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NYCFarmboy · 05:26 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050621/...anamo_durbin_3

By GLEN JOHNSON,
Associated Press Writer
Tue Jun 21, 6:09 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized Tuesday for comparing American interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to Nazis and other historically infamous figures.

"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," the Illinois Democrat said. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

His voice quaking and tears welling in his eyes, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate also apologized to any soldiers who felt insulted by his remarks.

"They're the best. I never, ever intended any disrespect for them," he said.

The apology came a week after Durbin, the Senate minority whip, quoted from an FBI agent's report describing detainees at the Naval base in a U.S.-controlled portion of Cuba 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," the senator said June 14.

The comment created a buzz on the Internet and among conservative talk radio hosts, but Durbin initially refused to apologize.

"This administration should apologize to the American people for abandoning the Geneva Conventions and authorizing torture techniques that put our troops at risk and make Americans less secure," he said the day after his initial comments.

By last Friday, Durbin was trying to clarify his comments, yet the White House and top Republicans including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist refused to relent. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in an interview scheduled for broadcast Wednesday on Fox News radio's "The Tony Snow Show," tried to equate the comment with actress Jane Fonda calling U.S. soldiers war criminals during a visit to North Vietnam in 1972.

On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley — a fellow Democrat — added his voice to the chorus of criticism, saying, "I think it's a disgrace to say that any man or woman in the military would act like that."

Durbin said in his apology: "I made reference to Nazis, to Soviets, and other repressive regimes. Mr. President, I've come to understand that's a very poor choice of words."

>>>>
Scumball Durbin continues to watch his poll numbers in Illinios tank.

Whoever will run against him next time will certainly be getting very strong support....although his election won't be until 2008, but I strongly suspect this issue will be revisited at the appropriate time.

And no... this is not a apology.. just an "i'm sorry to those who think it was offensive but I'm not taking anything back". what a total scum.

SimeyTheLimey · Jun 21, 2005, 10:04 PM

It's still not really a genuine apology. He said "[s]ome may believe that my remarks crossed the line." What he needs to say is "my remarks crossed the line." I.e. he needs to admit he was wrong, not just hurtful.

macamac · Jun 21, 2005, 10:06 PM

He's a class "A" jerk. He should resign for those comments as well as others he has made, along with all the rest of the garbage the people of Illinois have had to put up with, with this guy.

Step Down Mr. Durbin. You suck.

NYCFarmboy · Jun 21, 2005, 10:12 PM

He needs to retract his statements, something he has not done, and is probably too late to do for his political career... he should resign and save some semblance of respect .. but respect is something Scumball Durbin obviously does not have based on his anti-troop statements.

TheMosco · Jun 21, 2005, 10:14 PM

Yeah, I think his comments were out of line. Our military is far from perfect but they aren't nazis. And then to fold to the pressure with a half-assed "apology" doesn't show alot of character.

macamac · Jun 21, 2005, 10:16 PM

Show me a politician from Illinois and I'll show you one that should resign.

Spliffdaddy · Jun 21, 2005, 10:56 PM

He didn't apologize for his statements - his apology extended only to those that may have 'misinterpreted' his statements.

lol.

He speaks for all Democrats, apparently, since none have condemned Durbin's remarks.

dcmacdaddy · Jun 21, 2005, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by SimeyTheLimey

It's still not really a genuine apology. He said "[s]ome may believe that my remarks crossed the line." What he needs to say is "my remarks crossed the line." I.e. he needs to admit he was wrong, not just hurtful.

Exactly. He needs to apologize for being offensive, not simply because someone was offended by what he said. Otherwise he winds up apologizing for those who took offense and not for his actions that caused the offense. Big difference there.

dcmacdaddy · Jun 21, 2005, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

He speaks for all Democrats, apparently, since none have condemned Durbin's remarks.

Fuzzy logic, my friend.

Not every Republican has come out and publicly denounced him either.
So, by your logic, if he speaks for those who haven't spoken out against him then he has a large number of Republican senators he is speaking for as well.

Spliffdaddy · Jun 21, 2005, 11:11 PM

Not ANY Democrats.

Not ALL Republicans.

So what does Hillary think about Durbin's remarks? When asked, she walked away.

macamac · Jun 21, 2005, 11:15 PM

Ha-ha!!! Nice. And she wants to run for office? Bitch.

Taliesin · Jun 22, 2005, 06:07 AM

Nazi-military, Soviet-military, US-military, they are obviously all the same like every other military, following orders of their superiors, invading countries, killing soldiers of opposing armies and if necessary or not preventable also civilians of the invaded countries.

The orders might differ but not the military, they are just tools.

Taliesin

typoon · Jun 22, 2005, 02:52 PM

Durbin should resign and or stpe down from any position of power he has within the party. It's probably NOT going to happen. The repubs need to push this issue like the dems did with delay.

kjb · Jun 22, 2005, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by typoon

Durbin should resign and or stpe down from any position of power he has within the party. It's probably NOT going to happen. The repubs need to push this issue like the dems did with delay.

Just so we can all see Durbin's comments in context (he had just read the description of how, according to one FBI agent, a detainee had been treated) here they are:

"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."

Now, maybe I'm reading this incorrectly, but I don't see anywhere that he calls US servicemen Nazi's. His language is subtle, and the paraphrased blurb on his statements we all hear in the media most definitely aren't. I have a feeling that, given the rest of the tone in this thread, I'm throwing myself under the bus here, but I don't see anything out of line with what is quoted above. YMMV, though.

Kevin

Kevin · Jun 22, 2005, 10:19 PM

He was indeed being a drama queen that over-exaggerated a great deal.

That was some pretty thick FUD he was spreading.

Y3a · Jun 23, 2005, 06:38 AM

Where did he get his "Education" ?
WHO are his "Advisors"?
What type of morons elected him? Union thugs/Mafia/Socialists??