Dear Senate Democrats: I have lost faith in your ability to do the right thing. Sincerely, Sinfonian

I've been somewhat nonplussed, if not bemused, by all the concern trollage regarding the Democrats in Congress, especially the Senate, and how they're not doing anything to stop the Bush crime syndicate from continuing to wipe their collective asses with the Constitution. After all, they've done far more than a Republican Congress would have done, and the hearings and investigations thus far have revealed an epidemic culture of corruption and politicization of the governmental process.

I've allowed that there probably have been legitimate reasons for much of the Congressional action, or inaction; I mean, for example, I totally disagree with Nancy Pelosi's decision to take impeachment off the table, but at least she has a plausible rationale. So, I've generally given the Dems a pass.

Until now.

The Senate, in a high-stakes showdown over national security, voted late Friday to temporarily give President Bush expanded authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists without court warrants.

The House, meanwhile, rejected a Democratic version of the bill.

Democratic leaders there were working on a plan to bring up the Senate-passed measure and vote on it Saturday in response to Bush's demand that Congress give him expanded powers before leaving for vacation this weekend.

The White House applauded the Senate vote and urged the House to quickly follow suit.

The bill "will give our intelligence professionals the essential tools they need to protect our nation," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto. "It is urgent that this legislation become law as quickly as possible."

Senate Democrats reluctantly voted for a plan largely crafted by the White House after Bush promised to veto a stricter proposal that would have required a court review to begin within 10 days.

The Senate's acquiescence to the Bush crime syndicate on FISA this time is unforgivable. I can't for the life of me understand what they are thinking by giving Drunky McStagger more authority to violate individual rights; with all the evidence that when you give them an inch, they take a mile, you know that this is going to lead to more warrantless domestic surveillance, whether covert or not. If they did this only because "Bush promised to veto a stricter proposal," then they've lost their last shred of honesty and integrity.

I'm appalled that the Senate caved in. So, let Drunky veto the stricter proposal! We need judicial intervention, and there would be ample opportunity to use the veto against Drunky and the Repukes politically. But, now, we've got a bunch of pussy Democrats -- please forgive the sexist language, but the pejorative colloquial meaning of the term truly applies here -- who have failed to uphold their oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The Senate vote was 60-28, complying with previous agreements to require a supermajority of 60 to pass the bill. As soon as I can find the tally of yeas and nays, I'll post it here. As I write this, it's not on any Senate or governmental website that I can find ... and I've been searching for an hour. (UPDATE -- see above.)

But there'll be more ranting to come on this. Count on it. This may not be the last time the Senate lets me down, but it's not going to go unnoticed or uncommented upon without response any more.

UPDATE (7:39 am 8/4/07): The bill result (it's S. 1927, sponsored by the egregiously bad Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and cosponsored by only one senator, the nearly as egregiously bad Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.)) has been posted in the Congressional Record, but the roll call vote, no. 309, still isn't up yet. I'm monitoring it regularly.

Also, I changed my last sentence. I can "comment on" the Senate's dereliction of duty all I want, but it won't change a thing. It's time to act -- indeed, it's well past time.