather noisy crowd saying “Blame me..! I did it… !” all the time wearing a bullet-proof vest. Didn’t really show any faith in his constituency, the Australian public. An awful lot of people, after his ‘mea culpa’ wondered – “Yeah, … so what??”
franki_g about 1 year ago
I seem to remember one saying he took no responsibility and still wasn’t held accountable.
Until MAYBE now, but for other even more egregious things.
Carl Premium Member about 1 year ago
Yeah, accepting responsibility without accepting consequences is the end result of years of false and insincere “I’m sorry” to “resolve” conflicts and bad behavior. Is it really surprising that this is the result?
Count Olaf Premium Member about 1 year ago
When in doubt, blame it on climate change.
Dobby53 Premium Member about 1 year ago
“Mistakes were made.”
Dobby53 Premium Member about 1 year ago
See Calvin and Hobbes today- Calvin is trying to get Moe to sign a responsibility form before he hits him.
PraiseofFolly about 1 year ago
It always irritates me when I hear or read that such-and-such terrorist group has “claimed responsibility” for an atrocity. I think a more appropriate word is “blame.”
DaBump Premium Member about 1 year ago
Say, “I’m truly sorry for what I did” and maybe shed a great big tear. It’s been done. Worked perfectly.
Old recluse about 1 year ago
Then there is the ‘repeat it often enough annd people will believe it’ strategy.
batesmom7 about 1 year ago
The Donald and George S. completely ignore that memo as they do any advice from allies or enemies and therefore more likely going down.
GreenT267 about 1 year ago
Three hardest words to string together in [American] English: “I was wrong.”
SusieB about 1 year ago
As a Canadian pointed out, today’s politicians rarely take responsibility for anything. Case in point, the Speaker of the House debacle. This was caused by Matt Gaetz, the ultimate Florida Man.Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to admit the stupidity of his decision.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 1 year ago
I’ve noticed that if I take responsibility for what I did instead of lying I am generally forgiven and trusted with other stuff. I’ve observed that when other people lie about something and hold the story even in the face of overwhelming evidence and witnesses, they get promoted.
sandpiper about 1 year ago
Investigating committee photos should include long handled spades with which they end up burying the findings.
pheets about 1 year ago
Sometimes, even the Voice of Reason can be thwarted by a politician.
IndyW about 1 year ago
And it also happens when they say the buck stops with them, and nothing happens.
marilynnbyerly about 1 year ago
Hey, it works for Catholics.
ShadowMaster about 1 year ago
His name isn’t Trump if he said “I take responsibility.” He never took any responsibility, he was too busy grabbing credit—even for things he definitely didn’t do.
mindjob about 1 year ago
I’ve got to hand it to those who want to curtail corruption; though they have no chance in heck at winning elections
Mike Baldwin creator about 1 year ago
I take full responsibility for this lame comment.
Godfreydaniel about 1 year ago
When low-flush toilets won’t let corrupt politicians destroy the evidence……..
verticallychallenged Premium Member about 1 year ago
My indicted senator won’t even take responsibility for his actions, which is why my congressman is going to primary him.
KEA about 1 year ago
‘Taking Responsibility’ in the world outside the US means anything from resigning from politics to committing suicide.
Timothy Madigan Premium Member about 1 year ago
responsible and accountable aren’t the same thing. We don’t hold a lot of people accountable for things they are responsible for, not just politicians.
Never sure why in most cases. It just teaches bad habits.
Doug K about 1 year ago
You can claim that everything you’ve done and are doing is going great. If anyone doesn’t agree, just blame it on the previous guy.
The Afghan pullout was a great success, but if you don’t think so, it was Trump’s fault. The Southern Border is secure, but if you don’t think so, it’s Trump’s fault.
eddi-TBH about 1 year ago
Careful Danae. Some are finding there’s a time limit on getting away with stuff like that. Same with denying everything or blaming your secretary/lawyer.
locake about 1 year ago
It is exactly the same as catholics going to confession. Saying they are sorry for their sins gets them absolved. But they can go out and do them again next week.
locake about 1 year ago
Many politicians don’t even take responsibility for the awful things they do. They deny doing them, or claim their hateful acts are good things. Too bad millions of people believe those lies.
EXCALABUR about 1 year ago
Washington DC district of CORRUPTION.
Teresa Burritt (Frog Applause) creator about 1 year ago
Kids learn early on that often taking responsibility for one’s actions means punishment for some and a slap on the wrist for others. They learn that justice isn’t justice and fair is rarely fair.
JH&Cats about 1 year ago
Are those dishes at the foot of the bed? Danae & Lucy are hunkered down for a long session of cozy.