Michelle Malkin has been chasing down Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knall's response to the outrage at her conduct at the funeral of SSGT Joseph Goodrich.

Knoll won't speak publicly about her conduct. She won't hold a press conference to take questions about her conduct. She won't take press phone calls on the matter. She is even refusing calls from constituents and veterans groups on the matter.

And here is her "letter of apology".

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2005 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Office of the Lieutenant Governor Commonwealth News Bureau Room 200, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120 LT. GOVERNOR CATHERINE BAKER KNOLL LETTER OF APOLOGY HARRISBURG: July 25, 2005

Dear Mrs. Goodrich,

I am writing to further apologize and clarify what happened at the funeral of your beloved husband, Joseph. As a wife and mother, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to lose your spouse so suddenly. As an adored member of your family and one of PennsylvaniaÂ’s sons serving with soldiers from across the commonwealth, SSGT Joseph Goodrich, is one of this nationÂ’s heroes.

As I said in my phone message to Rhonda, after I learned through press reports that your family was offended by my attendance, I was incredibly upset. I wanted to assure you once again that my intention was not to add to what must be a tremendously, heartbreaking, difficult period.

The war on terror is an immensely personal conflict for the thousands of people whose families continue to serve with honor, and I have attended dozens of funerals to offer my sympathy and condolences to the families of soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

My heart and prayers are with your family, and to the families of all the men and women serving the cause of freedom in the fight against terror. I unfortunately, did not arrive at the church services for SSGT GoodrichÂ’s funeral in time to offer my personal condolences to you. As I also mentioned on RhondaÂ’s phone message, as I do with many Pennsylvanians I meet, I offered my business card so she could contact me, and as a sign of my willingness to help the family through this difficult time in any way I can. To do anything that was deemed insensitive was completely counter to my intent.

Sergeant GoodrichÂ’s service was beyond the call of duty. If my regard for his familyÂ’s grief was seen another way, it is thoroughly regrettable. The fact that you have been offended deserves and receives my most profound apology.

I will continue to support our troops in my role as Lt. Governor and support our President as an American. That I somehow conveyed an impression that was interpreted as other than that will forever be saddening and upsetting to me.

Again, please accept my heartfelt apology and deepest sympathy.

Sincerely,
Catherine Baker Knoll
Lieutenant Governor

Let's assume that the explanation of the business card issue is accurate. It sounds sort of reasonable, and is at least plausible. I'd be willing to let that go -- EXCEPT for what she conspicuously leaves out of the "apology".

Yeah, that's right. There is something that is not addressed.

You know. The comment.

"I want you to know our government is against this war."

The letter completely fails to address what she said to this hero's family in the church during the funeral. She glossed over the most egregious offense by saying she 'supports the troops' -- and offered a Durbinesque apology for impressions, feelings and interpretations by the family. SHE NEVER APOLOGIZES FOR WHAT SHE SAID!

More commentary from The Anchoress, Bill Hennessey, Rambling's Journal, Brian J. Noggle and Blackfive.

Posted by: Greg at 10:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 612 words, total size 4 kb.