Durbin's timing shows true colors

I have long been a supporter of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and have considered him an outstanding congressional leader.

However, my confidence in his decision making process has been shattered by his support of clemency for former Governor, George Ryan.

Not only was I disappointed in his rationale since there are many Federal and state prisoners who, based upon Sen Durbin's rationale for Ryan, would also be deserving of clemency.

The only problem is they have do not have the political connections that come with who they are or who they know. What is particularly disturbing is the fact that the Senator Durbin waited until after he was safely re-elected to announce his decision to seek clemency for Ryan.

If he is so firm in his belief that Ryan' sentence should be commuted, he should have stated his opinion before the election rather than playing it safe and wait until he was re-elected.

He didn't and as my mother used to say, showed his true colors.

Ryan's arrogance after being convicted by a jury of his peers shows his contempt for the both the legal process and the ordinary citizen. The people of Illinois have spoken-he was found guilty and there is no acceptable reason his sentence should be commuted.

Stephen C. Mack

Inverness