Let us begin with a definition, paying particular attention to #1:
Webster's defines an apology as an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret. Hold that thought, we'll be coming back to it.
On December 11, we learned that newly sworn in Republican State Representative Dawn Johnson from Laconia had posted an anti-Semitic theory (complete with pictures) on social media. The material she posted came from the Daily Stormer, a white nationalist/neo-nazi website. Rep. Johnson posted on Twitter, and tried to post on Facebook but her post was blocked, which she complained about on Facebook. (Johnson has since closed her mainstream social media accounts.)
William Tucker, aka Miscellany Blue saw Johnson posting material from the Daily Stormer, and tweeted about it. NH is a small state, and the story spread quickly on social media. People began calling for her resignation. She's also on the school board in Laconia, which generated even more outrage.
The story was covered by InDepthNH.org. Their story was picked up by Concord Patch and the Laconia Daily Sun. This was the headline:
"In an apology posted to her social media accounts, Johnson apologized for sharing an article from the Neo-Nazi website, saying she was unaware of the source of the article.
“I have removed the report as it came from a source I do not agree with and thanks to a couple of people who showed me,” Johnson wrote."
The Union Leader had a few paragraphs about the story in the State House Dome column, with the heading "New rep sorry."
From the UL story:
“I want to apologize for a post I did the other day. I have removed the report as it came from a source I do not agree with and thanks to a couple of people (who) showed me,” Johnson wrote.
”I apologize again and will in the future look at the source closer before sharing content. God Bless and Happy Friday!”
As we learned above, an apology is an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret.
Rep. Johnson expresses regret for posting "from a source she does not agree with." She does not, however, express regret for the CONTENT of what she posted. This is not an apology. It's a weasely attempt at ass covering.
Johnson got caught posting anti-semitic garbage from the Daily Stormer. (During Hanukkah!) She didn't accidentally fall on her keyboard, click on the Daily Stormer site and repost their material by accident. She went to that site on purpose, and reposted material that she agrees with.
There is no way for her to apologize for that. What can she say, "Sorry I'm an anti-Semite, but I'll try to do better?" Instead, she made up a lame excuse, and the NH media was all too eager to accept it as an apology. Why?
Because reporting it for what it is might upset people. Republican people, especially, and the NH media is always afraid to do that.
The NHGOP Twitter account has been silent since December 11. So has the Twitter account of Governor Sununu.
The NH Republicans want this to go away, so that they don't have to ask for her resignation. They'd rather keep a known white supremacist in the legislature than lose the seat, even when they have a 26 seat majority.
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