Tom Hanks has a quick publicist who probably had the same reaction my seminary class did when they found out Woody put his Andy-tagged boot in his mouth "NO WAY!"Way. Here is his well coached (and I'm sure PR proofed) "retraction:"
"Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California’s Proposition 8 as “un-American.” I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience – nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are “un-American” creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use “un- American” lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have.
So you won't find "sorry" or "misjudged" or "wasn't quite thinking straight" in there, so by my marks it's a qualified statement of clarification more than an apology. "I should not have" is simply not going to cut it for me--it indicates neither remorse nor humble acceptance of error. It may placate some, but I'm going to chalk this one up as "scoffing" in the "attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers" (1 Nephi 8:27-28). I'm glad he said something, but it's what he didn't say that shows what he really thinks.Sincerely,
Tom Hanks.
