A Very Wrong Symbol: Apologies of the Week

An inappropriate story illustration and a first responder's lament from the heart were among the apologies to make headlines this week:

• The TV news: "Regrettably, we failed to recognize that the artwork we chose to accompany the story contained an offensive symbol. ... We are extremely embarrassed and we deeply apologize."—WGN-TV, after it illustrated a Yom Kippur story with a Star of David badge, a Nazi symbol.
• Caught red-handed: "I am endlessly sorry that we have disappointed this trust. I apologize in every way to our customers, to authorities and the whole public for the wrongdoing."—Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, over dieselgate. He is no longer CEO.

• Heartbreaking: "I did everything I was ever trained to do but I was unsuccessful. The image of his face as I gave him his last breaths and pumped his chest will never leave me. Michael (I believe his name was), wherever you are now, please know that I am so sorry to you man. I am sorry I failed you. I’m sorry you lost your life so soon."—First responder Manny Ballestas, in an emotional Facebook post to the family of an 18-year-old Florida student who died after collapsing.
• Still sorry: "Four years ago, I made a serious mistake. There is nothing I can do to undo what I did. I can only say again how sorry I am to those I let down, and then strive to go forward with a greater sense of humility and purpose."—David Petraeus, testifying before a Senate committee.
• Oh, no: “Our cleaners apparently failed to clean all of the seatback pockets.”—United Airlines, apologizing after a couple found a full barf bag in a seat pocket that spilled on them.