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June 21, 2005
In Defense of Dick Durbin
Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, the right-wing denizens of the internet and talk radio have set after Ill. Sen. Dick Durbin for his speech on the Senate floor last week. Supposedly, Sen. Durbin compared the American military to the police-state tactics of Adolph Hitler, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot and others.
I suspect that the purveyors of conservative propaganda are motivated by their frustation over successful Democratic tactics in blocking Bush judicial appointments, and the stalling of the Bolton nomination. Plus, I think they sense increasing impatience by the American public over the abject failure of the post-war planning by the Bush administration coupled with the President's inability to articulate a coherent argument on social security reform or even formulate a rational energy policy. The president's energy policy seems to be that as long as Texas oil men are getting rich, all's well with the world.
If anyone cared to read the entire Durbin speech which was thoughtful and persuasive, you will see that he makes a few important and compelling points:
1. We should adhere to the Geneva Convention. Even Colin Powell agrees with this point.
2. Enemy terrorists are not entitled to Geneva Convention protection anyway, so there is no practical effect to adhering to the convention.
3. We are better than our enemy in the war on terror and should not sink to their inhumane level. We, as a country, have recognized in the past where our conduct went over the line. We should do so here and not revert back to lawless conduct.
I happen to agree with him on this. But even if you don't, how can you argue that it is an unpatriotic statement.
If you would rather just read the hysterical summaries and join the mob in attacking Sen. Durbin, I suppose you are free to do so. But you would be harkening back to the McCarthy era when people were punished and ostracized for their beliefs.
Posted by American Dream at June 21, 2005 01:47 PM
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