Today on CNN Newsroom
The latest news and information from around the world. Also connect with CNN through social media. We want to hear from you.
December 3rd, 2009
08:53 AM ET
Your Biggest Apology
Tiger Woods is just the latest in a long line of celebrities, politicians and others who have come forward and made public apologies for their “transgressions.”
We want to know about your biggest apology. What did you have to apologize about? And if you had to do it again, would you?
Post your comments and Heidi will read some of them in the Newsroom between 10 and 11am ET.
On Twitter
Great having you and Sandy on the show @TheEricBland .. #StephenSmith #Justice twitter.com/TheEricBland/s…
TN Lt Gov says he is taking a pause from social media. Our story for @AC360 here cnn.com/video/data/2.0…
How do you think #alexmurdaugh did on the stand? #murdertrial #murdaugh #southcarolina cnn.com/videos/us/2023…
RT @CNN: Correspondent @randikayeCNN breaks down the prosecution's evidence in Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial.
Watch here: https://t.…
RT @MikeSallah7: @CNN and @randikayeCNN splashed our story on Anna de Rothschild by @PittsburghPG and @OCCRP on @AC360, raising concerns on…
My biggest apology has been to my ex-wife while cheating on her during her pregnancy. While I don't regret the divorce, I regret the way I acted for it all parties involved; her, her family, and me. I would apologize again but it's no good unless I change my behavior.
My biggest apology hasnt happend yet im waiting for the Godly moment but heres how it will go forgive me God for I sined from having unclean thoughts about all the pretty girls on CNN.
Tiger Woods has finally fallen off that pedestal that we have all put him on. We should never wrap robes around anyone as we all have clay feet and will crumble sooner or later.
Every morning I wake up and feel compelled to apologize for my parents' mistakes. My life is about repaying their debt to society – to the children they hurt, to the people they cheated and disappointed, and to the friends they betrayed. I don't know if this makes them better people, but it allows me to not be so ashamed.
None of your business, Tiger woods said it best!
My biggest apology is one I still feel guilty about 8yrs later and I will carry the guilt of that to my grave ....Its telling my 3 grown sons how sorry I was that I had stayed in a domestic violence marriage for all of their childhood (28yrs) forcing them to have to chose to break the cycle or continue on with learned behavior.
I had to apologise for stupidity. My camera and GPS werre stolen out of my car because i forgot to lock it. My husband is in the military and was away for training for several months and because our car is registered in his name HE got the wake up call from our local police depatment at 5 AM saying his car doors were found open. He was so relieved that the police weren't calling to say anything more serious than that that he didn't even get mad at me, and so I felt even worse.
Heidi, nobody cares about viewers' apologies. People watch CNN to get reliable and beneficial political information... NOT to hear about some golf brat cheating on his gorgeous Swedish wife again. Our financial world is crumbling, foreign policy is failing, and we're wasting time with this Tiger Woods nonsense? CELEBRITIES AREN'T GODS. Leave the drama for the E! channel and stick to what CNN does best.
I slipped and hurt a close female friend, planning to fly to California for her wedding. I was having dinner at her place when a tv documentary was running a story about airlines restrictions on over weigh people. I asked her how–she– planned to get to California? When I realized what I implied, I felt terrible!
I don't have a "one moment" BIG apology that I have apologized for, but whenever I feel that I have wronged someone or have been in the wrong I face the parties involved and apologize. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's not...but it needed to be done every time, and I don't every regret saying sorry even when my apology is rejected.
Tiger Woods is only human. Everyone makes mistakes, some are big, some are little. But as a public figure and role model I respect him for being honest, even when he does have the media to face. So not only do the parties involved know, but the whole world knows. Someone who apologizes in THAT situation is someone to respect.
(Of course I have plenty of things to list about memorable, significant and difficult apologies, but my mind oddly enough went to a moment in my childhood, potentially serving as some comic relief if you end up airing mostly serious posts?)
When I was a little girl at a friend's birthday party, I did the silly prank where you pull out the person's chair from under them as they're sitting down. Only, the person was the birthday girl, it happened in front of everyone as she sat down from blowing out her candles, she fell back hitting her head on the glass door behind her (she was fine, the door was not). Guess I learned from an early age how to do "big apologies."
Why is Tiger or anyone else for that fact, apologizing to us. His transgression was against his wife and family. I don't remember him ever publicly stating that he was a faithful husband. We assume that because he plays golf well that he's also a husband. Since when does the two go together. Tiger is good golfer, and should be admired for that alone.
People need to stop making humans into gods. Well, believe it or not, men are not gods they are humans and humans tend to error. (That's why their are erasers on pencils and white out).
If we would do as Jesus said and put your faith and trust in GOD and God alone, then we wouldn't be up in arms when something like this happens. Sometimes God allows things like this to happen when we "worship" something or someone more than Him. Remeber the commandment, "Thou shall have no other god before me".
My apoligy is for people who cant have a little blog time fun on CNN theres nothing wrong with adding a little happy time with all the bad news now days.
My hardest apology was to my dog Nikita. For months, she would whine for no apparent reason. I didn't realize immediately, that she was telling me something was wrong. When I finallly took her for medical help, I should have insisted on bloodwork and other tests until we had an answer, instead of accepting a "non-diagnosis". By the time it was apparent to the Vet what was wrong with her, it was too late – she was suffering from acute diabetes. My precious Nikita died as I was picking her up to let her live the rest of her life at home. She may have forgiven me for not doing more to save her, but I cannot. This is a guilt I will take with me to my grave.
I am praying that the Woods family will weather this storm and come out stronger than ever just like a former president and his wife did about 12 years ago. what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and better.
Let the person who has not "transgressed" cast the first stone.
I have had many reasons to apologize throughout my life but the worst apologies to make are when you are innocent and trying to keep the peace at home.
The biggest and worst thing I am going to apologize for this holiday season is: Not having enough time to make all of the handcrafted gifts for the less fortunate who so badly need one. I had to many requests and understand many parents are now unemployed and need my free handcrafted toys so badly.
I faked my own suicide for my senior thesis in college. I was a theatre major, and I was exploring the realm of "Terrorism as Performance." This particular "performance" blew up in my face, obviously, and I had to live with the reality that I had created. It made the last two weeks at school difficult, but it was rather surreal living in a "what if I died" scenario". There are policy changes at the school, and my friends and I can at least talk about it now. But apologies are necessary especially when we do not think before we act.
Im not sure why we are hammering tiger so bad. It now seems like he is a horrible man. If it would have been the other way around we would all be saying that he must have done something to her. What is it with this double standard. As a military man for 17 yrs. I was married for 13 of them to which my spouse had an afair for 5 of them. There is a clear double standard here. we all have been talking about how much men cheat but no body is talking about how wemen are just as bad. I say we leave Tiger alone and let his wife decide what she wants to do. If it was me i would leave Tiger to show that this is not going to be tolerated in the U.S.A.
Heidi first of all I love you so much, you are one of the best journalist on CNN ever you always bring us the best news. I've had to make many, many, many, apologies throughout my 33yrs of my life, I was a troubled child who used to steal from my family, used to act up in school, and used to get fired from many jobs for stealing but Im never ashamed to have to apologize and people like Tiger Woods, Mike Huckabee, etc... when they make mistakes should never be afraid to apologize people look up to you more when you admit your wrong and apologize, and yes Heidi I've been reformed along time ago and never would do anything like that again,
Scott Stodden (Freeport,Illinois)
Heidi,
Apologies are never easy, one time during the holiday season, my boss who happens to be Jewish visited as he does weekly. For some reason I was constantly thinking of this and being very carefuly so as not to offend him. A heated discussion came up on something I can't recall now, but inadvertently and accidently made some crack about the very thing I was trying so hard to be careful of. Of course I immediately apologized profusely and was forgiven. Looking back it's that old irony of something you try so hard not to do, you do and can't take back. Since then it's never been an issue, and doesn't even cross my mind.
I feel I need to apologize for being an honorably discharged Vietnam Veteran; the way the news and Obama keeps throwing Vietnam in our face. Their was a commander and Chief that ordered us to do our military duty, we just did not wake up and say we wanted to go to the Vietnam war, it was not our choice. All the men and women that wore the US uniform should all be treated with the same standards no matter what war they served in. I'm sorry that I was invloved in the Vietnam war and I would be glad to fight this war but as a disabled veteran I cannot. I really feel that I need to apologize for doing the honorable thing and enlisting in the military to defend our country by the order of the Commander in Chief at that time, he told us we were defending our country. We were used by the government to test medications for PTSD so they would know what medications do help now. We were treated unfairly when we returned by the US citizens we were suppose to be defending. I have been watching CNN since 9/11 and my doctor tells me I should not due to my PTSD.
Dear Heidi,
I, myself, have suffered the consequences of an affair. The definitive scars are permanent; both the loss of trust, the inner emotional scar to the children and the respective families. Forgiveness is part of the healing process between the spouses, but the act is rarely forgotton. An affair is fleeting with no positive outcome. However; we are human and compassion should prevail.
If Tiger Woods has involved himself in a transgression, it truly is a personal matter and needs to be dealt solely with his spouse and family. An affair in itself is embarrassing; let Tiger handle it in his own way without scrutiny from the media.
not one direct communication in 3 years
my ost painful apology i had to make in my life was to acknowledge to my friends and family that i am a sinner but now thank god i can say i am saved daily i ask for forgiveness daily we are not perfect but we are redeemable practice not to judge but to accept forgiveness and to decline judging our sisters and brothers
I had to apologize to may family for staying in a relationship with an abusive woman who actually was just using me for her own career and ego.
I broke 13 years of sobriety when my sons were 10 & 12 and showed them a side of Mom that was frightening. They will never forget that year of binges and I regret that to my soul.
this story gave me a opportunity to look deep inside myself and iam not flawless and i need to be mindful of my thoughts and of my behaviour it can hurt or heal encourage or destroy others we are not alone dont convince yourself that you are
We are hearing lots of condemnation of Tiger’s behavior (rightfully so).
However, this incident causes me to wonder how many men would have the strength of character required to resist the sort of temptations Tiger’s celebrity status entails.
50% of the men in America, 20%, 2% ?
i've had to make many apologies sometimes for getting mad, for outbursts, and explain why I was upset, mostly it has to do with difficulties due to social anxiety but the point is that when I explain why I'm upset that does help clear the air so that the person I'm apologizing to doesn't have to go through feeling bad about a lot of things that maybe they are worried about. Please tell me why though I should be open with an impersonal news organization about something that is sensitive and personal. After all maybe you don't even care.
Well tiger, Welcome to the world of being a successful black man. You tried your best to to play for the home team, only one problem you have a permanent away jersey. Hopefully now that youve been kicked to the field with the rest of us you will better appreciate your heritage.
Yeah ! I bet this "Parvenik" who the hell am I is upset alright, that he didn't see the opportunity for himself and his wifey, if you know what I mean he should be grateful she didn't exploit him also for a TV and tabloid attention instead of Tiger and what kind of friend is he any way I hope Tiger never speaks two words to him ever again if he did in the first place. This hussie exploited Tiger and we have all been with movie stars at some point or another making us feel that it is all about us that they are there when all along there is a hidden underlining so to speak hypothetically to say. If he was Tiger's true friend he would have warned Tiger not to go near her for his sake because I am just guessing she wasn't sent to him by God. So if you are tiger's true friend you would be calling him and apolgizing to him for the situation she created because if she hadn't sent him signals I bet none fo this would be happening today and he wouldn't have to "Hate" his friend oop's ex-friend now.
I think we're making too much of this matter. His private life is his business. He was picked to endorse products because of his recognition as a golf champion and not because his marital status.
Tony Harris owes the CNN audience and Susan Boyle an apology for the comment he made this morning in reporting a story about Susan Boyle's sale of CD's We were angry and upset at his words and reference to Susan's voice coming from that face, implying she had a beautiful voice that was such a surprise after looking at her face. Frankly it was shocking.
Clayton, seriously?
@frazier you really did that? I don't believe you.
All men are dogs. Some are thoroughbreads and some are mutts. I believe Tiger is a thoroughbread who messed around with mutts.
He owes his wife and family an apology, not anyone else and I would not apologize to anyone else if I were him. It has nothing to do with his money. He made his vows to his wife and to God, not to the rest of us so please back off!!!
P.S.) Women are bogger doggetts and should be held to an even higher standard than men. Women are in control of the affair and unless they are raped can always say no to a married man. Why is it when a woman messes around with a man she knows is married, and he doesn't want to sleep with her anymore, she now wants to tell his wife and destroy not only him but his wife also. When will women stop being so ignorant and gullable when a man says he's leaving his wife and never does. I can count on one hand how many men actually leave their wives and go to the mistress. So women, please wake up and stop being so gullable. Married men rarely leave home and only tell you what they think you want to hear.
Bow wow i always was told by the girls i was a wolf but Tony ment no harm he just reports things as he see's them.
It's embarrassing, it's humiliating, that's the media. Should it be that way? Good question. Does it have to be that way? No. But if in the end Tiger Woods's wife stands up for what's right, and Tiger is truly sorry and has her in his arms then he and she are allright. That is, you know, ok, better, kind of happy...
Not trying to be rude to the media but I am saying that when something deeply personal like this is exposed to the whole country it is inevitably incredibly embarrassing and humiliating. But the couple can heal.
nobody is avbove the law...if its the truth its public knowledge...if tiger didn't want anyone to know or talk about what he did,i guess he should never have done it...hes a fool if he thinks him n his family have diffrent rules then the rest of us... thank you jme frost