Durbin Apologizes On Floor of Senate & Newt Offers a Brilliant Resolution To the Controversy
Senator Dick Durbin, who infamously compared the American treatment of terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay with the tactics used by the Nazi SS, Soviet KGB and Pol Pot's murderous thugs has now, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, publically apologized to those who were offended by his words.
Unfortunately, he did not clarify whether he did or did not mean to make that comparison in the first place. So, until he says something more definitive, we are left to wonder whether Durbin is simply sorry that some folks didn't like what he said.
I suppose that, for the mixed up and incoherent "Senate traditions," this apology will probably suffice.
Even former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, speaking on Hugh Hewitt's radio show this afternoon, admitted that he is now recalling his demand for Durbin's censure by the Senate. Instead, he is urging the Senate to debate and vote on a resolution that would simply declare that the Senate rejects any proposition that equates the American treatment of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay with Nazi death camps, the Soviet gulag or Pol Pot's "killing fields."
This would, of course, give Durbin the opportunity to simply vote "yes" or "no," therefore clearing up the controversy once and for all.
The question now becomes, what Republican Senator will have the courage to sponsor such a resolution? Whoever does may provide evidence that they have the "right stuff" to be considered as part of the 2008 Republican nation ticket.
On the other hand, why hasn't there been a single Democrat who has stepped forward and said something like,
Unfortunately, he did not clarify whether he did or did not mean to make that comparison in the first place. So, until he says something more definitive, we are left to wonder whether Durbin is simply sorry that some folks didn't like what he said.
I suppose that, for the mixed up and incoherent "Senate traditions," this apology will probably suffice.
Even former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, speaking on Hugh Hewitt's radio show this afternoon, admitted that he is now recalling his demand for Durbin's censure by the Senate. Instead, he is urging the Senate to debate and vote on a resolution that would simply declare that the Senate rejects any proposition that equates the American treatment of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay with Nazi death camps, the Soviet gulag or Pol Pot's "killing fields."
This would, of course, give Durbin the opportunity to simply vote "yes" or "no," therefore clearing up the controversy once and for all.
The question now becomes, what Republican Senator will have the courage to sponsor such a resolution? Whoever does may provide evidence that they have the "right stuff" to be considered as part of the 2008 Republican nation ticket.
On the other hand, why hasn't there been a single Democrat who has stepped forward and said something like,
While Dick Durbin's comments may have been twisted and falsely criticized by the more unhinged fringes of the Republican Right Wing, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I would never agree with nor offer support of consolation to anyone....and I mean anyone....who would intentionally or by innuendo, compare American policies and practices towards even the most despicable terrorist detainee with even the most innocuous actions of the German Nazis, the Soviet Communists or the Cambodian Khmer Rouge. I hope I have made my personal opinion on the matter clear. Thank you.The silence is not only deafening.....it is damning.
posted by Bird of Paradise at 12:46 PM
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