Dr. Laura Schlessinger responded to the outcry directed at her August 10 comments where she -- in her words -- “articulated the 'n' word all the way out -- more than one time.” In again apologizing for her comments, Schlessinger also slammed “the media” who “rebroadcast my error again and again and again, compounding the damage which shouldn't have done ... and never intended to do ... the effect has been that my words have offended many more people and there are many who are saying that they don't accept my apology.”

Schlessinger also criticized "[s]elf appointed activist types" that “breed hate, anger and destruction should anyone hold up a mirror or dare to disagree.”

Schlessinger's comments can be read in their entirety here.

From Schlessinger's August 16 blog post:

What I've Learned From the Events of the Past Week

To all of you who are listening to me right now, thank you for tuning in to my show today.

Last Tuesday I used a word that I have never used before on air. My intent was to help a caller but, by using that word, I did the exact opposite for her and for many others.

I realized immediately that articulating that word was wrong. I pulled myself off at the end of the hour. I was so upset with myself I was shaking.

That night I wrote my apology. That evening I gave Don Barrett, publisher of LARadio.com a statement which he published at 7am the next morning. I put the apology on my blog at 8am and sent an email to the 200,000 members of my online family to let them know that I would be issuing a full apology... that I would fully apologize for saying that word at the top of my show on Wednesday.

You can hear my full apology at www.drlaura.com.

The apology was from my heart. In over 30 years in radio this was the first such circumstance like this. And I promise you that it will never happen again.

Today, it is almost one week since I said the word. I'd like to talk to you about what has happened since... and what I have learned.

The day I said the word... I received a variety of letters and emails. There were many that expressed disappointment over what I did. Several of you said that you will have trouble listening to me again. I read one of those letters in my apology.

After I apologized, I got many more letters. Some asked me why did I need to apologize? A few said they were still upset at what I had done. Most of the letters I received, while expressing dismay with what I did in the first place were appreciative about my apology.

I want to make clear to you that my apology on Wednesday morning was without conditions... without hesitation... and at the time I made the apology, there were no demands for me to do so.

Despite my efforts and desire to express my remorse fully and publicly, It was not until Thursday evening that the news media reported this story. Since then I have received support from many of you thanking me for my apology and encouraging me to soldier on.

However, as the media has rebroadcast my error again and again and again, compounding the damage which shouldn't have done... and never intended to do... the effect has been that my words have offended many more people and there are many who are saying that they don't accept my apology.

When I receive calls from listeners who are upset because they have done something wrong and they want to make amends, I tell them that they must follow the four “R”'s -

Take Responsibility for your mistake. Make an immediate apology.

Show true Remorse. Don't try to explain away your action or defend it.

Repair what is within your power to Repair.

Make a commitment to never Repeat.

But there are things beyond my control. There will be people out there who will not accept my apology. I cannot control that. I hope they will listen to what I have to say. And watch what I do. But the only thing that is in my control is what I say and what I do.

What makes me sad is that, beyond the reasoned letters which I continue to get, I have heard comments from some broadcasters and letters from some people that cannot be described as anything other than hate-filled diatribes. This does not make me angry, but it hurts my heart.

My hope with my apology - heartfelt - immediate - uncoerced - was that the silver lining might be that a dialogue be started to stop hate and bigotry. I still hold out hope... but I am a realist and fear that there are those who want to encourage hate and anger.

When I first started out in radio, people DISAGREED...they didn't HATE and they didn't try to censor or destroy an opposing point of view. Instead...they argued and debated. Our society has changed dramatically. Self appointed activist types breed hate, anger and destruction should anyone hold up a mirror or dare to disagree. This environment is not only in radio and television...it is in politics and every other area of our society.

For those of you who don't accept my apology, I'd like to say... that's your choice. But I hope, in time, through what I say and what I don't say... through what I do and what I don't do... you will change your mind.

For those of you who accept my apology: Thank you. I hope I continue to earn your good will and grace.