Here is a good entry for the “How not to apologize” hall of fame.
Self-declared male feminist and Democratic Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims has issued something approximating an apology this week after he harassed female pro-life protesters outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia.
What is funny is that his words of regret are not for the women he threatened and stalked. Rather, Sims reserves those sentiments for … Planned Parenthood?
“I will fiercely protect a woman’s right to make the best choices for her health & her body, unimpeded,” the Democratic lawmaker explained Tuesday on Twitter. “I also know that two wrongs don’t make a right, especially on the front lines of a civil rights battle. I can do better, and I will do better, for the women of Pennsylvania.”
I will fiercely protect a woman’s right to make the best choices for her health & her body, unimpeded. I also know that two wrongs don’t make a right, especially on the front lines of a civil rights battle. I can do better, and I will do better, for the women of Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/jURL1UX9qE
— Brian Sims (@BrianSimsPA) May 7, 2019
Sims had produced a series of videos that show him berating and threatening pro-life women as they quietly prayed outside an abortion clinic that he claims he has lived near for 15 years. One video, which is still available on Twitter, shows the lawmaker stalking an elderly woman whom he berates and insults repeatedly for being “old” and “white.” A second video, which is no longer available on Facebook, shows Sims confronting teenage women and encouraging his viewers to publish their identities and personal information online.
“What we’ve got here is a bunch of … pseudo-Christian protesters who’ve been out here shaming young girls for being here,” the state representative says in that latter video, ironically shaming young girls. “So, here’s the deal, I’ve got $100 to anybody who will identify these three, and I will donate to Planned Parenthood.”
On Tuesday, Sims uploaded yet another personal video in which he flirts with the idea that his behavior has not been great.
“As a Planned Parenthood volunteer and as a supporter, I fully understand, respect, and appreciate the non-engagement policy that they have,” he said. “And I would never want to do anything that interfered with the care that they are providing to their patients. As an activist and an advocate I know why pushing back against harassment and discrimination are a must even when they’re uncomfortable but last week I wasn’t a patient escort. I was a neighbor and a concerned citizen and I was aggressive.”
He adds, “I know that two wrongs don’t make a right and I can do better and I will do better for the men and women of Pennsylvania.”
This is not an apology. The women whom he harassed deserve more. So do his constituents, who whatever their leanings might want a decent human being representing them.
Sims puts in a lot of effort defending himself and praising Planned Parenthood. But there is nothing that comes close to him saying, “I am sorry I stalked you and tried to get people to publish your identities online.” People have been banned from social media platforms for less.
In fact, Sims makes no mention whatsoever of the three teen women he tried to doxx. The closest the Democratic lawmaker comes to issuing an apology is to say he regrets violating Planned Parenthood’s “non-engagement policy.” And on top of all of that, Sims has the gall to say, “two wrongs don’t make a right,” as if there is an equivalence between silent, peaceful protesters and an emotionally deranged lawmaker who speaks power to truth and has delusions of being an ambush journalist.
With supposed feminist allies like this, who needs enemies?
