You see, the word Sorry requires the same mouth formation as the words 'selfless' and 'sharing' and John's never been able to say these either. We think it's a genetically-driven speech impediment.
Famous Speech Pathologist.

Because 'Sorry' means losing face. But hang on, in John Howard's case, wouldn't that be a good thing? I mean, those eyebrows....
Cleo fashion stylist

Because saying Sorry is an admission of 'guilt'. John has never been wrong about anything.
John Howard's mum

Because John Howard is a mealy mouthed brat
Scarlett O'Hara

Firehorse thinks that John Howard refuses to say sorry because to do so would be to take responsibility for this and previous governments' roles in causing indefinable pain and suffering to aboriginal people. Part of taking responsibility would be to look at compensation, including FINANCIAL compensation and there's no way that Johnny and his conservative minions would dare consider giving cash to the blackfellas - might dip into the super.

So, we here at Firehorse are speaking up in support of what a lot of community leaders are suggesting at this point - that we bypass Howard altogether, because, lets face it, he aint gonna change his mind. Too many backflipping and subsequent 'weak leadership' issues to contend with. It'll be up to whomever wins the next election to take 'formal governmental' responsibility for this national shame.

Fortunately, many Australians are thinking the same way. Nowhere was this more evident than during the last fortnight when 250 000 and 70 000 people in Sydney and Brisbane respectively took to the streets in marches for reconcilliation. As a marcher in Brisbane I can only begin to describe the complete pride that I felt in my fellow BrisVegans. Each and every one may have had different perceptions of what words like reconcilliation, treaty and sorry meant, but everyone's basic emotional feeling towards the past and present treatment of aboriginal people was the same. Enough's enough. We have treated our indigenous people badly, we are sorry for it and we don't want it to happen in the future.

Scenes from the Walk For Reconcilliation, Brisbane, June 04, 2000.

In Brisbane, it was the biggest protest/peace march in history. On the three occasions where the skywriter wrote the word 'sorry' in the sky, the thunderous applause of 70 000 echoed throughout the city. Drivers driving past honked their horns in support, whilst tourists and passers by waved and cheered, fully supportive of this visual guesture. It was gratifying to see thousands of murri grins everywhere, as they soaked up the hope and genuine good vibes projected by the mass show of support.

Jim Soorley, Brisbane City Council leader, proved that he was bigger than City Hall when he took true responsibility as Mayor by apologising on behalf of the citizens of Brisbane. Even church leaders from a dozen different religions are currently marching from Canberra to Uluru in their own guesture of reconciliation on behalf of their congregations.

John Howard, listen up. You will not be around come the next election. This issue will become an even bigger cankering festering sore for you, and the Australian people will not let you get away with it. We're gonna watch you die a slow political death.

And WE, THE PEOPLE, will at the same time rejoice and offer our own personal contributions towards healing the nation.

We at Firehorse acknowlege the diversity & cultural value of each individual - let each of our our actions speak for themselves!

- Neriman Kemal

Bringing them Home - Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families

National ANTaR Site - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation

Felicity's Reconciliation Pages