I’m guilty
I’ve seen my share of non-apology apologies over the years and so let this not be that.
That’s because this week I pleaded guilty to drunk driving after an arrest in June.
I’ve been mum on the subject, which is not in my character. To be honest, a lot of this silence was just sheer embarrassment.
Now that the legal part of this is concluded, I can say: I’m guilty and I take full and total responsibility for my actions.
I recently had the chance to personally thank the state trooper who pulled me over, not for just potentially saving my life that day, but potentially saving the lives of others I put at risk by getting behind the wheel while drunk. Clearly, I had not learned my lesson following two previous arrests, in 1991 and 1999, for essentially the same crime.
There’s been some deliberate and malicious misinformation (and grave-dancing) out there about my case and about me from folks who aren’t on my Christmas card list. For them, perhaps it’s not entirely about the issue of drunk driving, but I’ll save my response to them for another day: I don’t want to detract from the real sense of penitence and shame I feel over this.
This is not something to be spun and my conduct marks a personal low for me and me alone.
This week, the week of my guilty plea, also is the anniversary of the deaths of my parents: one by suicide, the other by heroin overdose. They both struggled with depression and addiction throughout their short lives. So I understand the stakes here in the clearest terms and I also understand that the victims of drunk driving and their families are owed more than pretty words or explanations. Penitence will need to take the form of action.
So I resolve to amend my actions. I have many faults, but speaking without conviction isn’t one of them. Know that, in this sorry mess, I’m sorry for my reckless and irresponsible acts and that I will work as I go forward to earn the mercy I think that I have been shown, and to be worthy of whatever mercy I still may need.
Look, anyone who reads Blogging Blue knows I’m no fan of Graeme Zielinski, but this piling on by puny Repugnantcan punks makes me want to puke, so here’s one for GZ going out to all you sorry assed, no good stinkin’ reprobates:
Thanks for posting that Steve!
Some of your critics apparently live in glass houses yet they are there to throw the first stone. Fear not……. they are not your judge! Forgiveness is hard for some and politics has become a DIRTY business so go forward knowing that these people matter not in your recovery. Continue to speak with conviction but choose words that do not insult or disparage the character of others nor detract from your message.
On a daily basis Graeme insults and disparages people. Have you looked at this twitter feed?