Posted on 07/05/2005 12:15:48 PM PDT by minc3d
July 5, 2005
Dear Mr. Derrick W:
Thank you for your recent message.
On June 14, I spoke on the Senate floor about my heartfelt concern regarding the treatment of prisoners and detainees at Guantanamo and in other places. I noted that many others, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have raised legitimate concerns about whether the policies of this Administration are truly making us safer and whether some of those policies might tarnish America's image around the world and jeopardize our soldiers.
During that speech, I read an account from an FBI agent describing the mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo, including situations in which detainees were chained hand and foot in a fetal position on the floor, with no chair and no food or water for 18-24 hours or more, and subjected to extreme temperature variation that left them shaking with cold or nearly unconscious due to heat.
I then made a characterization of that agent's account using what I now know, in retrospect, was a very poor choice of words. It was not my intention to disparage our soldiers. It was not my intention to diminish the horrific history of torture and death inflicted by murderous regimes of the past. My intention was only to raise legitimate questions about the policies of this Administration which add to the risks our soldiers face.
My words were twisted and misrepresented by some who sought to gain a political advantage, but they also hurt some people who were sympathetic to my message. And the firestorm surrounding my words obscured that message. I did not want to leave any misunderstanding, so I returned to the Senate floor on June 21 and apologized for the characterization that had caused offense for many good-hearted Americans.
Our troops around the world and their families at home deserve our respect, admiration, and total support. I have seen our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I am humbled by their courage and the sacrifices they are making. I have visited Walter Reed Hospital many times and spoken with young soldiers who have suffered horrific injuries in this war. I have spoken with and met with the families of those who have given their lives in service to our nation. They are the best our nation has to offer and I never intended any disrespect toward them.
I believe that America is a shining beacon for freedom and human dignity in this world. When we fall short of our own standards, saying so enhances our moral standing. I will continue to speak out on the issues I think are important to the people of Illinois and the nation, including the issue of torture and the mistreatment of prisoners in American detention centers.
The Administration's policies regarding these abuses are not only inconsistent with the moral values our nation stands for, they risk increasing the danger to our own soldiers. When we hold ourselves to the highest standards of civilized behavior, rather than lowering ourselves to the standards of our enemies, I believe it makes our troops safer, and our nation more secure. And that is a goal I hope we can all agree on. Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin
Sounds to me like he's still not fully repentant.
Yeah, like Rich Daley who you were afraid was going to have YOU hurt if you didn't apologize.
Durbin makes me sick. I think he has just stacks and stacks of blank apology letters laying around his office.
"I am sorry that my words on ______________ regarding _______ may have upset you..."
He shoulda been force-fed a midol.
THE HELL THEY WERE!
This is an example of how out of touch they are. They think that making horric (and long stretched) comparisons at the troop level will reflect poorly on the president. Why does he think and the media allow people to think that George Bush's policy is to leave an uncooperative prisoner without food or water for 24 hours in an uncomfortable room. It is a military thing and quite frankly doesn't turn my stomach one iota. I don't think it is torcher. Our special ops folks train in worse conditions.
Where are these 'policies' documented, Mr Durbin? Can I have a copy? What, the policies you're talking about don't exist? So, since you have no proof upon which to blame this on the 'Administration', tell me again, Mr. Durbin, how you can say you weren't out to disparage our Excellent and Worthy Soldiers.
Do you say what you mean, or do you mean what you say?
Why anyone would have "heartfelt concern" over the treatment of detainees is beyond me. Can you imagine if a US senator had made a statement like this about Japanese or Nazi POWs held by Americans in WW2??
Where are these 'policies' documented, Mr Durbin? Can I have a copy? What, the policies you're talking about don't exist? So, since you have no proof upon which to blame this on the 'Administration', tell me again, Mr. Durbin, how you can say you weren't out to disparage our Excellent and Worthy Soldiers.
That is what I meant to say.
Makes you wonder if we would have won WWII with these statements and attitude from approximately half of the government.
Times certainly have changed. Then again, we are talking about modern Democrats.
Isn't that almost word for word the floor apology?
Isn't that almost word for word the floor apology?
The italicized portion seems inconsistent with the prior portion of that sentence. If his words were only "twisted and misrepresented," then why would they be hurtful to his supporters?
To me it's interesting that he says they were hurtful to SOME people who were sympathetic to his message. Apparently, the rest of his supporters had no problem with him calling our troops Nazis.
Yeah, our troops are a lot safer now that you've popularized the notion that they are like Nazis, Stalinists, and Kmer Rouge guerillas.
This guy just rubs more salt in the wounds, doesn't he? Not contrite enough, if you ask me.
After calling our troops Nazis, he now says that they are lowering our standards to the level of the enemy.
"My words were twisted..."
No they weren't, Dick. They were quoted.
Odd! I just got a response from my e-mail to Obama. I had asked Obama to stand up and speak out against his senior senator. Here's his canned reply.
Dear My Name:
Thank you for contacting me about comments made by Senator Durbin in reference to the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo. I appreciate having the benefit of your perspective on this issue and fully understand your concern.
I know this recent episode has pained Senator Durbin a great deal. And I recognize that each and every one of us is going to make a mistake once in a while or say something that doesn't appropriately describe what we meant. What we hope is that our track record of service will override whatever particular mistake we make.
I believe Senator Durbin has established himself as someone who cares deeply about our veterans and our troops, and I am grateful he had the courage to stand up on the Senate floor and acknowledge that he should have said what he meant differently. I accept the sincerity of his apology, and I note that other senators, including Sen. John McCain who was critical of Sen. Durbin's initial remarks but who applauded him for making "a heartfelt statement, one of apology," and said before the full Senate that Senator Durbin "did the right thing, the courageous thing and I believe we can put this issue behind us." I agree with Senator McCain's advice.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
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