"Mistakes Were Made"

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, under criticism from lawmakers of both parties for the dismissals of federal prosecutors, said Tuesday “I acknowledge that mistakes were made here.”

I'm always supicious when I see an apology phrased in the passive. It makes a nodding acknowledgement that something bad happened while evading personal responsibility. Such expressions are inherently unethical because they remove the actor from the action. Whenever you see an expression like that, rest assurred that more lies are forthcoming.