Uber Allis

Thus far I've never taken an Uber.  That may change at some point for all I know, but thus far I've avoided them.  It's been for a few reasons, but three stand out.  One is that, while I understand they cost less that a  taxi, that's because cabs are licensed and have to pay a lot of money for a medallion.  It's not because they want to price gouge.  Another is that the concept is basically that you're getting into the car of a total stranger who is not responsible to a company or anyone.  It's just still a creepy idea to me.  Perhaps I'll get over that, perhaps not.  And the third reason is that I've always found their corporation reprehensible on a bunch of levels.

If those don't bother other people, and they think the advantages transcend anything else, fine, I completely understand.  These are just my own personal reactions.

​And then came this yesterday from Axios on its HBO TV show --

Uber CEO on Saudi Arabia's killing of Jamal Khashoggi: "It's a serious mistake. We've made mistakes too, right, with self-driving ... So I think that people make mistakes. It doesn't mean that they can never be forgiven" pic.twitter.com/EvinRrh3SE

— BNO News (@BNONews) November 11, 2019

Among other things about this ghastly comment (comparing to kidnapping, murder and dismemberment of a journalist -- who was a U.S. resident, as well -- to "self-driving"?  Seriously???), it should be remembered that unlike other crimes, murder has no statute of limitations -- meaning it's basically the only crime that society doesn't "forgive" after 10 years.  Or ever.

That aside, it's important to watch this clip to the end, because it notes the Uber CEO followed up with a "clarification." In fairness it's an extremely good clarification, saying that he had something in the moment that he didn't believe, and the murder was reprehensible, and should not be forgotten or excused. In equal fairness it was most probably written by a lawyer who the moment he saw the video likely had his hair set on fire and screamed, "OH, MY DEAR GOD, WE HAVE TO FIX THIS!!!!!"

For the record, that additional comment was not a "clarification," as it tries to state, but rather an apology -- just one without having to stoop to the word "apology."  He not only should have stooped to word, he should have groveled and begged forgiveness.