An all-purpose apology

Ready? Bring in the media

William Falk

Since political sex scandals now erupt every few months, I am offering, as a public service, the following all-purpose apology, to be clipped and saved for those occasions when lies will no longer do. I have helpfully provided some alternative phrasing that should cover virtually any circumstance. Ready? Bring in the media.

Some time ago, I suffered a severe lapse of judgment that led me to:

(a) have an inappropriate relationship with an intern who said I was "hot"

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

For this, I take full responsibility, and apologize to:

(a) my wife

(b) my children (both legitimate and out of wedlock)

(c) my constituents

(d) and all Americans, living and dead

I am not resigning at this time, until I see what hard evidence turns up, but I do take full responsibility for:

(a) my sins

(b) my sex addiction

(c) being such an incredible effing moron

I am now:

(a) checking into a cushy rehab in Malibu

(b) embarking on a deeply spiritual journey of self-discovery and contrition

(c) arranging for a castration

(d) hiring the most ruthless lawyers and damage-control specialists I can find

While I do so, please respect my family’s privacy. It’s no excuse, but I engaged in this lapse of judgment because:

(a) when "Mr. Happy" becomes enthused, it cuts off blood flow to my brain

(b) I feel so passionately about my country that I needed to blow off some steam

(c) I have such great pecs

(d) I am a creepy old horndog

I take full responsibility for that. In conclusion, may I ask you to join me in praying for:

(a) my soul

(b) any woman who comes within 10 feet of me

(c) an even more lurid sex scandal, so that you’ll forget about this one

Thank you.

William Falk

William Falk

William Falk is editor-in-chief of The Week, and has held that role since the magazine's first issue in 2001. He has previously been a reporter, columnist, and editor at the Gannett Westchester Newspapers and at Newsday, where he was part of two reporting teams that won Pulitzer Prizes.