I'm stunned. In his regular column in the Anchorage Daily News local pundit Dan Fagan has apologized for turning his political commentary into personal attacks.
Fagan has had a talk radio show in Alaska for many years. Several years ago he started writing a regular column in the Anchorage Daily News. When trying to describe Fagan to people who don't know him I call him 'Alaska's Rush Limbaugh.' But that's probably not quite fair. He never quite reached the complete blowhard level of Limbaugh but he would frequently make reality defying attacks on individuals.
His shocking confession and apology below the fold.
You can read the full article here: Fagan Apologizes
The article is pretty impressive. He starts by citing his faith:
Despite my inconstancy and unfaithfulness, God has always come through for me. He pulls me out of jam after jam. Through reading the Bible he gives me wisdom, insight and guidance.
After his intro he says that he had an epiphany which he expresses by quoting scripture:
It is found in Ephesians and says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Fagan then goes on to admit that he has been personally attacking people for years and states that he should focus on policy. The entire article is short and worth a read but this is the money quote:
I will tell you I am ashamed of the way I have conducted myself publicly in recent years and frankly I am embarrassed by it too.
I'm blown away. Imagine whatever local blowhard pundit infuriates you most. Now imagine these words coming from his or her mouth.
Fagan goes on to apologize by name to a small list of individuals who he attacked most frequently.
Of course, this doesn't change Fagan's policies. He doesn't apologize for wanting to deny women control of their own bodies, for believing that homosexuals don't deserve equality under the law and any number of other policy positions. But I think we can all agree that this change of tone would be good for the political discourse across the country.
I won't hold out hope that this kind of attitude could spread among pundits around the country. But it's still nice to see.