I think the issue is essentially dead.  We have heard all the apology we will get, I wager.

I would be more satisfied were it not for two things.

First, it has to do with his assertion this was a joke.  I can buy that as being plausible, and the initial reports seemed very reasonable.  But his later explanations seem to keep getting more and more elaborate, which as most parents know, is a sign your kid is lying, as they embellish the story to make it more believable.  So far we have hear 4 slightly different variations.

The other reason is the apology itself.  Let’s deconstruct it.

Statement of Senator John Kerry

As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.

OK, here he does take some responsibility.

I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform,

I have a low opinion of the ACLU, that is fairly obvious.  I won’t go into detail why again.

But I am also fair enough that I have always given them credit when they come down on the proper side of an issue, as they did last week.  Even a broken watch is right twice a day.

The scene was the rally at Bellevue Community College (BCC) last week, sponsored by Sen Maria Cantwell (D) and featuring Sen Barack Obama (D).

The rally was published to the school and all students were invited to attend.  Additionally, several teachers canceled classes so students could attend and write a report on the rally’s activities.

5 such students showed up to attend the rally but were denied entry by the Cantwell campaign staff for wearing Mike McGavick tee shirts.  Mike is the Republican candidate for Maria’s Senate seat.  The young men were physically ejected from the line.  BCC attempted to intervene but the staffers refused claiming they had ultimate authority to reject anyone as they had the hall rented.  That point is under dispute, as the whole campus was invited.