Entry 8:

Meghan,

I have my doubts that Brad Pitt was actually "showing" sophistication, although it's possible that what he said might be open to sophisticated interpretation. Anyway, I'm not supposed to mount a spirited defense of the institution of marriage, am I? I also have to admit that I have no idea who Ellen Fein is. What does it mean to be a "guerilla" husband finder? It doesn't sound very romantic. I don't mind cans of worms, but I'm not sure what to do with this one.

I'm mildly surprised to find you as worked up about all those apologies you mention, particularly the one issued by the U.S. Navy. I guess there are two ways to think about an apology situation: From the point of view of the one apologizing and from the point of view of the aggrieved. The apologizer, as you suggest, has a sort of hopeless job and can only hope to "make amends" and "demonstrate remorse." What does the aggrieved want? Your hypothetical better message from the Navy points to the answer: justice. This, of course, suggests that it's not exactly true, as the apologizer believes, that "nothing more can be done about the situation." Justice can be done, always and no matter what the circumstances. Or so the aggrieved tend to believe.

Even as we speak, of course, it's been argued elsewhere in Slate that Clinton ought to "grovel" for forgiveness regarding the foolish Marc Rich pardon. This is what Fukuyama was trying to say, I suppose, in his WSJ piece, and perhaps it's a good idea--assuming that you're interested in Clinton finding a way to salvage his "legacy," which I'm not. But I have a feeling that even if Clinton could muster authentic contrition, it would not be enough because for whatever reason a very large number of people seem to agree with your line that most such apologies are more about assuaging guilt than anything else. And if you start from there, then obviously no apology--from the Navy, Clinton, or anyone else--can really measure up. But this says as much about the expectations of the aggrieved as it does about the intentions of the sorry.

Which leaves us where? Well, somewhere close to the realm of farce, I guess. Not surprising, since this line of thought all sprang from the Journal's op-ed page.

Lacking answers, I'll resort to questions. What is Titus? Do you follow Temptation Island? Have you made new friends in Nebraska?

I never got around to watching Temptation Island, but I do like reading about the various new concepts for reality shows, and I gather there's one in the works that is a "real life version of The Love Boat." Which reminds me: Happy birthday to Gavin MacLeod. He is 70.

rw