And another thing …

Words failed him. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin infuriated at least two groups of people last week when he compared the abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to atrocities committed by the Nazis, the Soviets and the Khmer Rouge.

Some critics said it was unfair to Holocaust victims, whose suffering is unmatched by any other. Others denounced the Illinois Democrat for suggesting that American troops are capable of evil acts.

Durbin, his point lost in the furor, backed down Tuesday and issued a statement that confused his position more than clarified it. News stories have characterized his heavily qualified comments as an apology.

Sure, it’s preposterous to equate the prisoner abuse at Guantanamo to the crimes of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot, but it’s not the first time hyperbole has been employed on the Senate floor. By citing such atrocities as the gold standard of abuse, Durbin was acknowledging their singularity. He also was voicing the expectation that U.S. military personnel will uphold the humane values that separate us from tyrannical regimes.

Those stands are controversial, but they shouldn’t be shocking. They were honest expressions of Durbin’s beliefs, and his open criticism of administration policy put U.S. political freedom on display in a way our enemies can’t dispute. Until he caved in.

Case closed. Republican Dino Rossi showed good judgment when he declined to appeal the court decision making Democrat Christine Gregoire’s election as governor official. It was time for finality.

The Washington state Democratic Party should follow his example. Instead, it has filed a claim for some $48,000 in legal expenses from the extended legal contest.

Problem is, the Democrats weren’t a party to the suit. Yes, they had an interest – like every citizen in the state – but the lawsuit pitted Rossi and state Republicans against elections officials. Whatever the Democrats spent, they did it voluntarily. Asking the Republicans to reimburse them is out of line. Gloating rights should be enough.