Citizen Smash has posted a copy of the letter sent to Dick Durbin (whom, along with Cold Fury, I refuse to address as Senator ever again) by retired Navy Commander Paul Galanti who spent seven years as a prisoner-of-war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
I’m guessing that Mr. Galanti has a little more insight into what constitutes actual torture for POWs than Dick Turbin could ever analogize.
Here’s the letter:
Senator Durbin,
As one who was held in a North Vietnamese Prison for nearly seven years and whose definition of torture and bad treatment is somewhat at variance with yours, I deplore your senseless comments about alleged “barbaric treatment” at our terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo.
Your remarks comparing Guantanamo to the regimes of Stalin, Hitler and Pol Pot are outrageous. I tried to think of why a rational human being could make such an outlandish statement but I keep coming up short. I thought I’d seen it all when Howard Dean performed his infamous scream in Iowa but your diatribe yesterday eclipsed Dean’s moment of Hannibal Lecter lunacy. And your moment of pique will be infinitely more damaging to members of our Armed Forces serving in harm’s way.
I noted, when searching for your contact information, that the first item Google came up with was al Jazeera’s joy at your comments. You, sir, for having aided and abetted the enemy in time of war, have been relegated in my mind to the status of Jane Fonda and your colleague, John Kerry as contemptible traitors.
I hope not too many of our valiant members of the Armed Forces have to suffer for your stupid comments. Shame on you.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Galanti
Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
In the words of Abraham Lincoln,
“Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged.”
I’d vote for “hanged”, but would settle for exiled (after the arrest). As for where to exile Dick Turbin? I’d say into the hands of the terrorist—who’s rights he holds in a higher regard than the safety and morale of US soldiers—would be a good place.
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Related: Dick Durbin Must Resign
Dick Durbin should be removed from office - we need to have a recall - he is so full of hate for the right wing that he doesn’t care who gets hurt by his remarks - after all - it most certainly isn’t his son or daughter. I am pressing for removal from office.
Left by Sandra on June 23rd, 2005 at 12:48 am