So, are the dems, are the rebel repugs willing to filibuster over Habeas?

I called both offices, but the line to Olympia Snowe was so busy it took about 10 minutes to get through.

So keep those calls coming folks -- keep the pressure on!

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c1 09:S.3930:

Links to the Library of Congress versions of the bill. Which one is it? I'm faily sure it's the top one but not entirely certain.

Anyhow, it can't hurt to scan it.

for this post.  I wrote emails with slight variation on what your wording. In case anyone is interested:

Dear Senator:

Please vote "no" on  S. 3930.

This unAmerican bill betrays the United States Constitution and will not help our efforts to secure the country.  It violates the spirit of our people, our history, and our heritage.  Moreover, torture does not lead to useful intelligence, but only to a muddy moral future for our ourselves and our children.

Thank you for your service and for your leadership.

Respectfully,

I don't disagree with your suggested wording, but just thought some variation might not be bad either.

It's now being reported that the House bill has passed.

Simon
Fresno

Am I missing something? I've not seen a single Democratic Senator speak on the subject.

And we're down a few because Landrieu and Nelson are scared of loud sounds from the right.

Here's a good text from The Reclusive Leftist:

This bill gives the President the right to torture anyone, to lock anyone up for life -- you, your mother, your son, any one of us. All he has to do is decide we're "working against the United States," and we have no more rights. No right to an attorney, no right to be heard in court. The President doesn't even have to bring charges. He can just secretly send you or me to Guantanamo, order us to be tortured, put us in a prison cell for the rest of our lives.

This bill goes against everything this country stands for. It goes against everything we fought for in the Revolution.

This isn't about fighting terror. This is about taking away your rights. This is about turning the President into an absolute dictator.

Yeah I can't get through to Snowe.

Here's the letter I sent to Collins and Snowe as a fax (I also got through on Collins's line, but not Snowe). Collins lives in my neighborhood, it's worth pointing out. (Then again, so does phonejammer Tobin...).

Dear Senator:

I write as citizen of Maine, living in Bangor, raising two children to be decent, responsible human beings.  I work at the University of Maine, where I teach students in physics, promoting the liberal (and liberating) arts.  These basic statements matter at a time of crisis for our country.

I am writing to express my sincerest concern that you will vote in favor of the disgusting and immoral pro-torture bill that the White House supports.  This may make you a good Republican, but a lousy human being.  If we can't treat fellow human beings with a bare minimum of decency and dignity, we are no better than animals.  Will you support barbarism with your vote?

I have long held (and have written to you previously) that the abrogation of the Geneva Convention (a treaty which has the rule of law in our land) is the worst event of the past 5 years.  The Senate has failed miserably in dealing with the issue.  You have a chance now to do something, to speak out, to vote in favor of dignity, decency, and against disgust and depravity.

Please vote against the White House torture bill.  Please respect human life, human dignity, and vote against the insanity of fear.

Thank you.