Rihanna 'Appalled' by Chris Brown's Public Apology

Rihanna has not yet come out of her hiding place nor did she comment on her alleged altercation with Chris Brown which occurred last weekend, but a longtime friend of her has revealed to the Chicago Sun-Times that the songstress was "appalled" by the public apology Chris has issued.

Rihanna, according to the source, expected Chris to give details about their blow-up instead of simply saying he was "sorry and saddened" over what has happened.

"All of us, including Rihanna, don't understand how he can say he's sorry on the one hand, but still ... does not admit any guilt," so the Barbados-based friend said. "He should have expressed more contrition."

Elsewhere in Los Angeles, a close associate of Rihanna told the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday, February 16 that the sexy Barbadian performer was "royally pissed off" by Chris' statement. She even branded his comment as "cavalier and arrogant".

It's been more than a week after reports of them getting involved in an alleged physical fight dominate the headlines, but neither Rihanna nor Chris Brown has shared with the public the truth behind the incident. Both of them reportedly have been spending time with respective family and friends.

As of Chris Brown, he in the meantime is awaiting for his next court appearance, scheduled for March 5.

U.S. Army apologizes for "John Doe" letters

The Army said on Wednesday that 7,000 family members of soldiers killed in the Iraq or Afghan wars mistakenly were sent letters addressing them as "John Doe."

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., was sending a personal letter to all the families who received the improperly addressed letters as the result of a printing error, the Army said.

The 7,000 original letters were sent late last month to inform survivors about private organizations that offer gifts, programs and other assistance to families that have lost soldiers in Iraq or other countries where they are deployed for the war on terrorism.

It was sent from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command's Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Center in Alexandria, Va., which issued a formal apology Wednesday.

'Dear John Doe'
The letters, which were printed by a contractor, were to have been automatically addressed with the specific names and addresses of survivors, said Paul Boyce, an Army spokesman. Instead, they contained the placeholder greeting — "Dear John Doe."

"It's our fault for not catching it," he said. "We are certainly sorry."

Casey's personal note to the families alluded to the fact that he lost his own father in Vietnam and it said the Army is extremely sensitive to family grief.

An apology also was being posted on the human resources Web site, Boyce said.

"There are no words to adequately apologize for this mistake or for the hurt it may have caused," Brig. Gen. Reuben D. Jones, the Army adjutant general, said in the statement to be posted.

Boyce said all the other information in the letter regarding the assistance organizations was correct.

"It is important the original intent of the letter is not lost," Jones' statement said. "The organizations mentioned are dedicated to honoring loved ones and recognizing their sacrifice and commitment."

I would love to get my readers thoughts on this, especially if there are any readers with relatives in the U.S. Army.