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 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. ;*)
"My intention was only to raise legitimate questions about the policies of this Administration which add to the risks our soldiers face."