"How does one apologize for a lifetime of doing wrong? Through my past three years of recovery and rehabilitation, I’ve attempted to answer that question through action and understanding. In my life I’ve struggled deeply with an unnatural amount of hatred I’ve had towards myself. Most of my life I’ve been a scared hurt shame filled person, trying to mask my insecurities with false confidence and an outwardly negative behavior to validate myself as worthy. In a 2014 episode of DVDASA, I relayed a story simply for shock value that made it seem as if I had sexually violated a woman. Though I said those words, I did not commit those actions. It did not happen. I have ZERO history of sexual assault. I am deeply sorry for any hurt I’ve brought to anyone through my past words. Non-consensual sex is rape and it is never funny or appropriate to joke about. I was a sick person at the height of my mental illness ,and have spent the last 3 years in mental health facilities healing myself and dedicating my life to helping and healing others through love and action. I do not believe in the things I have said although I take full ownership of saying them. Additionally, I do not condemn anyone or have any ill will towards those who spread hate and speak out negatively against me, no one will ever hate me more than I hated myself back then. Today I’ve learned to love and forgive others just as much as myself. It’s been a rough journey but i am grateful to be alive and to dedicate myself to shining the light I have found within myself and live in service and gratitude. I am truly sorry for the negative words and dark messages I had put out into the world."



This comes across as a heartfelt apology by David Choe.

My quibble would be with the dogmatism highlighted in red, specifically the reference to "never".

It may be down to Choe being on the back foot at the time of drafting, with little room for manoeuvre, but I find that sentence as ill-considered as the podcast comments which got him into trouble in the first place.

Similar sentiments are expressed by individuals and groups who wish to ban jokes about, say, paedophiles, cancer, racism, the Holocaust, or terrorism — believing they have the right to not be offended. They'll also be the ones trying to get the likes of Chris Morris and Frankie Boyle kicked off our screens, or fighting for the reintroduction of blasphemy laws.