[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Message From Senator Durbin

[Morton K. Brussel]

This is the letter that Senator Durbin is sending out to those, like  
me, who took him to task for rather abjectly apologizing on the  
Senate floor for his statement regarding the treatment of American  
held prisoners--- rather than fighting back  and calling attention to  
the misrepresentation of what he said by those attacking him. Of  
course, we know he is a political animal, and will act  
correspondingly, but we should keep up the pressure on him not to be  
cowed into abjectness and, as Al emphasizes, to praise his good words  
and works when they occur.

--mkb

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Correspondence_Reply at durbin.senate.gov
> Date: July 5, 2005 12:46:23 PM CDT
> To: mkb3 at mac.com
> Subject: Message From Senator Durbin
>
> July 5, 2005
>
>
> Mr. Morton K. Brussel
> 2003 George Huff Drive
> Urbana, IL 61801-6203
>
> Dear Mr. Morton Brussel:
>
>     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 were twisted and misrepresented by some who sought to  
> gain a
> political advantage, but they also hurt some people who were  
> sympathetic
> to my message.  And the firestorm surrounding my words obscured that
> message.  I did not want to leave any misunderstanding, so 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.
>
>

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