al·ly, Inflected Form(s): al·lied; al·ly·ing

What does it mean to be identified as an ally? Webster online provides two definitions:

1. to unite or form a connection between : ASSOCIATE
2. to connect or form a relation between (as by likeness or compatibility) : RELATE
   intransitive senses : to form or enter into an alliance

We often hear this term used to define who the friends of the USA are. By definition #2 we can know that an ally of the USA would be a person or country that has a favorable relation - as by likeness or compatibility - to the USA. When a country is involved the USA then enters into an alliance. Just like friends there might be differences but those in an alliance stand by each other - over looking the others shortcomings to achieve a greater purpose. If you call someone your friend, then you spit in his/her face, do you really think others would identify you as a friend of that person? A true ally would never search for something negative for the purpose of exploitation against us, nor would we do that to one of our allies. Those that do not think kindly of the USA or her allies would think differently - eagerly searching for any little negative fault in order to exploit it to the harm of the country directly or reputation of the USA or an ally. This is also known as friends vs. enemies. The USA has many allies in countries as well as individuals throughout the world.
In this time of battle to wipe out terrorists before they come to us again, the terrorists too have allies. Their allies support the goals of the terrorist and would never dream of exposing any of their faults. To the terrorists and their allies the USA and her allies are the enemy, and are constantly in hunt for anything that could possibly be used to cause harm to the USA or any of her allies. This is called psychological warfare and it relies on the compulsion of people to react with their emotions before they can reason anything out. Often this tactic is very successful. Often the media of the USA and her allies are the channels through which such exploitation takes place.
I just don't understand the motivation of people - especially politicians - to so eagerly become allies (knowingly or not) of terrorists, under the façade of civil rights or human rights - all the time neglecting the rights of Americans and our allies.
For those that can't comprehend the simplicity of definitions let's use a recent example - Senater Richard Durbin. Mr. Durbin recently compared U.S. treatment of al Qaeda suspects to the crimes of Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Pol Pot. Is Mr. Durbin a friend (ally) or not? His comments - did they help his friend (presumably the USA) or hurt the USA? His comments were posted at the Al Jazeera Arab-language news station - in a most favorable way. Obviously, they see Mr. Durbin as a friend. How about all the millions of parents that are proud of their children serving our country - think they are proud of Mr. Durbin and the Liberals? Guess we'll see come next election.