"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," said Richard Durbin, the second-ranking Democratic leader in the Senate.

"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," said Richard Durbin, the second-ranking Democratic leader in the Senate. "To them, I extend my heartfelt apologies." This "apology" seems more calculated than heartfelt. It falls short of an acknowledgment that his remarks actually did cross a line. Durbin, speaking about the detainees at Guantanamo, had credited the most lurid allegations of American abuse and called the detainees' treatment reminiscent of Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, and Pol Pot's Cambodia. He thus managed simultaneously to slander the American military and to trivialize, through political exploitation, some of the most awful depravities in human history. After a week of criticism by Republicans, he issued his pseudo-apology. Of the troops, he said: "They're the best. I never, ever intended any disrespect for them." Sure: Durbin has nothing but respect for our troops as they go about their Nazi-like business. They're the best Nazis around. The fact that many liberals defended Durbin's remarks is a worse indictment of them than anything Karl Rove has noted.