Despite Sean Hannity’s racial theatrics designed to cast himself as a white, conservative Martin Luther King (and pay no attention to how he race baits against black liberals) crusading on behalf of the racially oppressed, acclaimed pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, it appears that Carson has finally and unequivocally apologized for his offensive comments likening same-sex marriage to pedophilia and bestiality.

In case you missed it, Carson said the following on the Hannity show in late March:

My thoughts are that marriage is between a man and a woman. It’s a well-established, fundamental pillar of society, and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn’t matter what they are. They don’t get to change the definition.

You may recall that Carson first responded to the ensuing uproar with a sort of non-apology apology “if I offended anyone.” Then he doubled down on his comments and played the victim, saying he had been misconstrued (just a few days after complaining about other people playing the victim card) at the same time that he more or less reiterated the sentiments. Then, Racial Crusader Hannity stepped up.

But, thank goodness, Carson has finally figured out that the only way out of this mess was a sincere apology. On Friday (4/5/13), he issued that apology. From Politico:

“As you know, I have been in the national news quite a bit recently and my 36 year association with Johns Hopkins has unfortunately dragged our institution into the spotlight as well. I am sorry for any embarrassment this has caused,” wrote Carson, who is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “But what really saddens me is that my poorly chosen words caused pain for some members of our community and for that I offer a most sincere and heartfelt apology. Hurting others is diametrically opposed to who I am and what I believe.”

“There are many lessons to be learned when venturing into the political world and this is one I will not forget. Although I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, there are much less offensive ways to make that point. I hope all will look at a lifetime of service over some poorly chosen words,” he said.

On the same day, his boss, Johns Hopkins’ CEO and Dean of the Medical Facility, Dr. Paul Rothman, issued a harsh assessment of Carson’s comments in a letter to the John Hopkins medical community: “(T)ension now exists in our community because hurtful, offensive language was used by our colleague, Dr. Ben Carson, when conveying a personal opinion. Dr. Carson’s comments are inconsistent with the culture of our institution.” However, the letter also affirmed Carson’s “right, as a private citizen, to state his personal views.”

Baltimore Sun media critic David Zurawik, commented:

The letter from Rothman puts an end to the politicized nonsense stirred up by Fox News and Hannity, one of its most compromised hosts. Carson’s words were not misinterpreted, and furthermore, his boss believes they were hurtful and offensive.

Let’s hope Carson is being more sincere in the apology he issued Friday as opposed to the ones he issued last week in interviews with the me (sic), MSNBC and CNN—words that he essentially took back when he attacked “liberals” in a variety of venues this week.

Indeed.