You’re right. You’re absolutely right! Those of you who shuddered at last week’s broadside against all politicians may pull a seat up to the table while I eat an appetizer of crow. Those of you who didn’t shudder, you are welcome, too. There’s enough room at this table.

However, mind you, this is just an appetizer, not a four-course meal. I’m not even eating an entire sandwich. Maybe a biscuit, with a side of crow. Whatever the quantity, this is a formal invitation that doesn’t come often, so make the best of it. Glory in my humbling now while you have the time.

My bad. I’m sorry. I readily admit, after being firmly and faithfully admonished by a reader that I painted myself squarely into a corner using a rather broad brush. For the record, I know that all politicians are not convicts. Not all senators are swindlers. Neither are all congressmen shysters. I was wrong to proclaim such, and I publicly ask forgiveness to those who fill an elected office with honesty, integrity and a pure heart.

A dying breed they may be, they nonetheless have not yet crossed the line into extinction, and while I in no way attempt to justify the lumping together of good government officials with unscrupulous delinquents, I still remain disgruntled and indignant at those who readily misuse and abuse their power in governing as well as those who live hinky lives in spite of their lofty positions. Perhaps I should have used the same mathematical equation that Henry Kissinger used to come up with his declaration which states, “Too bad 90 percent of politicians give the other 10 percent a bad reputation.”

Yes, sir, too bad because last week I failed to even consider that there still exist the other 10 percent. Ten percent, 5 percent, 20 percent? I don’t know how many have been wrongly accused of being dirty just because they colleagues were caught playing in a mud hole.

I often cringe when people leer at me as a preacher in much the same way that they give the Ted Haggards of this world the once-or-even-twice-over. Yes, my frustration, aimed at our current political condition, did strong arm my preferable judgment and filled this soapbox with generalities, thus painting every politician in a rather poor light.

I neglected to qualify many of my statements and for a season was afflicted with the same malady that befell the great fable writer Aesop who said, “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”

I tripped and fell into the same hole that Mark Twain did when he said, “It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress.”

It’s comical, somewhat truthful, but comical to read what they said with their tongues grazing their cheeks. But to those incorrectly characterized by what I wrote, who read it, humor was their first or second response, and for that I do sincerely apologize. I can’t with absolute certainty say that it will never happen again, but I promise to exercise my due diligence to insure that it won’t.

Now, what’s for dessert?

Please send your comments to Michael Andrzejewski at preacher@mbcportugalmissions.com