I caught this distasteful story about PA Lt Gov Catherine Knoll coming uninvited to a Marine’s funeral and mailing completely insensitive political comments and posted on it here. At that time I said an apology was not sufficient, that Knoll and Rendell needed to do more and resign. Looks like an apology is all anyone will get for now:

Written apologies will be sent to a fallen Marine’s relatives angered by Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll’s uninvited appearance at the soldier’s funeral and her criticism of the war in Iraq, Gov. Ed Rendell said Sunday.
Rendell said he will send a personal letter to the family of the late Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph Goodrich, of Westwood, and will ask Knoll to do the same. Goodrich, 32, a police officer and infantry unit leader, died July 10 in a mortar attack in Hit, Iraq.

Rendell said he hadn’t spoken with Knoll about the incident, but was disturbed by the family’s charge that she made a political statement against the war.

“It’s not the business of state government to support the war, but our state supports the men and women who are fighting this war,” Rendell said during an appearance in Mt. Washington.

This weasely comment is why I think Rendell should resign. There is no need to further politicize this funeral by caveating your apology. This is just unacceptable.

Rendell said he thinks Knoll, 74, of McKees Rocks, meant no harm by attending the memorial service last Tuesday. He believes Knoll gave her business card to a family member so that Goodrich’s family would have a contact within state government if they later needed help securing benefits.

“She goes to so many funerals because she cares so deeply,” Rendell said. “I don’t go to funerals unless I’m invited. I go to wakes because they’re public.”

More incomprehensible excuses. Sounds to me like he knew she was going to go.

“I’m going to talk to her,” Rendell said. “I think she should send a letter to the family, clarifying (her intentions). As head of the state, I’m going to also send a letter.”

Earth to Rendell: Forced apologies mean nothing.