Wash Post photo
Posted on 07/11/2005 6:28:32 AM PDT by CyberAnt
CNSNews.com) -- A conservative advocacy group says it will not be intimidated by pressure from Sen. Dick Durbin's office.
Move America Forward, a group that supports the U.S. military and wants to eject the United Nations from the United States, is currently running broadcast ads criticizing Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, for comparing U.S. troops at Guantanamo Bay to Nazis, Soviets in their gulags or mad regimes like Pol Pot's.
"But these aren't the faces of torturers, the ad says: "They're the heroic men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. They're our sons and daughters fighting for the cause of freedom around the world. Support our troops, at MoveAmericaForward.com."
Durbin's office is trying to silence Move America Forward, the group says, by hinting to an Illinois newspaper (the Northwest Herald of Crystal Lake) that the Internal Revenue Service should audit Move America Forward.
Someone from Durbin's office was quoted as telling the newspaper - in connection with Move America Forward -- "Have you ever seen that H&R Block commercial where the guy leans in and says, 'I see an audit'?"
"For the office of a United States senator to threaten reprisals from the IRS against an organization that is supporting our troops in harm's way is absolutely reprehensible," said Mark Washburn, executive director of Move America Forward.
"One of the grounds used to threaten impeachment of President Richard Nixon was that he politicized the IRS and tried to use IRS audits of his political enemies to shut them down or silence them. That is precisely what Senator Durbin's office is doing now, Washburn said.
"There is no place for that in American politics, and Senator Durbin must be held accountable."
Move America Forward also accused Durbin's office of pressuring Illinois television stations not to run the television ad criticizing Durbin's remarks about U.S. troops at Guantanamo Bay.
According to Move America Forward, two television stations have buckled under the pressure, including the ABC and NBC affiliates in Chicago. Both stations are refusing to run Move America Forward's ad, it says, although CBS's Chicago affiliate is running it.
Move America Forward said it will not be intimidated. It said it will continue to air the ad on Illinois network affiliates and nationwide on cable news networks despite the pressure from Durbin.
Last month, Durbin -- reading from an FBI memo on the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay -- commented: "If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime -- Pol Pot or others -- that had no concern for human beings."
Three days later, Durbin clarified but did not apologize for his comments. But a week later, Durbin formally apologized -- to people who were offended by his remarks:
"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," Durbin said on June 21. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."
Becoming emotional, Durbin also apologized directly to the U.S. military. "They're the best. I never, ever intended any disrespect for them," he said.
Copyright © 1998-2005 CNSNews.com - Cybercast News Service
Well, that is certainly true.
He is STILL holds his position of "leadership" within the party.
He CONTINUES to be a US SINator with NO repercussions for his treasonous "remarks" on the Senate floor.
He REMAINS uncensured by the rest of the feckless senate hacks.
He incessantly opens his mouth and spews forth crap.
He was essentially "ordered" to extend a pseudo apology, that was nothing short of irrelevant.
Meanwhile the emboldened enemy shoots down two helicopters in Afghanistan, 20 Navy Seals dead, Egyptians Ambassador kidnapped and murdered ............
Durbin's mouth is a loose cannon.
"Durbin's mouth is a loose cannon"
I agree .. and the more he talks .. the farther down he sinks the democrat party .. which is fine with me.
Have Bill & Hill become advisors to Durbin's office now?
Me too.
Let Durbin spew,
like dysentery
makes a rectum do.
Believe me, you are not missing out on anything!!! Below you will find the ONLY sentence out of a page full of drivel that pertained to my request for censure followed by resignation or expulsion.
In Senator Allen's defense, he was the ONLY one of the 55 "republican" senators that bothered to acknowledge my correspondence.
"I believe Senator Durbin has begun to see the error of his previous comments by attempting to apologize for his absurd, deplorable analogy."
Allen thinks he is running for President. After he fudged the issue, I sent one of his funding letters back with a pointed note. The following 3 or four, I have thrown away. If he is going to pose as a Conservative, he had better check with the conservative base. Otherwise, he is just another milk toast go along to get along political operative.
HERE is Turban Durbin's reply to my numerous emails....
July 7, 2005
Mr. GRRRRR.
USA
Dear Mr. GRRRRR:
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 hurt some people, and I did not want to leave any misunderstanding about my intention. That is why 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
United States Senator
RJD/rp
P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions.
We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details.
I sent him a flaming response. As a new constituent, I was extremely disappointed in his response.
I honestly believed he may be the ONLY one of that worthless bunch on Capitol Hill to act. Alas, I was wrong.
"Clinton used the FBI and the IRS as his personal retribution army."
It's a shame the FBI had to waste its time doing Clinton's personal dirty work; maybe they could have focused more on insignificant little details like checking out student pilots from Saudi Arabia who just wanted to fly planes, not take them off.
They'd do better to silence Durbin.
I am jealous. He has not responded to my emails or phone calls! You are soooooo lucky. /s
Now I know why your name is GRRRRR. ;*)
Not to mention illegal. If memory serves this was one of the evil things Nixon did.
A page taken outta the Clinton playbook.
"My intention was only to raise legitimate questions about the policies of this Administration which add to the risks our soldiers face."
"the THREAT should be taken seriously - because that is INTIMIDATION - and when US Senators use the govt to intimidate the citizenry - something is very wrong."
True, after watching 4 years of DNC shadow cells in the CIA and State Department undermine the Administration, why would anyone think that the IRS is exempt form having loyal DNC operatives that put the party ahead of the country?
Exactly, I don't know why Bill and Hitlary are not breaking rocks for their abuse of power with the IRS.
"... why would anyone think that the IRS is exempt from having loyal DNC operatives that put the party ahead of the country?"
That's right .. that is exactly my point. Some of the Clinton-supporting leftovers would probably be more than willing.
True .. and Clinton had the FBI checking into all these "domestic terrorists" which Clinton was very fearful of .. I wonder why ..?? Was he afraid they were going to come after him ..??
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