Fox News, AP, and other outlets report that Senator Dick Durbin has apologized for his comparison between the American military and Nazis, Khmer Rouge, and Stalinist genocidal maniacs:

Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized Tuesday for comparing American interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to Nazis and other historically infamous figures.

"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," the Illinois Democrat said. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

His voice quaking and tears welling in his eyes, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate also apologized to any soldiers who felt insulted by his remarks.

"They're the best. I never, ever intended any disrespect for them," he said.

At least this is an apology, instead of a "statement of regret". However tearfully delivered, though, it still contains qualifiers that shift the responsibility to everyone but Durbin. "Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line, and to them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

No, no, no.

Your remarks did cross the line, Senator. Why can't you just admit that, without qualification? This is yet another halfway dodge in putting the onus onto those whom you offended instead of taking responsibility for your own actions and comments.

Color me unimpressed. His fellow party members will now ask us all to move along. I'll consider doing that if they now will admit that Durbin's original statement slandered the military and debased the memories of those millions of victims that truly experienced what genocidal maniacs do with their innocent captives. If not, then they are just playing word games until they discover the right combination to climb out of the box in which Durbin has put them.

UPDATE: Why did Durbin feel the need to make this half-baked apology today after holding out for a week? Mayor Richard Daley, the man behind Durbin's power base in Chicago, refused to play along with Democrats in minimizing Durbin's original comments:

Mayor Richard Daley said Tuesday that even though U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is a good friend, the fellow Democrat should apologize for comments comparing the actions of American interrogators at Guantanamo Bay to Nazis, Soviet gulags and Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot.

"I think it's a disgrace to say that any man or woman in the military act like that,'' Daley said. ...

Daley made his remarks in response to questions at a news conference after a graduation ceremony for new police officers. Last year, his son Patrick enlisted in the Army.

The mayor said he is a history buff and that Durbin was wrong to evoke comparisons to the horrors of the Holocaust or the millions of people killed in Russia under Stalin and in Cambodia under Pol Pot. He became angry when a reporter said he thought Durbin's remarks were being mischaracterized.

"If you really believe that those men and women in Guantanamo Bay are Nazis, you better rethink what America is all about,'' Daley said. "... You go and talk to some victims of the Holocaust and they will tell you horror stories. And there are not horror stories like that at Guantanamo Bay.''

That should answer those who think that outrage over this slander remains the exclusive purview of the right-wing blogosphere and talk radio. Plenty of military families are Democrats, and I'd be willing to bet that they wouldn't cotton to the suggestion that Durbin's words had been "mischaracterized". Kudos to Mayor Daley for having the integrity to publicly call out his friend and political ally. Too bad Durbin still couldn't follow his advice.

UPDATE II: Michelle Malkin has a nice roundup of reaction to Durbin's latest refinement of his message, along with a new Weber grill. Rusty says that he'll give Durbin the benefit of the doubt -- for now. Matt May says "apology not accepted", and explains why at length. Rick Moran at the Right Wing Nuthouse threatens to break into song, but doesn't think Durbin was being sincere.

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» Dick almost says he's sorry from Inside Larry's head
Ok so he apologises if you think the remarks crossed the line. And he never intended any disrespect for the soldiers. Wow... so many words yet none of them "I was wrong" or even "My words went over the line" but in typical Al-Press style [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 5:38 PM

» Durbin Apologizes from Un-Common Sense
I'm not accepting any apologies from a guy who compares me and my comrades to Soviets in their gulags, Nazis, or Pol Pot... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 6:01 PM

» The Return of the Son of the Non-Apology Apology from Ed Driscoll.com
Perhaps because Chicago's Mayor Daily came out against him, Senator Durbin has attempted to apologize again. Ed Morrissey says that it's better than the first one--and he's right--but it still contains these weasel words:"Some may believe that my remar... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 6:11 PM

» durbin apology from The American Mind
Sen. Durbin attempted to apologize today on the floor of the Senate. I'm disappointed. Why can't any politician just say,... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 6:17 PM

» Hanoi Durbin apologizes "again" from The Unalienable Right
So now Durbin has offered a real apology: WASHINGTON -- Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized Tuesday for comparing American interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to Nazis and other historically i... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 6:39 PM

» Durbin Forced To Recant from The Strata-Sphere
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Tracked on June 21, 2005 6:46 PM

» Still a Dick from GOP and the City
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Tracked on June 21, 2005 6:47 PM

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Tracked on June 21, 2005 7:11 PM

» Durbin's Apology: I accept from The Jawa Report
Jeff Quinton notified me that Dick Durbin has publicly apologozed. Ian from the Political Teen has the video. When I first saw the video, I thought, just like Charles Johnson seems to be thinking, wait, this isn't an apology at... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 7:13 PM

» DON’T CRY FOR ME DICKY DURBIN from Right Wing Nut House
Now I feel ashamed… I’ve reduced a grown man to tears. Well, not me specifically. Dick Durbin doesn’t know me from Bugs Bunny. But the way he was trying to wiggle out from underneath his slanderous comments about the military, one... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 8:03 PM

» This is an Apology? from Macmind - Conservative Commentary and Common Sense
"Some may have believed.."??? "To them?" How about the soldiers, marines, and sailors and all those of the Armed Servcies you insulted senator. How about the American people Senator. Why are you placing the blame (again) on their "sensitivities". Sen... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 8:51 PM

» DURBIN APOLOGY, SORT OF: NO GENUINE EXPRESSION OF from The Galvin Opinion
Conservative bloggers should demand that Durbin quit his leadership post. His cynical ploy was disguised as an apology but it was nothing of the sort. He did not express regret nor remorse. He did not admit he was in the wrong. [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 9:12 PM

» Durbin Apologizes from The Dread Pundit Bluto
The only Durbin apology that I'll accept, and that grudgingly, is the same one that Nixon offered after Watergate: resignation. [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 9:41 PM

» 10,000 Angels will swear you were wrong from Mark in Mexico
I've watched the video of Sen. Durbin's apology and I think it was more than slimy. He apologised to "some" who thought his remarks were in poor taste. He invoked the words of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, to indicate that, if his words turned out t... [Read More]

Tracked on June 21, 2005 10:25 PM

» Thick Durbin Apologizes...Again...From the Senate Floor from The Blue State Conservatives
What's that Dick? I'm sorry. I can see your lips moving but I can't hear a word you say. Look people, we know where this man's mindset is. I don't want an apology, though it is warranted. (Hat Tip: Ace... [Read More]

Tracked on June 22, 2005 12:22 AM

» With a Tear Instead of a Sneer from Hard Starboard
Senator Ali Dickbar al-Durbini took another crack at self-extrication from the hornet's nest he walloped with a baseball bat a week ago. Still didn't work. Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Senator Dick Durbin apologized ... [Read More]

Tracked on June 22, 2005 12:58 AM

» Wimpy Weepy Dick Durbin Apologizes? Redux: The Non-Apology Apology from FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog
Political Teen has the video and transcript of Senator Dick Durbin’s non-apology apology. But, two hours later he is laughing it up with Howard Dean at a Democrat fundraiser in Washington. Laura Ingraham has the audio and Flap will post the ... [Read More]

Tracked on June 22, 2005 9:37 AM