(cross-posted at Deny My Freedom and Daily Kos)
Some of these “Democrats” are up for re-election right now. Because it’s too late for it, bring a vomit bag with you to the voting booth this November (except for one of them, where you have a real choice).
But there is no excuse for voting for torture. I don’t care about party loyalty when it comes to an issue that goes straight to the core of human rights and moral leadership. There are some things you cannot abrogate. This is one such issue.
Below the fold, you will see 11 “Democrats” (and 1 ‘independent Democrat’). Next cycle, every one of them deserves a primary challenge. Don’t forget that today, they voted to abandon moral decency and the essence of our humanity. Whether it’s in 2, 4, or 6 years, each and every one of these people must have a primary challenge. Voting for this bill goes beyond politics. It shows a clear moral flaw.
Senator Tom Carper, Delaware
Senator Tim Johnson, South Dakota
Senator Mary Landrieu, Louisiana
Senator Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey
Senator Joe Lieberman, Connecticut
Senator Robert Menendez, New Jersey
Senator Bill Nelson, Florida
Senator Ben Nelson, Nebraska
Senator Mark Pryor, Arkansas
Senator Jay Rockefeller, West Virginia
Senator Ken Salazar, Colorado
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan
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I don’t give a damn that politicians like Ben Nelson and Tim Johnson may be the only kind of Democrats who can serve in these deeply Republican states. Max Baucus, Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan – they live in equally red states, and they voted against the bill. That argument holds absolutely no water this time around.
Contact your senator if they are on the list above. Notify them that when their next election after this year rolls around, they will be facing a primary challenge. Do not try to rationalize their votes, because there is none.
There is never a good enough explanation to legalize torture.
Yup and then pressure the local party to find a replacement. Let everyone know that you will not vote for someone who condones torture and the right to a fair trial.
I was so pissed off last night I forgot to recommend!
Seems that Menendez and Lautenberg just got 270 million for the defense industries of New Jersey yesterday as well. Hmm . . .
God I have to work for a living. If I didn’t, I’d spend all day ranting into the ears of these senators’ aids.
Our democratic experiment is officially over. Kangaroo courts, unwarranted arrests with stripping of all rights, forget it. It’s a totalitarian country now, a totalitarian government, and we can thank our Congress and all the greedy wimps for it.
We could have stopped Bush/Cheney/Rummy/Condi, but without the cooperation of the Congress, what’s left but revolution or coup??
Goodbye freedom, goodbye safety, welcome terrorism from our own people executed on our citizens.
This is the lowest moment of the CheneyCo. presidency, right up there with the authorization of the Iraq invasion by the Congress.
Could it be worse? And fuck, there’s crap on the front page on gay marriage haters? Who cares? This is the story of the year, and we just let the drivel go on and on?
STOP NOW. Arrests without due process, without habeus corpus is the defining state of totalitarianism. You think because you’re white you’ll be protected? Think again!!
You left aspiring Senators Harold Ford and Sherrod Brown off your list. They voted for this abomination in the House.
I can’t believe Lautenberg (and Menendez) voted for this travesty. Unbelievable.