I sent an email to Senator Durbin

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today, to give kudos for at least attempting to right the wrong that is Gitmo. If anyone ever wants to write to a senator, go to http://www.senate.gov, and look up the Senator's name. There will always be a contact page where you can write to them.

Here is my letter.

Dear Senator Durbin,

I want to commend you on your comments regarding Gitmo, and I personally do not believe you should have apologized to ANYONE for your comments. Many people in our country are too blind to see when infractions perpetrated right now are only the beginning of what could be described as another fascist regime coming to power. It is sad to see that one can not speak their mind without tremendous pressure to "toe the line" and keep from dissenting on things that are not right.

I hope in your heart that you know that an apology to this regime was unwarranted, and that many of us out here in the rest of the country and yes, the world, are behind you. It doesn't seem right that only on a few occasions have Democrats been able to speak out against continued atrocities and not be told that they "need to watch what they say." While the former Soviet Union is no more, many of these strong-armed tactics are reminiscent of that government, and I believe if the trend continues, we will no longer be the great country that we have been for so long. It is only when people are smart enough to see the truth, brave enough to speak the truth and wise enough to listen to those who know the truth will we be in a viable position of power again. Playing bully to the rest of the world, selecting only radical right-wingered people for powerful positions, and never knowing when to compromise is a deadly combination--it weakens us and adds to the contempt the rest of the world now has for us. There is too much double dealing and double crossing right now that might never be visible to the average citizen in our country, and to blindly go forward without a more humane agenda is certainly not the way to re-earn the respect we once held.

Thank you, Senator, for speaking up. Just know that you have a lot of fans out here giving you applause.