Not surprisingly, there hasn't been a public outpouring of sympathy for Alex Rodriguez. Even after a press conference to address questions about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, most people still think A-Rod is a cheater -- regardless of how many times he reiterated that as a young man he was extraordinarily stupid.

In fact, the weak and overused "Folly of Youth" excuse will probably only lead to more ridicule for Rodriguez. This got us thinking about other excuses by public figures that not only didn't help the provider's image, but actually added to the infamy of a particular incident.

From scandalous politicians and sketchy Hollywood types to cheating athletes like A-Roid, the gallery below showcases some of the worst public excuses in recent memory. (We encourage you to check it out, but if you find any errors, we maintain that while researching the piece we were exhausted and on cold medicine.)



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Worst Public Excuses
If nobody believes it, is it actually a lie? Ponder this while checking out our gallery of the worst public excuses.
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Worst Public Excuses

    "That's not for me to decide ... I'm here to say in some ways I wish I went to college and had an opportunity to grow up at my own pace. "
    --Baseball player Alex Rodriguez when asked if his performance-enhancing-drug use constituted cheating.

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    "I have severe acid reflux, and the day of "Saturday Night Live" I completely lost my voice.'
    --Ashley Simpson on why she lip synced on "SNL."

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    "Bitch set me up."
    --Washington, D.C., mayor Marion Barry after getting caught smoking crack in a hotel room with his former girlfriend.

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    "I was doing research for a role in 'Shopgirl.'"
    --Actress Winona Ryder after being apprehended for shoplifting. Claire Danes got the part in "Shopgirl."

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    "I smoked pot, but I didn't inhale."
    --Bill Clinton when asked if he'd tried marijuana.

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    "It wasn't just a hurricane, it was a hurricane followed by a flood."
    --Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff responding to why the federal government was unprepared in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

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    "A drink mixture of sarsaparilla and ginseng."
    --Sprinter Ben Johnson's response when asked if he had taken anything before his first-place finish in the 100m at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He later tested positive for steroids.

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    "When the President does it, that means it is not illegal."
    --Richard Nixon

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    "Nude massage."
    --Married Sen. Chuck Robb's response when asked why he was in a hotel room with former Miss Virginia Tai Collins.

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    "I have really bad menstrual cramps."
    --Nicole Richie, after being pulled over and found to have Vicodin in her system.

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