Hereword

We remember Bill Clinton's deeply shameful situation a decade or so back, and how he squirmed and mumbled redfaced during his woefully embarrassing public 'apology' to America?

Ironically, much of the globe squirmed every time that utter dunce, President Dubya, even opened his mouth.

We Brits in the 80's had a string of Politicians making laughable public excuses before assembled news reporters at the gates of their homes (wives and kids dutifully standing to attention, like a Victorian postcard!), for some gay/fetish sex scandal- or 'slipping and falling inside a gentleman' as Little Britain puts it?

There was that redoubtable US WWII General, old 'Blood and Guts' George Patton who, after slapping a hospitalised GI in Sicily in 1943, who was recovering from 'battle fatigue', was forced by his superiors, Ike and Bradley, to make a very public apology speech to the army.

Which other historic speeches were shameful or humiliating for the speaker?

Carlisle Blues

Flavius Belisarius

I always hate having to make a public apology when this happens to me...



Back to the point, the Larry Craig apology looked to be especially painful to his onlooking wife.

pikeshot1600

On orders from General Eisenhower, George Patton publically apologizing to soldiers present at the "slapping incident."

tjadams

or

leakbrewergator

Gyokuon-h

Had to be embarrassing for Hirohito.

botully

Nixon's a good pick, but the Checkers speech was far from humiliating. It turned into a triumph, of sorts, and completely revived Nixon's political viability.

How about Spitzer? Anyone else think one of these wives should do a "spit take" when hubby confesses?

Carlisle Blues

Nixon is always good material for humiliation and triumph. I admire him and revile him for many reasons.

Here is his speech regarding being "kicking him around". This is also very telling in his perspective regarding how he was viewed from the Hiss case through this "last" press conference and speaks to anger and public humiliation.