This is what you a call a non-apology apology.
U.S. Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano lashed out at the Canadian media yesterday, still ticked that people noticed a factual mistake she made last month while speaking about the 9/11 attacks. You might hear an apology in her statements to CTV -- but only if you're not really listening:
"In the United States, I've misspoken from time to time. I've been in elected office -- you immediately correct it, you apologize and move on," she said.
"What I regret is that Canada can't seem to get beyond one misstatement from what I'm trying to suggest. And what I am suggesting is that we share security concerns, just as we share trade concerns, and share all kinds of concerns. It behooves us both -- both nations -- to work together. We will, in the end, be stronger together."
"You apologize and move on." But when when did Napolitano ever apologize for telling Canadians -- incorrectly -- that some of the 9/11 hijackers came into the United States from Canada? She never did.
Some of the headlines on this one are amusing. What can you write when nothing is really said by an official?
AP: Napolitano addresses Sept. 11 Canada controversy (The bland and inoffensive headline)
Biz Journals: Napolitano acknowledges misstatement on Canada and 9/11 (Or, I know you know I messed up).
Southern Ledger: Napolitano says stop mentioning her misstatement (This one seems to capture Janet's own snarkiness)
