Was Durbin Tortured?

Why would a good man apologize for courageously speaking out against cruelty — despite widespread support for his position?

Sen. Dick Durbin choked up as he backed away from his earlier statements about treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo. Not because he was wrong, but because he had offended the powerful.

Like an internee at Abu Ghraib, he was left at the bottom of sweaty dog pile consisting of Republican Senators, veterans groups and Dick Cheney. He was subjected to incessant noises and villification, broadcast at high volume. He was hung out to dry by many of his colleagues, and then summoned to apologize publicly.

As Sen. John McCain himself has acknowledged, torture can make brave men do things they regret.