Durbin visits Gitmo, dines with Illinois troops

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Dick Durbin on Monday made his first trip to a prison camp at Guantanamo Naval Base since his remarks last year criticizing U.S. soldiers there for allegedly bad treatment of prisoners from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Durbin, the Senate's second-highest-ranking Democrat, had said in recent weeks that he was eager to visit the U.S.-controlled base in Cuba but wanted assurances from the Pentagon that he would receive a complete tour of the facility.

Virginia Sen. George Allen, who is running for re-election this year and is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008, accompanied Durbin on the trip.

Criticism of Durbin's remarks about Guantanamo last year was widespread, with even Mayor Daley questioning how Durbin could compare U.S. interrogation methods at the camp to the methods of Nazis.

Teary-eyed, Durbin apologized a week later on the Senate floor, saying he never meant disrespect for U.S. soldiers around the world.

The controversy stemmed from Durbin having quoted from an FBI agent's memo describing detainees as being chained to the floor without food or water in extreme temperatures.

''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,'' Durbin said then.

A statement released by Durbin's office Monday said Durbin and Allen were scheduled to visit a variety of the detention facilities at Guantanamo, be briefed by commanders and eat lunch with Illinois and Virginia soldiers. Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said the trip was expected to keep the senators busy all day.

Due to security concerns, more details were not to be released until after the senators returned to Washington.

Durbin, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is expected to participate in a hearing today focusing on military commissions such as those used to send detainees from Iraq and Afghanistan to Guantanamo Bay.

The Supreme Court last month ruled that President Bush's plan to try detainees captured in the war on terror through secret military tribunals violates U.S. and international law.

Last week I received a reply from my Senator (Dubrin) to an email I sent him some time ago. I was so insensed by his reply that I immediately emailed him in return, calling him a liar. His reply with my response follows:

Senator Durbin:

To quote you from your email below:

"I agree that we must stand behind our men and women in uniform. These
dedicated individuals have performed superbly in the war against terrorism
and the invasion of Iraq, serving their country with honor and
distinction. In Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere they continue to face
danger on a daily basis while enduring separation from their families for
extended periods of time. These sacrifices are made not only by our
active duty forces but Reservists and National Guard members as well."

You, sir, are a liar. I now quote you from statements you made on the floor of the U. S. Senate June 14, 2005 during debate on an energy bill:

"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. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners."

Sir! Comparing our military to Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, Pol Pot, or any other egregious regime or dictator is NOT supporting our troops. And for your information, sir, cases of torture at Gitmo, or elsewhere, have never been proven.

You, sir, are a fraud and a sham, and as already stated, a liar. You are not un-American, but anti-American, and a disgrace to the State of Illinois and the United States of America. I have now said my piece about you. Do NOT respond to this email with another email. If you wish to respond do so by the U. S. Mails. I cannot continue to afford having my computer cleaned after receiving your filth.

James F. Busse
An American Patriot (something you will never understand, let alone be)

-----Original Message-----
From: Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov [mailto:Correspondence_Reply@durbin.senate.gov]
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:07 AM
To: jbusse1@verizon.net
Subject: Message From Senator Durbin

July 6, 2006

Mr. James Busse

Dear Mr. Busse:

Thank you for your message about my criticism of the Bush Administration's
policies and the importance of supporting those serving in our nation's
armed forces.

I agree that we must stand behind our men and women in uniform. These
dedicated individuals have performed superbly in the war against terrorism
and the invasion of Iraq, serving their country with honor and
distinction. In Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere they continue to face
danger on a daily basis while enduring separation from their families for
extended periods of time. These sacrifices are made not only by our
active duty forces but Reservists and National Guard members as well.

I have visited our soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Hospital, and I have
been humbled by their sacrifices and dedication to our nation. They are
among the finest people anyone could ever hope to meet. My deepest
sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of those who have lost
their lives in the service our country, as well as to the many soldiers
who have suffered life changing injuries.

When the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began in March 2003, I worked with a
number of my colleagues to increase combat pay for our troops, as well as
the Family Separation Allowance for servicemembers on extended deployments
away from their families. I have also pressed the Defense Department to
remedy the lack of vital equipment -- such as protective body armor and
armor-plated Humvees -- for our soldiers in Iraq as quickly as possible.

I understand that you disagree with many of the positions I and other
Members of Congress have taken on different issues facing our nation.
When I have agreed with President Bush's policies I have not hesitated to
say so, just as I have expressed my disagreement on the many occasions
when my views have differed from those of the President. Honest
disagreement is an important part of our democratic form of government.
Our nation has a long history of outspoken disagreements among our
political leaders, even during wartime. For instance, then-Congressman
Abraham Lincoln was strongly critical of President James Polk for leading
the U.S. into the Mexican-American War, even introducing legislation
before the war ended to question Polk's claim that Mexico had initiated
the conflict.

I assure you that I am committed to protecting U.S. national security
interests at home and abroad, as are all of my colleagues in Congress,
regardless of party. Our democracy has proven that it is strong enough to
thrive even while thoughtful people debate issues affecting our national
security, and that even disagreement can be a sign of commitment to our
nation and the men and women who defend it.

Thanks again for your message.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/rp

I despise this man and all he stands for!

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