CNN’s Brooke Baldwin Issues Heartfelt Apology To Veterans Over Baltimore Riots Comments: Is It Enough?
Brooke Baldwin, the embattled CNN anchorwoman, has had a rough 24 hours after blaming veterans for part of the police brutality problem, which some say is directly to blame for the Baltimore riots.
While covering the riots for her employer, Baldwin muttered something she now wishes she wouldn’t have.
In an interview, she said the following while setting up a question.
“I love our nation’s veterans, but some of them are coming back from war, they don’t know the communities, and they are ready to do battle.”
To say there was backlash would be something of an understatement. When Brooke realized how many people were angry over the statement, she issued this tweet.
Folks. Please don’t misunderstand me. Dear friends/family of mine are veterans. I was repeating a concern vocalized to me lately. That’s it.
— Brooke Baldwin (@BrookeBCNN) April 28, 2015
That didn’t do much to appease.
@BrookeBCNN hard to misunderstand that! veterans who have no stake in Baltimore coming in ready to do battle? You should be fired! — Jim Pacheco (@Slammy50) April 28, 2015
@BrookeBCNN Sure… We heard you. Blame veterans “looking for combat.” Pathetic, and sad.
— Elefante (@Calle_Elefante) April 28, 2015
@BrookeBCNN you’ve made it pretty clear. We are dangerous, untrained, and racist. OOGABOOGA! Don’t expect us to fight for you. — Vitaly (@VitalyKroy) April 28, 2015
@BrookeBCNN Really, awful job. If that was your intent, you stepped in a massive pile. Truly terrible job. An apology is in order.
— Matt O’Brien (@Mattfobrien) April 28, 2015
That was just a sliver of the criticism Brooke Baldwin received for her first go at an apology, so on Wednesday morning, she followed up with a more direct statement, which you can hear below.
https://youtu.be/w_R8dx5yYQw
If you’re not at a place where you can watch a video, here is a summation.
“I absolutely misspoke,” Baldwin said. “I inartfully chose my words, 100 percent. And I wholeheartedly retract what I said… I have the utmost respect for the men and women in uniform. To all of you, I owe you a tremendous apology.”
That now said, how are veterans reacting to the Brooke Baldwin apology? It’s a mixed bag, really. Some were okay with it.
@BrookeBCNN most of us understood what you were trying to convey. Regardless, it never hurts to apologize when ppl are hurt so good for you. — Morgan (@itsMissMORGAN) April 28, 2015
@BrookeBCNN That’s a classy move.
— Michael Henry (@michaelhenry123) April 28, 2015
While others, not so much.
@BrookeBCNN Sorry doesn’t cut it — GR0170 (@GR0170) April 28, 2015
@BrookeBCNN The veteran community RELIES on people like you to get it right, and not propagate the angry vet stereotype.
— Mike Lyons (@MAJMikeLyons) April 28, 2015
But what do you think, readers? Has Brooke Baldwin exonerated herself? Should vets let this go, or continue to be angry given the fact that today’s apology was somewhat of a redo from her previous attempt? Sound off in the comments section.
