That sorry seems to be the hardest word
That's an excerpt from an Elton John song entitled Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word, and it could be food for thought for Mayor Bratina this week, as he reflects upon the comments made by former Mayor Fred Eisenberger to The Hamilton Spectator.
Upon review of Mr. Eisenberger's comments, and while focusing on the comments that Mayor Bratina made that are the most indefensible, it is clear that the Mayor ought to issue a sincere apology to Mr. Eisenberger. Belittling the former Mayor's employment position and mocking the organization that the former Mayor heads, was in bad form.
This is not a Bratina vs. Eisenberger thing for us. We'd have made the identical comments if it were Eisenberger who made the comments. This is also not a slam against Mayor Bratina. People make mistakes; it's what happens next that counts.
Sorry is a difficult word to say and mean, but it is also a powerful word and when said sincerely, demonstrates that we can rise beyond our mistakes and be humbled by them.
The Hamiltonian
Teresa. You said this with elegance and class. I hope the Mayor does the same.
ReplyDeleteSevern
I would have added my own little rant, but I could not have said it any better. Great write up and I agree 100%
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It takes integrity to makes things right when you know that you may have caused harm to another. An apology is in order. I don't agree with Fred placing an article in The Spec, but hey, we are only human and one can only take so much. I believe the onus is on Bratina this time around. He started it, and it is up to him to finish it and put it to bed.
ReplyDeleteMaggie
Very well said Teresa, I agree with you 100% I hope Mayor Bratina takes the high road on this & offers up a sincere apology to our former mayor!
ReplyDeleteMayor Bratina's petty sniping has always seemed to me to be a needless garnish on his just-between-us bull sessions on CHML and elsewhere. It's unbecoming for all the reasons outlined here by Teresa and elsewhere by Mr. Dreschel.
ReplyDeleteIn his inaugural address, Mayor Bratina spoke of the need to "heal the rifts that divide our City" and "setting personal motives aside".
Moreover, Mayor Bratina made a promise: "Our business will be conducted by me on your behalf with courtesy in language and deportment, and respectful of all."
It seems that these things are easier said than done.
Mocking the Canadian Urban Institute is also bad form because it spits in the face of CUI Board member (and Hamilton Community Foundation as President & CEO) Terry Cooke.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that idea, Bratina is too full of himself to admit he was wrong. We, as voters, can fix this problem in 2014, at the ballot box. Until then we will have to put up with it, that's Hamilton, get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI thought The Hamiltonian had a policy of not forming an opinion? Has that policy ended with this Opinion?
ReplyDeleteThis is one of a few opinions we have posted. We do this sparingly and each such article is clearly marked as Opinion. This comes on the heals of a poll we posted, in which over 80% of respondents supported The Hamiltonian posting opinion articles from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor and the morning man are two different things. And sometimes defiance is a fool's posture.
ReplyDeleteSorce
Although I only had a tiny taste of what others said during my campaigning that were false, fairytale like or non flattering; it seemed obvious to me to just let the ‘mud slinging’ slide...
ReplyDeleteMr. Eisenberger’s first two paragraphs and his “thoughts” were wise and IMHO, he would have shown that he is the bigger man if he had stopped there. He chose not to, and I for one do not see what any of his words have accomplished.
If these two men have differences of opinions, I would suggest that ~for the love of their beloved City~, they keep it to themselves.
No comments on a radio/tv program, no comments in a newspaper.
Work on the positions you were hired to do and air the laundry in private.
I certainly have no expectation of hearing nor reading about an apology. Frankly, I do not care what either man think of each other or who did what, when, where or why.
My preference is that we~ as citizens ~are respected enough to be able to decipher what is fact from fiction, and have our Elected Officials stick to solving our most present issues.
“Sorry seems to be the hardest word” ~It’s a sad, sad situation...and it’s getting more and more absurd.” (lyrics in the song~ very fitting)
Have a great evening everyone.
We've got Bob on the Radio
ReplyDeleteWe've got Larry on TV
We've got Fred in print
"The Medium is the Message"
saying a whole lot of nothing!
You are expecting class. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteMocking CUI also serves to insult the immediate past CUI CEO Glen Murray. Murray happens to be a highly respected Provincial Cabinet Minister who has been very supportive of Hamilton. How could Bratina possibly think that would help the city. Obviously, he was so preoccupied with landing a cheap shot on Fred that he didn't consider the consequences or decency of his action.
ReplyDeleteGood Job shooting yourself in the foot, Hamiltonian.
ReplyDeleteDo you really think you'll get anything from the Mayor's office now? Every request in the future will be preceded with the thought - "Oh yeah, those are the guys who said I was wrong and should have said sorry."
Maybe he will apologize, I'm leaning towards not, and this just goes away.
But he'll always remember your opinion piece.
Gabriel:
ReplyDeleteThank-you for your comment. The record will show that the Mayor has been treated fairly on The Hamiltonian.
We have no regrets.
The Hamiltonian Admin
Don't change a thing Hamiltonian. That's what puts you above the rest. Just say it the way it is. We don't need kissy butt theatre.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Mayor Bratina has had a fair shake on The Hamiltonian. I read both positive and negative things about him here and let's face it, The Hamiltonian is not responsible for what he says or does. Keep reporting the way you have. I think you have been very fair. I agree with your opinion on this too.
ReplyDeleteSevern
It takes a big man to apologize. Don't hold your breath on this one.
ReplyDelete