http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/08/25/opinion/schieffer/main570003.shtml
Mea Culpa 

WASHINGTON, August 24, 2003 

(CBS) Weekly commentary by Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer. 

Last Sunday I took a swipe at the political leaders who were playing the 
blame game over who was at fault for the blackout, while the people who were 
caught in the blackout were putting politics aside and just helping each other 
cope. I remarked that a long time ago someone said that in wartime, there are
no atheists in foxholes. And I reckoned that there were no partisan Republican or 
partisan Democrats in a crowded subway car stalled underground in pitch-black 
darkness. 

Well, I did not hear from any partisan politicians, but I did hear from 
scores of atheists, two of whom said they were in the military serving in
Baghdad.  In various and in no uncertain terms they reminded me that freedom of religion 
also means the right not to believe and they said my remark unfairly 
challenged the sincerity of their views. 

I am a believer and that is central to my life, but they are correct. They 
have every right to their belief and I would never challenge their sincerity.
On this one, we all come to the table with equal expertise. So to all of you who 
took offense, I can only say that none was intended and I regret a poor 
choice of words. 

Well, let me amend that slightly. I direct those words to all who wrote, 
except the guy who capped his criticism by calling me a `doddering old retard.'
He has my personal invitation to stuff it. 



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