Epstein's Apologies

I have come into possession of 3 drafts of apologies drafted *by* Epstein. They were all drafted in early 2008. Read them and come to your own conclusions:

# 1 As a child growing up, I was taught to apologize. One apologized for any number of things, and I recall thinking it was unfair when I had to apologize for something I didn’t do or something I didn’t think was my fault. As I’ve grown older, I’ve said ‘I’m sorry’ for events unrelated to me but where an event or outcome caused distress or pain. Those apologies are an expression of sympathy, a way of saying we care about our fellow human beings.

I have been wrestling energetically with the challenge of how to apologize for actions of mine which caused distress to parents, distracted our courageous members of law enforcement and caused long time friends to question my judgment.

It is too painful to rehash events which have been prominently featured, if mischaracterized, in our local headlines. I fervently hope it will be acceptable for me to simply offer to the community my apologies for associating with young women who turned out to be under the age of eighteen. While some may question my assertion, I did not know. Truly. And I apologize.

Lawyers argue against apologies on the theory that they are an admission of guilt. I disagree. There are now enough facts on the public record for people to make up their own minds. So I hope my apology will be noted and taken as evidence of my concern for my neighbors here in Palm Beach.

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# 2 I wish to apologize to my neighbors and friends for my actions which brought scandal and shame to my name and to assure them that I will conduct myself appropriately in the future.

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# 3 To my neighbors:

William James, the great 19th century medical doctor and religious philosopher, wrote an essay in which he talks about two hours we face, the hour of terror and the hour of satiety. The latter means that time when someone has everything – is “sated” – and asks “Is this all there is?”

I’ve been blessed during my life. I’ve taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the American dream. The rewards have been substantial, but I’ve experienced that second hour. My life was satiated, and I failed to ask what was really important. What’s important is to live so that first hour, the terror of death, is erased by having lived to make a difference in the lives of others. I’ve been forced to ask myself what’s important, and my choices will be different in the future.

This isn’t the place to review the sensational charges you may have read about. There are enough facts on the public record for anyone who wishes to review and make up his or her own mind. Please accept my sincere apologies for my selfish actions which have embarrassed me, caused my friends to question my judgment and taken a great deal of time on the part of all levels of law enforcement authorities. Again, this is a public and heartfelt apology.