Little Note on Public Apologies: A public apology, like last night’s from Trump, is meaningful even if it’s completely insincere. A proud man has been forced to at least slightly (not much!) humble himself, which is a penalty paid even if paid in bad faith (which I’m not saying it necessarily was). True, this isn’t like “little notes” of congratulation which, Mike Kinsley once argued, are more valuable the more insincere they are, and most valuable when sent through gritted teeth. But it shares some of the same qualities: even if inauthentic it’s a sign of respect for voters’ values. …