Last week the editors of the New York Post offered a slight, defiant apology over the Sean Delonas cartoon depicting cops shooting a chimp and remarking that someone else would now have to write the stimulus bill — a gag that many found racist. Today, another apology appeared, this time on page two of the tabloid. It was written by News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch himself, and it felt like he was actually sorry about the whole thing:

Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people. Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted. Over the past couple of days, I have spoken to a number of people and I now better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused. At the same time, I have had conversations with Post editors about the situation and I can assure you — without a doubt — that the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation. It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such.

We wonder who Rupe talked to that got him so rattled? It certainly wasn't Al Sharpton. Maybe someone with actual power? In Washington perhaps? Regardless — this second, broader apology is a pretty big step. It extends to people who were even just insulted by the cartoon!

STATEMENT FROM RUPERT MURDOCH [NYP]
Earlier: Al Sharpton Says Post Cartoon Might Be Kind of Racist
Post Apologizes for Cartoon, in Its Own Way