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| Durbin Thankful for Mubarak's Resignation |
(IRN)-U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) can sum up his feelings about the Egyptian president's resignation in two words: "Thank goodness."
Illinois' senior U. S. senator recalls a visit to Egypt: "I went to Egypt several years ago, met with (then-President Hosni) Mubarak, we talked about security issues for a long time, and then at the end I begged for him to release a political prisoner who'd been in prison over and over again. That was the nature of our relationship. From a security viewpoint, very positive. From the viewpoint of his governing his own country, a lot of disappointment."
Durbin says the Egyptian people now have a real chance at democracy, but the U. S. should watch from a distance unless called upon.
As for the Obama administration's plan to phase out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Durbin remains concerned about home ownership, seeing as how the market has turned from his own first home purchase, 20 percent down in 1972, to zero down mortgages. He says the guarantees offered by the government-backed programs remain important.
Durbin was in Springfield to speak at a naturalization ceremony at the Old State Capitol Friday, which was both the official state holiday honoring the birth of Abraham Lincoln (whose birthday is actually today) and the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's departure from Springfield to begin his presidency. Durbin mentioned that Lincoln’s body lay in state after his assassination in the same building. The lesson: "History can guide us through difficult times."
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 02 12 11 by Newsroom |
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