Gutlessness in the face of a challenge is
dishonorable
Sen. Durbin Apologizes for Gitmo Remarks
By REBECCA CARROLL, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - A week after comparing interrogation at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to the methods of Nazis and other repressive regimes, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized on the Senate floor.
"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," said the Illinois Democrat, at times holding back tears. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."
Durbin said he never intended disrespect for U.S. soldiers around the world.
"They're the best," he said Tuesday.
His apology drew praise from Republicans.
"I think it was the right thing to do and the right thing to say to our men and women in uniform," said White House press secretary Scott McClellan.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist called Durbin's apology "an honorable step" along the road to understanding how words strengthen the nation's enemies in the war against terror.
"Intended or not, damage was being done," Frist, R-Tenn., said Wednesday on the Senate floor. "It's a lesson that we all learn over and over again and again."
Look, I'm a practical person. I understand that politics requires compromise. I'm often far more tolerant of deal making than some of my peers. I've done politics and I get the point. You sometimes have to back down or make a deal you wouldn't otherwise want to.
But Dick Durbin can go fuck himself.
Senator,
Don't ask for backchannel help to save your ass and then not even have the decency to send an e-mail out warning us your boss, Dick Daley, wanted you to back down. I know you did a conference call to explain your miserable ass, but I missed and well I am glad I did, because I am pissed. Why? Because if you thought what you said was wrong, you should have backed down without the plea for help.
I don't like being played for an idiot. You had a lot of people step up for what you said and then, like a punk, you mumble out some apology. "Oh, I'm sorry I told the truth and that interrupted your fantasy" is what you should have said.
It is that kind of continued gutllessness in the face of rank GOP corruption which enrages many Democrats. We are tired of leaders who will not fight, especially when 15 or so of your collegues can take a pro-lynching stand and have nothing to pay for. Hey, it was just dead black people, so what if 15 Senators didn't have the decency to say lynching was wrong. I bet you'll all have a good chuckle over some Navy Bean Soup in the Senate Dining Room. The GOP can take the most outrageous stands, be totally protected by the media, and you people refuse to actially call them on their antics.
We both know the defense of torture at Guantanamo is reprehenshible, the report you read from came from an FBI agent. Yet because you lost your nerve, you became the issue and not the report. We know most service members are not torturers. But there are those that are and who shame this country and we need to acknowledge that.
People were ready to stand up for you, it's a shame you wouldn't stand up for yourself.
Next time you need help, go ask Dick Daley for it. If he and his administration aren't in jail, that is.
