The RCMP's "sames and opposites"

Vancouver, BC - One day before RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass publicly apologized to Robert Dziekanski's mother for the Mounties' role in his death, Bass emailed an RCMP member assuring him the apology did not mean the force was sorry for anything specific its officers did. ... [via TNT]

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass said, "...Your son's death is a tragedy and for the role the Force played in this tragedy, we offer our sincere apology. There are no words to express how sorry the RCMP is about your son's death and the pain this has brought."

Hmmm...

"...for the role the Force played in this tragedy, we offer our sincere apology..."

Hmmm...


The words from Comic-Singer Demetri Martin's "Sames and Opposites" [YouTube] might be applicable:

In life there are many things;
some of them are the same
and some are opposites.
...
Saying 'I apologize' is the very
same as saying 'I'm sorry';
...they're the same. ...
Unless you're at a funeral.
...

It's one thing to say "I'm sorry" in relationship to a death.

But when you apologize in relation to a death, it has an entirely different implication.

Trying to mince words doesn't change that.