They're Sorry. So Sorry

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It was a great week to watch famous people try to squirm out of bad situations. Pete Rose's confession that he bet on ball games came 14 years too late--and was insufficiently repentant--for many fans. But he had plenty of company. How sincere were the others in the headlines? That's for the rest of us to judge.

--By Elizabeth L. Bland

STEVE IRWIN

TRANSGRESSION The Crocodile Hunter host held his month-old son in one hand while feeding a 13-ft. crocodile with the other.

HOW CONTRITE? Initially defiant, he has been coming around: "I am sincerely sorry that I've scared people."

HILLARY CLINTON

TRANSGRESSION Speaking at a fund raiser, the Senator joked that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis.

HOW CONTRITE? Nauseatingly so. "I have admired the work and life of Mahatma Gandhi," she said. "I truly regret if a lame attempt at humor suggested otherwise."

JOHN ROWLAND

TRANSGRESSION The Connecticut Governor is accused of accepting gifts for the renovation of his lakeside cottage.

HOW CONTRITE? As only a politician in jeopardy can be. "I humbly ask for a renewed opportunity to earn back your trust," he told voters in a televised address.

ELECIA BATTLE

TRANSGRESSION Claimed falsely to have lost a winning lottery ticket.

HOW CONTRITE? "I'm not a bad person," she cried. Still, she was charged with filing a false police report.

BRITNEY SPEARS

TRANSGRESSION Married a childhood friend for one day.

HOW CONTRITE? Her lawyers said she "lacked understanding of her actions." We won't buy it until she sobs to Diane Sawyer.